Finding Number 2023-046 Subject Heading (Financial) or AL no. and program name (Federal) AL #84.425 – EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND (ESF - AL #84.425D; 84.425R; 84.425V) Planned Corrective Action OSDE does not agree with the finding regarding $802,414.82 of claims for a non-public school that used un...
Finding Number 2023-046 Subject Heading (Financial) or AL no. and program name (Federal) AL #84.425 – EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND (ESF - AL #84.425D; 84.425R; 84.425V) Planned Corrective Action OSDE does not agree with the finding regarding $802,414.82 of claims for a non-public school that used unallowable proportionality data in their ARP EANS application. The Office of Title Services (OTS) used the limited federal guidance available at the time to manage the Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) funds. Due to limited guidance from the US Department of Education (USDE), OSDE allocated ARP EANS funding consistent with CRRSA EANS. After funds were allocated, USDE provided guidance on the allocation of ARP EANS funding using actual low income poverty data. As a result, OSDE’s reviewed the allocation of ARP EANS funding and determine that certain expenditures totaling $802,414 were ineligible under ARP EANS but eligible under CRSA EANS. In the fall of 2024, the Office of Title Services (OTS) provided documentation and adjusting journal entries to reallocate ineligible funds from ARP EANS to unspent CRSA EANS. This adjustment transferred the unallowable expenditures originally charged to ARP EANS to unspent funds under CRRSA EANS. All funds were obligated during the applicable period of availability. The United States Department of Education accepted evidence of this corrective action in an email received by OTS staff on February 5, 2025. A copy of this email was sent to the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector’s Office on Monday, May 19th, 2025. As a result, these expenditures were allowable and did not result in questioned costs. OSDE agrees with that low-income data used for EANS allocation was different than the low-income data used for Title I allocations. OSDE used Low-income counts based upon data provided by nonpublic schools. The Office of Title Services (OTS) used the limited federal guidance available at the time to manage the Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) funds. OSDE is not aware of expenditures that lacked supporting documentation. OSDE agrees with the finding on a duplicate Payment. Duplicate payments were erroneously made to Complete Book and Media Supply LLC. OSDE is working to resolve this matter. EANS Proportionality In the fall of 2024, the Office of Title Services (OTS) provided documentation and adjusting journal entries to re-allocate ineligible funds from ARP EANS to unspent CRSA EANS. This adjustment transferred the unallowable expenditures originally charged to ARP EANS to unspent funds under CRRSA EANS. All funds were obligated during the applicable period of availability. The United States Department of Education accepted evidence of this corrective action in an email received by OTS staff on February 5, 2025. A copy of this email was sent to the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector’s Office on Monday, May 19th, 2025. As a result, these expenditures were allowable and did not result in questioned costs. EANS Low-Income If low-income data for nonpublic school participants is necessary to determine eligibility, then OTS will create a written procedure to collect and verify the data. EANS Procurement To avoid duplicate payments only the Senior Director of Federal Programs will have approval on any invoice submitted for payment. Invoices will be tracked and documented by the Office of Title Services. In the future should it be necessary to allocate to non-LEA entities, the Office of Title Services will create written procedures to ensure any necessary supporting documentation be submitted prior to approving payment on an invoice. Anticipated Completion Date Responsible Contact Person Tammy Smith