June 7, 2021

Dr. Gene Freeman, Superintendent

Asheville City Schools
85 Mountain Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Reference: Administrative Review (AR) of the Summer Food Service Program

(SFSP) administered by Asheville City Schools as authorized by 7 CFR 225

Dear Dr. Freeman:

On behalf of the School Nutrition Division, thank you for the cooperation of your School
Nutrition staff during the recent review of the Summer Food Service Program. The
Administrative Review (AR) is designed to monitor compliance with Federal and State
regulations and policies of the State Board of Education that govern the operation of the
School Nutrition Program. Review procedures are strictly prescribed and monitored by the
Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This communication contains the results of the review for cause and includes
commendations, recommendations for program improvement, the Report of Findings and
required corrective actions. It is important to note that some of these findings were due to
the limitation of the School Nutrition Administrator in non-school sites and were identified
as systemic problems. Federal guidance requires all findings to be documented and
addressed through a written Corrective Action Plan.

As a result of errors in Meal Counting and Claiming that were noted during the review, the
district’s School Nutrition Program over-claimed $1,395.11 in the Summer Food Service
Program at breakfast and over-claimed $3,587.21 in the Summer Food Service Program
at lunch (totals may slightly vary due to rounding). Staff from the department were on-site
a few weeks ago to assist the School Nutrition Department in making the appropriate
remaining claims adjustments. The final claim adjustment will be made upon submission
of the district’s May 2021 claim for reimbursement.

Asheville City Schools has the right to appeal the reclaim of Federal funds and request an
evidentiary hearing concerning these findings. Any appeal must be provided, in writing,

SCHOOL NUTRITION DIVISION

Lynn Harvey, Ed.D., RDN, LDN, FAND, SNS, Director | lynn.harvey@dpi.nc.gov
6324 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6324 | (984) 236-2910
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
Dr. Gene Freeman, Superintendent
Asheville City Schools (111)
June 7, 2021
Page 2

within 15 calendar days of receipt of this notice. The request for appeal should be
addressed to:

Ms. Allison Schafer, General Counsel

State Board of Education
Public Schools of North Carolina
6302 Mail Services Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6302

A copy of the request for appeal should also be provided to:

Dr. Lynn Harvey, Director

School Nutrition and District Operations
NC Department of Public Instruction
6324 Mail Services Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6324

An acknowledgment of the request of appeal will be sent to you with a complete copy of
the appeal procedure.

Each of the areas of non-compliance is detailed in the attached document entitled AR

Review for Cause Report. A written Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to address each area of
non-compliance must be developed and submitted no later than 60 calendar days after the
date of this letter. Please send the CAP to me at this address:

Jeffrey Squires, Administrative Review Specialist

School Nutrition Division
NC Department of Public Instruction
100 River Mill Drive, Apt. 428
Asheville, NC 28803

The review of the Summer Food Service Program does not constitute an audit under
Federal audit standards. Future audits could generate different findings, up to and
including fiscal action.
Dr. Gene Freeman, Superintendent
Asheville City Schools
June 7, 2021
Page 3

Should you have questions about the review or the required corrective actions, please
contact me.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Squires, Administrative Review Specialist

School Nutrition Division, NCDPI

Enclosures

c: Melissa Bates, Interim School Nutrition Administrator, Asheville City Schools

Dr. Lynn Harvey, Director, School Nutrition and District Operations, NCDPI
Dr. Shane Cassida, Assistant Superintendent, Asheville City Schools
Janet Johnson, Assistant Director, School Nutrition Division, NCDPI
Cynthia Ervin, Section Chief, School Nutrition Division, NCDPI
Janette Broda, Nutrition Specialist, School Nutrition Division, NCDPI
Diane Shuler, School Nutrition Consultant, School Nutrition Division, NCDPI
Ivy Early, Summer Nutrition Consultant, School Nutrition Division, NCDPI
Jacquelyn McGowan, Compliance Specialist, School Nutrition Division, NCDPI
Chris Campbell, Campbell Shatley, PLLC, Counsel for Asheville City Schools
Allison Schaeffer, General Counsel, State Board of Education