Corrective Action Plans

Child Nutrition Cluster - Assistance Listing Nos. 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Recommendation: We recommend the District review their controls and procedures surrounding procurement to ensure their purchasing policy is followed. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The District will review the Sole Soure form on an annual basis to make sure the form has not expired. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Debrah Jones, Director of Strategic Sourcing and Contract Management (SSCM) Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 12/31/2024

2024‐001 Special Tests and Provision – Wage Rate Requirements Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Jeff Barben, Business Administrator Correction Action Planned: The District will review, update and train staff on the processes and internal controls related to construction contracts to ensure compliance with the Wage Rate Requirements as published in 29 CFR Part 5, Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Governing Federally Financed and Assisted Construction when applicable. Anticipate Completion Date: November 30, 2024

Corrective Action: The District will be proactive with adherence to all federal requirements, including, but not limited to prevailing wage rate provisions with any contracts moving forward. Additionally, the district will be aware of the need to adhere to these federal requirements when funding streams are blended. The district has already started communication to relay that federal prevailing wage rates should have been utilized. Responsible Person: Nicole Eilola, Shared Services Business Manager & Stacy Price, Superintendent. Anticipated Completion Date: Immediate

Management response/corrective action plan: Efficiency Maine has delegated a staff person to work with outside counsel to revise our procurement policy as it relates to federal funds in order to properly address all requirements of the Uniform Guidance.

October 17, 2024 Cognizant or Oversight Agency for Audit: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Worcester Cuftural Academy Charter Public School respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2024 Name and address of independent public accounting firm: AAFCPAs, Inc. 50 Washington Street Westborough, MA, 01581 Audit period: July 1, 2023 through June 30,2024. The findings from the October 17, 2024 schedule of findings and questioned costs are discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule. FINDINGS - FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT FINDINGS SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY 2024-001 Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MERS) Enrollment. Recommendation: Management should ensue that proper controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that that all MTRS eligible employees are fully enrolled within thirty days of their start date. We recommend management add enrollment of MTRS for eligible employees to its onboarding checklist. Action Token: We concur with the recommendation, and it was implemented effective September 1, 2024. 2024-002 Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board (MTRB) Remittances Recommendation: Management should ensure that proper controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure all MTRS payroll withholdings are remitted timely. We recommend management add MTRB remittances to its monthly closing checklist. Action Token: We concur with the recommendation, and it was implemented effective September 1, 2024. 2024-003 Written Procurement Policy Recommendation: Management revise their poiicy to comply with current standards under the Uniform Guidance. Action Token: We concur with the recommendation, and it will be implemented effective January 1, 2025. If the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has questions regarding this plan, please call Erika Browning, 508-347-0252. Sincerely yours, Signature: Title: Tina Krasnecky, VP of Finance

Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence: CUAHSI agrees with the finding and recommendation. CUAHSI Corrective Action: Action by CUAHS! impacting audit year 2023: Vendor status for 2023 recipients was retroactively evaluated by CUAHSI staff and certified by management during calendar year 2024. Records were organized and filed in a secure, centralized document management system. Corrective actions to processes and responsibilities impacting subsequent years: CUAHSI considers this finding closed, as current practices comply with established policies and procedures. Name of Contact Person: • Maureen S. Ako, Director of Finance • Telephone: (339)221-5400 • Email: msabino@cuahsi.org Projected Completion Date: NA; is complete

Action taken in response to finding: BMLT’s Board of Directors adopted a written procurement policy at its July 26, 2025, Board meeting.

Finding 2023-001 - Special Tests and Provisions: Wage Rate Requirements Responsible Individual: Arlene Dickens, Chief School Financial Officer Corrective Action: Wage rate clauses will be included in all federally funded construction contracts. Contractors and subcontractors will be notified in writing of prevailing wage requirements, and certified payrolls will be required and reviewed for all weeks for which construction work is performed. Anticipated Completion Date: October 1, 2025

This has been corrected with the new management. We have updated our poticies to have more oversight over procurement requirements and ensure we are getting the best prices or terms for the goods and services we purchase.

