FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-002.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
A property record or capital asset listing is required to be maintained for all equipment purchased
with the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant award to ensure adequate safeguards are in place to
prevent loss or damage of items. Equipment to be included in the listing is that which exceeds the School
Corporation's capital asset threshold of $5,000.
The School Corporation hired a consultant to compile and provide to them a fixed asset report that
contained all inventory and assets purchased that exceeded the School Corporation's capitalization
threshold every three years. A physical inventory is completed in house in years which the consultant does
not compile a listing. A physical inventory was conducted by the consultant through June 30, 2023, and
was to be updated for purchases through June 30, 2024, by School Corporation staff. However, the School
Corporation did not have any policies or procedures in place to ensure the listing was complete, nor was
there any documentation that differences between the compiled asset report and the School Corporation's
equipment records were reviewed and resolved.
During the audit period, a total of eight pieces of equipment that met the capitalization threshold
were purchased with the ESF. Of these assets, one was not listed on the capital asset listing prepared by
the consultant for the year ending June 30, 2023, and two were not on the capital asset listing updated inhouse
for the year ending June 30, 2024.
In total, the School Corporation purchased $1,014,045 of equipment and improvements with the
ESFs which should have been recorded as capital assets purchased with federal grant funds as these items
exceeded the capitalization threshold. These items were not detailed in the capital asset listing which also
could have documented if the items were properly maintained and safe-guarded as required. Additionally,
none of the five that were included on the capital asset listing included all required components including
who holds the title and how much was purchased with federal funds.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over 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(d) states in part:
"(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial
number or other identification number, the source of dunking for the property (including
the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, 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 sales price of the
property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the
property records at least once every two years.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss,
damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good
condition. . . ."
Cause
Management did not develop a system of internal controls to ensure that all items over the capital
asset threshold were added to the listing, the capital asset listing included all required information, and
items purchased were properly maintained and safeguarded.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the
repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls that
would ensure compliance with the Equipment and Real Property management records.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-002.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
A property record or capital asset listing is required to be maintained for all equipment purchased
with the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant award to ensure adequate safeguards are in place to
prevent loss or damage of items. Equipment to be included in the listing is that which exceeds the School
Corporation's capital asset threshold of $5,000.
The School Corporation hired a consultant to compile and provide to them a fixed asset report that
contained all inventory and assets purchased that exceeded the School Corporation's capitalization
threshold every three years. A physical inventory is completed in house in years which the consultant does
not compile a listing. A physical inventory was conducted by the consultant through June 30, 2023, and
was to be updated for purchases through June 30, 2024, by School Corporation staff. However, the School
Corporation did not have any policies or procedures in place to ensure the listing was complete, nor was
there any documentation that differences between the compiled asset report and the School Corporation's
equipment records were reviewed and resolved.
During the audit period, a total of eight pieces of equipment that met the capitalization threshold
were purchased with the ESF. Of these assets, one was not listed on the capital asset listing prepared by
the consultant for the year ending June 30, 2023, and two were not on the capital asset listing updated inhouse
for the year ending June 30, 2024.
In total, the School Corporation purchased $1,014,045 of equipment and improvements with the
ESFs which should have been recorded as capital assets purchased with federal grant funds as these items
exceeded the capitalization threshold. These items were not detailed in the capital asset listing which also
could have documented if the items were properly maintained and safe-guarded as required. Additionally,
none of the five that were included on the capital asset listing included all required components including
who holds the title and how much was purchased with federal funds.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over 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(d) states in part:
"(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial
number or other identification number, the source of dunking for the property (including
the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, 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 sales price of the
property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the
property records at least once every two years.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss,
damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good
condition. . . ."
Cause
Management did not develop a system of internal controls to ensure that all items over the capital
asset threshold were added to the listing, the capital asset listing included all required information, and
items purchased were properly maintained and safeguarded.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the
repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls that
would ensure compliance with the Equipment and Real Property management records.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special
Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-001.
