Corrective Action Plans

Finding Numbers: 2024‐002, 2023‐002 Program Name/Assistance Listing Titles: Indian School Equalization; Administrative Cost Grants for Indian Schools Assistance Listing Numbers: 15.042; 15.046 Contact Person: Jim Mosley, Superintendent Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2025 Planned Corrective Action: The Business Office Specialist now has been in the position for a full year and has received additional training regarding the tracking of vendor payments and the need to clear vendors for suspension and debarment. They will maintain a log of checks monthly as needed.

Context: 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. Description of Corrective Action Plan: School Corporation will reach out to the Cooperative to discuss internal controls over procurement, and suspension and debarment and request annual listing of vendors exceeding federal and state procurement thresholds to ensure Cooperative adheres to regulations and established procurement policy and request that procurement policies are written, and all procurements are fully documented based upon the applicable federal and state standards Anticipated Completion Date: The School Corporation will implement the actions noted above quarterly to ensure proper internal controls are in place. The treasurer will request this information starting in April of 2025 for the first quarter of the calendar year.

Auditor’s Recommendation: The Auditor recommends that the procurement policy be updated to comply with all relevant federal procurement requirements and reviewed for necessary revisions regularly and retain backup documentation to support amounts charged to grant. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Purchasing has updated policy to reflect Federal Guidelines. In addition, the determination has been made to self-certify allowing the University to more closely align requirements from the State of New Mexico with Federal purchasing. Furthermore, additional training within the Purchasing Department has and will continue to be provided for staff to have the tools to identify all circumstances that require additional compliance. The update of Policy was completed in June 2024. Self-Certification was documented in October 2024. Training is ongoing but initial will be completed January 2025. Timeline and Estimated Completion Date: January 2025 Responsible Party: Director of Purchasing

Finding 2024-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Beverly Hindes Contact Phone Number: 219-996-4771 x128 Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The Treasurer will ensure compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment requirement. Anticipated Completion Date: March 3, 2025

CONDITION: The Leechburg Area School District contracted with TriMark for the purchase and installation of a dishwasher. This contract exceeded the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000, but did not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000. The purchase was procured through a cooperative purchasing group (COSTARS). The School District was unable to provide documentation to verify that price or rate quotations were obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. CRITERIA: Section 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) of the Uniform Guidance prescribes the bidding requirements for equipment, supplies, and work of any nature made by a non-federal entity whereby the cost exceeds certain dollar thresholds as adjusted periodically. In instances where the cost incurred exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. In addition, as specified in 2 CFR 200. 318(i) of the Uniform Guidance, the School District must maintain sufficient records to detail the history of procurement. RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that School District management review and update annually as necessary, School District federal financial policies and procedures to ensure In instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, that 1) price or rate quotations are obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources, and 2) sufficient records are maintained to detail the history of procurement. These measures will enable the School District to comply with the procurement requirements as prescribed Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance.MANAGEMENT’S CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: Management of the School District will review and update as necessary its procurement policies to ensure In instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, that 1) price or rate quotations are obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources, and 2) sufficient records are maintained to detail the history of procurement. The timeframe for completion of this review will occur immediately with the intention of having the School District be in full compliance with Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200. 318(i) of the Uniform Guidance.

FINDING 2024-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Kyle Zahn & Jack Lazar Contact Phone Number and Email Address: (765) 883-5576 kzahn@western.k12.in.us jlazar@western.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: At a coming leadership meeting the Finance Director will review procurement rules and procedures with the leadership team. Additionally, the Director of Finance and Food Service Director will conduct an audit of the vendors used for the Child Nutrition Cluster and revise as necessary current systems for identifying vendors who exceed $50,000 during a school year. Anticipated Completion Date: March 31, 2025

Views of Responsible Officials: We have already taken several steps to address this issue and to ensure that similar situations do not occur in the future: 1. Policy Review and Reinforcement: We have conducted a detailed review of the procurement policy to ensure that all relevant employees know its requirements and the importance of compliance. We are also revising our internal communication to ensure everyone involved in procurement knows the steps and documentation required. 2. Training and Awareness: To prevent future non-compliance, we are scheduling mandatory training sessions for all personnel involved in procurement activities. This will help ensure that all team members fully understand the policy and know how to apply it correctly.

