L.A. Unified School District FSD David Binkle resigns

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David Binkle has resigned as the foodservice director for the Los Angeles Unified School District, in the wake of charges stemming from an investigation into the district meal program’s operational procedures and finances.

Binkle had held the position since 2012, prior to being placed on administrative leave with pay in February after an audit report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found inappropriate spending, mismanagement, contractual issues and ethical breaches in the foodservice division.

The report also found that Binkle had violated ethical codes by failing to report his ownership of a food-based consulting business.

His resignation took effect July 31. Interim co-directors Laura Benavidez and Timikel Sharpe are currently overseeing the foodservice division.

Binkle had garnered national praise in his role for developing healthier school lunch menus at the nation’s second-largest school district, which serves more than 130 million meals a year.

Adding fuel to the fire, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is accusing the Los Angeles Unified School District of reallocating federal funds for the NSLP to buy a new sprinkler system and pay salaries at the district’s local TV station, according to a recent report by The Hill.