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages
not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of
Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction
contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply
with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This includes a requirement for the contractor or subcontractor
to submit to the nonfederal entity weekly, for each week in which any contract work is performed,
a copy of the payroll and a statement of compliance.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that all construction
contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause or
certified payrolls were submitted. The School Corporation entered into three contracts during the audit
period that were subject to the wage rate requirements. Two of the three contracts did not have the required
prevailing wage rate clause included in the contract nor were certified payrolls submitted to the unit for each
week in which construction was performed for these two same contractors.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance during the audit period was isolated to the two
contracts noted above.
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). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any
contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or
repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work
financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal
agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make
a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated),
and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the
following clauses . . .
(1) Minimum wages.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or
under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the
construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less
often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account
(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages
and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment
computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the
Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any
contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such
laborers and mechanics. . . .
(3) Records and certified payrolls . . .
(ii) Certified payroll requirements
(A) Frequency and method of submission. The contractor or subcontractor must
submit weekly, for each week in which any DBA- or Related Acts-covered work
is performed, certified payrolls to the [write in name of appropriate Federal
agency] if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a
party, the contractor will submit the certified payrolls to the applicant, sponsor,
owner, or other entity, as the case may be, that maintains such records, for
transmission to the [write in name of agency]. The prime contractor is
responsible for the submission of all certified payrolls by all subcontractors. A
contracting agency or prime contractor may permit or require contractors to
submit certified payrolls through an electronic system, as long as the electronic
system requires a legally valid electronic signature; the system allows the
contractor, the contracting agency, and the Department of Labor to access the
certified payrolls upon request for at least 3 years after the work on the prime
contract has been completed; and the contracting agency or prime contractor
permits other methods of submission in situations where the contractor is
unable or limited in its ability to use or access the electronic system. . . ."
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all
contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions
covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal
program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-
Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act
(40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations
(29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering
Federally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statute, contractors
must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the
prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In
addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal controls that would ensure compliance
including ensuring that the required clause was included in the contracts and that certified payrolls were
received for the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls over the Special Test and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement resulted in two contracts not meeting the guidelines established.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the repayment of
federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure
compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate
Requirements compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special
Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-001.
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages
not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of
Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction
contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply
with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This includes a requirement for the contractor or subcontractor
to submit to the nonfederal entity weekly, for each week in which any contract work is performed,
a copy of the payroll and a statement of compliance.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that all construction
contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause or
certified payrolls were submitted. The School Corporation entered into three contracts during the audit
period that were subject to the wage rate requirements. Two of the three contracts did not have the required
prevailing wage rate clause included in the contract nor were certified payrolls submitted to the unit for each
week in which construction was performed for these two same contractors.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance during the audit period was isolated to the two
contracts noted above.
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). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any
contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or
repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work
financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal
agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make
a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated),
and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the
following clauses . . .
(1) Minimum wages.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or
under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the
construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less
often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account
(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages
and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment
computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the
Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any
contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such
laborers and mechanics. . . .
(3) Records and certified payrolls . . .
(ii) Certified payroll requirements
(A) Frequency and method of submission. The contractor or subcontractor must
submit weekly, for each week in which any DBA- or Related Acts-covered work
is performed, certified payrolls to the [write in name of appropriate Federal
agency] if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a
party, the contractor will submit the certified payrolls to the applicant, sponsor,
owner, or other entity, as the case may be, that maintains such records, for
transmission to the [write in name of agency]. The prime contractor is
responsible for the submission of all certified payrolls by all subcontractors. A
contracting agency or prime contractor may permit or require contractors to
submit certified payrolls through an electronic system, as long as the electronic
system requires a legally valid electronic signature; the system allows the
contractor, the contracting agency, and the Department of Labor to access the
certified payrolls upon request for at least 3 years after the work on the prime
contract has been completed; and the contracting agency or prime contractor
permits other methods of submission in situations where the contractor is
unable or limited in its ability to use or access the electronic system. . . ."
