Corrective Action Plans

Finding 2025-001 Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matters, and Material Noncompliance Corrective Action Plan: The observed finding was the result of inadequate staff training on the proper School Nutrition Procurement (SNP) guidelines. Newly responsible staff have attended multiple training sessions and are now fully aware of proper SNP procurement procedures. Stricter internal controls are being implemented to prevent recurrence and regular planning and forecast meetings will be held with the school nutrition team. Moving forward, The Sr Director of Purchasing and Materials Management will ensure purchases will be forecast and an analysis completed yearly. For all estimated purchases of $50,000 or more in Child Nutrition Programs, new Requests for Proposals (RFPs) will be created, or purchases will be made through a USDA-approved purchasing cooperative RFP, as applicable. New RFPswill be developed after reviewing cost estimates, product requirements, and specifications, in accordance with the approved formal procurement guidelines found in 2 CFR 200.320(b), 7 CFR Part 210.19(e), and Section 17 of the NSLP Administrator’s Reference Manual (ARM). The resulting contract awards will be annual with optional renewals and contracts will be managed and records retained per Sections 16 and 30 of the NSLP ARM to ensure compliance. Responsible Officials: Leander ISD Management Anticipated Date of Completion: November 2025

The School District should be in compliance with the NJ DOE purchasing guidelines. The School District will make every attempt to follow the guidelines and protocols for every purchase. School Business Administrator. 2025-2026 fiscal year.

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

Healthy Start Communities – Assistance Listing No. 93.926 Recommendation: We recommend the organization follow its newly established procurement policy related to the maintaining of necessary documentation to support the method of procurement utilized. The Organization may also consider qualifying multiple vendors for particular goods/service and then utilizing an approved vendors list. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The organization put a procurement policy in place effective November 30, 2024. Since then, the policy has been followed and will continue to be as new vendors are brought on. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Danielle Martin, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Planned completion date for corrective action plan: November 30, 2024

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

Management Response/Corrective Action Plan: The School Department reviewed both the federal and local procurement policies with the administrative team in December of 2024. A memo was also sent to all administrators specifically discussing the suspension and debarment procedures regarding the use of federal funds. Since then, the School Board has since reviewed both policies and has revised threshold amounts and other language per the advice of legal counsel and MSMA. Now adopted, the policies have been shared with administration to ensure that purchasing procedures are followed and will be reviewed regularly. If there is any chance of federal funds being used for a purchase, the Department will follow the federal procurement requirements. Municipal staff attempted to follow Treasury guidance to administer the State and Local Fiscal Recover Fund (SLFRF) grant and interpreted the “Revenue Replacement” category of expenditure to be exempt from nearly all of the usual federal grant requirements, including the Suspension and Debarment verification step. More recently, the interpretation of the rule changed, but not before certain projects had been initiated, in which the verification step had been missed. Going forward, this will not be an issue as all SLFRF monies have been expended.

Auditor Description of Condition and Effect. During our review of procurement transactions, we identified one instance of sole-source procurement for which the College did not properly document a procurement decision in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320 related to justifying the use of a noncompetitive procurement method. Specifically, the procurement files lacked written justification demonstrating why competition was not feasible and did not include evidence of required approvals in accordance with the College’s procurement policies even though the arrangement was allowable under the circumstances. As a result of this condition, the College could not document a procurement decision for one vendor in accordance with federal regulations. Auditor Recommendation. We recommend the College strengthen controls over sole-source procurements by requiring documented justification and formal approval prior to executing noncompetitive procurement arrangements. Management should also provide additional training to procurement and program staff to ensure consistent compliance with federal procurement requirements and internal policies. Corrective Action. The entity will strengthen procurement controls by requiring written justification and documented approval for all sole-source procurements in accordance with Uniform Guidance and the entity’s procurement policies. A standardized sole-source justification form will be implemented and required prior to execution of any noncompetitive procurement funded with federal awards. Responsible Persons. Tom Zeidel, Vice President of Finance and Facilities and Troy Slater, Director of Business Office. Anticipated Completion Date. 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