U.S. Department of Transportation Highway Planning and Construction Assistance Listing Number: 20.205 Passed Through Minnesota Department of Transportation Pass Through Number: 1918265, 1920180, 1921048, 1921136, 1922210, 1920091, 1920071, 1920134, FLAP043 Award Period: 2023 Recommendation: We recommend the County implement internal controls to verify they are compliant with prevailing wage requirements when a consultant is used. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action planned in response to finding: The County will implement internal control procedures to review certification of payrolls, even when performed by external consultant. Name of the contact person responsible for corrective action: Todd Howard, Assistant County Engineer Planned completion date for corrective action plan: December 31, 2024

Description of Finding The Board of Education must comply with procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326 within Uniform Guidance including the verification that an entity with which the Board of Education plans to enter into a covered transaction is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded. Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence The City Board of Education concurs. Corrective Action management will review and enhance the procedures over the procurement and purchasing process, to be sure that all federal grant expenditures and contracts with vendors are performed properly in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Name of Contact Person Natalie Forbes, Business Manager Projected Completion Date 6/30/2025

Finding 2023-003 – COVID 19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund - AL No. 21.027 U.S. Department of Treasury Noncompliance and Material Weakness Related to Internal Control over Compliance of the Major Program Criteria: Non‐federal 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. As governmental subrecipients of states they are also required to use the same state procurement policies and procedures for federal funds as for non‐federal funds, the Town is required to follow Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter (MGL) 30(b). MGL 30(b) requires the solicitation of three written or oral quotes for procurements of supplies between $10,000 and $49,999 and sealed bids or proposals for procurements of supplies $50,000 and over. Management of the Town is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. Condition: During fiscal year 2023, the Town could not provide evidence that they complied with the required procurement policies and procedures in place as it related to two of the expenses charged to the major program. Context: The Town purchased a new boiler for the School however the procurement documentation could not be located and the employee who would have overseen the project was unavailable to provide the supporting documentation. In addition, the Town could not locate or provide evidence that procurement procedures were followed when selecting an engineer for the Water Tank project. Questioned Costs: $71,500 related to the School Boiler Project and $170,163.70 related to the Water Tank Project. Cause: Directors used the Massachusetts procurement guidelines and not federal guidelines. Effect or Potential Effect: There is a risk that the amount charged to the federal awards major program may not be in accordance with procurement, suspension, and debarment principles. Identification as a Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: The Town of Hopedale should address the noncompliance and material weaknesses in internal controls noted above in order to ensure that procurements are conducted in accordance with federal and state requirements. Responsible for Corrective Plan: Kelly Grant, Assistant Town Administrator Estimated Completion Date: on going as grant and funds are still being used Action Taken: one person only responsible for making sure all federal and state procurement guidelines are met and followed.

Finding 2023-001 – Special Education Cluster – AL No.’s 84.027 & 84.173 Department of Education Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Noncompliance and Significant Deficiency Related to Internal Control over Compliance of the Major Programs Criteria: Non‐federal 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. As governmental subrecipients of states are also required to use the same state procurement policies and procedures for federal funds as for non‐federal funds, the Town is required to follow Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter (MGL) 30(b). MGL 30(b) requires the solicitation of three written or oral quotes for procurements of supplies between $10,000 and $49,999 and sealed bids or proposals for procurements of supplies $50,000 and over. Management of the Town is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. Condition and Context: During fiscal year 2023, the Town did not comply with the required procurement policies and procedures process for procurements that exceeded both State and Federal thresholds. Questioned Costs: Unkown Cause: A Town State/Federal grants procedures manual that included proper procurement procedures did not exist until February 2023. Effect or Potential Effect: Due to the weaknesses in internal controls noted above, there is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be in accordance with procurement, suspension, and debarment principles. No known questioned costs are reported, as it is not quantifiable. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Yes, finding number 2022-002 Recommendation: The Town should address the weaknesses in internal controls noted above in order to ensure that procurements are conducted in accordance with federal and state requirements. Managements Response: We acknowledge the audit finding related to non-compliance with the required procurement policies and procedures for procurements exceeding the State and Federal thresholds during Fiscal Year 2023. The Town and Schools have Acushnet’s Federal Grant Procedures Manual (February 2023) to ensure that procurements are conducted in accordance with Federal and State requirements – in particular, the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. We are pleased to report that we believe to have addressed this issue in Fiscal Year 2024 to ensure compliance with the procurement policies and procedures, as required by both State and Federal threshold. Responsible for Corrective Plan: School Business Manager Estimated Completion Date: Fiscal Year 2024 Action Taken: The Town and Schools have adopted Acushnet’s Federal Grant Procedures Manual (February 2023). This manual ensures that all procurements are conducted in accordance with the relevant Federal and State procurement standards, specifically the requirements outlined in 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. We are pleased to report that we have taken steps to address this issue and believe we have successfully ensured compliance with these procurement policies and procedures.

