FINDING 2023-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that construction contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause. One construction contract in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds was identified. The one construction contract for new flooring in the amount of $712,000 was selected for testing. The contract presented for audit did not contain the required prevailing wage rate clause. In addition, certified payrolls were not submitted by the contractor to the School Corporation. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the following clauses . . . (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics. . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (i) (A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non- Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, construction contracts entered into did not contain the required wage rate requirements clauses nor were certified payrolls timely obtained by the School Corporation. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls and include the wage rate requirement clause in construction contracts. In addition, certified payrolls should be obtained as required. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-006 Subject: BRIC: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Program: BRIC: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Assistance Listings Number: 97.047 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): PDMC-PJ-05-IN-2018-003, PDMC-PJ-05-IN-2018-007 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Homeland Security Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Cash Management, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Cash Management Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program expenditures were to be used for costs associated with building "safe rooms" at the School Corporation's middle school and high school. The School Corporation provided paid claims to a grant administrator, who then prepared and filed reimbursement requests on behalf of the School Corporation. The School Corporation relied on the Grant Administrator to determine if costs submitted on the paid claims were allowable, in conformance with the cost principles, and adhered to the cash management requirements of the grant. Once the claims were provided to the grant administrator there was no oversight or review from the School Corporation. Reporting Quarterly performance reports were required to be filed electronically with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The grant administrator prepared and submitted the required quarterly reports without any oversight or review from the School Corporation. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29
FINDING 2023-006 Subject: BRIC: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Program: BRIC: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Assistance Listings Number: 97.047 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): PDMC-PJ-05-IN-2018-003, PDMC-PJ-05-IN-2018-007 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Homeland Security Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Cash Management, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Cash Management Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program expenditures were to be used for costs associated with building "safe rooms" at the School Corporation's middle school and high school. The School Corporation provided paid claims to a grant administrator, who then prepared and filed reimbursement requests on behalf of the School Corporation. The School Corporation relied on the Grant Administrator to determine if costs submitted on the paid claims were allowable, in conformance with the cost principles, and adhered to the cash management requirements of the grant. Once the claims were provided to the grant administrator there was no oversight or review from the School Corporation. Reporting Quarterly performance reports were required to be filed electronically with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The grant administrator prepared and submitted the required quarterly reports without any oversight or review from the School Corporation. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that construction contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause. One construction contract in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds was identified. The one construction contract for new flooring in the amount of $712,000 was selected for testing. The contract presented for audit did not contain the required prevailing wage rate clause. In addition, certified payrolls were not submitted by the contractor to the School Corporation. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the following clauses . . . (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics. . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (i) (A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non- Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, construction contracts entered into did not contain the required wage rate requirements clauses nor were certified payrolls timely obtained by the School Corporation. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls and include the wage rate requirement clause in construction contracts. In addition, certified payrolls should be obtained as required. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. The School Corporation had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls to ensure that construction contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause. One construction contract in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds was identified. The one construction contract for new flooring in the amount of $712,000 was selected for testing. The contract presented for audit did not contain the required prevailing wage rate clause. In addition, certified payrolls were not submitted by the contractor to the School Corporation. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the following clauses . . . (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics. . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (i) (A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26 SALEM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non- Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, construction contracts entered into did not contain the required wage rate requirements clauses nor were certified payrolls timely obtained by the School Corporation. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls and include the wage rate requirement clause in construction contracts. In addition, certified payrolls should be obtained as required. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Finding 2023-004 Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Qualified Opinion Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: a. The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in §5.1, the following clauses… (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… (3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: Finding 2023-004 (Continued) In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .” Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements. The School Corporation did not include Davis Bacon wage rate requirements in its contract with vendor which includes labor. The School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from a construction company for a building project. