FINDING 2023-003
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): FY2022-2023
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. The prior audit finding number was 2021-004.
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 a child receiving meals that was a direct certified or that
submitted an electronic application.
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.
The Food Service Director ran the direct certification report weekly and uploaded it to the school
lunch point-of-sale system. The Food Service Director verified the information was imported correctly by
comparing reports from the point-of-sale system to the upload file. This process continued weekly;
however, there was no documentation of the review to ensure the upload had imported correctly and
students' status was updated accordingly.
In addition, the School Corporation used a food software program to store, manage, and
automatically make eligibility determinations dependent upon the information entered into the software by
the parents, guardians, or school lunch employees. The School Corporation did not have a proper system
of oversight or review to ensure that the federal income guidelines entered into the software program were
accurate for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to direct certifications and electronic applications during
the 2022-2023 school year.
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 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.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): FY2022-2023
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. The prior audit finding number was 2021-004.
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 a child receiving meals that was a direct certified or that
submitted an electronic application.
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.
The Food Service Director ran the direct certification report weekly and uploaded it to the school
lunch point-of-sale system. The Food Service Director verified the information was imported correctly by
comparing reports from the point-of-sale system to the upload file. This process continued weekly;
however, there was no documentation of the review to ensure the upload had imported correctly and
students' status was updated accordingly.
In addition, the School Corporation used a food software program to store, manage, and
automatically make eligibility determinations dependent upon the information entered into the software by
the parents, guardians, or school lunch employees. The School Corporation did not have a proper system
of oversight or review to ensure that the federal income guidelines entered into the software program were
accurate for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to direct certifications and electronic applications during
the 2022-2023 school year.
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 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.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): FY2022-2023
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. The prior audit finding number was 2021-004.
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 a child receiving meals that was a direct certified or that
submitted an electronic application.
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.
The Food Service Director ran the direct certification report weekly and uploaded it to the school
lunch point-of-sale system. The Food Service Director verified the information was imported correctly by
comparing reports from the point-of-sale system to the upload file. This process continued weekly;
however, there was no documentation of the review to ensure the upload had imported correctly and
students' status was updated accordingly.
In addition, the School Corporation used a food software program to store, manage, and
automatically make eligibility determinations dependent upon the information entered into the software by
the parents, guardians, or school lunch employees. The School Corporation did not have a proper system
of oversight or review to ensure that the federal income guidelines entered into the software program were
accurate for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to direct certifications and electronic applications during
the 2022-2023 school year.
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 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.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting, Special Tests and Provisions -
Assessment System Security
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.
Eligibility
Data from the School Corporation's student software system was uploaded to the Indiana
Department of Education's (IDOE) Data Exchange System. Enrollment and poverty information
for the School Corporation was then abstracted by the IDOE from the Data Exchange
System into the Title I application.
The School Corporation had not designed or implemented an oversight or review process to
ensure that the data was accurately uploaded by the IDOE into the Title I application.
Reporting
The School Corporation was required to submit final expenditure reports to the IDOE on or
before December 31, after the September 30 deadline for encumbering prior school year funds.
During the audit period, the School Corporation had final expenditure reports due for the
S010A200014 and the S010A210014 grant awards. A single employee prepared and
submitted the final reports without a documented review or oversight process in place to
prevent, or detect and correct, errors.
Special Tests and Provisions - Assessment System Security
The School Corporation had a process in place to ensure that the assessment system security
policy was reviewed and updated, if applicable, each year per the assessment security
handbook. However, there was no documentation of that process to ensure that the policy was
being reviewed.
The lack of internal controls was systemic throughout the audit period.
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 designed 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.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting, Special Tests and Provisions -
Assessment System Security
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.
Eligibility
Data from the School Corporation's student software system was uploaded to the Indiana
Department of Education's (IDOE) Data Exchange System. Enrollment and poverty information
for the School Corporation was then abstracted by the IDOE from the Data Exchange
System into the Title I application.
The School Corporation had not designed or implemented an oversight or review process to
ensure that the data was accurately uploaded by the IDOE into the Title I application.
Reporting
The School Corporation was required to submit final expenditure reports to the IDOE on or
before December 31, after the September 30 deadline for encumbering prior school year funds.
During the audit period, the School Corporation had final expenditure reports due for the
S010A200014 and the S010A210014 grant awards. A single employee prepared and
submitted the final reports without a documented review or oversight process in place to
prevent, or detect and correct, errors.
Special Tests and Provisions - Assessment System Security
The School Corporation had a process in place to ensure that the assessment system security
policy was reviewed and updated, if applicable, each year per the assessment security
handbook. However, there was no documentation of that process to ensure that the policy was
being reviewed.
The lack of internal controls was systemic throughout the audit period.
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 designed 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.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-007
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Due to the lack of internal controls, the School Corporation had the following errors for payroll
expenditures:
1. Two employees' gross payroll and benefits were reimbursed from the grant; however, their
duties were not for the Title I program which resulted in questioned costs of $61,266.
2. One employee's gross payroll was split-funded between Title I and another School
Corporation fund. There were no time and effort records to substantiate the gross payroll
amount charged to the grant which resulted in questioned costs of $60,121.
3. One employee was overpaid per the contracted amount which resulted in questioned costs
of $8,945.
