Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District could not provide documentation of compliance for test security measures. Criteria: The Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement for Title 1, Part A requires local education agencies to have policies and procedures for ensuring the schools implement test security measures. Condition: The District was unable to provide documentation of policies and procedures for fiscal year 2022 for ensuring the District schools implemented test security measures and was unable to provide documentation test security measures were implemented and enforced. Therefore, the compliance requirement could not be audited. Context: No documentation was provided for the special test and provision over test security measures for fiscal year 2022. The District testing protocol documentation was prepared in October 2022. Effect: The District is not in compliance with the Title 1 requirements for test security measures for fiscal year 2022. Questioned Costs: $0 Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not maintain sufficient documentation for program requirements that are not expenditure based. The District does not have a centralized grant manager ensuring compliance with all requirements of the federal programs. Recommendation: We recommend the District require all federal program requirements be assigned to a grant manager to ensure compliance.
Finding: The District could not provide documentation of compliance for test security measures. Criteria: The Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement for Title 1, Part A requires local education agencies to have policies and procedures for ensuring the schools implement test security measures. Condition: The District was unable to provide documentation of policies and procedures for fiscal year 2022 for ensuring the District schools implemented test security measures and was unable to provide documentation test security measures were implemented and enforced. Therefore, the compliance requirement could not be audited. Context: No documentation was provided for the special test and provision over test security measures for fiscal year 2022. The District testing protocol documentation was prepared in October 2022. Effect: The District is not in compliance with the Title 1 requirements for test security measures for fiscal year 2022. Questioned Costs: $0 Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not maintain sufficient documentation for program requirements that are not expenditure based. The District does not have a centralized grant manager ensuring compliance with all requirements of the federal programs. Recommendation: We recommend the District require all federal program requirements be assigned to a grant manager to ensure compliance.
Finding: The District overcharged the Education Stabilization Fund program for equipment. Criteria: Consistent with 2 CFR section 200.313 (equipment), Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) may be used to purchase equipment. Capital expenditures for general and special purpose equipment purchases are subject to prior approval by Education Department (ED) or the pass-through entity. In addition, with prior approval by the ED or the pass-through entity, recipients and subrecipients may also use ESF funds to purchase real property, perform construction or minor remodeling, and for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that meet the overall purpose of the ESF program, which is ?to prevent, prepare for, and respond to? the COVID-19 pandemic. Condition: The District expended Education Stabilization Fund program funding to purchase three vehicles at a price above the amount approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Context: The District obtained approval to buy up to eight vehicles for up to $40,000 each. The District purchased three vehicles in the amounts of $55,348; $48,351, and $54,214, which exceeded the maximum approved amount per vehicle and charged the program for the full purchase price. Effect: The District overspent allowable funds as approved by the Iowa Department of Education for equipment by $37,913. Questioned Costs: $37,913 Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not compare the actual cost of each vehicle to the Iowa Department of Education approval. Recommendation: We recommend the District request an amendment if the actual cost exceeds the prior approval limits or only charge the program for the approved portion.
Finding: The District improperly awarded a retention bonus to an ineligible employee. Criteria: When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) awarded ESSER I, II and III funds to states it noted the funds ?generally will not be used for bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures, unless related to disruptions or closures resulting from COVID-19.? This does not mean all bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures are unallowable, only those unrelated to COVID-related disruptions or closures. For example, a local educational agency (LEA) might use local ESSER funds to provide employees with additional pay to: ? Address recruitment or retention challenges in light of the pandemic, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that work inperson, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that have assumed new duties because of COVID, ? Incentivize effective teachers to move to schools with vulnerable students ? that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, or ? Provide additional pay to substitute teachers where there is a shortage. Districts will also need to be able to document that use of ESSER I/II/III funds for this purpose is necessary and the amount provided is reasonable (2 CFR ? 200.404). The District policy for awarding retention bonuses required the employee to be employed by the District as of February 14, 2022. Condition: The District used Education Stabilization Fund ESSER II to fund retention bonuses. The District awarded a retention bonus to an employee hired after the February 14, 2022 eligibility date. Context: The District awarded $1,300 to an employee hired after the eligibility date. Effect: Education Stabilization Funds could be expended for ineligible purposes. Questioned Costs: $1,300. Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not review the bonus listing and hire dates to ensure only eligible employees received the retention bonus. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement policies and procedures to ensure that retention bonuses are only paid to eligible employees.
