Corrective Action Plans

Program: AL 93.658 – Foster Care Title IV-E; AL 10.561 – State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; AL 93.659 – Adoption Assistance – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Corrective Action Plan: DHHS will assign RMTS Administrator rolls to Program staff to better monitor the RMTS process. Contact: Patrick Werner Anticipated Completion Date: 6/30/2024

Program: AL 93.558 – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; AL 93.563 – Child Support Enforcement; AL 93.568 – Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP); AL 93.575 – Child Care and Development Block Grant; AL 93.658 – Foster Care Title IV-E; AL 93.778 – Medical Assistance Program; AL 10.561 – State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Corrective Action Plan: Training will be completed that highlights the importance of complete and accurate Journal Entries and how they may affect Federal Funding. Contact: Patrick Werner Anticipated Completion Date: 6/30/2024

FINDING 2023-007 Information on the federal program: Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund – Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Contact Persons Responsible for Corrective Action: Regin Johnson, Title I Director Chris Akers, Treasurer Adrian Wilkerson, Chief Financial Officer Contact Phone Number and Email Address: (219) 838-1819 rjohnson@lakeridgeschools.net cakers@lakeridgeschools.net awilkerson@lakeridgeschools.net Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Context: A number of transfer adjustments were made during the audit period from Corporation fund 7923 (ESSER III) to fund 7941 (CARES Ed Stabilization). These transfers were made move payroll disbursement activity for reimbursement. Support for these adjustments was traced to School Corporation’s records to verify the Gross Payroll activity moved for all but one transaction, which totaled $27,824. The supporting documentation for this transaction exceeded the amount of the transaction. Inquiry with School Corporation officials and review of the documentation determined that the amount transferred in this transaction was based on the remaining grant budget amounts in the grant fund 7941. The transaction was not based on actual payroll disbursements as all other transfer adjustments were. The $27,824 without supporting documentation is considered questioned costs. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: For future transfers of payroll disbursements, both the Treasurer and Grant Director will ensure that the amount transferred corresponds to actual, documented payroll expenses and not an aggregate salary and/or benefit expenditure. The Chief Financial Officer shall review and approve these transfers to ensure compliance. Anticipated Completion Date: Immediate

FINDING 2023-003 Information on the federal program: Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559, 10.582 Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2021-2022, FY2022-2023 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Adrian Wilkerson, Chief Financial Officer Contact Phone Number and Email Address: (219) 838-1819 awilkerson@lakeridgeschools.net Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. Context: The School Corporation had not designed or implemented a system of internal control to ensure that program costs incurred by the Food Service Management Company were supported by proper documentation and were allowable. The School Corporation entered into a cost reimbursement contract with a food service management company (FSMC). The FSMC incurred costs and invoiced the School Corporation for reimbursement of the costs. Due to the lack of effective internal controls, the following errors were noted: In a test of 44 items, 22 items (50%) totaling $6,641 did not have proper documentation to support that the expenses were allowable and for the benefit of food service. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: In addition to the monthly review of the FSMC invoice and budget, the Chief Financial Officer will review and approve the supporting documentation (invoices, payroll records) provided by the FSMC to ensure that expenses are allowable and for the benefit of food service. Anticipated Completion Date: Immediate

FINDING 2023-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster (CNC) – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs Audit Findings: Material Weakness Condition: The School Corporation did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure that the School Corporation complied with the allowable cost requirements. Context: During our testing of the School Corporation’s compliance with the allowable costs requirements for CNC, we noted the following exceptions in our testing of 120 disbursements (60 vendor and 60 payroll): 1. The School Corporation paid $233 of sales tax across three vendor food purchases. 2. For two employee payroll selections, we were unable to trace their rate of pay to a Board approved wage rate ordinance or contract. The total amount paid out to the two employees was $2,635. FINDING 2023-003 (Continued) 3. We identified one employee that the School Corporation incorrectly paid one hour more than what the timecard stated, resulting in an overpayment of $14. Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Food Service Director will review and signature all fund 800 expenditures prior to disbursement. All Food Service employee wages will align with the board approved rates. Payroll will be signed as reviewed by direct supervisors and the Business Office prior to remittance. Responsible Party and Timeline for Completion: Implement immediately

FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster (CNC) – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs Audit Findings: Material Weakness Condition: The School Corporation did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure that the School Corporation complied with the allowable cost requirements. Context: During testing of vendor disbursements for the CNC program, we identified 9 disbursements in a sample of 60, for which there was no evidence of a formal documented review of the disbursement taking place prior to the disbursement. Additionally, during testing of CNC payroll disbursements, we selected 8 pay periods for controls testing and noted that none of the 8 pay periods had proof of a formal review of the payroll distribution prior to remittance. Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Food Service Director will review and signature all fund 800 expenditures prior to disbursement. Payroll will be signed as reviewed by direct supervisors and the Business Office prior to remittance. Responsible Party and Timeline for Completion: Implement immediately

Finding Number 2023-002 • Significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance related to allowable costs and period of performance. Criteria • 2 U.S. CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards require that costs must be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal Award, that costs be determined in accordance with GAAP, and that costs be adequately documented including the allocation of those costs. Condition/Context for Evaluation • IPHC’s internal controls over non-payroll charges to the Federal Award did not include review for allowability, accrual in the proper period, or that adequate documentation existed to support the amounts charged or allocated. Three out of 25 nonpayroll disbursements tested did not include evidence supporting one or more of these controls. Questioned Costs • $2,674 Cause • IPHC’s operation of internal controls were not sufficient to ensure allowable costs were charged in accordance with 2 U.S. CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Effect or Potential Effect • As a result, charges were made to Federal awards that were not allowable. Repeat Finding • Not applicable. Recommendation • We recommend that IPHC ensure internal controls include reviewing costs charged to the Federal Award for conformity with 2 U.S. CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness. o Allowability 200.403, 200.404, 200.405 o Allowable budget period – 200.403 (h) Contact Person(s): • Executive Director: David Wilson (david.wilson@iphc.int); • Assistant Director: Andrea Keikkala (andrea.keikkala@iphc.int) Explanation and specific reasons for disagreement with the audit finding or that corrective action is not required (if applicable): Not applicable. Corrective action planned: We acknowledge that the deficiencies identified, while minor in dollar value to the grant, represent areas for improvement. The specific issues identified were: 1. Field office rental: A field office rental statement was partially charged to the incorrect fiscal year. Reason: The landlord submitted the invoice for payment after the year-end close (FY2022) and was subsequently fully charged to FY2023, instead of being split across fiscal years. 2. Postage (2 elements): The IPHC loads postage stamps on a stamps.com account to process missing logbook notices to vessel owners, a function that pertains to a grant. Clear delineation of the cost of the stamps allocated to the grant and the stamps allocated to activities that do not qualify under the grant were not enumerated. The employee that requested the stamps in the procurement software did so because the lead team member was not available. When procuring the stamps the face-value of a stamp was used at $0.60 instead of $0.57, a discount the organization receives due to bulk purchase and stamp.com membership. The cost of this error was $9.96. At the start of FY2023, we used a single operating Fund (Fund 30 – Statistics) to record income and expenses for data related activities that included some grant funds. During the course of the year, we commenced the development of the new 5-year grant application with NOAA Fisheries to cover IPHC’s Directed Commercial Catch Sampling of Pacific halibut in Alaska (IPHC Grant 802) (Grant Number: NOAA-NMFS-AK-2023-2007663) from FY2022-FY2026. During this grant renewal/development process, a decision was taken to split Fund 30 – Statistics into two, with Fund 35 AK Cost-Recovery being created. This new Fund 35 was developed to contain only those expenses and income that were deemed as eligible under the grant rules. Over the course of the year, the Secretariat categorized income and expenses between the two Funds, which involved recoding some transactions coded to Fund 30 at the start of the fiscal year, to Fund 35 later in the year. For FY2024, we will continue to undertake monthly reconciliation and month-end close processes to ensure charges are appropriately coded and attributed. In addition, the year-end reconciliation and close processes will support the attestation of funds spent under the grant within one month of the fiscal year ending. This proactive approach aims to ensure timely completion for the single audit, allowing for comprehensive scrutiny of costs assigned to the grant before incorporating financial statements for review during the single audit process. Further, we will ensure preliminary scrutiny and month-end close of financial reports pertaining to grant funds before loading them to the auditors for review. Finally, our procedures have already been improved to ensure that costs charged to the federal awards are charged to the appropriate activity code and are allowable under federal cost principles. Anticipated completion date: Completed - 1 December 2023, and annually by year-end closeout.