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all
contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions
covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal
program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-
Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act
(40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations
(29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering
Federally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statute, contractors
must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the
prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In
addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal controls that would ensure compliance
including ensuring that the required clause was included in the contracts and that certified payrolls were
received for the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls over the Special Test and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement resulted in two contracts not meeting the guidelines established.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the repayment of
federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure
compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate
Requirements compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-006
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirement.
Federal funds may only be used to pay staff for work that has occurred supporting the objective of
the federal program. As such, proper time and effort documentation is to be maintained by the School
Corporation. The purpose of time and effort recording is to provide documentation of the time spent working
on specific federal programs to ensure charges are accurate for each program.
In a sample of six payroll disbursements charged to the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant,
four disbursements were for payments to employees whose time was split between the ESF and nonfederal
activity. Time and effort records were not maintained for any of these four employees, and, therefore, we
were unable to determine if the total costs were allowable, resulting in $5,572 of questioned costs.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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 . . .
(iv) Encompass federally-assisted and all other activities compensated by the recipient or
subrecipient on an integrated basis but may include the use of subsidiary records as
defined in the recipient's or subrecipient's written policy; . . .
(vii) 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. . . ."
While across the board stipends are not permitted, LEAs may pay staff for COVID-related work that
has been documented. Most, if not all, staff likely had extra responsibilities as well as time and effort to
respond to the pandemic. ESSER funds can be used to pay staff for that work and LEAs are responsible
for documenting that this work occurred. (Indiana Department of Education, ESSER III Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) updated August 16, 2021)
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls over the payroll disbursements for employees who worked with
both federal and nonfederal programs was not properly designed or implemented by management. The
School Corporation did not maintain a record of the actual time spent working on extra responsibilities for
COVID-related work to ensure allowability.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $5,572 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management design and implement a system of
internal controls to ensure that disbursement documentation will be obtained, retained, and made available
for audit and that the disbursements comply with the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-006
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirement.
Federal funds may only be used to pay staff for work that has occurred supporting the objective of
the federal program. As such, proper time and effort documentation is to be maintained by the School
Corporation. The purpose of time and effort recording is to provide documentation of the time spent working
on specific federal programs to ensure charges are accurate for each program.
In a sample of six payroll disbursements charged to the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant,
four disbursements were for payments to employees whose time was split between the ESF and nonfederal
activity. Time and effort records were not maintained for any of these four employees, and, therefore, we
were unable to determine if the total costs were allowable, resulting in $5,572 of questioned costs.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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 . . .
(iv) Encompass federally-assisted and all other activities compensated by the recipient or
subrecipient on an integrated basis but may include the use of subsidiary records as
defined in the recipient's or subrecipient's written policy; . . .
(vii) 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. . . ."
While across the board stipends are not permitted, LEAs may pay staff for COVID-related work that
has been documented. Most, if not all, staff likely had extra responsibilities as well as time and effort to
respond to the pandemic. ESSER funds can be used to pay staff for that work and LEAs are responsible
for documenting that this work occurred. (Indiana Department of Education, ESSER III Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) updated August 16, 2021)
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls over the payroll disbursements for employees who worked with
both federal and nonfederal programs was not properly designed or implemented by management. The
School Corporation did not maintain a record of the actual time spent working on extra responsibilities for
COVID-related work to ensure allowability.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $5,572 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management design and implement a system of
internal controls to ensure that disbursement documentation will be obtained, retained, and made available
for audit and that the disbursements comply with the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles,
Special Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Summer Food Service Program for Children
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special
Tests and Provisions - Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts
Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls,
which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or
detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to expenditures charged to the food service program fund.
Indirect costs are those expenditures that benefit multiple programs, including the Child Nutrition
Cluster that can be partially allocated to the program. To charge indirect costs, the School Corporation
must apply for an indirect cost rate from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) each year. Indirect
cost rates are calculated by the IDOE Office of School Finance utilizing the School Corporation's semiannual
School Financial Report referred to as the Form 9.
