FINDING 2023-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 21-1620, 21-1620
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to the eligibility determination of a child receiving meals.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child,"
may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and
the School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility
requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. Children who have been determined
ineligible for free or reduced-price school meals pay the full price, set by the School Food Authority, for their
meals. Children attending SFSP meal service sites receive their meals at no charge. As a general rule, a
child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established
by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income
and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine eligibility by
comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Additionally,
a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the
child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under
most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its
participation in one of these programs; or the school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information
directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless,
and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct Certified
households do not need to complete an application.
Free and reduced price applications were completed online. The information entered in the
application was then automatically uploaded into the School Corporation's child nutrition software system.
The software system calculated a student's eligibility for free and reduced price meals based on the
parameters within the system.
The system parameters were entered by the Food Service Director, without a documented review
or oversight process to ensure the parameters entered were accurate. Additionally, there was not a review
process in place to ensure that the eligibility determinations made by the software system were in
compliance with the requirements of the programs.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
19
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 21-1620, 21-1620
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to the eligibility determination of a child receiving meals.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child,"
may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and
the School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility
requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. Children who have been determined
ineligible for free or reduced-price school meals pay the full price, set by the School Food Authority, for their
meals. Children attending SFSP meal service sites receive their meals at no charge. As a general rule, a
child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established
by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income
and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine eligibility by
comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Additionally,
a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the
child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under
most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its
participation in one of these programs; or the school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information
directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless,
and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct Certified
households do not need to complete an application.
Free and reduced price applications were completed online. The information entered in the
application was then automatically uploaded into the School Corporation's child nutrition software system.
The software system calculated a student's eligibility for free and reduced price meals based on the
parameters within the system.
The system parameters were entered by the Food Service Director, without a documented review
or oversight process to ensure the parameters entered were accurate. Additionally, there was not a review
process in place to ensure that the eligibility determinations made by the software system were in
compliance with the requirements of the programs.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
19
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with program funds, recipients are
required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded
under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000.
The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusion, collecting a certification from that person,
or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that
a person with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded, the School Corporation disclosed there were not any policies or procedures in place. Two
covered transactions that equaled or exceeded $25,000 were identified. Both transactions, totaling
$837,454, were selected for testing. For the two transactions, the School Corporation did not verify the
vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance. As a result, vendors to whom payments are equal to or in excess of $25,000 were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions
or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that contractors are not suspended,
debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with program funds, recipients are
required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded
under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000.
The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusion, collecting a certification from that person,
or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that
a person with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded, the School Corporation disclosed there were not any policies or procedures in place. Two
covered transactions that equaled or exceeded $25,000 were identified. Both transactions, totaling
$837,454, were selected for testing. For the two transactions, the School Corporation did not verify the
vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance. As a result, vendors to whom payments are equal to or in excess of $25,000 were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions
or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that contractors are not suspended,
debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Equipment,
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management, Special
Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to asset inventory and per-user limitations of the devices
purchased with Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program support.
Equipment Management
For each connected device provided to an individual student, the asset inventory must identify:
1. The device or equipment type (i.e., laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router);
2. The device or equipment make/model;
3. The device or equipment serial number;
4. The full name of the person to whom the device was provided; and
5. The dates the device was loaned out and returned to the school or the date the school was
notified that the device was missing, lost, or damaged.
The School Corporation maintained a listing of equipment purchased with program funds;
however, there was no documented oversight or review process to ensure the listing was
accurate and complete.
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
To maximize the use of limited funds per-location and per-user limitation will be imposed. As
such, an eligible school will be reimbursed for no more than one connected device per student,
per school.
School Corporation officials stated that the Asset Management system would not have allowed
the same student to register multiple devices; however, there was no documented oversight or
review to ensure that the user limitations in the system were in place during the audit period,
and operating effectively to ensure a student only had one connected device as required by
the grant award.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
22
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Equipment,
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management, Special
Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to asset inventory and per-user limitations of the devices
purchased with Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program support.
Equipment Management
For each connected device provided to an individual student, the asset inventory must identify:
1. The device or equipment type (i.e., laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router);
2. The device or equipment make/model;
3. The device or equipment serial number;
4. The full name of the person to whom the device was provided; and
5. The dates the device was loaned out and returned to the school or the date the school was
notified that the device was missing, lost, or damaged.