FINDING 2023-004 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Summary of Finding: The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented internal controls over Earmarking to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Sara Harpenau Contact Phone Number and email Address: harpenaus@dspcoop.org, 812 482-6661 Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding. Description of Corrective Action: The Finance Manager of the Exceptional Children’s Co-op has developed an Excel spreadsheet and workbook for each of the employees who are providing services to homeschooled children and the private school special education children. This spreadsheet enables them to document the children to whom they provide services, the dates of the services, the purpose of the encounter, and the duration of the visit. Each employee has a calculated goal of the time that is required of them throughout the school year to provide these services. Anticipated Completion Date: This method was implemented in the 2022/2023 school year and will continue with each school year as needed.

FINDING 2023-005 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Summary of Finding: The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented internal controls over Earmarking. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Sara Harpenau Contact Phone Number and email Address: harpenaus@dspcoop.org, 812 482-6661 Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding. Description of Corrective Action: The Finance Manager of the Exceptional Children’s Co-op has developed an Excel spreadsheet and workbook for each of the employees who are providing services to the homeschooled children and the private school special education children. This spreadsheet enables them to document the children to whom they provide services, the dates of the services, the purpose of the encounter, and the duration of the visit. Each employee has a calculated goal of the time that is required of them throughout the school year to provide these services. Anticipated Completion Date: This method was implemented in the 2022/2023 school year and will continue with each school year as needed.

Finding 2023-001 Information on the federal program: Subject: Special Education Cluster - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers: 20611-054-PN01, 20619-054-PN01, 21611-054-PN01, 21619-054-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency Condition: The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. Context: The School Corporation is a member of the Wabash Miami Area Programs for Exceptional Children (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 20611-054-PN01, 20619-054-PN01, 21611-054-PN01, and 21619-054-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for all member schools were comingled and the aggregate amount of expenditures was then allocated to the member schools on a percentage basis. These allocations were the amounts reported to IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to IDOE as required. The School Corporation’s minimum, nonpublic earmarking requirement for grant awards 20611-054-PN01 and 21611-054- PN01 was $1,643 and $7,941, respectively. The School Corporation did not have any minimum, nonpublic earmarking requirement for the 20619-054-PN01 and 21619-054-PN01 grant awards. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 20611-054-PN01, 20619-054-PN01, 21611-054-PN01, and 21619-054-PN01 grant awards. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding. 1. Meet with LEA Superintendent, Director of Special Education, and Office Manager on January 16th, 2024 at 2:00 pm to review current procedure and brainstorm ideas. 2. Meet with IDOE Finance Specialist for clarification. Responsible Party and Timeline for Completion: Ann Higgins, WMAP Special Education Director, will oversee the corrective action plan and timeline for completion. The anticipated completion date is March 1, 2024.

FINDING 2023-007 Finding Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Summary of Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to States and school districts to combat the effects of the coronavirus, help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools, and to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students. States were required to subgrant a portion of their ESSER allocation to local educational agencies (LEA). Prior to LEAs receiving their respective subgrants, LEAs were required to complete an application for ARP ESSER funding, which was submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place over payroll disbursements charged to the ESSER grant funds. Payroll disbursements were paid without evidence that the detailed report of payroll disbursements was reviewed and approved by another person not involved in the original payroll process. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Bengamin Mann Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-536-0008 bmann@mgusc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Quarterly grant meetings will be held between the CFO, Deputy Treasurer, and Grant writer. This will ensure compliance requirements continue to be met. The CFO now reviews the Org Charge report and signs off before the payroll batch being released to the bank. This report is generated by Payroll and Benefits. Also, this entire report is now included with board claims for board approval rather than a final summary sheet. Anticipated Completion Date: February 2024

