COLTON, Calif.—Recent mismanagement issues with the nutrition services departments of two San Bernardino County school districts, Colton Joint Unified and Rialto Unified, are among a series of similar problems in California made worse by “overmatched” state investigators facing what could be a flood of such cases, according to a report prepared last year for the state Senate.
Released in February 2013, “Food fight: small team of state examiners no match for schools that divert student meal funds,” prepared by the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes, depicts a financially strapped oversight system with less than one California Department of Education inspector for every 50 public school districts.