2025-006 Procurement, Suspension & Debarment – Special Education Cluster (IDEA) Recommendation: Our auditors recommend the District review their policies and procedures related to Uniform Guidance and the District's Purchasing Policy. Our auditors also recommends the District evaluate current procedures and controls to ensure that policies are consistently followed and properly documented in accordance with District policies. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action planned/taken in response to finding: In response to audit findings regarding procurement, suspension, and debarment practices within the Special Education Cluster (IDEA), the District has initiated and is implementing a comprehensive enhancement of policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and the District's Purchasing Policy. We are conducting thorough evaluation of all procurement procedures specific to IDEA-funded purchases and have developed enhanced documentation protocols ensuring all procurement transactions are properly documented and maintained in accordance with federal and district requirements. Recent procurements reflect significantly improved documentation practices. We have created standardized procurement checklists and templates to promote consistency across all IDEA-related purchases, and staff now utilize these tools routinely. Regarding suspension and debarment verification, we have established a formal verification process requiring designated staff to check the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) database prior to executing contracts or purchase orders with vendors using IDEA funds, and compliance is now being consistently achieved. Documentation of these verification checks is maintained in procurement files as evidence of compliance. We have implemented training for all staff involved in IDEA procurement, and staff report increased awareness and confidence in performing these checks. Additionally, we have designated the Director of Business Services and Special Education Director as dual reviewers for all IDEA procurement transactions exceeding established thresholds, creating additional oversight that has already prevented potential compliance issues. Regular quarterly internal audits are being conducted, and initial audits indicate substantial improvement in both procurement documentation and suspension and debarment verification practices. These measures are strengthening our procurement framework for the Special Education Cluster and ensuring consistent compliance with federal regulations. Name of the contact person responsible for correction action: Lavesa Glover-Verhagen Planned completion date for corrective action: June 30, 2026

2025-005 Procurement – Child Nutrition Cluster Recommendation: Our auditors recommend the District review their policies and procedures related to Uniform Guidance and the District's Purchasing Policy. Our auditors also recommend the District evaluate current procedures and controls to ensure that policies are consistently followed and properly documented in accordance with District policies. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action planned/taken in response to finding: In response to strengthening procurement practices within the Child Nutrition Cluster, the District has undertaken and is implementing a comprehensive review and enhancement of policies and procedures to ensure full alignment with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and the District's Purchasing Policy. Following detailed analysis of current procurement practices, we have implemented key enhancements including standardized procurement documentation templates, enhanced vendor selection procedures ensuring competitive procurement methods are consistently applied, and improved record-keeping systems. We have strengthened procedures for obtaining and documenting price quotes, formal bids, and proposals in accordance with established thresholds, with additional controls ensuring all procurement transactions receive appropriate supervisory review and approval. Since implementing these improvements, we have observed more consistent adherence to procurement thresholds, better documentation of competitive selection processes, and increased transparency in vendor selection decisions. We have provided targeted training to Child Nutrition staff and business office personnel on federal procurement requirements, and staff feedback indicates stronger understanding of compliance obligations. We have implemented quarterly internal reviews to monitor compliance, and initial reviews show marked improvement in documentation quality and policy adherence. These proactive measures are creating a robust and transparent procurement framework for the Child Nutrition Cluster, ensuring consistent compliance with federal regulatory requirements and district policies while promoting accountability and fiscal responsibility. Name of the contact person responsible for correction action: Lavesa Glover-Verhagen Planned completion date for corrective action: June 30, 2026

FINDING 2025-001 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Samantha Berrier Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 219-962-2909, sberrier@rfcsc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The offices of the Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative (NISEC), on behalf of River Forest Community School Corporation, its member school, has implemented a corrective action plan to ensure that the proper methodology for procurement is followed. Additionally, a system of internal controls has been established to ensure that vendors are procured using the required methods. The Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative created a corrective action plan to develop procedures to obtain bids when any vendor will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. As part of this corrective action plan they have included procedures to follow if a noncompetitive procurement would be applicable. These procedures include documenting the rationale for using this alternative method and requesting approval from the Board of School Trustees when doing so. Anticipated Completion Date: October 9th, 2024

FINDING 2025-001: PROCUREMENT (50000) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: California Department of Education Program Names: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (AL No. 84.027, 84.173) Response to finding: During the 2025-26 fiscal year, the District implemented changes to reclassify certain contracts from federal funding sources to state funding. The District utilized the SELPA Master Contract for applicable vendors to ensure proper contracting and compliance. Federal funds will continue to be used to support Instructional Aides (IAs). These actions were taken to improve alignment with funding requirements and strengthen fiscal compliance. The Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services is responsible for monitoring and implementing federal procurement procedures to ensure compliance. This procedure was implemented beginning the 2025–26 School Year.

CIF grew substantially in FY 24 following execution of the Federal award. This finding reflects the learning phase as CIF came into compliance with the Uniform Guidance. Beginning in FY 26, CIF implemented a corrective action involving updates to the CIF Procurement Policies & Procedures. This policy, which includes a Conflict of Interest section, was updated to reflect a decrease of the micro-purchase threshold from $50,000 to $10,000, clarifies that the SAM.gov check for suspension and debarment will occur prior to contract execution with the contractor, and the SAM.gov check will be documented with the date it was conducted. The updated CIF Procurement Policies & Procedures will be approved by the Board of Directors.

FINDING 2025-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster-Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Missy Schultheis Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 812-354-8478 mschultheis@pcsc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The School Corporation will review and update the existing procurement policy to ensure it clearly outlines the procedures for different purchasing methods including the specific thresholds. We will establish a procedure requiring the retention of all documentation supporting procurement decisions. We will develop a process to verify that vendors/contractors are not suspended or debarred by any federal or state agency prior to entering into a "covered transaction" or contract. Anticipated Completion Date: This be implemented in the 2025-2026 school year and will continue for future years.