FINDING 2023-005 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Summary of Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Special Education – Grants to States program provides grant to states, and through them to Local Educational Agencies (i.e. the School Corporation), to assist them in providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities ages 3-21. IDEA’s Special Education – Preschool Grants program provides grants to states, and through them to LEAs to assist them in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities ages three to five and, at the state’s discretion, to twoyear- old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place over payroll disbursements made from the special education funds. Payroll disbursements were paid without evidence that the detailed report of payroll disbursements was reviewed and approved by another person not involved in the original payroll process. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Bengamin Mann Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-661-8807 bmann@mgusc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Quarterly grant meetings will be held between the CFO, Deputy Treasurer, and Grant writer. This will ensure compliance requirements continue to be met. The CFO now reviews the Org Charge report and signs off before the payroll batch being released to the bank. This report is generated by Payroll and Benefits. Also, this entire report is now included with board claims for board approval rather than a final summary sheet. Anticipated Completion Date: February 2024

FINDING 2023-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Summary of Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters A cash reimbursement is provided to the School Corporation based on meals served under the School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, and Summer Food Service Program for Children. The cash reimbursement is to be used for the benefit of the food service program. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place over payroll disbursements charged to the food service program. Payroll disbursements were paid without evidence that the detailed report of payroll disbursements was reviewed and approved by another person not involved in the original payroll process. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Bengamin Mann Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-536-0008 bmann@mgusc.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding Description of Corrective Action Plan: The CFO now reviews the Org Charge report and signs off before the payroll batch being released to the bank. This report is generated by Payroll and Benefits. Also, this entire report is now included with board claims for board approval rather than a final summary sheet. Anticipated Completion Date: February 2024.

FINDING 2023-002 Subject: COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund – Allowable Costs Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number: S425U210013 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency Condition: The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the School Corporation complied with the allowable cost requirements. The School Corporation did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the expenditures charged to the grant were accurate and pertained to the Education Stabilization Fund. Context: The School Corporation requested a transfer of $54,886 from the School Lunch Fund to the Education Stabilization Fund to cover costs incurred for Grab & Go meals as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Upon review of the supporting detail, the actual amount of expenditures for the Grab & Go meals was $30,293, resulting in over reporting of receipts in the amount of $24,593. This was due to a clerical error made by management that was not caught in the review process. Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: We will transfer the over expenditure of $24,593 from the School Lunch Fund to the Education Stabilization Fund to correct the error. To make sure this type of error does not occur in the future; the district will change our internal control procedures to have a second person review and sign the transfer prior to entering the transfer into the financial software to ensure accuracy. Responsible Party and Timeline for Completion: The CFO will enter the corrective transfer and have it reviewed and signed off on by the Deputy Treasurer prior to February 29, 2024.

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN OF CURRENT AUDIT FINDINGS June 30, 2023 FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listing Number: 84.173 Federal Award Number: 22619-043-PN01 Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency Condition: The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. Context: The School Corporation is a member of the Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2022-2023, 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. However, there was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 22619-043-PN01 grant award could not be verified for the individual member schools. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The non-public proportionate share expenditures were determined by applying a percentage to the non-public school budgeted expenditures. As such, we were unable to identify if the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls was isolated to the 22619-043-PN01 grant award. Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: As a member of the Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative (NISEC), Highland reported their proportionate share based on a percentage of expenditures and had successful audits in doing so. When Highland was notified that this process was no longer acceptable, we immediately implemented an internal control process with NISEC which included a detailed reporting of staff work hours for nonpublic schools related to only our school corporation. The report is then reviewed and signed by the NISEC staff working for the nonpublic school and their supervisor. The employee detailed time and effort report is then provided to the NISEC finance department for a second review and signature before being reported to payroll. NISEC payroll then charges the proportionate share to the IDEA Part B and the Special Education Pre-School grants in the payroll system bi-weekly based on the time and effort report pertinent to just Highland. The time and effort reports are then used to submit the reimbursements request to the Department of Education for Highland’s proportionate share. Additionally, any IDEA Part B nonpublic material expense is broken out in detail with Highland’s proportionate share for approval by the NISEC finance office prior to vendor payment and the reimbursement request is submitted to the Department of Education. Responsible Party and Timeline for Completion: Federal regulation requires name and title of person overseeing corrective action plan and anticipated completion date. Peyton Gilmore, NISEC CFO, indicated that NISEC stopped reporting nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by percentages as of the 2022/2023 school year. An internal control procedure to report nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by detailed time and effort work of expenditures was implemented as of September 2022.

