Audit 366326

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$534.34M
Findings
12
Programs
37
Organization: Milwaukee Public Schools (WI)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-09-15

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
1153072 2024-010 Material Weakness Yes B
1153073 2024-010 Material Weakness Yes B
1153074 2024-009 Material Weakness Yes B
1153075 2024-009 Material Weakness Yes B
1153076 2024-009 Material Weakness Yes B
1153077 2024-009 Material Weakness Yes B
1153078 2024-010 Material Weakness Yes B
1153079 2024-010 Material Weakness Yes B
1153080 2024-011 Material Weakness Yes L
1153081 2024-012 Material Weakness Yes G
1153082 2024-012 Material Weakness Yes G
1153083 2024-012 Material Weakness Yes G

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
10.555 National School Lunch Program $36.90M Yes 0
84.027 Special Education Grants to States $29.49M Yes 0
10.553 School Breakfast Program $13.49M Yes 0
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $7.52M Yes 1
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $7.06M Yes 2
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants) $5.85M Yes 2
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $5.28M Yes 0
84.287 Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers $4.37M Yes 0
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $1.84M Yes 0
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $1.79M Yes 1
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $1.57M Yes 0
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $1.53M Yes 0
84.173 Special Education Preschool Grants $1.38M Yes 0
93.600 Head Start $986,627 Yes 1
84.206 Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education $834,305 Yes 0
15.662 Great Lakes Restoration $764,115 Yes 0
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $656,042 Yes 0
84.299 Indian Education -- Special Programs for Indian Children $549,460 Yes 0
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $549,157 Yes 0
84.215 Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Promise Neighborhoods; Full-Service Community Schools; and Congressionally Directed Spending for Elementary and Secondary Education Community Projects $470,210 Yes 0
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/replacement Designee Administered Programs $261,714 Yes 0
84.282 Charter Schools $205,824 Yes 0
84.411 Education Innovation and Research (formerly Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund) $182,437 Yes 0
93.327 Demonstration Grants for Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking $181,756 Yes 0
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $162,618 Yes 0
10.935 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production $106,324 Yes 0
84.060 Indian Education Grants to Local Educational Agencies $98,114 Yes 0
66.609 Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks $98,026 Yes 0
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $22,259 Yes 0
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $7,997 Yes 0
10.902 Soil and Water Conservation $6,842 Yes 0
93.079 Cooperative Agreements to Promote Adolescent Health Through School-Based Hiv/std Prevention and School-Based Surveillance $-180 Yes 0
84.196 Education for Homeless Children and Youth $-312 Yes 0
10.574 Team Nutrition Grants $-657 Yes 0
84.184 School Safely National Activities $-698 Yes 0
93.500 Pregnancy Assistance Fund Program $-49,297 Yes 0
47.070 Computer and Information Science and Engineering $-82,759 Yes 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
JNR9Q7M4LXQ5 Aycha Sawa Auditee
4147739820 Wendi Unger Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Milwaukee Public Schools (the District) was established on February 3, 1846 and operates under Chapter 119 of the Wisconsin Statutes. All significant operations of the District are included in the scope of the Single Audit in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and the State Single Audit Guidelines. All financial assistance programs of the District which involve awards from the federal government or federal awards passed through the State of Wisconsin and certain state assistance programs, as required by the Uniform Guidance and the State Single Audit Guidelines, are included in the Schedules of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards. The Schedules of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards present only a selected portion of the operations of the District, they are not intended to and do not present the financial position or changes in net position of the District. Programs subject to the Single Audit - federal and state program awards received by the District have been included in the Schedules of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards. Federal and state programs are defined as major through a risk-based approach.
All federal and state award programs are subject to review and audit by the grantor agencies. Such audits could lead to requests for reimbursement to the grantor agencies for costs disallowed under the terms of the programs. It is the opinion of management that all costs charged against those federal and state programs are allowable under the regulations of those programs.
The Schedules of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards are organized by awarding agency.
