FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-001 Subject: Medicaid ? Eligibility, Other Matters Federal Agency: US Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Assistance Listing Number: 93.778 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Eligibility Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: ?The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards 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)?.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirements that are performed by the Special Education Cooperative on behalf of the School Corporation. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and could allow the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: Known costs amounting to $481,726 that were reimbursed. Context: The School Corporation participates in a Special Education Co-op. In 2015, the Co-op provided an avenue, through a third-party company, for the member school districts to obtain reimbursement for Medicaid services. It was discovered in 2021 that the annual parental disclosure statements had not been completed for Medicaid eligibility compliance. Due to this oversight, each member school had to void transactions through the third-party company and pay back the amount of these transactions for the period August 9, 2015 through April 23, 2021. The School Corporation?s amount owed was $481,276 for the period identified during 2015-2021. The School Corporation completed a Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Provider of Overpayments Packet through the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration?s Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning Office to reimburse the amounts owed. The amount related to this period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022 was indeterminable. The full amount was paid back prior to June 30, 2021. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation appoint someone to oversee the Co-op and ensure the Co-op is following all required compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Assistance Listing Number: 10.533, 10.555, 10.559, 10.579 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. The failure to comply with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation contracts with a food service management company for the majority of food costs, labor costs, and operational costs, however in some cases the School Corporation will handle their own additional minor procurements outside of the food service management company. During the audit period, the School Corporation made one purchase between $10,000 and $150,000 which fell under the small purchase method for federal and state procurement regulations and was charged to Fund 0800 ? School Lunch Fund. For that purchase, documentation was not presented to verify methods or rationale used to satisfy the procurement requirements, which require three quotes to be obtained prior to entering into a transaction. The transaction was incurred in July 2021 in the amount of $21,668. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish and implement control procedures to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. This should include obtaining at least three quotes for any disbursements charged to a federal fund and ensuring suspension and debarment checks are performed and documented prior to entering into the transaction. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) FINDING 2022-003 (continued) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: ?The non-federal Entity must: (b) 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 the 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 200.303 states in part: ?Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented?? 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: ?Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE?s definition of IBS); ? (iv) Support the distribution of the employee?s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity?? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, the School Corporation started paying membership fees to the Cooperative out of the General Education fund instead of the Special Education funds. All sampled expenditures paid from Special Education funds and requested for reimbursement were determined to be allowable under the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-001. Recommendation: As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Equipment Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.313 states in part: ". . . (b) . . . Other non-Federal entities must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. (d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the equipment requirements could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it indeterminable whether equipment purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify equipment expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that equipment purchased with grant funds was properly recorded and maintained in the School Corporation's equipment records. The Cooperative also did not maintain records for the disposition of equipment purchased with federal grant funds. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-003. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness 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 200.309 states: ?A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.? 2 CFR 200.343(b) states: ?Unless the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity authorizes an extension, a non-Federal entity must liquidate all obligations incurred under the Federal award not later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance as specified in the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured that adequate records and documentation would be available to support compliance with the grant agreement and the period of performance requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system and failure to maintain and provide records and documentation of expenditures by grant award, program, and years prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify which expenditures were from federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the period of performance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that costs were charged to the programs only during the period of performance, or that all obligations were liquidated within 90 days of the end of the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-004. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish internal controls to ensure that records and documentation will be maintained and made available for audit related to the Period of Performance compliance requirements. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster ? Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education_Grants to States, Special Education_Preschool Grants AL Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part." 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 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from the person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the equipment requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation was a member of a joint service cooperative (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs on behalf of the School Corporation and managed the special education grant funds. Because the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and the School Corporation, the School Corporation was ultimately responsible for compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. During fiscal year 2021, the School Corporation paid membership fees to the Cooperative out of federal Special Education funds. These membership fees made up approximately 48% of the total federal expenditures reimbursed during fiscal year 2021. The Cooperative accounted for state, local, and federal funds in a single fund. The fund did not separately account for each of the funding sources. This made it difficult to identify whether purchases were made by the Cooperative with federal funds, or to identify expenditures by federal program, award number, or years. Therefore, we could not test compliance with the period of performance requirements for approximately 48% of the expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues, which occurred specifically during fiscal year 2021. No reportable findings were noted for fiscal year 2022. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, see Finding 2020-005. Recommendation: It was recommended that the School Corporation?s management establish effective internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. As recommended, management implemented internal control procedures for the year ended June 30, 2022. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented their corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-001 Subject: Medicaid ? Eligibility, Other Matters Federal Agency: US Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Assistance Listing Number: 93.778 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Eligibility Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: ?The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards 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)?.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirements that are performed by the Special Education Cooperative on behalf of the School Corporation. Cause: The School Corporation?s management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and could allow the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: Known costs amounting to $481,726 that were reimbursed. Context: The School Corporation participates in a Special Education Co-op. In 2015, the Co-op provided an avenue, through a third-party company, for the member school districts to obtain reimbursement for Medicaid services. It was discovered in 2021 that the annual parental disclosure statements had not been completed for Medicaid eligibility compliance. Due to this oversight, each member school had to void transactions through the third-party company and pay back the amount of these transactions for the period August 9, 2015 through April 23, 2021. The School Corporation?s amount owed was $481,276 for the period identified during 2015-2021. The School Corporation completed a Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Provider of Overpayments Packet through the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration?s Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning Office to reimburse the amounts owed. The amount related to this period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022 was indeterminable. The full amount was paid back prior to June 30, 2021. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation appoint someone to oversee the Co-op and ensure the Co-op is following all required compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.