The School Corporation performed transfers out of the School Lunch fund for the allocated portion
of the food service's utility service costs through the process of an indirect cost calculation performed by
the School Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2024. The School Corporation had not applied or
received approval from the IDOE to utilize an indirect cost rate. The total amount charged to the School
Lunch fund for these costs totaled $275,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. This amount was considered
questioned costs.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the year ended June 30, 2024, and
indirect costs noted above.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 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). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
16
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be
allocable thereto under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal
award as to types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.332(b)(4) states:
"Indirect cost rate:
(i) An approved indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal
Government. If no approved rate exists, a pass-through entity must determine the
appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient. The indirect cost rate may be
either:
(A) An indirect cost rate negotiated between the pass-through entity and the
subrecipient. These rates may be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different
pass-through entity and the subrecipient, in which case the pass-through entity is not
required to collect information justifying the rate but may elect to do so; or
(B) The de minimis indirect cost rate."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation.
The School Corporation calculated and charged an indirect cost rate to the food service program but did
not seek approval from the IDOE by completing an application to obtain and use an indirect cost rate.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $275,724 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal
controls to ensure that the disbursements are for the benefit of the school lunch program and comply with
the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Special Tests and Provisions -
Non-Profit School Food Service Accounts compliance requirements.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
17
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program,
Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2022-2023, SY 2023-2024
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with the Eligibility compliance requirement.
A child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be
established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as
family income and family size. Local educational agencies, institutions, and sponsors then determine
eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are
based on the child's household receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Head Start program (ALN 93.600),
or, under most circumstances, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
(ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the
school, institution, or sponsor may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers
these programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible
for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application
for free or reduced-priced meals.
The direct certification report was downloaded from the State of Indiana database monthly and
uploaded to the School Corporation's lunch point-of-sale (POS) system. However, the School Corporation
had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct certification report was downloaded
monthly, or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status was updated accordingly. Additionally,
a year-to-date direct certification report was not completed to identify any potential discrepancies.
An internal control process was in place for students who submitted free and reduced-price applications,
but not for students who were directly certified.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period but isolated to
students directly certified.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
18
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
The School Corporation had not developed an oversight or review process to ensure the direct
certification report was downloaded monthly or that the upload had imported correctly, and students' status
was updated accordingly.
Effect
The failure to design or implement a system of internal controls places the School Corporation at
risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper
system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would ensure that the appropriate
reviews, approvals, and oversight are documented.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A190084 / 22611-037-PN01,
H027A200084 / 21611-037-PN01,
H173A210104 / 22619-037-PN01,
H173A220104 / 23619-037-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Earmarking compliance
requirement.
The School Corporation is to ensure the same proportionate share amount of services is expended
for students with disabilities in nonpublic schools as they do for students with disabilities in the public school
system.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures in place to ensure that
employees properly documented time worked split between public and non-public students. The School
Corporation maintained time and effort logs documenting all employees who worked exclusively on the
Special Education Program utilizing a semiannual certification. Employees who worked with both nonpublic
and public students were included on the semiannual certifications, but the School Corporation did
not maintain documentation supporting how much time was spent working specifically with nonpublic
students. Due to this, we were not able to determine if the School Corporation met the earmarking requirement
for the grants noted.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to employees that spent time working
with both public and nonpublic students within the grants noted above by identifying number.
Criteria
2 CFR 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 award in compliance
with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust
specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ."
511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states:
"The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic
schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total
subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities,
who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total
number of students with disabilities of the same age range."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Through management inquiry, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate
share expenditures directly for each employe based on actual time spent on nonpublic education.
