Audit 56365

FY End
2022-06-30
Total Expended
$29.31M
Findings
14
Programs
25
Organization: Tippecanoe School Corporation (IN)
Year: 2022 Accepted: 2023-03-22

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
58618 2022-002 Material Weakness - AB
58619 2022-003 Material Weakness - I
58620 2022-004 Material Weakness - G
58621 2022-004 Material Weakness - G
58622 2022-002 Material Weakness - AB
58623 2022-003 Material Weakness - I
58624 2022-004 Material Weakness - G
635060 2022-002 Material Weakness - AB
635061 2022-003 Material Weakness - I
635062 2022-004 Material Weakness - G
635063 2022-004 Material Weakness - G
635064 2022-002 Material Weakness - AB
635065 2022-003 Material Weakness - I
635066 2022-004 Material Weakness - G

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
10.555 National School Lunch Program Fy 22 $6.85M Yes 0
84.027 Special Education_grants to States Fy 21 $2.78M Yes 3
84.027 Special Education_grants to States Fy 22 $2.66M Yes 1
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund Fy 21 $2.46M Yes 0
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Fy 21 $1.52M - 0
10.553 School Breakfast Program Fy 22 $1.48M Yes 0
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Fy 22 $1.35M - 0
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children Fy 22 $733,428 Yes 0
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund Fy 22 $678,071 Yes 0
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) Fy 22 $524,869 - 0
10.555 National School Lunch Program Fy 21 $448,257 Yes 0
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States Fy 21 $426,984 - 0
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Fy 22 $397,491 - 0
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States Fy 22 $337,918 - 0
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Fy 21 $199,542 - 0
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program Fy 21 $118,066 - 0
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children Fy 21 $113,749 Yes 0
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants Fy 22 $110,581 Yes 0
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants Fy 21 $92,323 - 0
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants Fy 21 $90,006 Yes 3
10.553 School Breakfast Program Fy 21 $72,556 Yes 0
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants Fy 22 $72,514 - 0
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Fy 22 $35,200 - 0
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program Fy 22 $10,565 - 0
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs Fy 22 $3,063 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
DHLYUD7QBU27 Amanda Brackett Auditee
7654742481 Beth Kelley, CPA Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note 3. Special Education Cooperative Accounting Policies: Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesA. Basis of PresentationThe accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) includes the federalgrant activity of the School Corporation under programs of the federal government for theyears ended June 30, 2021 and 2022. The information in the SEFA is presented inaccordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200,Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for FederalAwards (Uniform Guidance). Because the SEFA presents only a select portion of theoperations of the School Corporation, it is not intended to and does not present the financialposition of the School Corporation.The Uniform Guidance requires an annual audit of nonfederal entities expending a totalamount of federal awards equal to or in excess of $750,000 in any fiscal year unless byconstitution or statute a less frequent audit is required. In accordance with Indiana Code(IC 5-11-1-25), audits of school corporations shall be conducted biennially. Such audits shallinclude both years within the biennial period.B. Other Significant Accounting PoliciesExpenditures reported on the SEFA are reported on the cash basis of accounting. Suchexpenditures are recognized following, as applicable, either the cost principles in OMBCircular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, or the costprinciples contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are notallowed or are limited as to reimbursement. When federal grants are received on areimbursement basis, the federal awards are considered expended when the reimbursementis received. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The auditee did not use the de minimis cost rate. Note 3. Special Education CooperativeThe School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative(Cooperative). As a result, some of the activity for the Special Education Cluster (IDEA) that ispresented on the SEFA is not presented as receipts and disbursements in the financial statementfor the School Corporation. This activity is presented in the financial statement of theCooperative's fiscal agent.

Finding Details

FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-N01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all activities and costs were allowed. One Cooperative employee prepared the payroll benefit disbursements without oversight or review. The lack of internal controls was isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. 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 The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal controls system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and 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 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021-PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure compliance with the suspension and debarment requirement. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all applicable vendors were not suspended or debarred. Therefore, vendors with contracts over $25,000 were not verified to ensure they were not excluded or disqualified from participation in federal awards programs. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of 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 system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment 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 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, 20619-21-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for all member schools were comingled and the aggregate amount of expenditures was then allocated to the member schools on a percentage basis. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system, as well as adequately document costs of federal awards, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as appropriately document and identify federal award expenditures to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking 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 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, 20619-21-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for all member schools were comingled and the aggregate amount of expenditures was then allocated to the member schools on a percentage basis. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system, as well as adequately document costs of federal awards, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as appropriately document and identify federal award expenditures to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking 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: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-N01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all activities and costs were allowed. One Cooperative employee prepared the payroll benefit disbursements without oversight or review. The lack of internal controls was isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. 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 The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal controls system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and 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 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021-PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure compliance with the suspension and debarment requirement. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all applicable vendors were not suspended or debarred. Therefore, vendors with contracts over $25,000 were not verified to ensure they were not excluded or disqualified from participation in federal awards programs. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of 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 system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment 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 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, 20619-21-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for all member schools were comingled and the aggregate amount of expenditures was then allocated to the member schools on a percentage basis. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system, as well as adequately document costs of federal awards, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as appropriately document and identify federal award expenditures to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking 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: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-N01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all activities and costs were allowed. One Cooperative employee prepared the payroll benefit disbursements without oversight or review. The lack of internal controls was isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. 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 The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal controls system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and 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 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021-PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure compliance with the suspension and debarment requirement. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all applicable vendors were not suspended or debarred. Therefore, vendors with contracts over $25,000 were not verified to ensure they were not excluded or disqualified from participation in federal awards programs. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of 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 system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment 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 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, 20619-21-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for all member schools were comingled and the aggregate amount of expenditures was then allocated to the member schools on a percentage basis. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system, as well as adequately document costs of federal awards, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as appropriately document and identify federal award expenditures to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking 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 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, 20619-21-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for all member schools were comingled and the aggregate amount of expenditures was then allocated to the member schools on a percentage basis. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system, as well as adequately document costs of federal awards, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as appropriately document and identify federal award expenditures to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking 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: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-N01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all activities and costs were allowed. One Cooperative employee prepared the payroll benefit disbursements without oversight or review. The lack of internal controls was isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. 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 The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal controls system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and 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 2022-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-021-PN01, 20619-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 21619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2020-2021, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure compliance with the suspension and debarment requirement. The Cooperative did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure all applicable vendors were not suspended or debarred. Therefore, vendors with contracts over $25,000 were not verified to ensure they were not excluded or disqualified from participation in federal awards programs. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues isolated to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of 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 system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment 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 2022-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-021-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, 20619-21-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Cooperative was a planning district whose purpose was to provide free appropriate public education to students identified as disabled in accordance with state statute who were legal residents and/or have been accepted through means of open enrollment, or other legal means of transfer to the participating member school corporations in Tippecanoe County. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for all member schools were comingled and the aggregate amount of expenditures was then allocated to the member schools on a percentage basis. These allocations were the amounts reported to the IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 19611-21-PN01, 20611-21-PN01, and 20619-21-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 TIPPECANOE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system, as well as adequately document costs of federal awards, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as appropriately document and identify federal award expenditures to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.