The School Corporation maintained a listing of equipment purchased with program funds;
however, there was no documented oversight or review process to ensure the listing was
accurate and complete.
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
To maximize the use of limited funds per-location and per-user limitation will be imposed. As
such, an eligible school will be reimbursed for no more than one connected device per student,
per school.
School Corporation officials stated that the Asset Management system would not have allowed
the same student to register multiple devices; however, there was no documented oversight or
review to ensure that the user limitations in the system were in place during the audit period,
and operating effectively to ensure a student only had one connected device as required by
the grant award.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
22
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
23
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not
available for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with Special Education Cluster
(IDEA) award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients
are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are
not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction
(i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be
done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a
clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both transactions,
totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified, from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023 and the
23611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-ARP grants.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal
procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the
associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement
of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
23
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not
available for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with Special Education Cluster
(IDEA) award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients
are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are
not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction
(i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be
done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a
clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both transactions,
totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified, from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023 and the
23611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-ARP grants.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal
procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the
associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement
of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
23
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not
available for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with Special Education Cluster
(IDEA) award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients
are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are
not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction
(i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be
done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a
clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both transactions,
totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified, from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023 and the
23611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-ARP grants.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal
procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the
associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement
of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-006
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-048-PN01, 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
26
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-006.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special
education programs and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of three of the six
member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and
the member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 21611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-PN01
grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds
for the participating member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead
of time charged to the nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As
such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum
amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 21611-048-PN01 and
22611-048-9N01 grant awards.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
27
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls
consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements
of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would
implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure Non-Public Proportionate Share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-006
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-048-PN01, 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
26
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-006.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special
education programs and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of three of the six
member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and
the member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 21611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-PN01
grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds
for the participating member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead
of time charged to the nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As
such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum
amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 21611-048-PN01 and
22611-048-9N01 grant awards.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
27
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls
consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements
of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would
implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure Non-Public Proportionate Share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 21-1620, 21-1620
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to the eligibility determination of a child receiving meals.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child,"
may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and
the School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility
requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. Children who have been determined
ineligible for free or reduced-price school meals pay the full price, set by the School Food Authority, for their
meals. Children attending SFSP meal service sites receive their meals at no charge. As a general rule, a
child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established
by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income
and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine eligibility by
comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Additionally,
a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the
child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under
most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its
participation in one of these programs; or the school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information
directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless,
and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct Certified
households do not need to complete an application.
Free and reduced price applications were completed online. The information entered in the
application was then automatically uploaded into the School Corporation's child nutrition software system.
The software system calculated a student's eligibility for free and reduced price meals based on the
parameters within the system.
The system parameters were entered by the Food Service Director, without a documented review
or oversight process to ensure the parameters entered were accurate. Additionally, there was not a review
process in place to ensure that the eligibility determinations made by the software system were in
compliance with the requirements of the programs.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
19
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 21-1620, 21-1620
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to the eligibility determination of a child receiving meals.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child,"
may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and
the School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility
requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. Children who have been determined
ineligible for free or reduced-price school meals pay the full price, set by the School Food Authority, for their
meals. Children attending SFSP meal service sites receive their meals at no charge. As a general rule, a
child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established
by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income
and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine eligibility by
comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Additionally,
a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the
child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under
most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its
participation in one of these programs; or the school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information
directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless,
and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct Certified
households do not need to complete an application.
Free and reduced price applications were completed online. The information entered in the
application was then automatically uploaded into the School Corporation's child nutrition software system.
The software system calculated a student's eligibility for free and reduced price meals based on the
parameters within the system.
The system parameters were entered by the Food Service Director, without a documented review
or oversight process to ensure the parameters entered were accurate. Additionally, there was not a review
process in place to ensure that the eligibility determinations made by the software system were in
compliance with the requirements of the programs.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
19
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with program funds, recipients are
required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded
under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000.
The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusion, collecting a certification from that person,
or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that
a person with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded, the School Corporation disclosed there were not any policies or procedures in place. Two
covered transactions that equaled or exceeded $25,000 were identified. Both transactions, totaling
$837,454, were selected for testing. For the two transactions, the School Corporation did not verify the
vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance. As a result, vendors to whom payments are equal to or in excess of $25,000 were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions
or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that contractors are not suspended,
debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with program funds, recipients are
required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded
under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000.