The School Corporation determined in May 2023 that the two employees' payroll and benefits were
being charged to the grant when they should not have been and corrected the issue in its financial software
system, making the correction back to July 1, 2022. The School Corporation, however, failed to notify the
Indiana Department of Education that the School Corporation had been over reimbursed.
The School Corporation received reimbursement for several gross payroll expenditures from one
Title I grant fund. The School Corporation later made journal entries to move these gross payroll expenditures
to another grant fund and received reimbursement again for those same gross payroll expenditures.
As the School Corporation received reimbursement twice for the same gross payroll expenditures, the
second reimbursement of the expenditures was considered questioned costs. The total amount of questions
costs was $99,117.
Total known questioned costs of $229,449 as detailed above represent 25 percent of the total
federal expenditures for Title I.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
34 CFR 76.700 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall comply with § 76.500, the State plan,
applicable statutes, regulations, and approved applications, and shall use Federal funds in accordance with
those statutes, regulations, plan, and applications."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, costs were reimbursed that were not for Title I purposes, not supported by
time and effort logs, overpaid, and reimbursed twice for the same expenditures. In addition, overpayment
of reimbursements received were retained by the School Corporation.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $229,449 were identified in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-007
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Due to the lack of internal controls, the School Corporation had the following errors for payroll
expenditures:
1. Two employees' gross payroll and benefits were reimbursed from the grant; however, their
duties were not for the Title I program which resulted in questioned costs of $61,266.
2. One employee's gross payroll was split-funded between Title I and another School
Corporation fund. There were no time and effort records to substantiate the gross payroll
amount charged to the grant which resulted in questioned costs of $60,121.
3. One employee was overpaid per the contracted amount which resulted in questioned costs
of $8,945.
The School Corporation determined in May 2023 that the two employees' payroll and benefits were
being charged to the grant when they should not have been and corrected the issue in its financial software
system, making the correction back to July 1, 2022. The School Corporation, however, failed to notify the
Indiana Department of Education that the School Corporation had been over reimbursed.
The School Corporation received reimbursement for several gross payroll expenditures from one
Title I grant fund. The School Corporation later made journal entries to move these gross payroll expenditures
to another grant fund and received reimbursement again for those same gross payroll expenditures.
As the School Corporation received reimbursement twice for the same gross payroll expenditures, the
second reimbursement of the expenditures was considered questioned costs. The total amount of questions
costs was $99,117.
Total known questioned costs of $229,449 as detailed above represent 25 percent of the total
federal expenditures for Title I.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
34 CFR 76.700 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall comply with § 76.500, the State plan,
applicable statutes, regulations, and approved applications, and shall use Federal funds in accordance with
those statutes, regulations, plan, and applications."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, costs were reimbursed that were not for Title I purposes, not supported by
time and effort logs, overpaid, and reimbursed twice for the same expenditures. In addition, overpayment
of reimbursements received were retained by the School Corporation.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $229,449 were identified in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-008
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers) S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Earmarking
A portion of the School Corporation's Title I allocation was required to be set aside for parental
involvement and homeless reservation. The required amount to be set aside was indicated in
the Title I grant application. The School Corporation is responsible for monitoring each required
set aside throughout the life of the grant to ensure the obligation is met.
There was no oversight or review process in place to ensure monitoring of each required set
aside. The School Corporation did not provide documentation to show that the obligation was
met, or not met, to service all the homeless students in the School Corporation and did not
transfer the unused funds to the next grant award.
Level of Effort - Individual Transactions (Vendor and Payroll)
Form 9 (financial) data was submitted by the School Corporation to the Indiana Department of
Education (IDOE) semi-annually. The data reported included the School Corporation's expenditures
recorded during that period. The IDOE calculated Maintenance of Effort based on the
expenditure information submitted on the Form 9 for that fiscal year. To verify amounts used
by the IDOE in its computation were derived from the records of the School Corporation, costs
were reviewed to ensure they were recorded properly as to account and object code and
reported correctly on the Form 9.
The School Corporation did not have an oversight process in place to ensure that expenditures
for payroll and vendor were posted to the correct fund, account, and object codes.
Level of Effort - Maintenance of Effort
The financial information submitted by the School Corporation to the IDOE through the Form 9
report, was used by the IDOE to calculate the School Corporation's Level of Effort -
Maintenance of Effort.
There was an oversight or review process at the School Corporation level over vendor and
payroll expenditures; however, the oversight and review process was not documented to
ensure the data used to complete the Form 9 was reported accurately in the correct fund,
account, and object code.
Level of Effort - Supplementing Not Supplanting
The School Corporation may use Title I funds only to supplement the funds that would, in the
absence of the Title I funds, be made available from state and local sources for the education
of students participating in a Title I program. To demonstrate compliance, the School
Corporation must demonstrate that it has a methodology (through written procedures) and
followed the methodology to allocate state and local funds to each Title I school. They also
must ensure that the Title I school received all the state and local funds it would otherwise
receive if it were not receiving Title I funds.
The School Corporation did not provide written procedures for the methodology used for the
FY 2021 and FY 2022 Title I applications. The School Corporation had not developed written
procedures for methodology; therefore, we were not able to determine how the School
Corporation allocated funding per each school.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
20 USC 6313(c)(3)(A) states::
"A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary under this part,
determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide services comparable to
those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve—
(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related support
services to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;
(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and
(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected or
delinquent children in community day programs."