Finding: The District overcharged the Education Stabilization Fund program for equipment. Criteria: Consistent with 2 CFR section 200.313 (equipment), Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) may be used to purchase equipment. Capital expenditures for general and special purpose equipment purchases are subject to prior approval by Education Department (ED) or the pass-through entity. In addition, with prior approval by the ED or the pass-through entity, recipients and subrecipients may also use ESF funds to purchase real property, perform construction or minor remodeling, and for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that meet the overall purpose of the ESF program, which is ?to prevent, prepare for, and respond to? the COVID-19 pandemic. Condition: The District expended Education Stabilization Fund program funding to purchase three vehicles at a price above the amount approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Context: The District obtained approval to buy up to eight vehicles for up to $40,000 each. The District purchased three vehicles in the amounts of $55,348; $48,351, and $54,214, which exceeded the maximum approved amount per vehicle and charged the program for the full purchase price. Effect: The District overspent allowable funds as approved by the Iowa Department of Education for equipment by $37,913. Questioned Costs: $37,913 Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not compare the actual cost of each vehicle to the Iowa Department of Education approval. Recommendation: We recommend the District request an amendment if the actual cost exceeds the prior approval limits or only charge the program for the approved portion.
Finding: The District improperly awarded a retention bonus to an ineligible employee. Criteria: When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) awarded ESSER I, II and III funds to states it noted the funds ?generally will not be used for bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures, unless related to disruptions or closures resulting from COVID-19.? This does not mean all bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures are unallowable, only those unrelated to COVID-related disruptions or closures. For example, a local educational agency (LEA) might use local ESSER funds to provide employees with additional pay to: ? Address recruitment or retention challenges in light of the pandemic, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that work inperson, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that have assumed new duties because of COVID, ? Incentivize effective teachers to move to schools with vulnerable students ? that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, or ? Provide additional pay to substitute teachers where there is a shortage. Districts will also need to be able to document that use of ESSER I/II/III funds for this purpose is necessary and the amount provided is reasonable (2 CFR ? 200.404). The District policy for awarding retention bonuses required the employee to be employed by the District as of February 14, 2022. Condition: The District used Education Stabilization Fund ESSER II to fund retention bonuses. The District awarded a retention bonus to an employee hired after the February 14, 2022 eligibility date. Context: The District awarded $1,300 to an employee hired after the eligibility date. Effect: Education Stabilization Funds could be expended for ineligible purposes. Questioned Costs: $1,300. Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not review the bonus listing and hire dates to ensure only eligible employees received the retention bonus. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement policies and procedures to ensure that retention bonuses are only paid to eligible employees.
Finding: The District overcharged the Education Stabilization Fund program for equipment. Criteria: Consistent with 2 CFR section 200.313 (equipment), Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) may be used to purchase equipment. Capital expenditures for general and special purpose equipment purchases are subject to prior approval by Education Department (ED) or the pass-through entity. In addition, with prior approval by the ED or the pass-through entity, recipients and subrecipients may also use ESF funds to purchase real property, perform construction or minor remodeling, and for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that meet the overall purpose of the ESF program, which is ?to prevent, prepare for, and respond to? the COVID-19 pandemic. Condition: The District expended Education Stabilization Fund program funding to purchase three vehicles at a price above the amount approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Context: The District obtained approval to buy up to eight vehicles for up to $40,000 each. The District purchased three vehicles in the amounts of $55,348; $48,351, and $54,214, which exceeded the maximum approved amount per vehicle and charged the program for the full purchase price. Effect: The District overspent allowable funds as approved by the Iowa Department of Education for equipment by $37,913. Questioned Costs: $37,913 Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not compare the actual cost of each vehicle to the Iowa Department of Education approval. Recommendation: We recommend the District request an amendment if the actual cost exceeds the prior approval limits or only charge the program for the approved portion.