Effect
The amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures, but rather
by a percentage per employee. Therefore, we were not able to determine if the unit was in compliance with
the earmarking requirements. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement
could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which
would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by employee. Documentation
should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the
earmarking requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-002.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
A property record or capital asset listing is required to be maintained for all equipment purchased
with the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant award to ensure adequate safeguards are in place to
prevent loss or damage of items. Equipment to be included in the listing is that which exceeds the School
Corporation's capital asset threshold of $5,000.
The School Corporation hired a consultant to compile and provide to them a fixed asset report that
contained all inventory and assets purchased that exceeded the School Corporation's capitalization
threshold every three years. A physical inventory is completed in house in years which the consultant does
not compile a listing. A physical inventory was conducted by the consultant through June 30, 2023, and
was to be updated for purchases through June 30, 2024, by School Corporation staff. However, the School
Corporation did not have any policies or procedures in place to ensure the listing was complete, nor was
there any documentation that differences between the compiled asset report and the School Corporation's
equipment records were reviewed and resolved.
During the audit period, a total of eight pieces of equipment that met the capitalization threshold
were purchased with the ESF. Of these assets, one was not listed on the capital asset listing prepared by
the consultant for the year ending June 30, 2023, and two were not on the capital asset listing updated inhouse
for the year ending June 30, 2024.
In total, the School Corporation purchased $1,014,045 of equipment and improvements with the
ESFs which should have been recorded as capital assets purchased with federal grant funds as these items
exceeded the capitalization threshold. These items were not detailed in the capital asset listing which also
could have documented if the items were properly maintained and safe-guarded as required. Additionally,
none of the five that were included on the capital asset listing included all required components including
who holds the title and how much was purchased with federal funds.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over 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(d) states in part:
"(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial
number or other identification number, the source of dunking for the property (including
the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, 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 sales price of the
property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the
property records at least once every two years.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss,
damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good
condition. . . ."
Cause
Management did not develop a system of internal controls to ensure that all items over the capital
asset threshold were added to the listing, the capital asset listing included all required information, and
items purchased were properly maintained and safeguarded.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the
repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls that
would ensure compliance with the Equipment and Real Property management records.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-002.
Condition and Context
The School Corporation had not properly designed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
21
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
A property record or capital asset listing is required to be maintained for all equipment purchased
with the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant award to ensure adequate safeguards are in place to
prevent loss or damage of items. Equipment to be included in the listing is that which exceeds the School
Corporation's capital asset threshold of $5,000.
The School Corporation hired a consultant to compile and provide to them a fixed asset report that
contained all inventory and assets purchased that exceeded the School Corporation's capitalization
threshold every three years. A physical inventory is completed in house in years which the consultant does
not compile a listing. A physical inventory was conducted by the consultant through June 30, 2023, and
was to be updated for purchases through June 30, 2024, by School Corporation staff. However, the School
Corporation did not have any policies or procedures in place to ensure the listing was complete, nor was
there any documentation that differences between the compiled asset report and the School Corporation's
equipment records were reviewed and resolved.
During the audit period, a total of eight pieces of equipment that met the capitalization threshold
were purchased with the ESF. Of these assets, one was not listed on the capital asset listing prepared by
the consultant for the year ending June 30, 2023, and two were not on the capital asset listing updated inhouse
for the year ending June 30, 2024.
In total, the School Corporation purchased $1,014,045 of equipment and improvements with the
ESFs which should have been recorded as capital assets purchased with federal grant funds as these items
exceeded the capitalization threshold. These items were not detailed in the capital asset listing which also
could have documented if the items were properly maintained and safe-guarded as required. Additionally,
none of the five that were included on the capital asset listing included all required components including
who holds the title and how much was purchased with federal funds.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over 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(d) states in part:
"(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial
number or other identification number, the source of dunking for the property (including
the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, 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 sales price of the
property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the
property records at least once every two years.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss,
damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good
condition. . . ."
Cause
Management did not develop a system of internal controls to ensure that all items over the capital
asset threshold were added to the listing, the capital asset listing included all required information, and
items purchased were properly maintained and safeguarded.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the
repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls that
would ensure compliance with the Equipment and Real Property management records.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special
Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-001.