20 USC 6691 states: "Funds made available under this subchapter shall be used to supplement,
and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized under this
subchapter."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, proper documentation was not maintained to ensure the obligation to service
homeless students was met or unmet. In addition, a written methodology of the allocation of state and local
funds to each Title I school was not provided.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-008
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers) S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Earmarking
A portion of the School Corporation's Title I allocation was required to be set aside for parental
involvement and homeless reservation. The required amount to be set aside was indicated in
the Title I grant application. The School Corporation is responsible for monitoring each required
set aside throughout the life of the grant to ensure the obligation is met.
There was no oversight or review process in place to ensure monitoring of each required set
aside. The School Corporation did not provide documentation to show that the obligation was
met, or not met, to service all the homeless students in the School Corporation and did not
transfer the unused funds to the next grant award.
Level of Effort - Individual Transactions (Vendor and Payroll)
Form 9 (financial) data was submitted by the School Corporation to the Indiana Department of
Education (IDOE) semi-annually. The data reported included the School Corporation's expenditures
recorded during that period. The IDOE calculated Maintenance of Effort based on the
expenditure information submitted on the Form 9 for that fiscal year. To verify amounts used
by the IDOE in its computation were derived from the records of the School Corporation, costs
were reviewed to ensure they were recorded properly as to account and object code and
reported correctly on the Form 9.
The School Corporation did not have an oversight process in place to ensure that expenditures
for payroll and vendor were posted to the correct fund, account, and object codes.
Level of Effort - Maintenance of Effort
The financial information submitted by the School Corporation to the IDOE through the Form 9
report, was used by the IDOE to calculate the School Corporation's Level of Effort -
Maintenance of Effort.
There was an oversight or review process at the School Corporation level over vendor and
payroll expenditures; however, the oversight and review process was not documented to
ensure the data used to complete the Form 9 was reported accurately in the correct fund,
account, and object code.
Level of Effort - Supplementing Not Supplanting
The School Corporation may use Title I funds only to supplement the funds that would, in the
absence of the Title I funds, be made available from state and local sources for the education
of students participating in a Title I program. To demonstrate compliance, the School
Corporation must demonstrate that it has a methodology (through written procedures) and
followed the methodology to allocate state and local funds to each Title I school. They also
must ensure that the Title I school received all the state and local funds it would otherwise
receive if it were not receiving Title I funds.
The School Corporation did not provide written procedures for the methodology used for the
FY 2021 and FY 2022 Title I applications. The School Corporation had not developed written
procedures for methodology; therefore, we were not able to determine how the School
Corporation allocated funding per each school.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
20 USC 6313(c)(3)(A) states::
"A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary under this part,
determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide services comparable to
those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve—
(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related support
services to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;
(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and
(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected or
delinquent children in community day programs."
20 USC 6691 states: "Funds made available under this subchapter shall be used to supplement,
and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized under this
subchapter."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, proper documentation was not maintained to ensure the obligation to service
homeless students was met or unmet. In addition, a written methodology of the allocation of state and local
funds to each Title I school was not provided.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-009
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed
or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to
states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and to address
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. States were required to subgrant a portion
of their ESSER allocation to Local Educational Agencies (LEA). Prior to the LEAs receiving their respective
subgrants, the LEAs were required to complete an application for ESSER funding, which was submitted to
the Indiana Department of Education, the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a
district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds.
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 vendor, payroll, and payroll benefit costs charged
to the grant.
The Accounts Payable Specialist entered all the grant disbursement information into the financial
software system from invoices to process vendor payments. Prior to checks being issued, the financial
software system required approval by the Treasurer to complete the disbursement process. However,
documentation of the approval process could not be provided. In addition, an oversight or review after
disbursements were processed was not performed.
The payroll distribution reports reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Treasurer for
accuracy did not contain the fund or account number to ensure the classification and presentation of the
payroll disbursements posted to the grant funds.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
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 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.
Questioned Costs
There were no known questioned costs.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-009
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed
or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to
states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and to address
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. States were required to subgrant a portion
of their ESSER allocation to Local Educational Agencies (LEA). Prior to the LEAs receiving their respective
subgrants, the LEAs were required to complete an application for ESSER funding, which was submitted to
the Indiana Department of Education, the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a
district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds.
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 vendor, payroll, and payroll benefit costs charged
to the grant.
The Accounts Payable Specialist entered all the grant disbursement information into the financial
software system from invoices to process vendor payments. Prior to checks being issued, the financial
software system required approval by the Treasurer to complete the disbursement process. However,
documentation of the approval process could not be provided. In addition, an oversight or review after
disbursements were processed was not performed.
The payroll distribution reports reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Treasurer for
accuracy did not contain the fund or account number to ensure the classification and presentation of the
payroll disbursements posted to the grant funds.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
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 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.
Questioned Costs
There were no known questioned costs.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-009
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed
or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to
states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and to address
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. States were required to subgrant a portion
of their ESSER allocation to Local Educational Agencies (LEA). Prior to the LEAs receiving their respective
subgrants, the LEAs were required to complete an application for ESSER funding, which was submitted to
the Indiana Department of Education, the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a
district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds.
