Information on the federal program:
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listing Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A220084, H027A230084
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable
State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal
law and the standards identified in this part."
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Revised Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State,
local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or
services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement
procedures must confirm to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records
will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the method of procurement,
selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and
informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than
the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must
be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources."
2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) 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.
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part:
"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:
(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and
(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . .
(d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the
lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension
and Debarment compliance requirement.
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property
or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance
requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document the
procurement process for small purchases, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's
compliance with the procurement requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for one out of four vendors tested that
were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase
threshold. Documentation of vendor contract, bids or the School Corporation's process and rationale for the
chosen vendor was not available for audit. Further, the School Corporation could not provide evidence that
a suspension and debarment check had been performed on the vendor prior to entering into contract.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-006 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and the system of internal controls outlines
how the School Corporation will comply with their procurement policy, requirements of the grant agreement
and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listing Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A220084, H027A230084
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable
State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal
law and the standards identified in this part."
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Revised Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State,
local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or
services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement
procedures must confirm to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records
will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the method of procurement,
selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and
informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than
the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must
be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources."
2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) 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.
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part:
"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:
(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and
(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . .
(d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the
lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension
and Debarment compliance requirement.
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property
or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance
requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document the
procurement process for small purchases, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's
compliance with the procurement requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for one out of four vendors tested that
were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase
threshold. Documentation of vendor contract, bids or the School Corporation's process and rationale for the
chosen vendor was not available for audit. Further, the School Corporation could not provide evidence that
a suspension and debarment check had been performed on the vendor prior to entering into contract.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-006 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and the system of internal controls outlines
how the School Corporation will comply with their procurement policy, requirements of the grant agreement
and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document
costs, enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to
the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: We noted that for 11 payroll claims in a sample of 60, the School Corporation was not able to
provide semi-annual certifications or support that the personnel were approved to be paid with Title I funds.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and comply with the grant agreement and
the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
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
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: During the testing of eligibility, we noted three out of 25 eligibility samples that were reported as
free or reduced socioeconomic status to the Indiana Department of Education in the October 2022 data
exchange count, but supporting documentation supported these students as a paid status. These three
students should not have been reported as free or reduced socioeconomic status.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to review the applications submitted for free or reduced socioeconomic status to ensure
the students are classified correctly within the system. We also recommend that management have a
secondary review of the information submitted as part of the data exchange count to ensure the information
is accurate and agrees to the underlying detail.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO). . . ."
20 USC 7801(23)(B) states:
"To remove a student from a cohort, a school or local educational agency shall require documentation, or
obtain documentation from the State educational agency, to confirm that the student has transferred out,
emigrated to another country, or transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased.”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
The School Corporation must report graduation rate data for all public high schools within the corporation
using the four-year adjusted cohort rate. To remove a student from the cohort, the School Corporation must
confirm the reason for removal in writing. Additionally, required documentation for each removal type must
be retained by the School Corporation.
Cause: Management had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would have
ensured compliance with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation
Rate compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds
to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation had not established internal controls to ensure required documentation
to support the reason for a student's removal from the high school graduation cohort for mobility reasons
was prepared, reviewed, and retained. For three of the eight students tested, the School Corporation was
unable to provide documentation to support the removal of the student from the graduation cohort.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-008 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document
costs, enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to
the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: We noted that for 11 payroll claims in a sample of 60, the School Corporation was not able to
provide semi-annual certifications or support that the personnel were approved to be paid with Title I funds.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and comply with the grant agreement and
the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
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
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: During the testing of eligibility, we noted three out of 25 eligibility samples that were reported as
free or reduced socioeconomic status to the Indiana Department of Education in the October 2022 data
exchange count, but supporting documentation supported these students as a paid status. These three
students should not have been reported as free or reduced socioeconomic status.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to review the applications submitted for free or reduced socioeconomic status to ensure
the students are classified correctly within the system. We also recommend that management have a
secondary review of the information submitted as part of the data exchange count to ensure the information
is accurate and agrees to the underlying detail.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO). . . ."