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages
not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of
Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction
contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply
with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This includes a requirement for the contractor or subcontractor
to submit to the nonfederal entity weekly, for each week in which any contract work is performed,
a copy of the payroll and a statement of compliance.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that all construction
contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause or
certified payrolls were submitted. The School Corporation entered into three contracts during the audit
period that were subject to the wage rate requirements. Two of the three contracts did not have the required
prevailing wage rate clause included in the contract nor were certified payrolls submitted to the unit for each
week in which construction was performed for these two same contractors.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance during the audit period was isolated to the two
contracts noted above.
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). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any
contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or
repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work
financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal
agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make
a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated),
and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the
following clauses . . .
(1) Minimum wages.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or
under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the
construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less
often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account
(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages
and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment
computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the
Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any
contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such
laborers and mechanics. . . .
(3) Records and certified payrolls . . .
(ii) Certified payroll requirements
(A) Frequency and method of submission. The contractor or subcontractor must
submit weekly, for each week in which any DBA- or Related Acts-covered work
is performed, certified payrolls to the [write in name of appropriate Federal
agency] if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a
party, the contractor will submit the certified payrolls to the applicant, sponsor,
owner, or other entity, as the case may be, that maintains such records, for
transmission to the [write in name of agency]. The prime contractor is
responsible for the submission of all certified payrolls by all subcontractors. A
contracting agency or prime contractor may permit or require contractors to
submit certified payrolls through an electronic system, as long as the electronic
system requires a legally valid electronic signature; the system allows the
contractor, the contracting agency, and the Department of Labor to access the
certified payrolls upon request for at least 3 years after the work on the prime
contract has been completed; and the contracting agency or prime contractor
permits other methods of submission in situations where the contractor is
unable or limited in its ability to use or access the electronic system. . . ."
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all
contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions
covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal
program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-
Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act
(40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations
(29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering
Federally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statute, contractors
must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the
prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In
addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal controls that would ensure compliance
including ensuring that the required clause was included in the contracts and that certified payrolls were
received for the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls over the Special Test and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement resulted in two contracts not meeting the guidelines established.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the repayment of
federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure
compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate
Requirements compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special
Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Repeat Finding
This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was
2022-001.
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages
not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of
Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction
contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply
with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This includes a requirement for the contractor or subcontractor
to submit to the nonfederal entity weekly, for each week in which any contract work is performed,
a copy of the payroll and a statement of compliance.
The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that all construction
contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause or
certified payrolls were submitted. The School Corporation entered into three contracts during the audit
period that were subject to the wage rate requirements. Two of the three contracts did not have the required
prevailing wage rate clause included in the contract nor were certified payrolls submitted to the unit for each
week in which construction was performed for these two same contractors.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance during the audit period was isolated to the two
contracts noted above.
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). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any
contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or
repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work
financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal
agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make
a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated),
and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the
following clauses . . .
(1) Minimum wages.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
24
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or
under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the
construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less
often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account
(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages
and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment
computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the
Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any
contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such
laborers and mechanics. . . .
(3) Records and certified payrolls . . .
(ii) Certified payroll requirements
(A) Frequency and method of submission. The contractor or subcontractor must
submit weekly, for each week in which any DBA- or Related Acts-covered work
is performed, certified payrolls to the [write in name of appropriate Federal
agency] if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a
party, the contractor will submit the certified payrolls to the applicant, sponsor,
owner, or other entity, as the case may be, that maintains such records, for
transmission to the [write in name of agency]. The prime contractor is
responsible for the submission of all certified payrolls by all subcontractors. A
contracting agency or prime contractor may permit or require contractors to
submit certified payrolls through an electronic system, as long as the electronic
system requires a legally valid electronic signature; the system allows the
contractor, the contracting agency, and the Department of Labor to access the
certified payrolls upon request for at least 3 years after the work on the prime
contract has been completed; and the contracting agency or prime contractor
permits other methods of submission in situations where the contractor is
unable or limited in its ability to use or access the electronic system. . . ."