The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusion, collecting a certification from that person,
or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that
a person with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise
excluded, the School Corporation disclosed there were not any policies or procedures in place. Two
covered transactions that equaled or exceeded $25,000 were identified. Both transactions, totaling
$837,454, were selected for testing. For the two transactions, the School Corporation did not verify the
vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance. As a result, vendors to whom payments are equal to or in excess of $25,000 were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions
or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that contractors are not suspended,
debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Equipment,
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management, Special
Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to asset inventory and per-user limitations of the devices
purchased with Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program support.
Equipment Management
For each connected device provided to an individual student, the asset inventory must identify:
1. The device or equipment type (i.e., laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router);
2. The device or equipment make/model;
3. The device or equipment serial number;
4. The full name of the person to whom the device was provided; and
5. The dates the device was loaned out and returned to the school or the date the school was
notified that the device was missing, lost, or damaged.
The School Corporation maintained a listing of equipment purchased with program funds;
however, there was no documented oversight or review process to ensure the listing was
accurate and complete.
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
To maximize the use of limited funds per-location and per-user limitation will be imposed. As
such, an eligible school will be reimbursed for no more than one connected device per student,
per school.
School Corporation officials stated that the Asset Management system would not have allowed
the same student to register multiple devices; however, there was no documented oversight or
review to ensure that the user limitations in the system were in place during the audit period,
and operating effectively to ensure a student only had one connected device as required by
the grant award.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
22
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Equipment,
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Assistance Listings Number: 32.009
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 50335
Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management, Special
Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to asset inventory and per-user limitations of the devices
purchased with Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program support.
Equipment Management
For each connected device provided to an individual student, the asset inventory must identify:
1. The device or equipment type (i.e., laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router);
2. The device or equipment make/model;
3. The device or equipment serial number;
4. The full name of the person to whom the device was provided; and
5. The dates the device was loaned out and returned to the school or the date the school was
notified that the device was missing, lost, or damaged.
The School Corporation maintained a listing of equipment purchased with program funds;
however, there was no documented oversight or review process to ensure the listing was
accurate and complete.
Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose
To maximize the use of limited funds per-location and per-user limitation will be imposed. As
such, an eligible school will be reimbursed for no more than one connected device per student,
per school.
School Corporation officials stated that the Asset Management system would not have allowed
the same student to register multiple devices; however, there was no documented oversight or
review to ensure that the user limitations in the system were in place during the audit period,
and operating effectively to ensure a student only had one connected device as required by
the grant award.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
22
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls,
including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed,
the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to
ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
23
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not
available for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with Special Education Cluster
(IDEA) award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients
are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are
not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction
(i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be
done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a
clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both transactions,
totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified, from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023 and the
23611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-ARP grants.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal
procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the
associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement
of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
23
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not
available for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with Special Education Cluster
(IDEA) award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients
are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are
not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction
(i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be
done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a
clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both transactions,
totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified, from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023 and the
23611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-ARP grants.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal
procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the
associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement
of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
23
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not
available for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with Special Education Cluster
(IDEA) award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients
are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are
not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction
(i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be
done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a
clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both transactions,
totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified, from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023 and the
23611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-ARP grants.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal
procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the
associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement
of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not implemented by management of the School
Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and
implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures.
Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal
controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-006
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-048-PN01, 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
26
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-006.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special
education programs and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of three of the six
member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and
the member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 21611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-PN01
grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds
for the participating member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead
of time charged to the nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As
such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum
amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 21611-048-PN01 and
22611-048-9N01 grant awards.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
27
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls
consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements
of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would
implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure Non-Public Proportionate Share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-006
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-048-PN01, 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
26
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-006.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special
education programs and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of three of the six
member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and
the member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 21611-048-PN01 and 22611-048-PN01
grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds
for the participating member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead
of time charged to the nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As
such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum
amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 21611-048-PN01 and
22611-048-9N01 grant awards.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
27
LAWRENCEBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls
consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements
of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would
implement these policies.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the
internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material
noncompliance.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure Non-Public Proportionate Share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.