Corrective Action Plans

FINDING 2025-005 – Procurement, Suspension, and Debarment (Partially Repeated from Prior Year Finding 2024-002) Audit Finding Description: For fourteen (14) out of fourteen (14) procurement transactions tested related to procurement and suspension and debarment compliance, the following was noted: 1. The Inner Voice, Inc. did not complete the appropriate procurement process. 2. The Inner Voice, Inc. did not maintain appropriate documentation to support the procurement method utilized. 3. The Inner Voice, Inc. did not maintain documentation evidencing that suspension and debarment searches were performed. Explanation of Disagreement with Audit Finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Corrective Action Plan: Management will review procurement policies and procedures to align with Uniform Guidance requirements. This will include documentation of procurement methods, adherence to competitive procurement standards, and verification of suspension and debarment status. Management will also provide training to concerned staff to ensure consistent implementation of the updated policies. Name of Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Diana Mitchell, CPO / Khurram Navaid, CFO Planned Completion Date: March 01, 2026

Finding 2025-002 Significant deficiency in internal control over compliance with procurement procedures meeting the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200. Contact Person(s): Nicholas Lee, Chief Financial Officer Corrective action planned: Management will revise the organization's procurement policy to amend the current dollar threshold, which was determined to be overly restrictive and inconsistent with operational needs and federal procurement standards under 2 CFR Part 200. The updated threshold will align with the Uniform Guidance requirements and provide clear guidance for competitive procurement processes. In addition, the organization will implement a standardized Vendor Justification Form. This form will be required for applicable purchases and will document the rationale for vendor selection, including the price analysis, sole source justification (if applicable), and confirmation that the procurement procedures were followed in accordance with federal requirements. These corrective actions are intended to strengthen internal controls over procurement, improve documentation consistency, and ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200 requirements. Anticipated completion date: August 31, 2026

FINDING 2025-004 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster- Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Chris Goris Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-395-3341, christengo@ohusc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The district will implement procedures for Procurement, Suspension and Debarment by following the listed steps: 1. Three quotes will be obtained for procurements between $50,000 to $150,000 by the district and contract be awarded. 2. Verification of Suspension and Debarment will be performed by a member of the business office in System for Award Management (SAM) or the district will collect the certification from the entity prior to entering into transactions with the selected entity. Anticipated Completion Date: 3/31/2026

FINDING 2025-005 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA)- Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Summary of Finding: The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance related to the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirements. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Kim Holmquist Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 219-924-4250 kholmquist@griffith.k12.in.us View of Responsible Officials: We concur with this finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: We will establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure there are appropriate procurement procedures for goods and services and contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2026

Finding 2025-01 Condition: The school’s procurement files did not contain documentation regarding competitive procurement procedures for one contract. Corrective Action Planned: Comply with federal procurement regulations by setting up a quote system and seek quotes for anticipated spending of over $10,000. Anticipated Completion Date: Complete Contact: Marie Znamierowski, Director of Business Operations

FINDING 2025-005 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Andrea Miller Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-564-2100 ext 1002, millera@delphi.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The School Corporation will implement a standardized procurement checklist documenting the method of procurement, vendor selection, quote comparison, and basis for contract price. The checklist will also have language that requires written justification and approval for any single-source procurement, as well as the date for the required check for suspension and debarment. The documentation for the suspension and debarment will be filed with the procurement checklist. Anticipated Completion Date: June 2026

FINDING 2025-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Andrea Miller Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-564-2100 ext 1002, millera@delphi.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The School Corporation will implement a standardized procurement checklist documenting the method of procurement, vendor selection, quote comparison, and basis for contract price. The checklist will also have language that requires written justification and approval for any single-source procurement, as well as the date for the required check for suspension and debarment. The documentation for the suspension and debarment will be filed with the procurement checklist. Anticipated Completion Date: June 2026

2025-004-Procurcmcnt Suspension and Debarment We have developed an internal form that each employee knows they must fill out when obtaining any kind of service or supply. We have educated staff on the dollar limits and thresholds required as well as any backup documentation needed to be obtained for each purchase of goods or services. Moving forward the finance department will be responsible for running sam.gov checks to make sure all vendors that the district does business with are clear of suspension and debarment at either the start of the fiscal year or whenever procuring new services and goods throughout the year.