Finding Number: 2023‐002 Federal Program Name: Federal Transit Cluster Assistance Listing Numbers: 20.507, 20.526 State Program Names: State Urbanized Area Formula Program; State Formula Grants for Rural Areas Contact Person: Ted Ross, Executive Director Updated Corrective Action Plan: The District has revised its procurement procedures to meet Uniform Guidance requirements. Enhancements include: • Mandatory documentation of quotes for applicable procurements • Verification and documentation of suspension and debarment checks for all covered transactions • Centralization of procurement records in accordance with best practices Policy training and practices are already in place and are being followed. Certification: The Gulf Coast Transit District affirms that all corrective actions noted above are actively corrected or are being addressed. Additional documentation or clarification will be provided to auditors upon request.

Corrective Action Plan: All personnel involved in the administration of programs that expend federal funds, including contractors and subcontractors, will receive adequate training on the requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act and the payroll certification process. Responsible Party: Eng. Maria Ayala Rivera, Director of Construction Office Planned Implementation Date: Currently in progress. Expected to be completed on or before June 30, 2025.

Response to the Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs by Schriver Carmona, CPA on Audited Financial Statements of Beasley Brown Community Development Corporation for the Year Ended December 31, 2023 Finding #2023-001: BBCDC was unaware of the compliance requirement, and did not follow its written procurement policy, which resulted in $324,000 of questionable costs that caused it to not meet the procurement requirements for Congressionally Funded Community Projects. Action: At its Board of Directors meeting March 17, 2025, the Beasley Brown Community Development Corporation took the following action: It voted to revise its procurement policy to include a section entitled "Procurement Policy Procedures applicable to Non-Federal Entities.” This section will include all requirements stated in CFR 200.318 – 200.326. Procedures will require documented evidence of all proposed purchases and contracts under this section per CFR 200.318 – CFR 326 and approval by the Board of Directors or designated persons. The Board also moved that periodic training on CFR 200.318 – CFR 200.326 must be provided to the Board of Directors and other designated persons. Rev. Dr. Melvin Wilson, Jr., Chair – Board of Directors, will be responsible for ensuring the corrective action plan is implemented. The corrective action was implemented beginning March 18, 2025.

Finding 2023-007: Significant Deficiency, Procurement and Noncompliance Finding – Procurement – Internal Control over Procurement Finding: SPED/Grant Administration did not adhere to the Danbury Public Schools “Bids and Purchases-Competitive” procurement policies, that were compliant with Federal Part 3 compliance guidelines. The DPS had a procurement policy in place that was consistent with the standards of the aforementioned compliance sections; however, the City did not follow their own procurement policy requiring two quotes for a micro-purchase expenditure, three quotes for a small purchase expenditure and advertising for bids publicly for the large >$5,000 purchase expenditures. They only obtained one quote for each expenditure for micro and small purchases, and they did not use a public bid process for expenditures over $5,000. Corrective Action Taken or Planned: Danbury Public Schools (DPS) will begin reviewing the procurement policies that are in place in order to ensure they are in accordance with all compliance requirements set forth by any grants that DPS participates in. A memorandum will be issued summarizing procurement policy features. Lastly, training will be conducted with both the department and the finance team to review the policies and ensure understanding.

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - Procurement Recommendation: We recommend that the District reviews its procedures and controls over procurement for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program to ensure it is following federal guidance and internal policies over the procurement process and documenting the appropriate method and history of the transaction. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The District will work on educating all of the personnel involved in the procurement processes to ensure the compliance requirements are fully understood and a proper review of all procurements and procurement methods will be performed. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Tariro Chapinduka, Director of Business Services Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2025

Finding 2023-003 – Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Description of Finding The Town of Coventry and Coventry Public School’s procurement standards do not include the essential elements as outlined in 2 CFR sections 200.303, and 200.318 through 200.326 within Uniform Guidance. Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence Management concurs with the finding. Corrective Action Management of the Town of Coventry and the Coventry Public Schools will review the current purchasing policies and update them to make sure that the Town and School Department is following the criteria as set out in the 2 CFR sections 200.303 and 200.318 through 200.326. The policy will then be updated and communicated to all personnel involved in the procurement process. Name of Contact Person Robert J. Civetti, CPA, Town Finance Director; Christopher Deverna, CPA, Director of Finance, Coventry Public Schools Projected Completion Date June 30, 2025