20 USC 7801(23)(B) states:
"To remove a student from a cohort, a school or local educational agency shall require documentation, or
obtain documentation from the State educational agency, to confirm that the student has transferred out,
emigrated to another country, or transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased.”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
The School Corporation must report graduation rate data for all public high schools within the corporation
using the four-year adjusted cohort rate. To remove a student from the cohort, the School Corporation must
confirm the reason for removal in writing. Additionally, required documentation for each removal type must
be retained by the School Corporation.
Cause: Management had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would have
ensured compliance with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation
Rate compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds
to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation had not established internal controls to ensure required documentation
to support the reason for a student's removal from the high school graduation cohort for mobility reasons
was prepared, reviewed, and retained. For three of the eight students tested, the School Corporation was
unable to provide documentation to support the removal of the student from the graduation cohort.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-008 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document
costs, enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to
the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: We noted that for 11 payroll claims in a sample of 60, the School Corporation was not able to
provide semi-annual certifications or support that the personnel were approved to be paid with Title I funds.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and comply with the grant agreement and
the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
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
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: During the testing of eligibility, we noted three out of 25 eligibility samples that were reported as
free or reduced socioeconomic status to the Indiana Department of Education in the October 2022 data
exchange count, but supporting documentation supported these students as a paid status. These three
students should not have been reported as free or reduced socioeconomic status.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to review the applications submitted for free or reduced socioeconomic status to ensure
the students are classified correctly within the system. We also recommend that management have a
secondary review of the information submitted as part of the data exchange count to ensure the information
is accurate and agrees to the underlying detail.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO). . . ."
20 USC 7801(23)(B) states:
"To remove a student from a cohort, a school or local educational agency shall require documentation, or
obtain documentation from the State educational agency, to confirm that the student has transferred out,
emigrated to another country, or transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased.”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
The School Corporation must report graduation rate data for all public high schools within the corporation
using the four-year adjusted cohort rate. To remove a student from the cohort, the School Corporation must
confirm the reason for removal in writing. Additionally, required documentation for each removal type must
be retained by the School Corporation.
Cause: Management had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would have
ensured compliance with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation
Rate compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds
to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation had not established internal controls to ensure required documentation
to support the reason for a student's removal from the high school graduation cohort for mobility reasons
was prepared, reviewed, and retained. For three of the eight students tested, the School Corporation was
unable to provide documentation to support the removal of the student from the graduation cohort.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-008 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,
S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance
that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes,
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in
compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in
accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states:
"A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in
complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the
program."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance
requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management implemented a review control over the annual data reports,
however, it was not sufficient enough to detect and prevent errors in annual data reports submitted to the
Indiana Department of Education.
Effect: Annual data reports submitted during the audit period to the Indiana Department of Education
contained material errors compared to underlying transaction detail for the period reported.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was required to submit Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE) during the audit period to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant
awards. We noted that the ESSER I amount reported on the Year 3 report ($266,367) did not agree to the
underlying expenditure record ($96,019) for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally,
the ESSER II and ESSER III amount reported on the Year 2 report ($1,433,207, and $643,771, respectively)
did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($1,400,698, and $630,465 respectively) for the period
of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
We also noted that the ESSER II and ESSER III amounts reported on the Year 3 report ($4,291 and
$1,522,378, respectively) did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($4,590 and $1,774,722,
respectively) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide any support for the 288 full-time equivalent
(FTE) positions on September 30, 2022, reported on the Year 2 CrossAct report or the 338 full-time
equivalent (FTE) positions on September 30, 2023, reported on the Year 3 CrossAct report. Crowe also
noted that the School Corporation reported 0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions paid by ESSER on
September 2023, but there were ESSER positions reported in the ESSER applications.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend management review internal controls over the review of annual data
reports to ensure the data to be submitted agrees to underlying transaction detail or other supporting
documentation prior to the submission of the annual data report.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment),
whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum,
meet the following requirements:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number
or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who
holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in
the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location,
use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of
disposal and sale price of the property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property
records at least once every two years.
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage,
or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition.
. . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was not able to provide a complete capital asset listing with the required
information to support that the equipment purchases of $46,727 and $12,408 with COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund ESSER II and ESSER III funds had been added to the capital asset listing. Additionally,
the School Corporation was not able to provide support that an inventory of capital assets had taken place
at least once in the last 2 year.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing at least
annually to include all equipment and real property acquisitions and review for potential capital asset
dispositions. The capital asset listing should include all required information to track capital asset
acquisitions purchased with federal funding.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,
S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance
that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes,
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in
compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in
accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states:
"A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in
complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the
program."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance
requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management implemented a review control over the annual data reports,
however, it was not sufficient enough to detect and prevent errors in annual data reports submitted to the
Indiana Department of Education.
Effect: Annual data reports submitted during the audit period to the Indiana Department of Education
contained material errors compared to underlying transaction detail for the period reported.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was required to submit Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE) during the audit period to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant
awards. We noted that the ESSER I amount reported on the Year 3 report ($266,367) did not agree to the
underlying expenditure record ($96,019) for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally,
the ESSER II and ESSER III amount reported on the Year 2 report ($1,433,207, and $643,771, respectively)
did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($1,400,698, and $630,465 respectively) for the period
of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
We also noted that the ESSER II and ESSER III amounts reported on the Year 3 report ($4,291 and
$1,522,378, respectively) did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($4,590 and $1,774,722,
respectively) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide any support for the 288 full-time equivalent
(FTE) positions on September 30, 2022, reported on the Year 2 CrossAct report or the 338 full-time
equivalent (FTE) positions on September 30, 2023, reported on the Year 3 CrossAct report. Crowe also
noted that the School Corporation reported 0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions paid by ESSER on
September 2023, but there were ESSER positions reported in the ESSER applications.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend management review internal controls over the review of annual data
reports to ensure the data to be submitted agrees to underlying transaction detail or other supporting
documentation prior to the submission of the annual data report.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal
Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or
the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be
allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto
under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to
types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part:
"Standards for documentation of Personnel Expenses
(1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the
work performed. These records must:
(i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the
charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;
(ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity;
(iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-
Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE's
definition of IBS); . . . (vii) Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among
specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award;
a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity;
two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an
unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation’s management had not developed an effective system of internal controls
that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance
requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were $1,944 of known questioned costs identified.
Context: During testing of the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements, there were two
vendor vouchers in a sample of 60, where the School Corporation was unable to locate any supporting
documentation. These two selections totaled $1,530 charged to the grant.
It was further noted that during our testing of payroll costs charged to the COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund, for 2 selections in a sample of 40, the School Corporation was unable to provide any
support to validate the amount of payroll charged to the grant. These two selections totaled $414 charged
to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation’s management establish a system of internal
controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and that expenditures charged to the grant comply
with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment),
whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum,
meet the following requirements:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number
or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who
holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in
the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location,
use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of
disposal and sale price of the property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property
records at least once every two years.
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage,
or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition.
. . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was not able to provide a complete capital asset listing with the required
information to support that the equipment purchases of $46,727 and $12,408 with COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund ESSER II and ESSER III funds had been added to the capital asset listing. Additionally,
the School Corporation was not able to provide support that an inventory of capital assets had taken place
at least once in the last 2 year.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing at least
annually to include all equipment and real property acquisitions and review for potential capital asset
dispositions. The capital asset listing should include all required information to track capital asset
acquisitions purchased with federal funding.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,
S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance
that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes,
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in
compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in
accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states:
"A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in
complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the
program."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance
requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management implemented a review control over the annual data reports,
however, it was not sufficient enough to detect and prevent errors in annual data reports submitted to the
Indiana Department of Education.