Finding: The District improperly awarded a retention bonus to an ineligible employee. Criteria: When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) awarded ESSER I, II and III funds to states it noted the funds ?generally will not be used for bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures, unless related to disruptions or closures resulting from COVID-19.? This does not mean all bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures are unallowable, only those unrelated to COVID-related disruptions or closures. For example, a local educational agency (LEA) might use local ESSER funds to provide employees with additional pay to: ? Address recruitment or retention challenges in light of the pandemic, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that work inperson, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that have assumed new duties because of COVID, ? Incentivize effective teachers to move to schools with vulnerable students ? that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, or ? Provide additional pay to substitute teachers where there is a shortage. Districts will also need to be able to document that use of ESSER I/II/III funds for this purpose is necessary and the amount provided is reasonable (2 CFR ? 200.404). The District policy for awarding retention bonuses required the employee to be employed by the District as of February 14, 2022. Condition: The District used Education Stabilization Fund ESSER II to fund retention bonuses. The District awarded a retention bonus to an employee hired after the February 14, 2022 eligibility date. Context: The District awarded $1,300 to an employee hired after the eligibility date. Effect: Education Stabilization Funds could be expended for ineligible purposes. Questioned Costs: $1,300. Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not review the bonus listing and hire dates to ensure only eligible employees received the retention bonus. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement policies and procedures to ensure that retention bonuses are only paid to eligible employees.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District has insufficient reconciling and monitoring activities over the School Nutrition Fund charges for services. Criteria: A properly designed system of internal control over financial reporting allows entities to initiate, authorize, record, process and report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Office of Management and Budget 2022 Compliance Supplement states, ?An SFA is required to account for all revenues and expenditures of its non-profit school food service in accordance with state requirements. An SFA must operate its food services on a non-profit basis; all revenue generated by the school food service must be used to operate and improve its food services (7 CFR sections 210.14(a), 210.14(c), 210.19(a)(2), 215.7(d)(1), 220.2, and 220.7(e)(1)(i)).? Condition: The District does not have routine reconciliation and monitoring processes to ensure the District?s School Nutrition has properly recorded charges for services. The District does not reconcile the charges for services recorded in the District?s trial balance to the District?s subsidiary point of sale system and other sales that are not included in the point of sale system. Context: The District?s point of sale system and meal sales had an unreconciled difference of approximately $27,000. During the audit process, the District was requested by the audit team to investigate the difference. The District subsequently identified approximately $12,000 of vendor rebates that are separate from the point of sale process resulting in approximately $15,000 not identified. Effect: Revenue collected by the District for the Child Nutrition Program may not be posted to the proper fund. Errors could occur in reporting revenue and not be timely identified. Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The Food and Nutrition Services Department point of sale report for revenue from items sold does not reconcile to the Finance Department held trial balance of revenue accounts. A portion of the difference is vendor rebates recorded in revenue trial balance accounts. The remaining difference is unidentified. A process must be developed to ensure the operations of the Food and Nutrition Services Department are properly recorded in the District?s revenue trial balance accounts.Recommendation: We recommend the District continue to implement new processes in which reconciling the financial information of both departments is an assigned job duty to ensure the financial transactions are reconciled and monitored on a routine basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding: The District does not have a process to ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the federal program. Criteria: The April 2022 Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement states the following for Compliance Requirements-Reporting and Recordkeeping: ?Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed?? Condition: The District does not have a process to review monthly data used in computing meal reimbursement claims. The District does not have documentation readily available that was used in computing monthly reimbursement claim reports. Context: The District reported 169,281 lunch meals and 73,297 breakfast meals, but supporting documentation showed 169,105 lunch meals (176 less) and 73,890 (593 more) for February 2022. Effect: The District does not have adequate documentation to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding reporting and recordkeeping. The District could incorrectly report meal counts. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not monitor compliance reporting and recordkeeping rules as established by the Iowa Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement a process to review monthly claim reporting and to retain records used in meal count reporting for the required period of time.
Finding: The District could not provide documentation of compliance for test security measures. Criteria: The Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement for Title 1, Part A requires local education agencies to have policies and procedures for ensuring the schools implement test security measures. Condition: The District was unable to provide documentation of policies and procedures for fiscal year 2022 for ensuring the District schools implemented test security measures and was unable to provide documentation test security measures were implemented and enforced. Therefore, the compliance requirement could not be audited. Context: No documentation was provided for the special test and provision over test security measures for fiscal year 2022. The District testing protocol documentation was prepared in October 2022. Effect: The District is not in compliance with the Title 1 requirements for test security measures for fiscal year 2022. Questioned Costs: $0 Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not maintain sufficient documentation for program requirements that are not expenditure based. The District does not have a centralized grant manager ensuring compliance with all requirements of the federal programs. Recommendation: We recommend the District require all federal program requirements be assigned to a grant manager to ensure compliance.