Date: February 9, 2026 FINDING 2025-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Paula Powers, Food Service Coordinator Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 812-347-3905 ppowers@nhcs.k12.in.us Views or Responsible Official: We concur with the findings. Description of Corrective Active Plan: The Food Service Coordinator will verify Sam.gov to confirm a contractor is not suspended or disbarred before awarding a contract every 12 months. For small purchases, quotes will be obtained and retained with the claims for that payment. Anticipated Completion Date: March 2026

Information on the federal program: Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster, Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: Child Nutrition Cluster Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2024, FY2025 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Qualified Opinion Condition: The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure compliance with the procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. The School Corporation had not designed or implemented adequate policies or procedures to ensure that proper procurement procedures for small purchase and simplified acquisition procurement thresholds were followed. Context: Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000 unless a lower, more restrictive threshold is set by a non-Federal entity. As Indiana Code has set a more restrictive threshold of $150,000, informal procurement methods are permitted when the value of the procurement does not exceed $150,000. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micropurchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micropurchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. The School Corporation did not review procurements done by the food service management company to ensure that proper procurement policies were followed. The School Corporation did not ensure that the food service management company did not use suspended or debarred vendors. During the audit period, we noted two small purchases for which the School Corporation did not have evidence of obtaining multiple quotes or documented rationale for selecting the vendor. Only the final invoice, purchase order, and quote from the selected vendor were available. During fiscal year 2024, we noted that for one of the three vendors tested, the correct procurement method was not followed. Purchases from the vendor were in excess of $150,000 during the fiscal year, requiring the simplified acquisition procurement process; however, the School Corporation applied the small purchase procurement process. The purchase was for equipment at two different buildings. The School Corporation issued two requests for quotes, one for each school, and treated them as separate procurements. However, as the purchases were similar in nature, the requests for quotes were dated the same day and sent to the same vendor, this should have been treated as one procurement in aggregate. The School Corporation did not have support for public advertisement, requests for formal sealed bids, or formal documentation for the basis of award. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. “Covered transactions” include but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. During the audit period, we noted two vendors out of three that were sampled, over the $25,000 suspension and debarment threshold for which the School Corporation did not have evidence of a suspension and debarment check. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Management will review procurements done by the food service management company. Management will also ensure that appropriate procurement processes are followed for all future purchases and suspension and debarment checks are completed for purchases over $25,000. Responsible Party and Timeline for Completion: The Treasurer will be responsible for implementing the corrective action plan, which will go into effect immediately.

FINDING 2025-004 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Jamesi Lemon Contact Phone Number and Email Address: jlemon@lakelandlakers.net Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The expenditures referenced in the finding were expended from the American Rescue Plan Special Education grant funds which were fully expended during the audit period. All future expenditures triggering procurement and suspension and debarment requirements will include implementing the following procurement policies. Reference Procurement Standards 2 CFR 200.318 Districts may not enter into contracts with entities that have been suspended or debarred from participating in contracts with federal funds. For contracts over $25,000, districts must verify a contractor is not excluded or disqualified. Contractors must be verified in one of three ways: 1. Checking the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.SAM.gov) 2. Collecting a certificate from that contractor. 3. Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that contractor. (Recommended) **Proper verification and documentation must be sent to the LEA for audit purposes. Methods of Procurement Where specific EDGAR/UG thresholds apply, Districts must meet baseline requirements for procurement. If State or local rules have more restrictive thresholds, the most restrictive rule must be followed. Informal Procurement Procedures 1. Micro-purchase (0-$50,000) INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 36 Lakeland School Corporation 0825 E 075 N, LaGrange IN 46761 Phone: (260) 499 - 2400 Fax: (260) 463 - 4800 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Educating and preparing ALL students for career & life success! Dekalb County Eastern CSD has self-certified micro-purchases for up to $50,000 Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotes if the district considers the price to be reasonable. Quotes must be attached to the invoice/checks for proper documentation and retained by the LEA. 2. Small Purchase ($50,000 – $150,000) Three quotes are required prior to purchase unless the purchase comes from a “Sole Source” vendor. Small purchases are required to be ordered under a purchase order unless in an emergency. Additional quotes must be presented along with the purchase order prior to being approved by the LEA. Formal Procurement Procedures 1. Sealed Bids (above $150,000) Bids must be solicited from an adequate number of suppliers, providing them with sufficient response time prior to the opening of the bids. Proper advertisement and procedures must be followed per IC 5-22 and corresponding documentation must be presented to the LEA prior to any final approval or purchases being made. 2. Competitive Proposals (above $150,000) The Request for Proposal method is used for procurements in which factors other than cost play a significant role. Per IC 5-22-9, when a purchasing agent makes a written determination that the use of competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or not advantageous to the governmental body, the purchasing agent may award a contract using this procedure instead of competitive sealed bidding. This provides a formal process for the procurement of goods and/or services for which price is not the sole factor in the selection of a vendor or vendors. Proper advertisement and procedures must be followed per IC 5- 22 and corresponding documentation must be presented to the LEA prior to any final approval or purchases being made. Noncompetitive (Sole Source) All sole source procurements require adequate written justification and must be attached to the corresponding purchase order or payment. Anticipated Completion Date: The projected date of completion is March 31, 2026.

