FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-001 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation was a participating member in the Central Nine Career Center (Center). As a member, the School Corporation was responsible for providing financial contributions to support the Center's operations. In 2019, the Center's Executive Director commissioned a facilities study for purposes of addressing the increase in enrollment at the Center. Based on the results of the study, the Center's Governing Board approved an expansion project in May of 2021, with the construction costs to be split between the member schools based upon each member school's student enrollment at the Center. As a result of that calculation, the School Corporation's contribution to the Center for the construction costs was $472,963. The School Corporation elected to use the American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds awarded under the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund to pay this obligation to the Center in December 2021. Although the School Corporation incurred the financial obligation within the grant's period of performance, the origins of the project predated the COVID-19 pandemic. The project's stated purpose did not provide any evidence that it was to prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID-19. Additionally, the payment was made without proper supporting documentation. The claim for payment was prepared based upon an invoice submitted to the School Corporation from the Center that listed the amount due on a single line item without a breakdown or itemized detail to support the expense from the federal award. We consider the total payment of $472,963 to be questioned costs. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to this single payment. 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). . . ." American Rescue Plan Act section 2001(e) states in part: "Uses of Funds. - A local education agency that receives funds under this section - . . . (2) shall use the remaining funds for any of the following: . . . (E) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local education agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. . . . (G) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (3) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federallyfunded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation. . . ." 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. . . . (g) be adequately documented. . . ." Cause The system of internal controls over the review of federal award expenditures developed by management of the School Corporation was not properly implemented, nor was it operating effectively to ensure expenditures were in compliance with the terms and conditions of the federal award, as well as the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs Questioned costs in the amount of $472,963, were identified as noted in the Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure expenditures made from federal awards are in compliance with the terms and conditions of the federal award, as well as the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-001 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation was a participating member in the Central Nine Career Center (Center). As a member, the School Corporation was responsible for providing financial contributions to support the Center's operations. In 2019, the Center's Executive Director commissioned a facilities study for purposes of addressing the increase in enrollment at the Center. Based on the results of the study, the Center's Governing Board approved an expansion project in May of 2021, with the construction costs to be split between the member schools based upon each member school's student enrollment at the Center. As a result of that calculation, the School Corporation's contribution to the Center for the construction costs was $472,963. The School Corporation elected to use the American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds awarded under the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund to pay this obligation to the Center in December 2021. Although the School Corporation incurred the financial obligation within the grant's period of performance, the origins of the project predated the COVID-19 pandemic. The project's stated purpose did not provide any evidence that it was to prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID-19. Additionally, the payment was made without proper supporting documentation. The claim for payment was prepared based upon an invoice submitted to the School Corporation from the Center that listed the amount due on a single line item without a breakdown or itemized detail to support the expense from the federal award. We consider the total payment of $472,963 to be questioned costs. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to this single payment. 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). . . ." American Rescue Plan Act section 2001(e) states in part: "Uses of Funds. - A local education agency that receives funds under this section - . . . (2) shall use the remaining funds for any of the following: . . . (E) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local education agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. . . . (G) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (3) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federallyfunded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation. . . ." 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. . . . (g) be adequately documented. . . ." Cause The system of internal controls over the review of federal award expenditures developed by management of the School Corporation was not properly implemented, nor was it operating effectively to ensure expenditures were in compliance with the terms and conditions of the federal award, as well as the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs Questioned costs in the amount of $472,963, were identified as noted in the Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure expenditures made from federal awards are in compliance with the terms and conditions of the federal award, as well as the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented, at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation did not have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that contractors were paid prevailing wage rates for contracts in excess of $2,000 that were paid from federal grant funds. Two contracts during the audit period were subject to wage rate requirements. While the contracts for each contained the required prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation did not receive the certified payrolls from either contractor. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in ? 5.1, the following clauses. (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics . . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). The payrolls submitted shall set out accurately and completely all of the information required to be maintained under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i), except that full social security numbers and home addresses shall not be included on weekly transmittals. . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been developed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Effect Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, the terms and conditions of the federal award, and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the terms and conditions of the federal award as well as the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013,S425D210013, S425U200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A system of internal controls had not been designed nor implemented by management of the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective system of internal could have enabled noncompliance with the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the federal award and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.