Effect: Annual data reports submitted during the audit period to the Indiana Department of Education
contained material errors compared to underlying transaction detail for the period reported.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was required to submit Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE) during the audit period to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant
awards. We noted that the ESSER I amount reported on the Year 3 report ($266,367) did not agree to the
underlying expenditure record ($96,019) for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally,
the ESSER II and ESSER III amount reported on the Year 2 report ($1,433,207, and $643,771, respectively)
did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($1,400,698, and $630,465 respectively) for the period
of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
We also noted that the ESSER II and ESSER III amounts reported on the Year 3 report ($4,291 and
$1,522,378, respectively) did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($4,590 and $1,774,722,
respectively) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide any support for the 288 full-time equivalent
(FTE) positions on September 30, 2022, reported on the Year 2 CrossAct report or the 338 full-time
equivalent (FTE) positions on September 30, 2023, reported on the Year 3 CrossAct report. Crowe also
noted that the School Corporation reported 0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions paid by ESSER on
September 2023, but there were ESSER positions reported in the ESSER applications.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend management review internal controls over the review of annual data
reports to ensure the data to be submitted agrees to underlying transaction detail or other supporting
documentation prior to the submission of the annual data report.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal
Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or
the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be
allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto
under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to
types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part:
"Standards for documentation of Personnel Expenses
(1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the
work performed. These records must:
(i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the
charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;
(ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity;
(iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-
Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE's
definition of IBS); . . . (vii) Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among
specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award;
a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity;
two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an
unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation’s management had not developed an effective system of internal controls
that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance
requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were $1,944 of known questioned costs identified.
Context: During testing of the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements, there were two
vendor vouchers in a sample of 60, where the School Corporation was unable to locate any supporting
documentation. These two selections totaled $1,530 charged to the grant.
It was further noted that during our testing of payroll costs charged to the COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund, for 2 selections in a sample of 40, the School Corporation was unable to provide any
support to validate the amount of payroll charged to the grant. These two selections totaled $414 charged
to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation’s management establish a system of internal
controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and that expenditures charged to the grant comply
with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listing Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A220084, H027A230084
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable
State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal
law and the standards identified in this part."
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Revised Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State,
local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or
services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement
procedures must confirm to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records
will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the method of procurement,
selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and
informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than
the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must
be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources."
2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) 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.
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part:
"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:
(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and
(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . .
(d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the
lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension
and Debarment compliance requirement.
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property
or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance
requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document the
procurement process for small purchases, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's
compliance with the procurement requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for one out of four vendors tested that
were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase
threshold. Documentation of vendor contract, bids or the School Corporation's process and rationale for the
chosen vendor was not available for audit. Further, the School Corporation could not provide evidence that
a suspension and debarment check had been performed on the vendor prior to entering into contract.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-006 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and the system of internal controls outlines
how the School Corporation will comply with their procurement policy, requirements of the grant agreement
and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants
Assistance Listing Number: 84.027
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): H027A220084, H027A230084
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable
State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal
law and the standards identified in this part."
2 CFR 200.318(a) (Revised Uniform Guidance) states:
"The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State,
local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or
services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement
procedures must confirm to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327."
2 CFR 200.318(i) states:
"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records
will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: Rationale for the method of procurement,
selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price."
2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:
"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and
informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than
the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must
be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources."
2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) 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.
Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part:
"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:
(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and
(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . .
(d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the
lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension
and Debarment compliance requirement.
Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property
or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance
requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document the
procurement process for small purchases, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's
compliance with the procurement requirements of the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
compliance requirement.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for one out of four vendors tested that
were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase
threshold. Documentation of vendor contract, bids or the School Corporation's process and rationale for the
chosen vendor was not available for audit. Further, the School Corporation could not provide evidence that
a suspension and debarment check had been performed on the vendor prior to entering into contract.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-006 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and the system of internal controls outlines
how the School Corporation will comply with their procurement policy, requirements of the grant agreement
and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document
costs, enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to
the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: We noted that for 11 payroll claims in a sample of 60, the School Corporation was not able to
provide semi-annual certifications or support that the personnel were approved to be paid with Title I funds.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and comply with the grant agreement and
the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
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
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: During the testing of eligibility, we noted three out of 25 eligibility samples that were reported as
free or reduced socioeconomic status to the Indiana Department of Education in the October 2022 data
exchange count, but supporting documentation supported these students as a paid status. These three
students should not have been reported as free or reduced socioeconomic status.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to review the applications submitted for free or reduced socioeconomic status to ensure
the students are classified correctly within the system. We also recommend that management have a
secondary review of the information submitted as part of the data exchange count to ensure the information
is accurate and agrees to the underlying detail.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO). . . ."
