State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Appoints
New Director of School Fiscal Services Division
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today congratulated Peter Foggiato on his appointment as the new director of the California Department of Education's (CDE) School Fiscal Services Division.
"Peter brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position at the department," said Torlakson. "School districts across the state rely on the department's fiscal experts for help navigating the complex world of school finance, and we're lucky to have Peter heading up that outstanding team."
Peter has worked at the CDE for seven years having served most recently as an education fiscal services administrator in the Office of Principal Apportionment and Special Education. Prior to joining the CDE, Foggiato spent seven years as an auditor evaluator at the Bureau of State Audits.
He replaces Scott Hannan, who directed the School Fiscal Services Division for nine years before retiring at the end of last year.
For additional information please visit the School Fiscal Services Division, which apportions funds to local educational agencies and guides them from the state level on fiscal solvency, audit resolution, and financial reports.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
California Department of Education
Responds to Student Meal Programs Report
SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education's Chief Deputy Superintendent Richard Zeiger responded today to the recent report on student meal programs prepared for the California Senate Rules Committee:
"Our goal is to be sure every dollar set aside to feed California's children is spent for that purpose, and that purpose alone. The California Department of Education shares the concerns raised in the Senate report, and worked closely with the legislative staff who prepared it.
"As the report notes, our enforcement efforts have led to the repayment to districts' cafeteria funds of more than $170 million in the last two years alone. Still, we recognize that more needs to be done. While our previous monitoring efforts primarily emphasized food nutrition, program eligibility, civil rights protections, and U.S. Department of Agriculture food requirements, we are increasing our focus on oversight of cafeteria fund expenditures.
"Accordingly, we have updated our guidance to school districts, begun training California Department of Education nutrition monitors to flag accounting issues, and are in the process of hiring additional program analysts and monitors. And in accordance with new federal requirements, the Department will begin more frequent reviews of district programs later this year."
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100