FINDING 2024‐005 Finding Subject: Special education Cluster (IDEA) ‐ Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: When the value of the procurement for property or services are within the small purchase threshold, or a lower threshold established by a nonfederal entity, quotes and a contract are required. The small purchase threshold is between $10,000 and $150,000 however the threshold between $10,000 and $50,000 require quotes from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code 5‐22‐8 has more restrictive requirements for the small purchase threshold between $50,000 and $150,000, which require three quotes and a contract to be awarded. The Cooperative had five vendors which fell within the small purchase threshold and all five vendors were tested. The Cooperative did not obtain quotes or competitive proposals, nor was a circumstance met that would have allowed for a noncompetitive procurement for the purchases. Three vendors paid from the grant funds were identified as being covered transactions during the audit period. All three vendors, provided goods or services which equaled or exceeded $25,000 and were selected for testing. For all three vendors, the Cooperative did not verify the vendors’ suspension and debarment status prior to payment. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Tim Scott Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 574‐654‐7273 tscott@npusc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Due to several changes in personnel in the Special Education office, obtaining quotes and checking SAMS.gov was an oversight. The Special Ed Administrative Assistant and/or the Special Ed Director is now making sure these things are complete before a purchase order is entered or services are rendered. A copy of SAMS.gov and the quote are attached to the purchase order. Anticipated Completion Date: October 2024

Finding Number: 2024-001 Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X, 84.173, 84.173X Contact Person: Eric Thompson, Procurement Supervisor Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2025 Planned Corrective Action: Senior Buyer will verify vendors are not debarred or suspended prior to adding them to ERP Pro. Additionally, Procurement Supervisor will hold training sessions for purchasers to teach them purchasing guidelines and rules, including allowing sufficient time to receive quotes.

FINDING 2024-003 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: Documented evidence of the implementation of the control process was not maintained. Due to the lack of controls, it could not be determined that the school corporation ensured compliance with the grant agreement. Proper safeguards were not in place to ensure that documentation was properly maintained, causing the CFO and Food Service Director to be unable to locate the documentation for each procurement method. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Allison Pund and Margaret Leavitt Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 812-683-3971 x5002; punda1@swdubois.k12.in.us; leavittm@swdubois.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Explanation and Reasons for Disagreement: NA Description of Corrective Action Plan: The School Corporation will establish a proper system of internal control and develop policies and procedures to ensure all requirements are followed. Creation of these policies and procedures will be created by the CFO and Food Service Director. Internal controls will be put in place to ensure these policies and procedures are followed. In addition, the Food Service Director will maintain all bids, contracts, and other documentation to support the procurement methods used and will verify suspension and debarment prior to entering into covered transactions of $25,000 or more. Anticipated Completion Date: August 2025

FINDING 2024‐002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement Summary of Finding: During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, federal grant funds were to pay for contracted speech services. The vendors used exceeded the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and sealed bids or competitive proposals were not obtained. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Adam C. Minth Contact Phone Number: 219-374-3504 Views of Responsible Official: The school corporation concurs with the finding and will be implementing corrective procedures by the end of this fiscal year. Description of Corrective Action Plan: As a member of the Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative (NISEC), Hanover Community School Corporation usually expends contracted services out of our general education fund. For the fiscal year 2023-2024, we included our contracted speech services into our federal grant funds. During the audit, Hanover was notified that we didn’t follow the procurement procedures when expending out of the federal grant. This finding was due to Hanover not going out and receiving multiple bids for contracted companies that provide services to our students. Hanover 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 explained why we use the three contracted vendors instead of going out for bids. Finding Speech Pathologists and Speech Language Assistants is very difficult in the school setting, and they have created great working relationships with these three contracted companies. Within the memo, we listed all the contracted vendors that they use and why they work directly with them instead of going out for bids. At the beginning of each school year, they will create a new memo with any contracted companies that they will be using during that school year. Anticipated Completion Date: 4/30/2025

FINDING 2024-004 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: Procurement- Small Purchase In fiscal year 2023, the Cooperative had five vendors which fell within the small purchase threshold (between $10,000 and $150,000). The Cooperative did not obtain quotes or competitive proposals, nor was a circumstance met that would have allowed for a noncompetitive procurement for the purchases. The total amount spent in was $292,806. Suspension and Debarment Verification to verify that contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise under a nonprocurement transaction through SAM was not being completed. Three vendors each fiscal year provided goods or services which equaled or exceeded $25,000 were selected for testing. The total amount spent on covered transactions was $266,063 and $142,639 for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. For all six vendors, the Cooperative did not verify the vendors’ suspension and debarment status prior to payment. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Greg Hunt Contact Phone Number: (219) 362-7056 Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Our Special Education Administrative Assistant has already begun checking on SAM for any federal purchases to verify suspension and debarment. She has also been provided with the LaPorte Community School Corporation’s Procurement Policy number po6325 and will adhere to those guidelines for any future purchases. Anticipated Completion Date: January 2025