20 USC 7801(23)(B) states:
"To remove a student from a cohort, a school or local educational agency shall require documentation, or
obtain documentation from the State educational agency, to confirm that the student has transferred out,
emigrated to another country, or transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased.”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
The School Corporation must report graduation rate data for all public high schools within the corporation
using the four-year adjusted cohort rate. To remove a student from the cohort, the School Corporation must
confirm the reason for removal in writing. Additionally, required documentation for each removal type must
be retained by the School Corporation.
Cause: Management had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would have
ensured compliance with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation
Rate compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds
to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation had not established internal controls to ensure required documentation
to support the reason for a student's removal from the high school graduation cohort for mobility reasons
was prepared, reviewed, and retained. For three of the eight students tested, the School Corporation was
unable to provide documentation to support the removal of the student from the graduation cohort.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-008 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document
costs, enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to
the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: We noted that for 11 payroll claims in a sample of 60, the School Corporation was not able to
provide semi-annual certifications or support that the personnel were approved to be paid with Title I funds.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and comply with the grant agreement and
the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
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
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: During the testing of eligibility, we noted three out of 25 eligibility samples that were reported as
free or reduced socioeconomic status to the Indiana Department of Education in the October 2022 data
exchange count, but supporting documentation supported these students as a paid status. These three
students should not have been reported as free or reduced socioeconomic status.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to review the applications submitted for free or reduced socioeconomic status to ensure
the students are classified correctly within the system. We also recommend that management have a
secondary review of the information submitted as part of the data exchange count to ensure the information
is accurate and agrees to the underlying detail.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO). . . ."
20 USC 7801(23)(B) states:
"To remove a student from a cohort, a school or local educational agency shall require documentation, or
obtain documentation from the State educational agency, to confirm that the student has transferred out,
emigrated to another country, or transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased.”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
The School Corporation must report graduation rate data for all public high schools within the corporation
using the four-year adjusted cohort rate. To remove a student from the cohort, the School Corporation must
confirm the reason for removal in writing. Additionally, required documentation for each removal type must
be retained by the School Corporation.
Cause: Management had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would have
ensured compliance with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation
Rate compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds
to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation had not established internal controls to ensure required documentation
to support the reason for a student's removal from the high school graduation cohort for mobility reasons
was prepared, reviewed, and retained. For three of the eight students tested, the School Corporation was
unable to provide documentation to support the removal of the student from the graduation cohort.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-008 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as adequately document
costs, enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to
the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: We noted that for 11 payroll claims in a sample of 60, the School Corporation was not able to
provide semi-annual certifications or support that the personnel were approved to be paid with Title I funds.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and comply with the grant agreement and
the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies – Eligibility
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
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
Criteria: 2 CFR section 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). . . ."
Condition: An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure
compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Cause: Management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured
compliance with the grant agreement and the eligibility compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: During the testing of eligibility, we noted three out of 25 eligibility samples that were reported as
free or reduced socioeconomic status to the Indiana Department of Education in the October 2022 data
exchange count, but supporting documentation supported these students as a paid status. These three
students should not have been reported as free or reduced socioeconomic status.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to review the applications submitted for free or reduced socioeconomic status to ensure
the students are classified correctly within the system. We also recommend that management have a
secondary review of the information submitted as part of the data exchange count to ensure the information
is accurate and agrees to the underlying detail.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A210014, S010A220014,
S010A230014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card/High School Graduation Rate
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable
assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal
statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls
should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated
Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO). . . ."
20 USC 7801(23)(B) states:
"To remove a student from a cohort, a school or local educational agency shall require documentation, or
obtain documentation from the State educational agency, to confirm that the student has transferred out,
emigrated to another country, or transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased.”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation
to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and
Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
The School Corporation must report graduation rate data for all public high schools within the corporation
using the four-year adjusted cohort rate. To remove a student from the cohort, the School Corporation must
confirm the reason for removal in writing. Additionally, required documentation for each removal type must
be retained by the School Corporation.
