Audit 374632

Finding 2025-002: Private School Letters (50000) Program Identification: Title I, Part A (AL No. 84.010) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass‐through Entity: California Department of Education (pass-through number 14329) Repeat Finding? No Criteria: The equitable services provision of the Title I statute requires that local educational agencies (LEAs) provide eligible private school children with Title I educational services or other benefits that are equitable to those provided to eligible public school children. Title I services for eligible private school children must be developed in consultation with private school officials. Eligible students enrolled in private schools receive Title I, Part A services; private schools do not receive Title I, Part A funds. The public school district, where the students reside, is responsible for making these services available for students in private schools. (ESEA section 1117(b)(1)) Condition: One of the private schools contacted by the District submitted a response electing to participate in Title I Programs; however, the response was sent to a former employee of the District and was not processed. No succeeding consultation was conducted. Cause: The District had a transition in the coordinator position during the 2024-25 school year. The response letter was sent to the former employee. Context: The discrepancy was noted for only one private school. Effect: The private school requesting services was not able to proceed with a District consultation. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: The District should implement procedures to ensure private schools responses are properly reviewed. Views of Responsible Officials: The District recognizes the importance of this process and will establish a follow-up procedure in which the Business Department confirms with the Educational Services Department that all steps have been completed.