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District says food‑service surplus is being reinvested in equipment and dining improvements
Summary
District staff told the committee that about $9 million in food‑service funds is held in reserve under federal and state rules and is being used for equipment upgrades, vehicles and outdoor dining areas; staff described constraints on how surplus can be spent.
Beaufort County School District staff told the finance committee on Sept. 12 that the food service fund held roughly $9 million and that those dollars are being reinvested in equipment and dining improvements, consistent with federal and state program rules.
"The food is actually purchased from the contractor," the finance presenter said, explaining that the contracted nutrition provider manages inventory and that the district can use excess food‑service funds only for program‑related capital and student nutrition improvements. Staff said the district has accelerated a multi‑year refresh of kitchens and purchased refrigerated trucks and other equipment in recent years.
The presenter said the district has hired additional food‑service administrative staff, including an accountant assigned to food service, to improve monitoring and compliance. Committee members asked for clear, public‑facing explanations so parents and taxpayers understand why a multi‑million‑dollar balance exists and how it will be spent.
The finance office said it will include clearer, condensed summaries of federal/state/local revenue and the food‑service plan in future reports to help the board and public interpret the fund balances.