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 vendor, payroll, and payroll benefit costs charged
to the grant.
The Accounts Payable Specialist entered all the grant disbursement information into the financial
software system from invoices to process vendor payments. Prior to checks being issued, the financial
software system required approval by the Treasurer to complete the disbursement process. However,
documentation of the approval process could not be provided. In addition, an oversight or review after
disbursements were processed was not performed.
The payroll distribution reports reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Treasurer for
accuracy did not contain the fund or account number to ensure the classification and presentation of the
payroll disbursements posted to the grant funds.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
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 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.
Questioned Costs
There were no known questioned costs.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-010
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE). Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures,
prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity.
During the audit period, the School Corporation submitted a total of four reports: two ESSER I
reports, one ESSER II report, and one ESSER III report. The annual data reports were prepared and
submitted to the IDOE by the Chief Financial Officer without an oversight or review process to prevent, or
detect and correct, errors.
Due to the lack of controls the following errors occurred. The ESSER II, Year 2 report, which
covered the period of July 2021 to June 30, 2022, was not supported by the School Corporation's records.
$1,555,604 in Expenditures for personnel services - salaries was reported as $1,555,604; however, this
amount should have been split between Personnel Services - salaries of $1,062,376, and Personnel
Services - Benefits of $493,228 according to the School Corporation's records provided.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period and noncompliance
was isolated to the ESSER II, Year 2 report.
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 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
. . .
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal
award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328
and 200.329. . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format
that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other
responsibilities under the program."
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. As a result, reports were not accurately submitted to the IDOE.
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, including policies and procedures, that would provide segregation of duties to ensure
reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place to ensure reports are submitted accurately.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-010
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE). Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures,
prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity.
During the audit period, the School Corporation submitted a total of four reports: two ESSER I
reports, one ESSER II report, and one ESSER III report. The annual data reports were prepared and
submitted to the IDOE by the Chief Financial Officer without an oversight or review process to prevent, or
detect and correct, errors.
Due to the lack of controls the following errors occurred. The ESSER II, Year 2 report, which
covered the period of July 2021 to June 30, 2022, was not supported by the School Corporation's records.
$1,555,604 in Expenditures for personnel services - salaries was reported as $1,555,604; however, this
amount should have been split between Personnel Services - salaries of $1,062,376, and Personnel
Services - Benefits of $493,228 according to the School Corporation's records provided.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period and noncompliance
was isolated to the ESSER II, Year 2 report.
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 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
. . .
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal
award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328
and 200.329. . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format
that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other
responsibilities under the program."
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. As a result, reports were not accurately submitted to the IDOE.
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, including policies and procedures, that would provide segregation of duties to ensure
reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place to ensure reports are submitted accurately.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report for the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. The prior
audit finding number was 2021-003.
Condition and Context
Food Service - Expenditures
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 payroll and payroll
benefit costs charged to the grant.
The School Corporation's process was to charge food service payroll and related benefits to a
Foodservice Payroll fund, and then transfer funds from the Foodservice (School Lunch) fund
to reimburse the Foodservice Payroll fund the following month. The amounts transferred from
the School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund did not always agree to the actual payroll
paid. Six of the eleven transfers made during the audit period did not agree to actual payroll
paid. This resulted in $144,679, in excess of actual payroll paid, being transferred from the
School Lunch fund to the Foodservice Payroll fund. The transfers that were not properly
supported were considered questioned costs.
Food Service - Revenues
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 food service revenues
being accounted for in the School Food Account.
A School Food Authority (SFA) is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its
non-profit school food service in accordance with state and federal requirements. A SFA must
operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service
must be used to operate and improve its food services.
The School Corporation's process was to receipt the School Lunch reimbursement received
into a Federal Reimbursement fund and then transfer that reimbursement to the School Lunch
fund the following month. One individual receipted the monthly reimbursement into the School
Lunch fund, there was no documentation that an oversight or review process had been
established to ensure the receipt was posted accurately.
The April 2022 reimbursement of $158,679 was receipted into the Food Service Federal
Reimbursement fund on July 7, 2022. The reimbursement had not been transferred to the
School Lunch fund, which is the designated school food service fund, as of June 30, 2023.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
7 CFR 220.7(e) states in part:
". . . the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
. . .
(1)
(i) Maintain a nonprofit school food service;
(ii) . . . use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or
improvement of that food service . . ."
7 CFR 210.14(a) states in part:
"(a) Nonprofit school food service. School food authorities shall maintain a nonprofit school
food service. Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used only for
the operation or improvement of such food service, except that, such revenues shall not be
used to purchase land or buildings, unless otherwise approved by FNS, or to construct
buildings. . . ."
7 CFR 220.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for
the benefit of school children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the
nonprofit school food service. . . ."
7 CFR 210.2 states in part:
". . . Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the
revenue from all food service operations conducted by the sponsor principally for the benefit of
children is retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit food
service. This account shall include, as appropriate, non-Federal funds used to support paid
lunches as provided in § 210.14(e), and proceeds from non-program foods . . ."