Program: AL 20.509 – Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program – Allowability Corrective Action Planned: The transit will work with NDOT and FTA to ensure cost allocations have proper documentation. Any items that may not seem clear cut will be reviewed by NDOT or mobility management for feedback on the appropriateness of the expense reimbursement. Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2024 Responsible Party: Christy Warner, Transit Administrator

Planned Corrective Action: With the transition to a new CFO, allowable costs are now reviewed on a weekly basis, in addition to a year-to-date review being done weekly, by award.

MANAGEMENT’S CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: Management will ensure that all future purchases will comply with Board policy 626 for procurement – federal programs, by processing a purchase order for all purchases regardless of the type of award or purchase. The timeframe for implementation will commence during the remaining months of the 2023-2024 fiscal year and extend to all future fiscal years.

FINDING 2023-001 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Summary of Finding: The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Lissa Stranahan, GLASS Director and Michelle Cronk, CFO of West Lafayette Schools Contact Phone Number and Email Address: Lissa Stranahan Michelle Cronk 765-771-6013 765-746-1602 lstranahan@lsc.k12.in.us cronkm@wl.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding for earmarking. GLASS did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure nonpublic school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The methodology used by the Cooperative to monitor non-public proportionate share expenditures was based upon a percentage for each school corporation that comprises the Cooperative rather than basing the expenditures off of the grant award for each non-public school within the geographical boundaries of the school corporations. While all proportionate share funds were expended, it was problematic in determining if the minimum amount per the grant awards was expended and properly reported prior to July 1, 2023. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The former Director of GLASS retired June 30, 2023. Upon hire on July 1, 2023, the new director immediately implemented measures to correct the previous methodology used at GLASS. Non-public proportionate share funds are identified and reported based upon the grant award for each school corporation. The expenditures are based upon the geographical location of the non-public school and the corresponding public school corporation, not based upon the “home” school corporation of the student. The school corporation will review the methodology used to calculate non-public proportionate share on the grant applications to ensure that the correct methodology is used. Anticipated Completion Date: The corrective action was already put into place on July 1, 2023. The audit finding reflects the previous grant cycle prior to the action taken.

FINDING 2023-004 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Earmarking Summary of Finding: The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 21611-048-PN01 grant award could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for the participating member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead of time charged to the non-public schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to IDOE as required. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Lana M. Miller Contact Phone Number and Email Address: Phone Number-812-689-6282 Email- lmiller@sripley.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding Description of Corrective Action Plan: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 31 Expenses for non-public schools are tracked and charged to the appropriate corporation. Staff record time spent at each non-public school, sign and date the form and turn it into the treasurer. The expenses are then moved to the correct expense line on the grant after receiving this information. Materials that are purchased are charged to the correct expense account when paid. ROD’s treasurer will prepare a report showing compliance with the earmarking requirement on a monthly basis. These reports will be provided to the ROD board for review, and our Superintendent is a member of that board. Anticipated Completion Date: July 1, 2023

FINDING 2023-002 Finding Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund – Allowable Cost/Cost Principles Summary of Finding: Time and Effort logs were not maintained for grant Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Todd Nobbe Contact Phone Number: 812-934-2194 Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The School Corporation will have the individuals paid by this grant complete time and effort documentation for the grant. Documentation will be kept for the audit. Completion Date: Immediately 2/26/2024

FINDING 2023-002 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster- Allowable Activities, Allowable Costs/Cost Principals Summary of Finding: A portion of the wages for the CFO/Treasurer, the Director of Operations, the Director of Finance, and two School Secretaries were paid from the School Lunch Fund. The wages charged to the School Lunch fund were based on fixed percentages and did not provide adequate information to determine if the percentage charged was appropriate. Total wages charged to the program for the above noted employees was $31,617. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Camden Parkhurst Contact Person Phone Number and Email Address: 765-457-8101 camden.parkhurst@nwsc.k12.in.us View of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding. There was a substantial amount of turnover within the finance department. It was understood that the mentioned salaries were removed from the 0800 fund following the last audit. During review it was discovered only the Director of Operations and Assistant Treasurer salaries were removed from the child nutrition cluster. Upon discovery the Operations Assistant and Director of Finance were still having a portion of the salary paid from the 0800 fund, they were immediately removed. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The Director of Finance and the Operations Assistant’s salaries have been removed from the 0800 fund and returned to the 0300 fund. Anticipated Completion Date: Immediate and has been completed.