Corrective Action Plan: The Loysville Village Municipal Authority disagrees with this finding. The Authority is bound by the procurement procedures contained in the Municipal Authorities Act (Pennsylvania law) and has signed agreements with USDA governing its procurement procedures. These documents are in writing and any additional policy for this purpose would either by conflicting or superfluous. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing Contact Person Responsible: Jennie Weary, Secretary, Barry Enck, Treasurer

The District will include checking SAM.gov for suspension and debarment. A spreadsheet will be created tracking all vendors that federal grant dollars are used for. A digital capture of the proof will be stored in a folder for future reference.

Corrective Action Plan Contact Person(s): Janet Carbary, Deana Gilpin Management agrees with this finding and recognizes the need to strengthen internal controls over purchasing processes to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements (§200.317–§200.326; §200.213). To address the deficiency, the Organization will implement the following actions: 1. Update Purchasing Policies and Procedures o Purchasing policies will be revised to clearly incorporate Uniform Guidance requirements, including competitive bidding thresholds, procurement method selection, and documentation standards. o Policies will explicitly require verification of suspension and debarment status for all vendors receiving federal funds. 2. Implement Mandatory Suspension and Debarment Verification o Staff will be required to document verification through SAM.gov or other approved sources before awarding or renewing contracts funded by federal awards. o A verification will be maintained and reviewed by Finance leadership. 3. Enhance Procurement Documentation Controls o Leadership will ensure all federal purchases meet the requirement below before purchase approval. • Competitive purchasing requirements are met • Cost/price analyses are documented when required • Suspension/debarment verifications are completed and retained 4. Training for Finance Staff o Staff involved in purchasing, contract approval, and grant management will receive training on Uniform Guidance procurement rules and suspension/debarment requirements. 5. Periodic Internal Monitoring o Revenue accountant will monitor expenses related to federal programs monthly to ensure compliance. o Senior management will be notified if corrective steps are needed. Anticipated Completion Date: December 31, 2025 Responsible Officials: • Chief Financial Officer (CFO) • Accounting Manager • Director of Financial Planning

Procurement Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Program – Assistance Listing No. 93.323 Condition: The Organization did not follow the procedures outlined within its internal policies related to maintaining documentation associated with purchases made via the simplified acquisition method of procurement. Recommendation: We recommend the organization consistently follow its established policies and procedures related to the maintaining of necessary documentation to support the method of procurement utilized. The Organization may also consider qualifying multiple vendors for particular goods/service and then utilizing an approved vendors list. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Management acknowledges that even though grant objectives were met, procurement procedures must be followed regardless of timeline constraints. Management has implemented enhanced controls to ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, including: (1) mandatory documentation for simplified acquisitions requiring evidence of price reasonableness; (2) staff meetings on procurement requirements; and (3) supervisory review of procurement files prior to grant invoice submission. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Jeffrey Nelson Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 7/1/2025

The District will develop and implement a formal procurement checklist. This checklist will be completed by the Business Manager for all purchases expected to exceed the micro-puchase threshold. The procedure will require the checklist to be completed and attached to the purchase order before the purchase is finalized, ensuring and documenting that the required price of rate quotations have been obtained in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.320.

The District Cafeteria Manager, Melanie Pardini, corrected this procedure for fiscal year 2025-26 and has the process in place going forward for each fiscal year.

Corrective Action Plan for Audit Finding 2025-003: Procurement Procedures (Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance - IDEA Special Education Federal Program) Finding Summary: Auditors identified two instances in which procurement transactions did not comply with the District's procurement policy or federal Uniform Guidance requirements. Specifically, bids were not solicited as required, and suspension and debarment checks were not performed or documented for the vendors prior to contract award. Root Cause: The exceptions occured due to a gap in the District's internal control structure. These procedures were not being consistently performed, and prior management was unaware the requirements under federal Uniform Guidance were not being followed. Corrective Action: The District will establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure all federally funded procurements comply with Uniform Guidance requirements. This includes: 1. Soliciting bids or proposals in accordance with applicable competitive procurement thresholds. 2. Performing and documenting suspension and debarment verifications for all vendors, including tracking results appropriately. 3. Providing training to staff responsible for federal procurement to ensure ongoing compliance and understanding of federal requirements. These actions are intended to ensure that contracts are awarded fairly, to responsible parties, and in full compliance with federal regulations. Documentation of all procurement steps will be maintained to demonstrate compliance during future audits. Responsible Parties: Fiona Barry, Assistant CFO, and Matthew Gonzales, CFO, are responsible for overseeing implementation, ensuring proper documentation, and providing staff training. Timeline: The corrective actions are scheduled for implementation by March 2026 and will continue as part of the District's ongoing procurement compliance process.