Cause: Management had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would have
ensured compliance with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report Card, High School Graduation
Rate compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds
to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation had not established internal controls to ensure required documentation
to support the reason for a student's removal from the high school graduation cohort for mobility reasons
was prepared, reviewed, and retained. For three of the eight students tested, the School Corporation was
unable to provide documentation to support the removal of the student from the graduation cohort.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. See finding 2022-008 in the prior audit report.
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of
internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Special Tests and Provisions - Annual Report
Card, High School Graduation Rate compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,
S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance
that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes,
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in
compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in
accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states:
"A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in
complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the
program."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance
requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management implemented a review control over the annual data reports,
however, it was not sufficient enough to detect and prevent errors in annual data reports submitted to the
Indiana Department of Education.
Effect: Annual data reports submitted during the audit period to the Indiana Department of Education
contained material errors compared to underlying transaction detail for the period reported.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was required to submit Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE) during the audit period to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant
awards. We noted that the ESSER I amount reported on the Year 3 report ($266,367) did not agree to the
underlying expenditure record ($96,019) for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally,
the ESSER II and ESSER III amount reported on the Year 2 report ($1,433,207, and $643,771, respectively)
did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($1,400,698, and $630,465 respectively) for the period
of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
We also noted that the ESSER II and ESSER III amounts reported on the Year 3 report ($4,291 and
$1,522,378, respectively) did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($4,590 and $1,774,722,
respectively) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide any support for the 288 full-time equivalent
(FTE) positions on September 30, 2022, reported on the Year 2 CrossAct report or the 338 full-time
equivalent (FTE) positions on September 30, 2023, reported on the Year 3 CrossAct report. Crowe also
noted that the School Corporation reported 0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions paid by ESSER on
September 2023, but there were ESSER positions reported in the ESSER applications.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend management review internal controls over the review of annual data
reports to ensure the data to be submitted agrees to underlying transaction detail or other supporting
documentation prior to the submission of the annual data report.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment),
whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum,
meet the following requirements:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number
or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who
holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in
the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location,
use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of
disposal and sale price of the property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property
records at least once every two years.
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage,
or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition.
. . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was not able to provide a complete capital asset listing with the required
information to support that the equipment purchases of $46,727 and $12,408 with COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund ESSER II and ESSER III funds had been added to the capital asset listing. Additionally,
the School Corporation was not able to provide support that an inventory of capital assets had taken place
at least once in the last 2 year.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing at least
annually to include all equipment and real property acquisitions and review for potential capital asset
dispositions. The capital asset listing should include all required information to track capital asset
acquisitions purchased with federal funding.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,
S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance
that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes,
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in
compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in
accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states:
"A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in
complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the
program."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance
requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management implemented a review control over the annual data reports,
however, it was not sufficient enough to detect and prevent errors in annual data reports submitted to the
Indiana Department of Education.
Effect: Annual data reports submitted during the audit period to the Indiana Department of Education
contained material errors compared to underlying transaction detail for the period reported.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was required to submit Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE) during the audit period to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant
awards. We noted that the ESSER I amount reported on the Year 3 report ($266,367) did not agree to the
underlying expenditure record ($96,019) for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally,
the ESSER II and ESSER III amount reported on the Year 2 report ($1,433,207, and $643,771, respectively)
did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($1,400,698, and $630,465 respectively) for the period
of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
We also noted that the ESSER II and ESSER III amounts reported on the Year 3 report ($4,291 and
$1,522,378, respectively) did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($4,590 and $1,774,722,
respectively) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide any support for the 288 full-time equivalent
(FTE) positions on September 30, 2022, reported on the Year 2 CrossAct report or the 338 full-time
equivalent (FTE) positions on September 30, 2023, reported on the Year 3 CrossAct report. Crowe also
noted that the School Corporation reported 0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions paid by ESSER on
September 2023, but there were ESSER positions reported in the ESSER applications.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend management review internal controls over the review of annual data
reports to ensure the data to be submitted agrees to underlying transaction detail or other supporting
documentation prior to the submission of the annual data report.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal
Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or
the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be
allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto
under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to
types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part:
"Standards for documentation of Personnel Expenses
(1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the
work performed. These records must:
(i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the
charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;
(ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity;
(iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-
Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE's
definition of IBS); . . . (vii) Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among
specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award;
a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity;
two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an
unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation’s management had not developed an effective system of internal controls
that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance
requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were $1,944 of known questioned costs identified.