Finding: The District could not provide documentation of compliance for test security measures. Criteria: The Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement for Title 1, Part A requires local education agencies to have policies and procedures for ensuring the schools implement test security measures. Condition: The District was unable to provide documentation of policies and procedures for fiscal year 2022 for ensuring the District schools implemented test security measures and was unable to provide documentation test security measures were implemented and enforced. Therefore, the compliance requirement could not be audited. Context: No documentation was provided for the special test and provision over test security measures for fiscal year 2022. The District testing protocol documentation was prepared in October 2022. Effect: The District is not in compliance with the Title 1 requirements for test security measures for fiscal year 2022. Questioned Costs: $0 Identification as a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding. Cause: The District does not maintain sufficient documentation for program requirements that are not expenditure based. The District does not have a centralized grant manager ensuring compliance with all requirements of the federal programs. Recommendation: We recommend the District require all federal program requirements be assigned to a grant manager to ensure compliance.
Finding: The District overcharged the Education Stabilization Fund program for equipment. Criteria: Consistent with 2 CFR section 200.313 (equipment), Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) may be used to purchase equipment. Capital expenditures for general and special purpose equipment purchases are subject to prior approval by Education Department (ED) or the pass-through entity. In addition, with prior approval by the ED or the pass-through entity, recipients and subrecipients may also use ESF funds to purchase real property, perform construction or minor remodeling, and for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that meet the overall purpose of the ESF program, which is ?to prevent, prepare for, and respond to? the COVID-19 pandemic. Condition: The District expended Education Stabilization Fund program funding to purchase three vehicles at a price above the amount approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Context: The District obtained approval to buy up to eight vehicles for up to $40,000 each. The District purchased three vehicles in the amounts of $55,348; $48,351, and $54,214, which exceeded the maximum approved amount per vehicle and charged the program for the full purchase price. Effect: The District overspent allowable funds as approved by the Iowa Department of Education for equipment by $37,913. Questioned Costs: $37,913 Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not compare the actual cost of each vehicle to the Iowa Department of Education approval. Recommendation: We recommend the District request an amendment if the actual cost exceeds the prior approval limits or only charge the program for the approved portion.
Finding: The District improperly awarded a retention bonus to an ineligible employee. Criteria: When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) awarded ESSER I, II and III funds to states it noted the funds ?generally will not be used for bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures, unless related to disruptions or closures resulting from COVID-19.? This does not mean all bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures are unallowable, only those unrelated to COVID-related disruptions or closures. For example, a local educational agency (LEA) might use local ESSER funds to provide employees with additional pay to: ? Address recruitment or retention challenges in light of the pandemic, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that work inperson, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that have assumed new duties because of COVID, ? Incentivize effective teachers to move to schools with vulnerable students ? that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, or ? Provide additional pay to substitute teachers where there is a shortage. Districts will also need to be able to document that use of ESSER I/II/III funds for this purpose is necessary and the amount provided is reasonable (2 CFR ? 200.404). The District policy for awarding retention bonuses required the employee to be employed by the District as of February 14, 2022. Condition: The District used Education Stabilization Fund ESSER II to fund retention bonuses. The District awarded a retention bonus to an employee hired after the February 14, 2022 eligibility date. Context: The District awarded $1,300 to an employee hired after the eligibility date. Effect: Education Stabilization Funds could be expended for ineligible purposes. Questioned Costs: $1,300. Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not review the bonus listing and hire dates to ensure only eligible employees received the retention bonus. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement policies and procedures to ensure that retention bonuses are only paid to eligible employees.
Finding: The District overcharged the Education Stabilization Fund program for equipment. Criteria: Consistent with 2 CFR section 200.313 (equipment), Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) may be used to purchase equipment. Capital expenditures for general and special purpose equipment purchases are subject to prior approval by Education Department (ED) or the pass-through entity. In addition, with prior approval by the ED or the pass-through entity, recipients and subrecipients may also use ESF funds to purchase real property, perform construction or minor remodeling, and for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that meet the overall purpose of the ESF program, which is ?to prevent, prepare for, and respond to? the COVID-19 pandemic. Condition: The District expended Education Stabilization Fund program funding to purchase three vehicles at a price above the amount approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Context: The District obtained approval to buy up to eight vehicles for up to $40,000 each. The District purchased three vehicles in the amounts of $55,348; $48,351, and $54,214, which exceeded the maximum approved amount per vehicle and charged the program for the full purchase price. Effect: The District overspent allowable funds as approved by the Iowa Department of Education for equipment by $37,913. Questioned Costs: $37,913 Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not compare the actual cost of each vehicle to the Iowa Department of Education approval. Recommendation: We recommend the District request an amendment if the actual cost exceeds the prior approval limits or only charge the program for the approved portion.