7 CFR 225.15(a)(1) states: "Sponsors shall operate the food service in accordance with: the
provisions of this part; any instructions and handbooks issued by FNS under this part; and any instructions
and handbooks issued by the State agency which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part."
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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, unsupported costs were transferred out of the Foodservice fund and
reimbursements were not timely receipted into the fund.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $144,679 were identified as explained in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure costs transferred out are
adequately documented and that reimbursements are timely receipted.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): FY2022-2023
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. The prior audit finding number was 2021-004.
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 a child receiving meals that was a direct certified or that
submitted an electronic application.
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.
The Food Service Director ran the direct certification report weekly and uploaded it to the school
lunch point-of-sale system. The Food Service Director verified the information was imported correctly by
comparing reports from the point-of-sale system to the upload file. This process continued weekly;
however, there was no documentation of the review to ensure the upload had imported correctly and
students' status was updated accordingly.
In addition, the School Corporation used a food software program to store, manage, and
automatically make eligibility determinations dependent upon the information entered into the software by
the parents, guardians, or school lunch employees. The School Corporation did not have a proper system
of oversight or review to ensure that the federal income guidelines entered into the software program were
accurate for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to direct certifications and electronic applications during
the 2022-2023 school year.
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 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.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): FY2022-2023
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. The prior audit finding number was 2021-004.
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 a child receiving meals that was a direct certified or that
submitted an electronic application.
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.
The Food Service Director ran the direct certification report weekly and uploaded it to the school
lunch point-of-sale system. The Food Service Director verified the information was imported correctly by
comparing reports from the point-of-sale system to the upload file. This process continued weekly;
however, there was no documentation of the review to ensure the upload had imported correctly and
students' status was updated accordingly.
In addition, the School Corporation used a food software program to store, manage, and
automatically make eligibility determinations dependent upon the information entered into the software by
the parents, guardians, or school lunch employees. The School Corporation did not have a proper system
of oversight or review to ensure that the federal income guidelines entered into the software program were
accurate for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to direct certifications and electronic applications during
the 2022-2023 school year.
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 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.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): FY2022-2023
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. The prior audit finding number was 2021-004.
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 a child receiving meals that was a direct certified or that
submitted an electronic application.
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.
The Food Service Director ran the direct certification report weekly and uploaded it to the school
lunch point-of-sale system. The Food Service Director verified the information was imported correctly by
comparing reports from the point-of-sale system to the upload file. This process continued weekly;
however, there was no documentation of the review to ensure the upload had imported correctly and
students' status was updated accordingly.
In addition, the School Corporation used a food software program to store, manage, and
automatically make eligibility determinations dependent upon the information entered into the software by
the parents, guardians, or school lunch employees. The School Corporation did not have a proper system
of oversight or review to ensure that the federal income guidelines entered into the software program were
accurate for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The lack of internal controls was isolated to direct certifications and electronic applications during
the 2022-2023 school year.
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 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.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National
School Lunch Program Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005.
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 procurement of goods and the suspension and
debarment of vendors.
Procurement - Micro-Purchases
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
micro purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed its process for micro-purchases,
typically those purchases for $10,000 or under, was for the purchase to be reviewed by the
Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper procurement procedures were followed.
The review was documented by initials or a signature on the claim. To verify the internal control
was operating effectively four vendors that fell within the micro-purchase threshold were
selected for testing. Two of the four vendors selected were not reviewed, as there was no
documentation of initials or a signature on the corresponding claim.
Procurement - Small Purchases
When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper
purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other
qualifications. 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 micropurchase
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.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
small purchase procedures the School Corporation disclosed it had two processes for ensuring
proper procurement procedures were followed. There was one process for small purchases
that required a contract and one process for small purchases that did not require a contract.
For small purchases requiring a contract, the Food Service Director made the determination,
which was then reviewed and approved by the School Board. Small purchases that did not
require a contract were reviewed by the Treasurer or Food Service Director to ensure proper
procurement procedures were followed. To verify the control was operating effectively five of
the six vendors that fell within the small purchase threshold were selected for testing. Of the
five tested, one contracted vendor and three noncontracted vendors did not have evidence of
a review.
Due to the lack of effective internal controls over small purchases, three of five small purchase
vendors tested did not obtain the required price or rate quotes. In addition, documentation
detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method
used, was not available for audit.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal 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 vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the
covered transaction with that vendor.
Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying
that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred,
or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed procedures included the School
Board approving bids, which include a certification from the vendor. The one covered transaction
identified was not approved by the School Board. As such the internal control was
determined to not be properly implemented.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3(d) states: "If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the
purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or
class of supplies required."
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(a) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the
acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-
Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement
standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
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 . . .
(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. . . ."
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, procurement methods used were not properly documented.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting, Special Tests and Provisions -
Assessment System Security
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.
Eligibility
Data from the School Corporation's student software system was uploaded to the Indiana
Department of Education's (IDOE) Data Exchange System. Enrollment and poverty information
for the School Corporation was then abstracted by the IDOE from the Data Exchange
System into the Title I application.
The School Corporation had not designed or implemented an oversight or review process to
ensure that the data was accurately uploaded by the IDOE into the Title I application.
Reporting
The School Corporation was required to submit final expenditure reports to the IDOE on or
before December 31, after the September 30 deadline for encumbering prior school year funds.