FINDING 2023-004 Finding Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Summary of Finding: Condition and Context The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided funding to States and school districts to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools, and to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students. States were required to subgrant a portion of their ESSER allocation to local educational agencies (LEA). Prior to LEAs receiving their respective subgrants, LEAs were required to complete an application for ESSER funding, which was submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), the pass-through entity for approval. The application included a district level budget identifying how the LEA intended to spend program funds. Per the School Corporation’s approved application, program funding was budgeted for salaries and respective benefits, counseling services, and supplies. A sample of 40 payroll claims charged to the ESSER program for which reimbursement was received during the audit period was selected for testing to verify the expenditures were in conformance with the applicable cost principles. Of the 40 payroll claims tested, 21 payroll claims were determined to be for payroll adjustments into the ESSER II fund. For all 21 payroll adjustments, totaling $1,509,248, there was not adequate supporting documentation to determine to where the payroll was originally paid, to whom the original payment was made and at what amount the original payment was made. The total amount of the 21 payroll claims/adjustments, $1,509,248, was determined to be questioned costs. Due to the lack of documentation for the payroll adjustments into the ESSER II fund, all adjustments were reviewed. A review of the additional adjustments resulted in an additional $114,353 of payroll charges in which there was not adequate supporting documentation to determine to where the payroll was originally paid, to whom the original payment was made and at what amount the original payment was made. In addition, the School Corporation requested a total reimbursement of $3,342,940 in payroll costs from their ESSER allocation during the audit period. However, expenditures per the ledger for payroll and benefits totaled $2,995,014. As a result, the School Corporation over requested and received $347,926 for payroll expenditures that cannot be substantiated. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to the payroll adjustments and additional payroll noted above. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Dr. Thomas A. Keeley, Executive Director of Business Services Contact Phone Number and Email Address: (574) 258-9591 Tkeeley@phm.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The school corporation will revise job descriptions to clearly identify segregation of duties for Federal Fund Coordinators, employees responsible for calculating accurate disbursement reports, reimbursement requests and payroll processing. Detailed expenditure reports will be generated for end of year reporting with the Accounting Specialist, Accounts Payable Coordinator and the Executive Director of Business Services completing a final review process providing signatures indicating review and accuracy before filing. Anticipated Completion Date: March 1, 2024.

Condition: The billing submitted to the awarding agency for May and June 2023 cash management drawdown included expenses that weren’t incurred as of May and June 2023. Planned Corrective Action: The corrective action has been implemented to modify the order of our preventative internal controls. SFTRA has changed the order of review so the electronic drawdown is not completed by the Budget Office until the Accounting Office has reviewed and approved the draw. This step was previously completed after the drawdown was initiated. Additionally, during review by the Accounting Office, the general ledger line detail will be reviewed to ensure accuracy Contact person responsible for corrective action: Jeremy Baker, Director of Finance Anticipated Completion Date: 1/15/2024

FINDING 2023-006 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) – Earmarking Summary of Finding: The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 21611-048-PN01 grant award could not be verified for the individual member schools. The non-public school share funds for the participating member schools were allocated based on the yearly budget for certified staff instead of time charged to the non-public schools. These allocations were the amounts reported to IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify which expenditures were for each school in order to verify the minimum amount per the grant award was expended and properly reported to IDOE as required. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Julie Dudley Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 812.537.7205 jdudley@lburg.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Expenses for non-public schools are tracked and charged to the appropriate corporation. Staff record time spent at each non-public school, sign and date the form and turn it into the treasurer. The expenses are then moved to the correct expense line on the grant after receiving this information. Materials that are purchased are charged to the correct expense account when paid. ROD’s treasurer will prepare a report showing compliance with the earmarking requirement on a monthly basis. These reports will be provided to the ROD board for review, and our Superintendent is a member of that board. Anticipated Completion Date: July 1, 2023