Context: During testing of the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements, there were two
vendor vouchers in a sample of 60, where the School Corporation was unable to locate any supporting
documentation. These two selections totaled $1,530 charged to the grant.
It was further noted that during our testing of payroll costs charged to the COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund, for 2 selections in a sample of 40, the School Corporation was unable to provide any
support to validate the amount of payroll charged to the grant. These two selections totaled $414 charged
to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation’s management establish a system of internal
controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and that expenditures charged to the grant comply
with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment),
whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum,
meet the following requirements:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number
or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who
holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in
the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location,
use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of
disposal and sale price of the property.
(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property
records at least once every two years.
(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage,
or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated.
(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition.
. . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property
Management Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of
noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties
within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements
and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight,
reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was not able to provide a complete capital asset listing with the required
information to support that the equipment purchases of $46,727 and $12,408 with COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund ESSER II and ESSER III funds had been added to the capital asset listing. Additionally,
the School Corporation was not able to provide support that an inventory of capital assets had taken place
at least once in the last 2 year.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing at least
annually to include all equipment and real property acquisitions and review for potential capital asset
dispositions. The capital asset listing should include all required information to track capital asset
acquisitions purchased with federal funding.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,
S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance
that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes,
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in
compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:
"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:
(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in
accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ."
34 CFR 76.722 states:
"A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in
complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the
program."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance
requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management implemented a review control over the annual data reports,
however, it was not sufficient enough to detect and prevent errors in annual data reports submitted to the
Indiana Department of Education.
Effect: Annual data reports submitted during the audit period to the Indiana Department of Education
contained material errors compared to underlying transaction detail for the period reported.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation was required to submit Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department
of Education (IDOE) during the audit period to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant
awards. We noted that the ESSER I amount reported on the Year 3 report ($266,367) did not agree to the
underlying expenditure record ($96,019) for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additionally,
the ESSER II and ESSER III amount reported on the Year 2 report ($1,433,207, and $643,771, respectively)
did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($1,400,698, and $630,465 respectively) for the period
of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
We also noted that the ESSER II and ESSER III amounts reported on the Year 3 report ($4,291 and
$1,522,378, respectively) did not agree to the underlying expenditure records ($4,590 and $1,774,722,
respectively) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide any support for the 288 full-time equivalent
(FTE) positions on September 30, 2022, reported on the Year 2 CrossAct report or the 338 full-time
equivalent (FTE) positions on September 30, 2023, reported on the Year 3 CrossAct report. Crowe also
noted that the School Corporation reported 0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions paid by ESSER on
September 2023, but there were ESSER positions reported in the ESSER applications.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend management review internal controls over the review of annual data
reports to ensure the data to be submitted agrees to underlying transaction detail or other supporting
documentation prior to the submission of the annual data report.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Material Weakness
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides
reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal
Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or
the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
2 CFR 200.403 states in part:
"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be
allowable under Federal awards:
(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto
under these principles.
(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to
types or amount of cost items. . . .
(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."
2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part:
"Standards for documentation of Personnel Expenses
(1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the
work performed. These records must:
(i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the
charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;
(ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity;
(iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-
Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE's
definition of IBS); . . . (vii) Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among
specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award;
a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity;
two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an
unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to
ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost
Principles compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation’s management had not developed an effective system of internal controls
that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
compliance requirement.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go
undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance
requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were $1,944 of known questioned costs identified.
Context: During testing of the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements, there were two
vendor vouchers in a sample of 60, where the School Corporation was unable to locate any supporting
documentation. These two selections totaled $1,530 charged to the grant.
It was further noted that during our testing of payroll costs charged to the COVID-19 – Education
Stabilization Fund, for 2 selections in a sample of 40, the School Corporation was unable to provide any
support to validate the amount of payroll charged to the grant. These two selections totaled $414 charged
to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation’s management establish a system of internal
controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and that expenditures charged to the grant comply
with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding
and has prepared a corrective action plan.