Audit Finding: 2025-002: Procurement Corrective Action Plan: The School has hired a Business Manager who has the experience and training to ensure all sole source vendors are prior-approved before utilizing them during the school year. Communication will be extended to all Supervisors and Managers. Person Responsible/Estimated Completion Date: Kenneth Toldeo, Principal, and Patrice Henderson, Business Manager,April 7, 2026

FINDING 2025-005 Finding Subject: Special Education – Procurement Suspension & Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Dr. Wendy Skibinski Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 317-205-3332 x 77230 wskibinski@msdwt.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Special Education will ensure that all procurement procedures are followed for both the simplified acquisition method and the small purchase method. Documentation will be retained to verify that required procedures were followed. Anticipated Completion Date: September 30, 2026

FINDING 2025-001 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster – Procurement Suspension & Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Annette Guenther Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 317-205-3332 x 77209 aguenther@msdwt.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding Description of Corrective Action Plan: Child Nutrition will ensure that all procurement procedures are followed for both the simplified acquisition method and the small purchase method. Documentation will be retained to verify that required procedures were followed. Anticipated Completion Date: September 30, 2026

FINDING 2025-001 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Carrie Alford Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 812-254-5536 calford@wcs.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: “We concur with the finding.” Description of Corrective Action Plan: To address this repeat finding, the Business Manager will now review all federal purchase requests before any funds are committed. We will ensure the correct procurement method is used by requiring and filing at least three competitive quotes for any small purchase between $10,000 and $150,000. For any transaction $25,000 or greater, the Business Manager will verify the vendor’s eligibility on SAM.gov and keep a date-stamped screenshot in the file as proof of the search. This centralized oversight and mandatory documentation process will ensure we maintain a proper history of procurement and prevent further noncompliance. Anticipated Completion Date: 02/01/2026

FINDING 2025-003 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: The School Corporation is a member of the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, the Cooperative operated the special education program and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for the simplified acquisition threshold and for small purchases were met for each applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering a covered transaction. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Susan Loftain Contact Phone Number and Email Address: (260) 693-2007 loftains@sgcs.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: Option 1: “We concur with the finding.” Description of Corrective Action Plan: Procurement: All vendors procured through NEISEC we will need to take action to secure bids and quotes and keep copies and make we are within compliance Suspension and Debarment: We will be sure to complete our own verifications and not rely on NEISEC to check on suspension and debarment Anticipated Completion Date: Immediately

FINDING 2025-003 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Meghan Damron Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 219-650-5300, mdamron@mvsc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. We have taken the audit finding, conclusions and recommendations and created a corrective action plan to correct our procurement for the future. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Although Merrillville Community School Corporation left Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative (NISEC) as of July 1, 2024 we continue to use our procurement process following our school board policies. NISEC has reported that for the 2023-2024 school year the corrective action plan was initiated by the below process. As a member of the Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative (NISEC), the School Corporation usually expends contracted services out of our general education fund. For the fiscal year of 2023-2024 we included our contracted speech services into our federal grant funds. During the audit the School Corporation was notified that we didn’t following the procurement procedures when expending out of the federal grant. This finding was due to the School Corporation not going out and receiving multiple bids for contracted companies that provide services to our students. The School Corporation uses three contracted companies to provide Speech Pathologist and Speech Language Assistants. We have used these three companies for many years and have built great working relationships with these providers. After receiving the finding and discussing with the auditor we created a memo that we took to our board. In the memo we explain why we use the three contracted vendors instead of going out for bids. Finding Speech pathologist and Assistant are very difficult in the school setting and we have created great working relationships with these three contracted companies. Within the memo we list all of the contracted vendors we use and why we work directly with them instead of going out for bids. At the beginning of each school year we will take a new memo with any contracted companies that we will be using during the school year. Dexter Suggs, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools "Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate" BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES Judy C. Dunlap James Donohue DeLena N. Thomas Alex Dunlap III Robert J. Krause President Vice-President Secretary Member Member INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 31 MERRILLVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION 6701 Delaware Street, Merrillville, IN 46410 (219) 650-5300 FAX (219) 650-5320 www.mvsc.k12.in.us Anticipated Completion Date: The Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative created the memo as soon as we received the finding and took the memo to the board. We have procedures in place now that any vendor that will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, we will obtain bids or create a memo if bids are not an option. We took the memo to our October 9,2024 board. This was completed fully as of July 1, 2024. Dexter Suggs, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools "Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate"

