FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
13
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at
the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement
and the Eligibility compliance requirement.
Eligibility for Title I is determined on the Eligible School Summary of the Title I application.
Enrollment and Poverty numbers are automatically pulled from the Indiana Department of Education's
Official Pupil Enrollment (PE) count for each school into the Eligible School Summary page of the Title I
application. These counts that are prepopulated should be based on the School Corporation's records as
of October of the prior fiscal year. There was no documented review by the School Corporation of the
enrollment and poverty counts that were prepopulated into the School Corporation's Title I application.
Enrollment and poverty numbers for any nonpublic schools are manually entered into the application
by the School Corporation. The School Corporation had not established an effective process to
review the listing of students from the nonpublic schools for enrollment and poverty counts to be entered
into the Title I application and to retain this information for audit.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation,
which would include segregation of key functions, to ensure that the review of records pertinent to the
federal award was properly documented and retained for audit. After a change in the Director of the federal
program, information from the previous Director could not be located for audit, so there was no documentation
presented that an internal control over Eligibility was implemented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors in
the enrollment and poverty information reported in the Title I application could remain undetected and
uncorrected. Uncorrected errors could result in an incorrect determination of eligibility or ranking of Title I
schools.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award, could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 14
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal
controls, including segregation of duties, related to the grant agreement and compliance requirement listed
above.
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: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
13
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at
the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement
and the Eligibility compliance requirement.
Eligibility for Title I is determined on the Eligible School Summary of the Title I application.
Enrollment and Poverty numbers are automatically pulled from the Indiana Department of Education's
Official Pupil Enrollment (PE) count for each school into the Eligible School Summary page of the Title I
application. These counts that are prepopulated should be based on the School Corporation's records as
of October of the prior fiscal year. There was no documented review by the School Corporation of the
enrollment and poverty counts that were prepopulated into the School Corporation's Title I application.
Enrollment and poverty numbers for any nonpublic schools are manually entered into the application
by the School Corporation. The School Corporation had not established an effective process to
review the listing of students from the nonpublic schools for enrollment and poverty counts to be entered
into the Title I application and to retain this information for audit.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation,
which would include segregation of key functions, to ensure that the review of records pertinent to the
federal award was properly documented and retained for audit. After a change in the Director of the federal
program, information from the previous Director could not be located for audit, so there was no documentation
presented that an internal control over Eligibility was implemented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors in
the enrollment and poverty information reported in the Title I application could remain undetected and
uncorrected. Uncorrected errors could result in an incorrect determination of eligibility or ranking of Title I
schools.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award, could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 14
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal
controls, including segregation of duties, related to the grant agreement and compliance requirement listed
above.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 16
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not available
for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with SPED award funds, recipients
are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or
otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods
and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are
expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the Excluded
Parties List System (EPLS), collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or
condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both
transactions, totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement
methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated
administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property
or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal control to ensure that rationale was properly
documented when purchases were made by the Cooperative from a single source provider and to ensure
the Cooperative verified the suspension and debarment status of the vendors.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 16
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not available
for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with SPED award funds, recipients
are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or
otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods
and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are
expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the Excluded
Parties List System (EPLS), collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or
condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both
transactions, totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement
methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated
administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property
or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal control to ensure that rationale was properly
documented when purchases were made by the Cooperative from a single source provider and to ensure
the Cooperative verified the suspension and debarment status of the vendors.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal year 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special education programs
and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of four of the six member schools. As
the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the member school,
the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However,
there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with
the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 22611-048-PN01 grant award could not
be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds for the participating
member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead of time charged to the
nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable
to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant
award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-048-PN01 grant award
in fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
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."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation
to ensure time worked by certified staff for nonpublic schools was properly identified. Internal controls in
place did not identify that an improper method was used to identify expenditures for nonpublic students with
disabilities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School
Corporation was unable to ensure that the proportionate share required to be expended for nonpublic
students was met.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic proportionate share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal year 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special education programs
and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of four of the six member schools. As
the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the member school,
the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However,
there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with
the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 22611-048-PN01 grant award could not
be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds for the participating
member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead of time charged to the
nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable
to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant
award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-048-PN01 grant award
in fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
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."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation
to ensure time worked by certified staff for nonpublic schools was properly identified. Internal controls in
place did not identify that an improper method was used to identify expenditures for nonpublic students with
disabilities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School
Corporation was unable to ensure that the proportionate share required to be expended for nonpublic
students was met.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic proportionate share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-001
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
13
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at
the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement
and the Eligibility compliance requirement.