Finding 2023-003 – COVID 19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund - AL No. 21.027 U.S. Department of Treasury Noncompliance and Material Weakness Related to Internal Control over Compliance of the Major Program Criteria: Non‐federal 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. As governmental subrecipients of states they are also required to use the same state procurement policies and procedures for federal funds as for non‐federal funds, the Town is required to follow Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter (MGL) 30(b). MGL 30(b) requires the solicitation of three written or oral quotes for procurements of supplies between $10,000 and $49,999 and sealed bids or proposals for procurements of supplies $50,000 and over. Management of the Town is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. However, A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. Condition and Context: During fiscal year 2023, the Town did not comply with the required procurement policies and procedures in place as it related to one of the expenses charged to the major program. As the expense tested was for engineering services that would have been exempt under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter (MGL) 30(b) (State Procurement Requirement), under federal statutes and procurement requirements for engineering services identified in 2 CFR Part 200, the Town would have been required to go out to bid for the services. Questioned Costs: $413,477.78. Cause: The noncompliance occurred because the organization mistakenly relied on Massachusetts Chapter 30B exemptions, which govern state and local procurements, and did not recognize the need to comply with the more stringent federal procurement requirements for federal fund usage. Staff members were not sufficiently aware of the specific requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 and the precedence of federal procurement regulations over state law in this context. Effect or Potential Effect: There is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be in accordance with procurement, suspension, and debarment principles. Identification as a Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: The Town of Bellingham should address noncompliance and material weaknesses in internal controls noted above in order to ensure that procurements are conducted in accordance with federal and state requirements. Responsible for Corrective Plan: CFO Estimated Completion Date: January 2025 Action Taken: We acknowledge the audit finding regarding our reliance on Massachusetts Chapter 30B exemptions for procurement involving federal funds. We understand that federal procurement regulations under 2 CFR Part 200 take precedence over state law and that we failed fully to comply with federal requirements for competitive bidding, sole-source justification, and documentation. We are committed to addressing this issue by reviewing our procurement policies to clearly differentiate between state and federal requirements, ensuring that federal standards govern all procurement involving federal funds. We will provide additional training to staff, implement stronger documentation procedures, and review past procurement to ensure full compliance moving forward.

Plan of Action: Provided policy F2.0 Materials Management, F2.01 Vendor Selection & Discount – currently being reviewed with the board for updates, and F2.03 Inventory and Supplies, which were not provided to the auditor due to the organization’s operational error in financial policy classification. Additionally, the F2.02 Capital and Equipment policy was drafted in 2021 will be reviewed and signed by the organizational board on Aug 26, 2024. The organization acknowledges that the procurement policy was not followed for one vendor procurement in 2022 due to an administrative error. This policy will be implemented and strictly followed immediately.

Finding: 2023-004 Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Financial Assistance Listing 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Finding Summary: We selected 4 procurements during our review of overall grant activity for the year ended June 30, 2023. We noted the following in our testing: 1 of the 4 procurements tested was not purchased prior to publishing bids within the local newspaper as required by the County’s Procurement Policy. Responsible Individuals: Dana Aschenbrenner, Finance Director Corrective Action Plan: The County will be more diligent in following their procurement policy. The Finance Department and Grants Team will provide training and guidance to ensure all the other County Departments/Offices are aware of the requirements. Additionally, the upcoming move to a new financial system will lend itself to policy updates and business process updates to ensure this will be less likely to happen. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing

Finding: 2023-005 • Condition: There are no written policies and procedures for allowable costs/cost principles, cash management, procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. • Planned Corrective Action: Financial policies and procedures will be created and implemented. Contact Person: Katherine Jaeger Anticipated Date of Completion: 6/30/2025

Corrective Action Plan Finding 2023-002 Criteria: Recipients of federal awards must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR section 200.317 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable State laws and regulations, provided that the procedures conform to applicable Federal law and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR part 200. Recipients “must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price” 2 CFR section 200.318(i). Auditor Recommendation: We recommend the Academy ensure it 1) maintains documentation of the history of procurement and 2) monitors compliance with documentation requirements. Auditee Response/ Corrective Action Plan: The Academy will review its procurement policies and internal controls and ensure timely action is taken when noncompliance is identified. Person Responsible: Tim Stay, CEO Timeline: All future contract solicitations will follow the required procurement standards.

Formula Grants for Rural Area and Tribal Transit Program Federal Assistance Listing #20.509 Recommendation: The Organization should review 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326 and state requirements for procurement. The Organization should ensure documents are retained to support whether procurement policies were followed for vendors procured in years past. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The Organization will review the procurement standards as well as ensure documents are retained to support whether procurement policies were followed. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Denise DeMartelaere, Co-Director of Finance Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 12/31/2025