During the audit period, the School Corporation had final expenditure reports due for the
S010A200014 and the S010A210014 grant awards. A single employee prepared and
submitted the final reports without a documented review or oversight process in place to
prevent, or detect and correct, errors.
Special Tests and Provisions - Assessment System Security
The School Corporation had a process in place to ensure that the assessment system security
policy was reviewed and updated, if applicable, each year per the assessment security
handbook. However, there was no documentation of that process to ensure that the policy was
being reviewed.
The lack of internal controls was systemic throughout the audit period.
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 designed 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.
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 to ensure compliance.
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: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting, Special Tests and Provisions -
Assessment System Security
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.
Eligibility
Data from the School Corporation's student software system was uploaded to the Indiana
Department of Education's (IDOE) Data Exchange System. Enrollment and poverty information
for the School Corporation was then abstracted by the IDOE from the Data Exchange
System into the Title I application.
The School Corporation had not designed or implemented an oversight or review process to
ensure that the data was accurately uploaded by the IDOE into the Title I application.
Reporting
The School Corporation was required to submit final expenditure reports to the IDOE on or
before December 31, after the September 30 deadline for encumbering prior school year funds.
During the audit period, the School Corporation had final expenditure reports due for the
S010A200014 and the S010A210014 grant awards. A single employee prepared and
submitted the final reports without a documented review or oversight process in place to
prevent, or detect and correct, errors.
Special Tests and Provisions - Assessment System Security
The School Corporation had a process in place to ensure that the assessment system security
policy was reviewed and updated, if applicable, each year per the assessment security
handbook. However, there was no documentation of that process to ensure that the policy was
being reviewed.
The lack of internal controls was systemic throughout the audit period.
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 designed 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.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-007
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Due to the lack of internal controls, the School Corporation had the following errors for payroll
expenditures:
1. Two employees' gross payroll and benefits were reimbursed from the grant; however, their
duties were not for the Title I program which resulted in questioned costs of $61,266.
2. One employee's gross payroll was split-funded between Title I and another School
Corporation fund. There were no time and effort records to substantiate the gross payroll
amount charged to the grant which resulted in questioned costs of $60,121.
3. One employee was overpaid per the contracted amount which resulted in questioned costs
of $8,945.
The School Corporation determined in May 2023 that the two employees' payroll and benefits were
being charged to the grant when they should not have been and corrected the issue in its financial software
system, making the correction back to July 1, 2022. The School Corporation, however, failed to notify the
Indiana Department of Education that the School Corporation had been over reimbursed.
The School Corporation received reimbursement for several gross payroll expenditures from one
Title I grant fund. The School Corporation later made journal entries to move these gross payroll expenditures
to another grant fund and received reimbursement again for those same gross payroll expenditures.
As the School Corporation received reimbursement twice for the same gross payroll expenditures, the
second reimbursement of the expenditures was considered questioned costs. The total amount of questions
costs was $99,117.
Total known questioned costs of $229,449 as detailed above represent 25 percent of the total
federal expenditures for Title I.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
34 CFR 76.700 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall comply with § 76.500, the State plan,
applicable statutes, regulations, and approved applications, and shall use Federal funds in accordance with
those statutes, regulations, plan, and applications."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, costs were reimbursed that were not for Title I purposes, not supported by
time and effort logs, overpaid, and reimbursed twice for the same expenditures. In addition, overpayment
of reimbursements received were retained by the School Corporation.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $229,449 were identified in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-007
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Due to the lack of internal controls, the School Corporation had the following errors for payroll
expenditures:
1. Two employees' gross payroll and benefits were reimbursed from the grant; however, their
duties were not for the Title I program which resulted in questioned costs of $61,266.
2. One employee's gross payroll was split-funded between Title I and another School
Corporation fund. There were no time and effort records to substantiate the gross payroll
amount charged to the grant which resulted in questioned costs of $60,121.
3. One employee was overpaid per the contracted amount which resulted in questioned costs
of $8,945.
The School Corporation determined in May 2023 that the two employees' payroll and benefits were
being charged to the grant when they should not have been and corrected the issue in its financial software
system, making the correction back to July 1, 2022. The School Corporation, however, failed to notify the
Indiana Department of Education that the School Corporation had been over reimbursed.
The School Corporation received reimbursement for several gross payroll expenditures from one
Title I grant fund. The School Corporation later made journal entries to move these gross payroll expenditures
to another grant fund and received reimbursement again for those same gross payroll expenditures.
As the School Corporation received reimbursement twice for the same gross payroll expenditures, the
second reimbursement of the expenditures was considered questioned costs. The total amount of questions
costs was $99,117.
Total known questioned costs of $229,449 as detailed above represent 25 percent of the total
federal expenditures for Title I.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
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:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
34 CFR 76.700 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall comply with § 76.500, the State plan,
applicable statutes, regulations, and approved applications, and shall use Federal funds in accordance with
those statutes, regulations, plan, and applications."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, costs were reimbursed that were not for Title I purposes, not supported by
time and effort logs, overpaid, and reimbursed twice for the same expenditures. In addition, overpayment
of reimbursements received were retained by the School Corporation.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $229,449 were identified in the Condition and Context.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-008
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers) S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Earmarking
A portion of the School Corporation's Title I allocation was required to be set aside for parental
involvement and homeless reservation. The required amount to be set aside was indicated in
the Title I grant application. The School Corporation is responsible for monitoring each required
set aside throughout the life of the grant to ensure the obligation is met.