Eligibility for Title I is determined on the Eligible School Summary of the Title I application.
Enrollment and Poverty numbers are automatically pulled from the Indiana Department of Education's
Official Pupil Enrollment (PE) count for each school into the Eligible School Summary page of the Title I
application. These counts that are prepopulated should be based on the School Corporation's records as
of October of the prior fiscal year. There was no documented review by the School Corporation of the
enrollment and poverty counts that were prepopulated into the School Corporation's Title I application.
Enrollment and poverty numbers for any nonpublic schools are manually entered into the application
by the School Corporation. The School Corporation had not established an effective process to
review the listing of students from the nonpublic schools for enrollment and poverty counts to be entered
into the Title I application and to retain this information for audit.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation,
which would include segregation of key functions, to ensure that the review of records pertinent to the
federal award was properly documented and retained for audit. After a change in the Director of the federal
program, information from the previous Director could not be located for audit, so there was no documentation
presented that an internal control over Eligibility was implemented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors in
the enrollment and poverty information reported in the Title I application could remain undetected and
uncorrected. Uncorrected errors could result in an incorrect determination of eligibility or ranking of Title I
schools.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award, could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 14
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal
controls, including segregation of duties, related to the grant agreement and compliance requirement listed
above.
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: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listings Number: 84.010
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
13
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at
the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement
and the Eligibility compliance requirement.
Eligibility for Title I is determined on the Eligible School Summary of the Title I application.
Enrollment and Poverty numbers are automatically pulled from the Indiana Department of Education's
Official Pupil Enrollment (PE) count for each school into the Eligible School Summary page of the Title I
application. These counts that are prepopulated should be based on the School Corporation's records as
of October of the prior fiscal year. There was no documented review by the School Corporation of the
enrollment and poverty counts that were prepopulated into the School Corporation's Title I application.
Enrollment and poverty numbers for any nonpublic schools are manually entered into the application
by the School Corporation. The School Corporation had not established an effective process to
review the listing of students from the nonpublic schools for enrollment and poverty counts to be entered
into the Title I application and to retain this information for audit.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation,
which would include segregation of key functions, to ensure that the review of records pertinent to the
federal award was properly documented and retained for audit. After a change in the Director of the federal
program, information from the previous Director could not be located for audit, so there was no documentation
presented that an internal control over Eligibility was implemented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors in
the enrollment and poverty information reported in the Title I application could remain undetected and
uncorrected. Uncorrected errors could result in an incorrect determination of eligibility or ranking of Title I
schools.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award, could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 14
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal
controls, including segregation of duties, related to the grant agreement and compliance requirement listed
above.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Condition and Context
An effective internal control system was not in place and properly documented at the School
Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting
compliance requirement.
The School Corporation had not properly documented a system of internal control to ensure that
the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data collection reports
(Reports) were completely and accurately submitted. Two individuals worked together to prepare and
review the Reports; however, the review was not documented.
The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not documented by management of the School
Corporation. Two individuals worked together to prepare, review, and submit the required Reports;
however, evidence of the review was documented.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, errors on
reports could remain undetected and uncorrected.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the
COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete.
