Kansas audit uncovers free student lunch misallocations

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit (LPA) found in a recent study that a significant number of students received free school lunches despite having household incomes that exceeded the poverty threshold.

The free lunch count was more than double the number estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau to be eligible for free lunch in 2023 and 2024, according to the LPA report released on July 21. Both the state and the federal government likely overpaid districts for at-risk funding and meal reimbursements for those years.

Auditors wrote that an estimated 54% to 72% of Kansas students who qualified for free lunches were likely ineligible during the 2023-2024 school year.

The LPA recommends the Kansas Legislature consider how at-risk funding should be allocated and whether it should continue to be based on the free lunch count. The LPA said the free lunch count may no longer be an accurate measure of determining the number of students at-risk of academic failure in a district.

The Kansas Department of Education Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Frank Harwood, wrote a response to the audit after receiving a draft of it on June 26.

“In considering the findings of this audit, although the free lunch count may no longer be an accurate measure of poverty, the Legislature should consider if the formula still meets the overall goal of providing a measure of at- risk students, given that poverty is not part of the definition of an at-risk student.”
Kansas Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Dr. Frank Harwood

Auditors reviewed financial documents for 769 students who qualified for school lunches in the 2023 and 2024 school years for the audit report. The LPA reviewed the rules the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has for districts participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Students from households with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level are eligible for free lunches, according to the Kansas State Department of Education. Those between 130% and 180% of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price lunches.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.