There was no oversight or review process in place to ensure monitoring of each required set
aside. The School Corporation did not provide documentation to show that the obligation was
met, or not met, to service all the homeless students in the School Corporation and did not
transfer the unused funds to the next grant award.
Level of Effort - Individual Transactions (Vendor and Payroll)
Form 9 (financial) data was submitted by the School Corporation to the Indiana Department of
Education (IDOE) semi-annually. The data reported included the School Corporation's expenditures
recorded during that period. The IDOE calculated Maintenance of Effort based on the
expenditure information submitted on the Form 9 for that fiscal year. To verify amounts used
by the IDOE in its computation were derived from the records of the School Corporation, costs
were reviewed to ensure they were recorded properly as to account and object code and
reported correctly on the Form 9.
The School Corporation did not have an oversight process in place to ensure that expenditures
for payroll and vendor were posted to the correct fund, account, and object codes.
Level of Effort - Maintenance of Effort
The financial information submitted by the School Corporation to the IDOE through the Form 9
report, was used by the IDOE to calculate the School Corporation's Level of Effort -
Maintenance of Effort.
There was an oversight or review process at the School Corporation level over vendor and
payroll expenditures; however, the oversight and review process was not documented to
ensure the data used to complete the Form 9 was reported accurately in the correct fund,
account, and object code.
Level of Effort - Supplementing Not Supplanting
The School Corporation may use Title I funds only to supplement the funds that would, in the
absence of the Title I funds, be made available from state and local sources for the education
of students participating in a Title I program. To demonstrate compliance, the School
Corporation must demonstrate that it has a methodology (through written procedures) and
followed the methodology to allocate state and local funds to each Title I school. They also
must ensure that the Title I school received all the state and local funds it would otherwise
receive if it were not receiving Title I funds.
The School Corporation did not provide written procedures for the methodology used for the
FY 2021 and FY 2022 Title I applications. The School Corporation had not developed written
procedures for methodology; therefore, we were not able to determine how the School
Corporation allocated funding per each school.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
20 USC 6313(c)(3)(A) states::
"A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary under this part,
determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide services comparable to
those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve—
(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related support
services to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;
(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and
(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected or
delinquent children in community day programs."
20 USC 6691 states: "Funds made available under this subchapter shall be used to supplement,
and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized under this
subchapter."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, proper documentation was not maintained to ensure the obligation to service
homeless students was met or unmet. In addition, a written methodology of the allocation of state and local
funds to each Title I school was not provided.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-008
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers) S010A190014, S010A200014,
S010A210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
Earmarking
A portion of the School Corporation's Title I allocation was required to be set aside for parental
involvement and homeless reservation. The required amount to be set aside was indicated in
the Title I grant application. The School Corporation is responsible for monitoring each required
set aside throughout the life of the grant to ensure the obligation is met.
There was no oversight or review process in place to ensure monitoring of each required set
aside. The School Corporation did not provide documentation to show that the obligation was
met, or not met, to service all the homeless students in the School Corporation and did not
transfer the unused funds to the next grant award.
Level of Effort - Individual Transactions (Vendor and Payroll)
Form 9 (financial) data was submitted by the School Corporation to the Indiana Department of
Education (IDOE) semi-annually. The data reported included the School Corporation's expenditures
recorded during that period. The IDOE calculated Maintenance of Effort based on the
expenditure information submitted on the Form 9 for that fiscal year. To verify amounts used
by the IDOE in its computation were derived from the records of the School Corporation, costs
were reviewed to ensure they were recorded properly as to account and object code and
reported correctly on the Form 9.
The School Corporation did not have an oversight process in place to ensure that expenditures
for payroll and vendor were posted to the correct fund, account, and object codes.
Level of Effort - Maintenance of Effort
The financial information submitted by the School Corporation to the IDOE through the Form 9
report, was used by the IDOE to calculate the School Corporation's Level of Effort -
Maintenance of Effort.
There was an oversight or review process at the School Corporation level over vendor and
payroll expenditures; however, the oversight and review process was not documented to
ensure the data used to complete the Form 9 was reported accurately in the correct fund,
account, and object code.
Level of Effort - Supplementing Not Supplanting
The School Corporation may use Title I funds only to supplement the funds that would, in the
absence of the Title I funds, be made available from state and local sources for the education
of students participating in a Title I program. To demonstrate compliance, the School
Corporation must demonstrate that it has a methodology (through written procedures) and
followed the methodology to allocate state and local funds to each Title I school. They also
must ensure that the Title I school received all the state and local funds it would otherwise
receive if it were not receiving Title I funds.
The School Corporation did not provide written procedures for the methodology used for the
FY 2021 and FY 2022 Title I applications. The School Corporation had not developed written
procedures for methodology; therefore, we were not able to determine how the School
Corporation allocated funding per each school.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period.
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). . . ."
20 USC 6313(c)(3)(A) states::
"A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary under this part,
determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide services comparable to
those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve—
(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related support
services to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;
(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and
(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected or
delinquent children in community day programs."
