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Food Service Department “Perfect”
on State Audit

No “findings” during 4-day review of program

A four-day comprehensive on-site evaluation by the state of Texas of the IISD’s Food Service Department concluded on April 14, 2005 with a result of “no findings.”  The on-site evaluation, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is conducted at least once every five years in school districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program (among other meal programs).  The purpose of the evaluation, known as the Coordinated Review Effort (CRE), is to determine compliance with the federal Child Nutrition meals programs.

Two key program areas are reviewed during a CRE: 1) Meal Counting and Claiming; and 2) Meal Components.  In addition, numerous General Review Areas are examined.  In all, nearly 100 specific performance criteria are examined and reviewed by the state.  On-site reviews of meal service are also conducted.  Nimitz HS, Austin MS, Good Elementary, and Barton Elementary schools were reviewed during the lunch meal, and Barton was visited during breakfast service.  Thousands of meal applications from these four schools were reviewed for accuracy of benefits determination. 

After four long and thorough days of evaluation and measurement by the state, the findings were clear: Irving ISD Food Service Department earned a “perfect” review!  From meal quality and nutrition, through the proper counting and claiming of reimbursable meals, to having a motivated and effective well-trained professional staff, the Food Service Department met every performance criteria in a superior manner.  In summary, the state evaluator noted that the Food Service staff “are doing an excellent job with the Nutrition Program in the district.”

How significant is a “perfect” CRE? 

In the greater Region X ESC area, only five other districts received a “perfect” CRE rating in SY 2004-2005, and the largest of those five districts is composed of six schools (Irving ISD has 33 schools).  Many Food Service departments never achieve a “perfect” rating, as it is an extremely difficult task to meet the many criteria without a single incident or shortcoming. 

In summary, the entire Food Service staff, from the outstanding cafeteria managers and their employees to the department’s central office employees, performed in an exemplary manner.  Furthermore, the staff and administration of the four schools that were visited provided essential support.  Director of Food Service Michael Rosenberger said about his staff that “I’ve never been so proud of such an outstanding team.  We’ve accomplished what many might have thought to be the impossible goal!”