The U.S. Department of Education and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction have been designated as the federal and state cognizant agencies, respectively, for the District.
Eligible costs for special education under project 011 were $196,415,299 for the year ended June 30, 2024.
The District received federal awards from the following pass-through entities: [See the Notes to the SEFA for chart/table] Pass-through entity identifying numbers are presented when available.
On April 29, 2024, the District was notified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start (OHS) of the suspension of federal funding for the Head Start program, effective May 21, 2024, due to noncompliance identified during OHS's monitoring review conducted in January 2023, March 2023 and July 2023. The noncompliance issues identified during those monitoring reviews include (1) failure to maintain the required classroom teacher/child ratio, which resulted in the inability of the program staff to address the basic health and safety needs of children; (2) lack of supervision and child maltreatment; and (3) multiple safety incidents related to lack of supervision, respectively. Additional safety incidents occurred in the program between November 2023 and February 2024.

Finding Details

Finding 2024-010 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.010, 93.600 Federal Program Name: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Head Start Cluster Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141, 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.403(g) requires that costs are adequately documented to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. In order for a cost to be supported at the time of final reimbursement, the semi-annual certifications should be approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) The final reimbursement claim for the Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Title I) program were due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim for the Part A award was not submitted to DPI until November 18, 2024, and the CSI award was not submitted to DPI until October 1, 2024, due to an extension. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. An additional two individuals of the 40 sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement claims were submitted. Upon further review of all the spring semi-annual certifications for the Title I awards, there were an additional 50 individuals that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim but before the submission of the final reimbursement. Additionally, nine individuals had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement date of the Part A award and another 59 individuals from Part A did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) The final reimbursement claim for the program was submitted to the Federal agency on November 22, 2024. Four of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved by the Head Start administrator after the submission date of the final reimbursement claims. Upon further review of the all the spring semi-annual certifications, there was an additional individual that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim and another four individuals that did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: The payroll costs and related fringe benefits charged at a rate of 52.48% are unallowable. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) • 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148: The two sampled individuals’ payroll and fringe benefits for the particular transaction totaled $507. • 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141: The additional individuals' payroll and fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications reviewed that were approved after the final reimbursement submission date and those that were not approved at all totaled $2,077,880. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) • 05CH010537: After the additional testing, the total payroll and related fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications that were approved after the final reimbursement request submission date or not approved at all totaled $241,794. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-010 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.010, 93.600 Federal Program Name: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Head Start Cluster Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141, 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.403(g) requires that costs are adequately documented to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. In order for a cost to be supported at the time of final reimbursement, the semi-annual certifications should be approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) The final reimbursement claim for the Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Title I) program were due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim for the Part A award was not submitted to DPI until November 18, 2024, and the CSI award was not submitted to DPI until October 1, 2024, due to an extension. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. An additional two individuals of the 40 sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement claims were submitted. Upon further review of all the spring semi-annual certifications for the Title I awards, there were an additional 50 individuals that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim but before the submission of the final reimbursement. Additionally, nine individuals had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement date of the Part A award and another 59 individuals from Part A did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) The final reimbursement claim for the program was submitted to the Federal agency on November 22, 2024. Four of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved by the Head Start administrator after the submission date of the final reimbursement claims. Upon further review of the all the spring semi-annual certifications, there was an additional individual that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim and another four individuals that did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: The payroll costs and related fringe benefits charged at a rate of 52.48% are unallowable. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) • 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148: The two sampled individuals’ payroll and fringe benefits for the particular transaction totaled $507. • 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141: The additional individuals' payroll and fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications reviewed that were approved after the final reimbursement submission date and those that were not approved at all totaled $2,077,880. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) • 05CH010537: After the additional testing, the total payroll and related fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications that were approved after the final reimbursement request submission date or not approved at all totaled $241,794. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-009 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.367, 84.425D, 84.425U and 84.425W Federal Program Name: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants and COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIIA-365, 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFII-163 and 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFIII-165, 2022-403619-DPI-ARPHCYII-173 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (ALN 84.367) The final reimbursement claim for the program was due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim was not submitted to DPI until January 9, 2025, due to an extension. Thirteen of the 40 individuals sampled did not have their semi-annual certifications approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) (ALN 84.425D), American Rescue Plan – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) (ALN 84.425U) and American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief - Homelessness Children and Youth (84.425W) The final reimbursement claims for the ESSER II and the ARP ESSER programs were due to DPI on September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2024, respectively; however, the final reimbursement claims were not submitted to DPI until December 8, 2023, for ESSER II and December 6, 2024, for ARP ESSER. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claims, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-009 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.367, 84.425D, 84.425U and 84.425W Federal Program Name: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants and COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIIA-365, 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFII-163 and 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFIII-165, 2022-403619-DPI-ARPHCYII-173 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (ALN 84.367) The final reimbursement claim for the program was due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim was not submitted to DPI until January 9, 2025, due to an extension. Thirteen of the 40 individuals sampled did not have their semi-annual certifications approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) (ALN 84.425D), American Rescue Plan – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) (ALN 84.425U) and American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief - Homelessness Children and Youth (84.425W) The final reimbursement claims for the ESSER II and the ARP ESSER programs were due to DPI on September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2024, respectively; however, the final reimbursement claims were not submitted to DPI until December 8, 2023, for ESSER II and December 6, 2024, for ARP ESSER. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claims, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-009 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.367, 84.425D, 84.425U and 84.425W Federal Program Name: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants and COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIIA-365, 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFII-163 and 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFIII-165, 2022-403619-DPI-ARPHCYII-173 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (ALN 84.367) The final reimbursement claim for the program was due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim was not submitted to DPI until January 9, 2025, due to an extension. Thirteen of the 40 individuals sampled did not have their semi-annual certifications approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) (ALN 84.425D), American Rescue Plan – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) (ALN 84.425U) and American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief - Homelessness Children and Youth (84.425W) The final reimbursement claims for the ESSER II and the ARP ESSER programs were due to DPI on September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2024, respectively; however, the final reimbursement claims were not submitted to DPI until December 8, 2023, for ESSER II and December 6, 2024, for ARP ESSER. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claims, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-009 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.367, 84.425D, 84.425U and 84.425W Federal Program Name: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants and COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIIA-365, 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFII-163 and 2022-403619-DPI-ESSERFIII-165, 2022-403619-DPI-ARPHCYII-173 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (ALN 84.367) The final reimbursement claim for the program was due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim was not submitted to DPI until January 9, 2025, due to an extension. Thirteen of the 40 individuals sampled did not have their semi-annual certifications approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) (ALN 84.425D), American Rescue Plan – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) (ALN 84.425U) and American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief - Homelessness Children and Youth (84.425W) The final reimbursement claims for the ESSER II and the ARP ESSER programs were due to DPI on September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2024, respectively; however, the final reimbursement claims were not submitted to DPI until December 8, 2023, for ESSER II and December 6, 2024, for ARP ESSER. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claims, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-010 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.010, 93.600 Federal Program Name: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Head Start Cluster Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141, 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.403(g) requires that costs are adequately documented to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. In order for a cost to be supported at the time of final reimbursement, the semi-annual certifications should be approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) The final reimbursement claim for the Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Title I) program were due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim for the Part A award was not submitted to DPI until November 18, 2024, and the CSI award was not submitted to DPI until October 1, 2024, due to an extension. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. An additional two individuals of the 40 sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement claims were submitted. Upon further review of all the spring semi-annual certifications for the Title I awards, there were an additional 50 individuals that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim but before the submission of the final reimbursement. Additionally, nine individuals had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement date of the Part A award and another 59 individuals from Part A did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) The final reimbursement claim for the program was submitted to the Federal agency on November 22, 2024. Four of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved by the Head Start administrator after the submission date of the final reimbursement claims. Upon further review of the all the spring semi-annual certifications, there was an additional individual that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim and another four individuals that did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: The payroll costs and related fringe benefits charged at a rate of 52.48% are unallowable. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) • 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148: The two sampled individuals’ payroll and fringe benefits for the particular transaction totaled $507. • 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141: The additional individuals' payroll and fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications reviewed that were approved after the final reimbursement submission date and those that were not approved at all totaled $2,077,880. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) • 05CH010537: After the additional testing, the total payroll and related fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications that were approved after the final reimbursement request submission date or not approved at all totaled $241,794. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-010 - Material Weakness - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.010, 93.600 Federal Program Name: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Head Start Cluster Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141, 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.403(g) requires that costs are adequately documented to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition/Context: The District supports time charged to federal awards via semi-annual certifications which are approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. In order for a cost to be supported at the time of final reimbursement, the semi-annual certifications should be approved by the grant administrator or the building principal. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) The final reimbursement claim for the Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Title I) program were due to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on September 30, 2024; however, the final reimbursement claim for the Part A award was not submitted to DPI until November 18, 2024, and the CSI award was not submitted to DPI until October 1, 2024, due to an extension. Five of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications not approved timely and were approved after the due date of the final reimbursement claim, but before the date of the actual submission of the final reimbursement claim. An additional two individuals of the 40 sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement claims were submitted. Upon further review of all the spring semi-annual certifications for the Title I awards, there were an additional 50 individuals that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim but before the submission of the final reimbursement. Additionally, nine individuals had their semi-annual certifications approved after the final reimbursement date of the Part A award and another 59 individuals from Part A did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) The final reimbursement claim for the program was submitted to the Federal agency on November 22, 2024. Four of the 40 individuals sampled had their semi-annual certifications approved by the Head Start administrator after the submission date of the final reimbursement claims. Upon further review of the all the spring semi-annual certifications, there was an additional individual that had their semi-annual certifications approved by the principal after the due date of the final reimbursement claim and another four individuals that did not have their semi-annual certifications approved at all. The samples were not statistically valid. Cause: There was a lack of internal control over the timely approval of the semi-annual certifications. Effect or Potential Effect: By not having an approved semi-annual certification before the date of the final reimbursement claims, unallowable costs may be submitted for reimbursement. Questioned Costs: The payroll costs and related fringe benefits charged at a rate of 52.48% are unallowable. Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (ALN 84.010) • 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148: The two sampled individuals’ payroll and fringe benefits for the particular transaction totaled $507. • 2024-403619-DPI-TIA-141: The additional individuals' payroll and fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications reviewed that were approved after the final reimbursement submission date and those that were not approved at all totaled $2,077,880. Head Start Cluster (ALN 93.600) • 05CH010537: After the additional testing, the total payroll and related fringe benefits for the spring semi-annual certifications that were approved after the final reimbursement request submission date or not approved at all totaled $241,794. Recommendations: We recommend that controls be implemented that will allow costs to be reviewed and fully supported prior to the date the final reimbursement claims are due to DPI. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-011 - Material Weakness - Reporting Federal Assistance Listing Number: 93.778 Federal Program Name: Medicaid Cluster Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Health Services Pass-Through Entity Identification Number (Year): 2023 Criteria: The School-Based Services Handbook requires school districts report the salary and fringe benefit cost by practitioner license. Condition/Context: In 22 of the 25 providers tested, there were issues related to incorrectly reporting the provider's salaries and benefits in the quarterly cost reports. • In quarters ended December 2022 and March 2023 there were 21 instances where the providers' salaries and benefits were not reported even though they worked providing services to eligible students. • In quarters ended March 2023 and June 2023 there were eight instances where the providers' salaries and benefits were overstated when compared to the District's payroll records. Seven of the eight individuals were included in the 21 instances above that were not reported in the quarters ended December 2022 and March 2023. Cause: The District had turnover in key positions related to the time period outlined in the Condition. Effect or Potential Effect: By failing to report the salaries and benefits related to quarters ended December 2022 and March 2023, the District received less reimbursement than they may have been otherwise entitled to. Additionally, if salaries and benefits are overreported there is a potential for the District to have to pay back the proportionate amount related to the overall reimbursement if the pass-through entity requests repayment. Questioned Costs: In relation to the eight providers who had overstated salaries and benefits, there are known questioned costs in the amount of $32,576, which are comprised of the overstated salaries and related benefits that were charged at a rate of 52 percent. Recommendations: We recommend that the responsible individual should send reminders to the teachers so that they enter their hours worked in the reporting system accordingly. Additionally, the salaries and benefits input into the reporting system should be reviewed for completeness and accuracy. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-012 - Material Weakness - Maintenance of Effort Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.010 and 84.367 Federal Program Name: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TI-A-141, 2024-403619-DPI-TID-144, 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148 and 2024-403619-DPI-TIIA-365 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.302(a), the non-Federal entity's financial management systems must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions. Condition/Context: The Maintenance of Effort (MOE) calculation is calculated annually by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WI DPI) based on the information submitted in the PI-1505 report. There was a $16,977,949 variance between what was reported in the PI-1505 and the District's accounting records for the revenue source code 751. Due to this variance, we recalculated the MOE based on the District's accounting records. The MOE on a per pupil basis would have still been met. Cause: There was turnover related to those previously responsible for preparing the PI-1505 report. The cross-walk between the accounting records and the PI-1505 submission could not be located. Effect or Potential Effect: The PI-1505 report was not fully supported by the District's accounting records for one of the line items used in the calculation of MOE. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendations: We recommend the District establish written policies and procedures related to the preparation and submission of the PI-1505 report. The report should be fully supported by the accounting records and any cross-walk documentation should be maintained by the District. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-012 - Material Weakness - Maintenance of Effort Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.010 and 84.367 Federal Program Name: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TI-A-141, 2024-403619-DPI-TID-144, 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148 and 2024-403619-DPI-TIIA-365 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.302(a), the non-Federal entity's financial management systems must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions. Condition/Context: The Maintenance of Effort (MOE) calculation is calculated annually by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WI DPI) based on the information submitted in the PI-1505 report. There was a $16,977,949 variance between what was reported in the PI-1505 and the District's accounting records for the revenue source code 751. Due to this variance, we recalculated the MOE based on the District's accounting records. The MOE on a per pupil basis would have still been met. Cause: There was turnover related to those previously responsible for preparing the PI-1505 report. The cross-walk between the accounting records and the PI-1505 submission could not be located. Effect or Potential Effect: The PI-1505 report was not fully supported by the District's accounting records for one of the line items used in the calculation of MOE. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendations: We recommend the District establish written policies and procedures related to the preparation and submission of the PI-1505 report. The report should be fully supported by the accounting records and any cross-walk documentation should be maintained by the District. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.
Finding 2024-012 - Material Weakness - Maintenance of Effort Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.010 and 84.367 Federal Program Name: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Name: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-Through Entity Identification Number: 2024-403619-DPI-TI-A-141, 2024-403619-DPI-TID-144, 2024-403619-DPI-CSI-148 and 2024-403619-DPI-TIIA-365 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.302(a), the non-Federal entity's financial management systems must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions. Condition/Context: The Maintenance of Effort (MOE) calculation is calculated annually by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WI DPI) based on the information submitted in the PI-1505 report. There was a $16,977,949 variance between what was reported in the PI-1505 and the District's accounting records for the revenue source code 751. Due to this variance, we recalculated the MOE based on the District's accounting records. The MOE on a per pupil basis would have still been met. Cause: There was turnover related to those previously responsible for preparing the PI-1505 report. The cross-walk between the accounting records and the PI-1505 submission could not be located. Effect or Potential Effect: The PI-1505 report was not fully supported by the District's accounting records for one of the line items used in the calculation of MOE. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendations: We recommend the District establish written policies and procedures related to the preparation and submission of the PI-1505 report. The report should be fully supported by the accounting records and any cross-walk documentation should be maintained by the District. Views of Responsible Official: Management concurs with the finding.