Finding: The District improperly awarded a retention bonus to an ineligible employee. Criteria: When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) awarded ESSER I, II and III funds to states it noted the funds ?generally will not be used for bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures, unless related to disruptions or closures resulting from COVID-19.? This does not mean all bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures are unallowable, only those unrelated to COVID-related disruptions or closures. For example, a local educational agency (LEA) might use local ESSER funds to provide employees with additional pay to: ? Address recruitment or retention challenges in light of the pandemic, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that work inperson, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that have assumed new duties because of COVID, ? Incentivize effective teachers to move to schools with vulnerable students ? that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, or ? Provide additional pay to substitute teachers where there is a shortage. Districts will also need to be able to document that use of ESSER I/II/III funds for this purpose is necessary and the amount provided is reasonable (2 CFR ? 200.404). The District policy for awarding retention bonuses required the employee to be employed by the District as of February 14, 2022. Condition: The District used Education Stabilization Fund ESSER II to fund retention bonuses. The District awarded a retention bonus to an employee hired after the February 14, 2022 eligibility date. Context: The District awarded $1,300 to an employee hired after the eligibility date. Effect: Education Stabilization Funds could be expended for ineligible purposes. Questioned Costs: $1,300. Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not review the bonus listing and hire dates to ensure only eligible employees received the retention bonus. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement policies and procedures to ensure that retention bonuses are only paid to eligible employees.
Finding: The District overcharged the Education Stabilization Fund program for equipment. Criteria: Consistent with 2 CFR section 200.313 (equipment), Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) may be used to purchase equipment. Capital expenditures for general and special purpose equipment purchases are subject to prior approval by Education Department (ED) or the pass-through entity. In addition, with prior approval by the ED or the pass-through entity, recipients and subrecipients may also use ESF funds to purchase real property, perform construction or minor remodeling, and for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that meet the overall purpose of the ESF program, which is ?to prevent, prepare for, and respond to? the COVID-19 pandemic. Condition: The District expended Education Stabilization Fund program funding to purchase three vehicles at a price above the amount approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Context: The District obtained approval to buy up to eight vehicles for up to $40,000 each. The District purchased three vehicles in the amounts of $55,348; $48,351, and $54,214, which exceeded the maximum approved amount per vehicle and charged the program for the full purchase price. Effect: The District overspent allowable funds as approved by the Iowa Department of Education for equipment by $37,913. Questioned Costs: $37,913 Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not compare the actual cost of each vehicle to the Iowa Department of Education approval. Recommendation: We recommend the District request an amendment if the actual cost exceeds the prior approval limits or only charge the program for the approved portion.
Finding: The District improperly awarded a retention bonus to an ineligible employee. Criteria: When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) awarded ESSER I, II and III funds to states it noted the funds ?generally will not be used for bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures, unless related to disruptions or closures resulting from COVID-19.? This does not mean all bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures are unallowable, only those unrelated to COVID-related disruptions or closures. For example, a local educational agency (LEA) might use local ESSER funds to provide employees with additional pay to: ? Address recruitment or retention challenges in light of the pandemic, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that work inperson, ? Provide additional compensation to teachers and other staff that have assumed new duties because of COVID, ? Incentivize effective teachers to move to schools with vulnerable students ? that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, or ? Provide additional pay to substitute teachers where there is a shortage. Districts will also need to be able to document that use of ESSER I/II/III funds for this purpose is necessary and the amount provided is reasonable (2 CFR ? 200.404). The District policy for awarding retention bonuses required the employee to be employed by the District as of February 14, 2022. Condition: The District used Education Stabilization Fund ESSER II to fund retention bonuses. The District awarded a retention bonus to an employee hired after the February 14, 2022 eligibility date. Context: The District awarded $1,300 to an employee hired after the eligibility date. Effect: Education Stabilization Funds could be expended for ineligible purposes. Questioned Costs: $1,300. Identification as a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: The District did not review the bonus listing and hire dates to ensure only eligible employees received the retention bonus. Recommendation: We recommend the District implement policies and procedures to ensure that retention bonuses are only paid to eligible employees.