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) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 16
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not available
for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with SPED award funds, recipients
are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or
otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods
and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are
expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the Excluded
Parties List System (EPLS), collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or
condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both
transactions, totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement
methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated
administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property
or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal control to ensure that rationale was properly
documented when purchases were made by the Cooperative from a single source provider and to ensure
the Cooperative verified the suspension and debarment status of the vendors.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 23611-048-PN01, 22611-048-ARP
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each
member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the
Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not
have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for small purchases were met for each
applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to
entering into a covered transaction.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 16
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Procurement
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement
for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily
set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000
or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for
methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two
methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or
under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase
threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded
without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used,
then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.
If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation
must be retained supporting the determination.
Two vendors exceeded the small purchase threshold during the audit period. Both vendors
were selected for testing. In both cases, the Cooperative had determined the curriculum and
materials that were purchased, totaling $109,322, were to be provided by a single source
provider; however, they did not have a documented rationale or support for the decision.
Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the
procurement method used, selection of the vendor, and the basis for the price, was not available
for audit for either purchase.
Suspension and Debarment
Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with SPED award funds, recipients
are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or
otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods
and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are
expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the Excluded
Parties List System (EPLS), collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or
condition to the covered transaction with that person.
Two covered transactions were identified that equaled or exceeded $25,000. Both
transactions, totaling $109,322, were selected for testing. For the noted transactions, the
Cooperative did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment due
to the Cooperative not having any policies or procedures in place to verify that contractors were
neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in
federal assistance programs or activities.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.
These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the
method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the
basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent
with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following
methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a
Federal award or sub-award.
(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or
services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal
procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement
methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated
administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property
or services at or below the SAT include: . . .
(2) Small purchases –
(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the
aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but
does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures
are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of
qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."
2 CFR 180.300 states:
"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must
verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You
do this by:
(a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions; or
(b) Collecting a certification from that person; or
(c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Cause
Management had not established a system of internal control to ensure that rationale was properly
documented when purchases were made by the Cooperative from a single source provider and to ensure
the Cooperative verified the suspension and debarment status of the vendors.
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including
policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal
control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance.
As a result, adequate documentation was not retained for procurements that fell within the small
purchase threshold and vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made, were not
verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all required documentation is retained and
provided for small purchases and to ensure contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not
suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal year 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special education programs
and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of four of the six member schools. As
the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the member school,
the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However,
there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with
the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 22611-048-PN01 grant award could not
be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds for the participating
member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead of time charged to the
nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable
to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant
award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-048-PN01 grant award
in fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
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."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation
to ensure time worked by certified staff for nonpublic schools was properly identified. Internal controls in
place did not identify that an improper method was used to identify expenditures for nonpublic students with
disabilities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School
Corporation was unable to ensure that the proportionate share required to be expended for nonpublic
students was met.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic proportionate share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-004
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States
Assistance Listings Number: 84.027
Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 22611-048-PN01
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters
Condition and Context
The School Corporation is a member of the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Education Cooperative
(Cooperative). During fiscal year 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special education programs
and spent the federal money for earmarked expenditures on behalf of four of the six member schools. As
the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the member school,
the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However,
there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with
the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative
complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place
to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for
each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school
expenditures were appropriately identified and reported.
The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 22611-048-PN01 grant award could not
be verified for the individual member schools. The nonpublic school share funds for the participating
member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead of time charged to the
nonpublic schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable
to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant
award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required.
The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-048-PN01 grant award
in fiscal year 2022-2023.
Criteria
2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
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."
Cause
A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation
to ensure time worked by certified staff for nonpublic schools was properly identified. Internal controls in
place did not identify that an improper method was used to identify expenditures for nonpublic students with
disabilities.
INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS
20
SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
(Continued)
Effect
Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School
Corporation was unable to ensure that the proportionate share required to be expended for nonpublic
students was met.
Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs
There were no questioned costs identified.
Recommendation
We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of
internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic proportionate share funds are
appropriately allocated to the member school based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member
school. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit.
Views of Responsible Officials
For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.