Context: The School Corporation had one vendor which exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold which was selected for testing. The School Corporation was unable to provide any supporting documentation for the procurement process required under School Corporation policy. The sample item amount dispersed was $160,827 for food purchases in FY 2023. Additionally, the School Corporation did not have any support to show the vendor was not disbarred or suspended. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Steve Boulanger, Food Service Director Contact Phone Number: 765-240-2372 Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: As of October 2024, our Food Service Director has been running vendors through the SAM.gov website, printing the results, and filing them for audit purposes. Anticipated Completion Date: 10/01/2024

Context: 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. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Brittany Treesh Contact Phone Number: 260-357-3185 Views of Responsible Official: The school corporation concurs with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Garrett-Keyser-Butler’s Business Manager will work closely with the Special Education Cooperative Treasurer and DeKalb Eastern Business Manager during the grant process and make sure all required documents are collected. Anticipated Completion Date: The Business Manager will implement this procedure March 2025.

FINDING 2024-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition - Procurement, Suspension, and Debarment Summary of Finding: There were no controls in place to ensure that the School Corporation complied with the small purchase requirements. The School Corporation obtained quotes for the two vendors that qualified for the small purchase threshold, but no oversight performed. There were no controls in place to ensure that the vendors included a suspension and debarment clause or check the Sam.gov website. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Micah Williams Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-832-2426/mwilliams@svcs.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The finance department will work in conjunction with the Food Services Director to ensure that quotes are obtained from vendors that are listed on Sam.gov or have a suspension and debarment clause before making in purchases. There will be an email thread detailing the request, the quotes, and the process for ensuring suspension and debarment. Anticipated Completion Date: Immediate.

Actions taken in response to finding: Esperanza will: 1. Sole source justification - Implement a Summary Approval and Signoff Sheet (SASS) for new contracts that documents, among other things, the justification for sole source purchases. 2. Create a pre-approved vendors list to streamline procurement while ensuring compliance. a. Require justification and periodic review for vendor inclusion 3. Review, on an annual basis, nonpersonnel costs charged to federal grants to ensure compliance. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Ryan Gadia Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2025

Context: For the two small purchase method procurements sampled for testing, we noted that the School Corporation, did not obtain quotes from an adequate number of qualified sources. The total amount disbursed for the sample items was $146,895 in FY23 and $69,793 in FY24 for contracted occupational therapy and physical therapy services. The School Corporation did properly confirm the sample vendors were not debarred or suspended. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Shannon Current Contact Phone Number: 260-726-9341 Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding now that we are aware this must be done for contracted services. Prior to the audit, for at least 12 years, we were not aware this was to be done for contracted services. During prior audits, this was never brought to our attention. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Moving forward, we will make sure to solicit three quotes for contracted services that will be more than $50,000. Anticipated Completion Date: As soon as our next contracted service contract is to be entered into which will most likely be in May 2025 prior to the next school year.

Finding: While testing the procurement requirement, we noted that internal controls were not properly designed over the procurement requirement. Prior to receiving federal funding beginning in August 2022, the program conducted a request for proposal (RFP) process and began contracting with a vendor. When federal funding was obtained, the vendor was not reevaluated in accordance with the Uniform Guidance to ensure the procurement requirements were being met. In addition, we noted UW Health – Madison’s procurement policy documents do not include all of the information that is required by the Uniform Guidance. Correction actions taken or planned: Management became aware of the need to perform additional procedures to comply with Uniform Guidance part way through the year ended June 30, 2024 and completed the evaluation once it became known. However, by that time, the vendor was already charged to the grant prior to the completion of the vendor evaluation. UW Health has developed processes and procedures to ensure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and that evaluations are taking place prior to any vendors being charged to the grant. UW Health is also in the process of updating policy to comply with Uniform Guidance. Anticipated completion Date: June 2025 UW Health employees responsible for Corrective Action Plan: James Hood, Director of Procurement Services and Jamie Soyk, Program Director – Financial Reporting