20 USC 6691 states: "Funds made available under this subchapter shall be used to supplement,
and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized under this
subchapter."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed 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, proper documentation was not maintained to ensure the obligation to service
homeless students was met or unmet. In addition, a written methodology of the allocation of state and local
funds to each Title I school was not provided.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss
of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-009
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed
or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to
states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and to address
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. States were required to subgrant a portion
of their ESSER allocation to Local Educational Agencies (LEA). Prior to the LEAs receiving their respective
subgrants, the LEAs were required to complete an application for ESSER funding, which was submitted to
the Indiana Department of Education, the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a
district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds.
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 vendor, payroll, and payroll benefit costs charged
to the grant.
The Accounts Payable Specialist entered all the grant disbursement information into the financial
software system from invoices to process vendor payments. Prior to checks being issued, the financial
software system required approval by the Treasurer to complete the disbursement process. However,
documentation of the approval process could not be provided. In addition, an oversight or review after
disbursements were processed was not performed.
The payroll distribution reports reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Treasurer for
accuracy did not contain the fund or account number to ensure the classification and presentation of the
payroll disbursements posted to the grant funds.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
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 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.
Questioned Costs
There were no known questioned costs.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-009
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed
or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to
states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and to address
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. States were required to subgrant a portion
of their ESSER allocation to Local Educational Agencies (LEA). Prior to the LEAs receiving their respective
subgrants, the LEAs were required to complete an application for ESSER funding, which was submitted to
the Indiana Department of Education, the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a
district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds.
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 vendor, payroll, and payroll benefit costs charged
to the grant.
The Accounts Payable Specialist entered all the grant disbursement information into the financial
software system from invoices to process vendor payments. Prior to checks being issued, the financial
software system required approval by the Treasurer to complete the disbursement process. However,
documentation of the approval process could not be provided. In addition, an oversight or review after
disbursements were processed was not performed.
The payroll distribution reports reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Treasurer for
accuracy did not contain the fund or account number to ensure the classification and presentation of the
payroll disbursements posted to the grant funds.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
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 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.
Questioned Costs
There were no known questioned costs.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-009
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed
or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to
states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and to address
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. States were required to subgrant a portion
of their ESSER allocation to Local Educational Agencies (LEA). Prior to the LEAs receiving their respective
subgrants, the LEAs were required to complete an application for ESSER funding, which was submitted to
the Indiana Department of Education, the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a
district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds.
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 vendor, payroll, and payroll benefit costs charged
to the grant.
The Accounts Payable Specialist entered all the grant disbursement information into the financial
software system from invoices to process vendor payments. Prior to checks being issued, the financial
software system required approval by the Treasurer to complete the disbursement process. However,
documentation of the approval process could not be provided. In addition, an oversight or review after
disbursements were processed was not performed.
The payroll distribution reports reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Treasurer for
accuracy did not contain the fund or account number to ensure the classification and presentation of the
payroll disbursements posted to the grant funds.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
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 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.
Questioned Costs
There were no known questioned costs.
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 to ensure compliance.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-010
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE). Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures,
prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity.
During the audit period, the School Corporation submitted a total of four reports: two ESSER I
reports, one ESSER II report, and one ESSER III report. The annual data reports were prepared and
submitted to the IDOE by the Chief Financial Officer without an oversight or review process to prevent, or
detect and correct, errors.
Due to the lack of controls the following errors occurred. The ESSER II, Year 2 report, which
covered the period of July 2021 to June 30, 2022, was not supported by the School Corporation's records.
$1,555,604 in Expenditures for personnel services - salaries was reported as $1,555,604; however, this
amount should have been split between Personnel Services - salaries of $1,062,376, and Personnel
Services - Benefits of $493,228 according to the School Corporation's records provided.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period and noncompliance
was isolated to the ESSER II, Year 2 report.
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 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
. . .
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal
award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328
and 200.329. . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format
that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other
responsibilities under the program."
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. As a result, reports were not accurately submitted to the IDOE.
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, including policies and procedures, that would provide segregation of duties to ensure
reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place to ensure reports are submitted accurately.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-010
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
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.
The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE). Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures,
prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity.
During the audit period, the School Corporation submitted a total of four reports: two ESSER I
reports, one ESSER II report, and one ESSER III report. The annual data reports were prepared and
submitted to the IDOE by the Chief Financial Officer without an oversight or review process to prevent, or
detect and correct, errors.
Due to the lack of controls the following errors occurred. The ESSER II, Year 2 report, which
covered the period of July 2021 to June 30, 2022, was not supported by the School Corporation's records.
$1,555,604 in Expenditures for personnel services - salaries was reported as $1,555,604; however, this
amount should have been split between Personnel Services - salaries of $1,062,376, and Personnel
Services - Benefits of $493,228 according to the School Corporation's records provided.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period and noncompliance
was isolated to the ESSER II, Year 2 report.
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 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
. . .
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal
award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328
and 200.329. . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format
that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other
responsibilities under the program."
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. As a result, reports were not accurately submitted to the IDOE.
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, including policies and procedures, that would provide segregation of duties to ensure
reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place to ensure reports are submitted accurately.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.