The organization will revise and reinforce its procurement policies to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200.318–200.320. Staff involved in procurement will receive training in federal procurement standards, including competitive bidding and documentation requirements. Internal controls will be strengthened to ensure consistent application of procedures and oversight. Anticipated Completion Date: 5/31/2026. Responsible Contact Person: Anthony Daniels-Halisi, CEO.

The organization will revise and reinforce its procurement policies to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200.318–200.320. Staff involved in procurement will receive training in federal procurement standards, including competitive bidding and documentation requirements. Internal controls will be strengthened to ensure consistent application of procedures and oversight. Anticipated Completion Date: January 31, 2026. Responsible Contact Person: Alfred D. Ivy, Director of Business Affairs & Operations.

FINDING 2025-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person(s) Responsible for Corrective Action: Mendy Shrout & Billy Boyette Contact Phone Number and Email Address(es): (765) 795-4664 / mshrout@cloverdale.k12.in.us & bboyette@cloverdale.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Procurement We will be updating the Policy 6325 for Micro purchases from $10,000.00 to $50,000.00. We are in policy review now. Suspension and Debarment All new vendors entered into the system are checked by the Corporation Treasurer through the Office of Inspector General search, printed and kept on file in the Corporation office. Further, all vendors used by the Food Service department have been updated to be current. Anticipated Completion Date: March 1, 2026

FINDING 2025-002 Finding Subject: Teacher and School Leader Incentive Grants – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Chris Gearlds, Assistant Superintendent Contact Phone Number and Email Address: (317) 856-5265; cgearlds@decaturproud.org Views of Responsible Official: We concur with Audit Finding Description of Corrective Action Plan: The Teacher and School Leader Incentive Grant was completed during the audit period and the school district does not plan on receiving this award in the future. Therefore, further corrective action is not required and district officials will utilize this information to ensure compliance in other federal awards. Anticipated Completion Date: February 1, 2026

Condition: The Village did not have written policies for cash management or procurement that adhered to the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations. Planned Corrective Action: The Village is currently reviewing existing policies to determine the best course of action and updating them for compliance. Some updates may require voter approval as certain provisions are in the Village Charter. Contact person responsible for corrective action: Penny Ray Anticipated Completion Date: 12/31/2026

Criteria or Specific Requirement: Nonfederal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. Views from Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Management has established written policies and procedures for procurement. Management confirmed policies and procedures were followed and monitored during the construction of the project. Written policies and procedures were completed after year-end. Contact Person: John Jacques Date of Completion: November 14, 2025

Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Assistance Listing No. 84.027/84.173/ Recommendation: We recommend the district add internal controls over monitoring vendor purchases throughout the fiscal year and comparing them to procurement policies to ensure proper procedures are followed in accordance with 2 CFR 200.319. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The District will continue to review its internal controls and modify policies and procedures, as necessary. Additional training will be attended by staff to rectify this matters for future years. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Julie A. Stone, Director of Business Services Planned completion date for corrective action plan: The District plans to have the finding corrected by the reporting period ending June 30, 2026.

FINDING 2025-001 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: Procurement: For two vendors, the School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes as required. The School Corporation did not maintain documentation to support the rationale and justification to limit competition, and there was no documentation of the history of the Procurement which would include the rationale for the method of procurement, the selection of the vendor, and the basis for price. Suspension and Debarment: Two vendors were identified for which the School Corporation was required to verify the suspension and debarment status, however no such verification could be provided for audit. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Food Service Director, Joshua Deck Contact Phone Number and Email Address: (812) 649-2591 / josh.deck@sspencer.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Procurement: The Food Service Director will maintain a binder/Google Drive folder with documentation of price and/or rate quotes and documentation of the attempts made from at least three vendors that fall within the small purchase threshold. If price and/or rate quotes cannot be obtained from at least three vendors, documentation of the reasoning will be maintained. Suspension and Debarment: The Food Service Director will ensure that all vendors are not suspended or debarred by either ensuring the suspension and debarment verbiage is included in the contracts, providing a clause to the vendor to sign that they are not suspended or debarred, or checking the SAM.gov website. Documentation of these records will be maintained for audit. Anticipated Completion Date: Effective FY 2025/2026