U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Cluster Special Education Grants to States ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.027 Special Education Preschool Grants ? Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.173 Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-001: Controls for Monitoring Payroll Charged to the Grants Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. Condition: Management has not established written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management also has not adopted and implemented standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Payroll expenditures charged to the programs are required to be supported with documentation substantiating that the employees are eligible to be charged to the grant and that the payroll charged relates to time spent accomplishing grant objectives. This supporting documentation should be standardized and should include all required elements in accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. The Town did not have an adequate system of internal controls in place to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 225 Cost Principals for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. Effect: The Town has not complied with the federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Cause: Lack of documented policies, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting requirements. Recommendation: Management should establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures should indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and should indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management should also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training should be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and will establish written guidelines and procedures outlining the time and effort reporting and documentation requirements that department heads must adhere with to ensure compliance with federal and state time and effort reporting requirements. Such guidelines and procedures will indicate under what circumstances semi-annual certifications and personnel activity reports (PARS) are required and will indicate due dates for when this information must be provided to the school business office. Management will also adopt and implement standardized forms for semi-annual certifications and PARS that include all data required by federal and state guidelines. Once the written guidelines and procedures have been established, training will be provided to ensure that the program managers fully understand the time and effort reporting requirements. Management intends to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Passed through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Education Stabilization Fund ? Federal Assistance Listing Numbers 84.425C, 84.425D, and 84.425W 2022-002: Controls for the Purchasing of Capital Equipment Compliance Requirement: Equipment/Real Property Management Type of Finding: Compliance and Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grantees must obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to general and special purpose equipment purchases. Condition: The Town did not have an adequate process to ensure that personnel responsible for grant compliance were aware of the need to obtain prior approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures related to the acquisition of general or special purpose equipment. As a result of our audit procedures, we noted the acquisition of two HVAC chillers that were charged to the grant where prior approval was not obtained from the pass-through entity. Questioned Costs: The Town expended a total of $2.1 million in Education Stabilization Funds in 2022, of which $457,000 was charged to supplies, materials and contracted services accounts. Of the total charged to supplies, materials and contracted services, $334,000 was selected for testing and $144,000 was spent on the purchase of two HVAC chillers without prior approval from the pass-through entity. Context: The Town used grant funds to purchase capital equipment without prior approval from the pass-through entity as required by federal and state guidelines. Effect: The Town is not in compliance with grant requirements for the acquisition of capital equipment. Cause: Lack of appropriate controls over charging expenditures to the grant, maintaining documentation for costs charged, and lack of knowledge over grant compliance requirements. The internal control process should include the education of personnel on grant compliance requirements and procedures to ensure that grant activity is spent in accordance with federal and state requirements. Recommendation: Management should implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will implement internal controls to ensure that administrators are aware of all grant compliance requirements including the need to obtain prior written approval from the pass-through entity for capital expenditures paid from the Education Stabilization Fund grants. Management plans to implement these procedures in fiscal 2023.