2024-001 (Procurement and Suspension & Debarment) Management Comments and Corrective Action: Due to the growing need to adequately care for the minors at SWK’s shelters coupled with the limitations of access to vendors caused by COVID-19, SWK utilized existing vendor to minimize significant disruptions to operations. The Organization is aware they are operating under contracts that were procured in previous years that may not have all the records maintained. Reprocuring all of these contracts at once would potentially cause disruptions in operations due to the products/services related to those vendors playing an important role in the Organization’s dayto- day operations. In April 2021, the Organization hired new procurement leadership and invested in Full Time Employees (FTEs) to develop a robust procurement department. Due to this procurement revamp, Procurement adopted a hybrid model, and Desktop Protocols were established to provide universal procedures to fulfill policy. Protocols instruct staff on obtaining three quotes and provide tools for selecting the vendor. In addition, quality protocols and tools are currently in development to verify a random sample of procurement transactions and files. The Organization still has several active contracts procured under the old policies that they are working on reprocuring as these contracts’ renewal dates arise, if not earlier. Proposed Implementation Date of Corrective Action: In process and to be completed by December 31, 2025. Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Steven Beckman, CFO 45

Procurement Federal Assistance Listing Number: Special Education Cluster (84.027 and 84.173) District will review procurement policies and provide additional training and education to ensure the minimum requirements of 2 CFR 200 and the procurement policies established are being followed. Responsible official: Mark Lindem, Business Manager, mark.lindem@gibraltar.k12.wi.us Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2025

Corrective Action Planned: The federal project that has been in the works for multiple years, and, as a result, the Authority determined established procurement procedures would not be written and approved. The Authority did not make this decision in haste. The Authority met compliance guidelines for the procedures of items during the project. What we lack is an approved written document, which at this time is something we do not have the resources to undertake. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing Contact Person Responsible: Jennie Weary, Treasurer/Secretary

MANAGEMENT’S PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTION: For noncompetitive procurement, the District will maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include but are not limited to the rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. The District’s timeframe for implementation is effective immediately. The District has a formal procurement policy for federal programs (#626) in place. The District hired a Business Manager effective with the 2024-2025 fiscal year who, in conjunction with the District’s Federal Program Coordinator, will be responsible for following the District’s existing procurement policy for federal programs, in particular related to this finding, the implementation of noncompetitive procurement procedures to ensure that they are followed appropriately. District Officials responsible for the implementation of the Corrective Action Plan: Dr. Johannah Vanatta, Superintendent and Erin Bluedorn, Business Manager.

Information on the federal program: Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559, 10.582 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 22-23, FY 23-24 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency Context: For the two small purchase method procurements sampled for testing, we noted that the School Corporation did not obtain quotes from an adequate number of qualified sources. Additionally, the School Corporation did not perform a suspension and debarment check on the vendors. The sample items were for $76,200 and $31,639 worth of repair supplies in FY2023 and FY2024, respectively. Contact Persons Responsible for Corrective Action: Andrew J Nicodemus, Business Manager Amber Reed, Director of Food Services Contact Phone Number: 765-362-2342 Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Crawfordsville Community School Corporation plans to review all internal control procedures, including the controls over Procurement and Suspension and Debarment for the Child Nutrition Cluster. After this review, we will implement a system to ensure that the proper procedures are completed and fully integrated into our internal control structure. We will implement additional training for all staff involved and will have a designated place where this support is kept. Anticipated Completion Date: We expect this Corrective Action to be implemented by the end of March 2025.

The district will establish a system of internal controls with the Cooperative (NISEC) to ensure formal procurement methods are properly followed.

1. Emphasis on Guideline Adherence All Purchasing Department staff will receive a formal directive reinforcing the importance of compliance with established quote requirements. This directive will emphasize: • The role of competitive pricing in responsible fiscal management. • The necessity of obtaining and documenting quotes for transparency and auditability. • The requirement to attach all quotes to the Requisition in BusinessPLUS before submission for approval. 2. Mandatory Training on Procurement Compliance To ensure full understanding of purchasing policies, the department will implement mandatory training sessions for all staff involved in the procurement process. This training will cover: • Quote requirements and thresholds per the Purchasing Manual. • Proper documentation and attachment of quotes in BusinessPLUS. • Grant-specific procurement compliance to align with funding requirements. • Consequences of non-compliance, including potential funding risks and audit findings. This training will be required for all purchasing personnel and will be completed by February 28, 2025. 3. Strengthened Supervision & Approval Processes • Purchasing Director will review and verify that quotes are attached in BusinessPLUS before approving requisitions. • A pre-submission checklist will be implemented to confirm compliance before requisition approval. • Random spot audits will be conducted on purchases exceeding $3,000 to ensure full compliance. 4. Enforcement & Accountability • Any requisition submitted without the required quotes will be rejected and returned for correction. • Repeated failure to comply with quoting policies may result in additional corrective action, including performance reviews or disciplinary measures. 5. Process Improvement & Monitoring • The Purchasing Manual will be reviewed to ensure clarity in requirements, and any needed clarifications will be communicated to relevant personnel.