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all
contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions
covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal
program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-
Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act
(40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations
(29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering
Federally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statute, contractors
must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the
prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In
addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal controls that would ensure compliance
including ensuring that the required clause was included in the contracts and that certified payrolls were
received for the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
25
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls over the Special Test and
Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement resulted in two contracts not meeting the guidelines established.
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the repayment of
federal funds.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure
compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate
Requirements compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-006
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirement.
Federal funds may only be used to pay staff for work that has occurred supporting the objective of
the federal program. As such, proper time and effort documentation is to be maintained by the School
Corporation. The purpose of time and effort recording is to provide documentation of the time spent working
on specific federal programs to ensure charges are accurate for each program.
In a sample of six payroll disbursements charged to the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant,
four disbursements were for payments to employees whose time was split between the ESF and nonfederal
activity. Time and effort records were not maintained for any of these four employees, and, therefore, we
were unable to determine if the total costs were allowable, resulting in $5,572 of questioned costs.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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 . . .
(iv) Encompass federally-assisted and all other activities compensated by the recipient or
subrecipient on an integrated basis but may include the use of subsidiary records as
defined in the recipient's or subrecipient's written policy; . . .
(vii) 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. . . ."
While across the board stipends are not permitted, LEAs may pay staff for COVID-related work that
has been documented. Most, if not all, staff likely had extra responsibilities as well as time and effort to
respond to the pandemic. ESSER funds can be used to pay staff for that work and LEAs are responsible
for documenting that this work occurred. (Indiana Department of Education, ESSER III Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) updated August 16, 2021)
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls over the payroll disbursements for employees who worked with
both federal and nonfederal programs was not properly designed or implemented by management. The
School Corporation did not maintain a record of the actual time spent working on extra responsibilities for
COVID-related work to ensure allowability.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $5,572 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management design and implement a system of
internal controls to ensure that disbursement documentation will be obtained, retained, and made available
for audit and that the disbursements comply with the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-006
Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirement.
Federal funds may only be used to pay staff for work that has occurred supporting the objective of
the federal program. As such, proper time and effort documentation is to be maintained by the School
Corporation. The purpose of time and effort recording is to provide documentation of the time spent working
on specific federal programs to ensure charges are accurate for each program.
In a sample of six payroll disbursements charged to the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant,
four disbursements were for payments to employees whose time was split between the ESF and nonfederal
activity. Time and effort records were not maintained for any of these four employees, and, therefore, we
were unable to determine if the total costs were allowable, resulting in $5,572 of questioned costs.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria
in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
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 . . .
(iv) Encompass federally-assisted and all other activities compensated by the recipient or
subrecipient on an integrated basis but may include the use of subsidiary records as
defined in the recipient's or subrecipient's written policy; . . .
(vii) 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. . . ."
While across the board stipends are not permitted, LEAs may pay staff for COVID-related work that
has been documented. Most, if not all, staff likely had extra responsibilities as well as time and effort to
respond to the pandemic. ESSER funds can be used to pay staff for that work and LEAs are responsible
for documenting that this work occurred. (Indiana Department of Education, ESSER III Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) updated August 16, 2021)
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
SCHOOL CITY OF MISHAWAKA
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls over the payroll disbursements for employees who worked with
both federal and nonfederal programs was not properly designed or implemented by management. The
School Corporation did not maintain a record of the actual time spent working on extra responsibilities for
COVID-related work to ensure allowability.
Effect
Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement resulted in questioned
costs and could result in the repayment of federal funds.
Questioned Costs
Known questioned costs of $5,572 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management design and implement a system of
internal controls to ensure that disbursement documentation will be obtained, retained, and made available
for audit and that the disbursements comply with the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.