Department: Education Title: Internal control over ESF expenditures needs improvement Questioned Costs: Known: $620,676 Likely: $6,364,627 Status: Management?s opinion is that corrective action is not required Corrective Action: The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) disagrees with the identified ...
Department: Education Title: Internal control over ESF expenditures needs improvement Questioned Costs: Known: $620,676 Likely: $6,364,627 Status: Management?s opinion is that corrective action is not required Corrective Action: The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) disagrees with the identified questioned costs. The Office of Federal Emergency Relief Programs (OFERP) utilized guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education (grantor) and conferred in writing with Maine?s assigned U.S. Department of Education program officer throughout the Education Stabilization Fund application review process. The Maine Department of Education?s OFERP provided the auditor with the grantor?s guidance which clearly states that the questioned costs were allowable, reasonable, and necessary to prepare, prevent, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the application review process, OFERP utilized ESF federal statutory language and the grantor?s published guidance to determine allowability. Once funding applications were approved, SAUs requested reimbursement from the OFERP for the approved costs outlined in the school administrative unit (SAU) application. The OFERP reviewed SAU reimbursement requests and provided payment for approved expenses. The ESF costs outlined in this finding were allowable, reasonable, and necessary to prepare, prevent, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Documentation provided by the grantor supports the determinations made by the Maine Department of Education. Completion Date: N/A Agency Contact: Shelly Chasse-Johndro, Director of OFERP, DOE, 207-458-3180