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation expended $324,887 during the audit period on an HVAC project was charged to the ESSER III grant award (84.425U). The construction contract did not include a Davis-Bacon clause prescribing federal wage rate requirements required for construction contracts. The School Corporation did not have an internal control designed to collect the weekly payroll reports certifications from the construction company and its subcontractors, as applicable, for the construction project to verify prevailing wages were being paid during the project period. Therefore, no review was performed by management to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. The construction payments represented approximately 52% of the Education Stabilization Fund disbursements reported on the SEFA for the period under audit. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation include Davis-Bacon wage requirements in construction contracts which are federally funded and implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll report certifications are collected and reviewed by management to ensure compliance with the federal wage rate requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-004 Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Qualified Opinion Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: a. The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in §5.1, the following clauses… (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… (3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: Finding 2023-004 (Continued) In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .” Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements. The School Corporation did not include Davis Bacon wage rate requirements in its contract with vendor which includes labor. The School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from a construction company for a building project. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation expended $324,887 during the audit period on an HVAC project was charged to the ESSER III grant award (84.425U). The construction contract did not include a Davis-Bacon clause prescribing federal wage rate requirements required for construction contracts. The School Corporation did not have an internal control designed to collect the weekly payroll reports certifications from the construction company and its subcontractors, as applicable, for the construction project to verify prevailing wages were being paid during the project period. Therefore, no review was performed by management to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. The construction payments represented approximately 52% of the Education Stabilization Fund disbursements reported on the SEFA for the period under audit. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation include Davis-Bacon wage requirements in construction contracts which are federally funded and implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll report certifications are collected and reviewed by management to ensure compliance with the federal wage rate requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-004 Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Qualified Opinion Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: a. The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in §5.1, the following clauses… (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… (3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: Finding 2023-004 (Continued) In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .” Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements. The School Corporation did not include Davis Bacon wage rate requirements in its contract with vendor which includes labor. The School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from a construction company for a building project. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation expended $324,887 during the audit period on an HVAC project was charged to the ESSER III grant award (84.425U). The construction contract did not include a Davis-Bacon clause prescribing federal wage rate requirements required for construction contracts. The School Corporation did not have an internal control designed to collect the weekly payroll reports certifications from the construction company and its subcontractors, as applicable, for the construction project to verify prevailing wages were being paid during the project period. Therefore, no review was performed by management to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. The construction payments represented approximately 52% of the Education Stabilization Fund disbursements reported on the SEFA for the period under audit. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation include Davis-Bacon wage requirements in construction contracts which are federally funded and implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll report certifications are collected and reviewed by management to ensure compliance with the federal wage rate requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Annual Data Report The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) via JotForm, a form/report builder. Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures, prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity. The School Corporation was required to submit six annual data reports during the audit period. None of the annual data reports were submitted. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation to determine why the reports were not submitted, the School Corporation explained they had interpreted the reports to be final reports submitted upon completion of the grant not annual reports of expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Reimbursement Requests To gain an understanding of how the School Corporation spent the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award, all reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE were requested. Five of the ten reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE could not be located. As such, we determined reimbursement requests for the audit period should be further tested. The School Corporation's process was to complete reimbursement requests on a periodic basis to obtain reimbursement for expenditures paid. Although the reimbursement requests were prepared by the Treasurer utilizing various ledger reports and were reviewed by a second knowledgeable employee, the process did not prevent, or detect and correct, errors. Of the ten reimbursement requests received, as noted above, five could not be provided for audit. Therefore, we were unable to substantiate the expenses reimbursed by those requests or if the requests were mathematically accurate or fairly presented. The remaining five reimbursement requests were tested without issue. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The lack of documentation was isolated to the five reimbursement requests that could not be provided for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." 34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance with program requirements." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, annual data reports were noted submitted to the IDOE, and reimbursement requests were not retained for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure reports are submitted and supporting documentation is retained for reimbursement requests. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Annual Data Report The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) via JotForm, a form/report builder. Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures, prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity. The School Corporation was required to submit six annual data reports during the audit period. None of the annual data reports were submitted. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation to determine why the reports were not submitted, the School Corporation explained they had interpreted the reports to be final reports submitted upon completion of the grant not annual reports of expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Reimbursement Requests To gain an understanding of how the School Corporation spent the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award, all reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE were requested. Five of the ten reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE could not be located. As such, we determined reimbursement requests for the audit period should be further tested. The School Corporation's process was to complete reimbursement requests on a periodic basis to obtain reimbursement for expenditures paid. Although the reimbursement requests were prepared by the Treasurer utilizing various ledger reports and were reviewed by a second knowledgeable employee, the process did not prevent, or detect and correct, errors. Of the ten reimbursement requests received, as noted above, five could not be provided for audit. Therefore, we were unable to substantiate the expenses reimbursed by those requests or if the requests were mathematically accurate or fairly presented. The remaining five reimbursement requests were tested without issue. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The lack of documentation was isolated to the five reimbursement requests that could not be provided for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." 34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance with program requirements." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, annual data reports were noted submitted to the IDOE, and reimbursement requests were not retained for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure reports are submitted and supporting documentation is retained for reimbursement requests. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Annual Data Report The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) via JotForm, a form/report builder. Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures, prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity. The School Corporation was required to submit six annual data reports during the audit period. None of the annual data reports were submitted. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation to determine why the reports were not submitted, the School Corporation explained they had interpreted the reports to be final reports submitted upon completion of the grant not annual reports of expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Reimbursement Requests To gain an understanding of how the School Corporation spent the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award, all reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE were requested. Five of the ten reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE could not be located. As such, we determined reimbursement requests for the audit period should be further tested. The School Corporation's process was to complete reimbursement requests on a periodic basis to obtain reimbursement for expenditures paid. Although the reimbursement requests were prepared by the Treasurer utilizing various ledger reports and were reviewed by a second knowledgeable employee, the process did not prevent, or detect and correct, errors. Of the ten reimbursement requests received, as noted above, five could not be provided for audit. Therefore, we were unable to substantiate the expenses reimbursed by those requests or if the requests were mathematically accurate or fairly presented. The remaining five reimbursement requests were tested without issue. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The lack of documentation was isolated to the five reimbursement requests that could not be provided for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." 34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance with program requirements." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, annual data reports were noted submitted to the IDOE, and reimbursement requests were not retained for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure reports are submitted and supporting documentation is retained for reimbursement requests. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Annual Data Report The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. The School Corporation was required to submit an annual data report to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) via JotForm, a form/report builder. Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures, prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity. The School Corporation was required to submit six annual data reports during the audit period. None of the annual data reports were submitted. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation to determine why the reports were not submitted, the School Corporation explained they had interpreted the reports to be final reports submitted upon completion of the grant not annual reports of expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Reimbursement Requests To gain an understanding of how the School Corporation spent the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award, all reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE were requested. Five of the ten reimbursement requests submitted to the IDOE could not be located. As such, we determined reimbursement requests for the audit period should be further tested. The School Corporation's process was to complete reimbursement requests on a periodic basis to obtain reimbursement for expenditures paid. Although the reimbursement requests were prepared by the Treasurer utilizing various ledger reports and were reviewed by a second knowledgeable employee, the process did not prevent, or detect and correct, errors. Of the ten reimbursement requests received, as noted above, five could not be provided for audit. Therefore, we were unable to substantiate the expenses reimbursed by those requests or if the requests were mathematically accurate or fairly presented. The remaining five reimbursement requests were tested without issue. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The lack of documentation was isolated to the five reimbursement requests that could not be provided for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." 34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance with program requirements." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, annual data reports were noted submitted to the IDOE, and reimbursement requests were not retained for audit. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure reports are submitted and supporting documentation is retained for reimbursement requests. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation to determine their procedures to ensure that construction contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation disclosed they were unaware of the requirement existed until recently. Three construction projects were identified. The three contracts associated with the projects were selected for testing. For one contract, which included labor costs, totaling $151,073, the prevailing wage rate clause was not included. For the two other construction projects, totaling $65,080 and $110,797, respectively, the School Corporation was unable to provide an approved contract with the vendors. As such, we could not determine if the contracts included the required prevailing wage rate clause. Additionally, the School Corporation did not receive certified payrolls from any of the vendors mentioned above for each week in which any contract work was performed. The lack of internal controls, noncompliance, and lack of documentation were systemic issues throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the following clauses. . . (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics. . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii) (A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: "In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non- Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, "Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction"). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, construction contracts entered into did not contain the required wage rate requirements clauses nor were all certified payrolls obtained by the School Corporation. In addition, not all required contracts were retained and presented for audit. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no known questioned costs. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to retain all required contracts and include the wage rate requirement clause in construction contracts. In addition, certified payrolls should be obtained as required for all contracts. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy of the payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation to determine their procedures to ensure that construction contracts in excess of $2,000 paid from federal grant funds included a prevailing wage rate clause, the School Corporation disclosed they were unaware of the requirement existed until recently. Three construction projects were identified. The three contracts associated with the projects were selected for testing. For one contract, which included labor costs, totaling $151,073, the prevailing wage rate clause was not included. For the two other construction projects, totaling $65,080 and $110,797, respectively, the School Corporation was unable to provide an approved contract with the vendors. As such, we could not determine if the contracts included the required prevailing wage rate clause. Additionally, the School Corporation did not receive certified payrolls from any of the vendors mentioned above for each week in which any contract work was performed. The lack of internal controls, noncompliance, and lack of documentation were systemic issues throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: "(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in § 5.1, the following clauses. . . (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics. . . . (3) Payrolls and basic records. . . . (ii) (A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: "In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non- Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, "Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction"). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include segregation of key functions. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, construction contracts entered into did not contain the required wage rate requirements clauses nor were all certified payrolls obtained by the School Corporation. In addition, not all required contracts were retained and presented for audit. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no known questioned costs. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to retain all required contracts and include the wage rate requirement clause in construction contracts. In addition, certified payrolls should be obtained as required for all contracts. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context A property record or capital asset listing which would include the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and use and condition of the property is to be maintained for assets purchased that exceed the School Corporation's capitalization threshold. The School Corporation maintained a detailed listing of capital assets; however, the asset records provided for audit did not reflect all additions of equipment paid for with the School Corporation's COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award. Twenty-three pieces of equipment, totaling $248,202, were purchased during the audit period, all of which were selected for testing. Sixteen of the pieces of equipment, totaling $133,353, were not added to the listing of capital assets. In addition, the seven pieces of equipment added to the listing did not include all the required information. The missing information included the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, and the use and condition of the property. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, not all assets purchased in whole or in part with federal dollars were added to the capital asset listing. In addition, the assets added to the capital asset listing did not include all required information. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure asset records include all the necessary information and new assets are added. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context A property record or capital asset listing which would include the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and use and condition of the property is to be maintained for assets purchased that exceed the School Corporation's capitalization threshold. The School Corporation maintained a detailed listing of capital assets; however, the asset records provided for audit did not reflect all additions of equipment paid for with the School Corporation's COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award. Twenty-three pieces of equipment, totaling $248,202, were purchased during the audit period, all of which were selected for testing. Sixteen of the pieces of equipment, totaling $133,353, were not added to the listing of capital assets. In addition, the seven pieces of equipment added to the listing did not include all the required information. The missing information included the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, and the use and condition of the property. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, not all assets purchased in whole or in part with federal dollars were added to the capital asset listing. In addition, the assets added to the capital asset listing did not include all required information. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure asset records include all the necessary information and new assets are added. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context A property record or capital asset listing which would include the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and use and condition of the property is to be maintained for assets purchased that exceed the School Corporation's capitalization threshold. The School Corporation maintained a detailed listing of capital assets; however, the asset records provided for audit did not reflect all additions of equipment paid for with the School Corporation's COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award. Twenty-three pieces of equipment, totaling $248,202, were purchased during the audit period, all of which were selected for testing. Sixteen of the pieces of equipment, totaling $133,353, were not added to the listing of capital assets. In addition, the seven pieces of equipment added to the listing did not include all the required information. The missing information included the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, and the use and condition of the property. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, not all assets purchased in whole or in part with federal dollars were added to the capital asset listing. In addition, the assets added to the capital asset listing did not include all required information. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure asset records include all the necessary information and new assets are added. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context A property record or capital asset listing which would include the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and use and condition of the property is to be maintained for assets purchased that exceed the School Corporation's capitalization threshold. The School Corporation maintained a detailed listing of capital assets; however, the asset records provided for audit did not reflect all additions of equipment paid for with the School Corporation's COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund award. Twenty-three pieces of equipment, totaling $248,202, were purchased during the audit period, all of which were selected for testing. Sixteen of the pieces of equipment, totaling $133,353, were not added to the listing of capital assets. In addition, the seven pieces of equipment added to the listing did not include all the required information. The missing information included the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, and the use and condition of the property. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, not all assets purchased in whole or in part with federal dollars were added to the capital asset listing. In addition, the assets added to the capital asset listing did not include all required information. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure asset records include all the necessary information and new assets are added. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY 22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. As a general rule, a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income and family size. Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the school may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. The Food Service Assistant Director downloaded the direct certification import files from the Indiana Department of Education's CNP website and imported them directly into the School Corporation's POS system that tracks student eligibility statuses for free and reduced-price meals. The direct certification import files were then saved on a drive where the Food Service Director could access them; however, there was no review or approval process over the direct certification import process to ensure data was properly imported. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include appropriate segregation of duties. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY 22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. As a general rule, a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income and family size. Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the school may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. The Food Service Assistant Director downloaded the direct certification import files from the Indiana Department of Education's CNP website and imported them directly into the School Corporation's POS system that tracks student eligibility statuses for free and reduced-price meals. The direct certification import files were then saved on a drive where the Food Service Director could access them; however, there was no review or approval process over the direct certification import process to ensure data was properly imported. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include appropriate segregation of duties. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY 22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. As a general rule, a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income and family size. Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the school may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. The Food Service Assistant Director downloaded the direct certification import files from the Indiana Department of Education's CNP website and imported them directly into the School Corporation's POS system that tracks student eligibility statuses for free and reduced-price meals. The direct certification import files were then saved on a drive where the Food Service Director could access them; however, there was no review or approval process over the direct certification import process to ensure data was properly imported. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include appropriate segregation of duties. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY 22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. As a general rule, a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income and family size. Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the school may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. The Food Service Assistant Director downloaded the direct certification import files from the Indiana Department of Education's CNP website and imported them directly into the School Corporation's POS system that tracks student eligibility statuses for free and reduced-price meals. The direct certification import files were then saved on a drive where the Food Service Director could access them; however, there was no review or approval process over the direct certification import process to ensure data was properly imported. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include appropriate segregation of duties. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY 22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable program. In the case of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, children belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at reduced price. As a general rule, a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnishes such information as family income and family size. Additionally, a child may be direct certified. For a direct certification, annual eligibility determinations are based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program (ALN 93.600), or, under most circumstances, the TANF program (ALN 93.558). A household may furnish documentation of its participation in one of these programs; or the school may obtain the information directly from the state or local agency that administers these programs. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. The Food Service Assistant Director downloaded the direct certification import files from the Indiana Department of Education's CNP website and imported them directly into the School Corporation's POS system that tracks student eligibility statuses for free and reduced-price meals. The direct certification import files were then saved on a drive where the Food Service Director could access them; however, there was no review or approval process over the direct certification import process to ensure data was properly imported. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation, which would include appropriate segregation of duties. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context Procurement When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other qualifications. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation must be retained supporting the determination. During fiscal year 2022-2023, the School Corporation purchased five ovens, totaling $311,705, from one vendor. As the cost of the ovens was in excess of $150,000, the proper procurement method would have been the formal bid process; however, the School Corporation only obtained quotes. Additionally, there was no contract between the School Corporation and this vendor. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the purchase noted above. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed that the Food Service Director obtained verification from the vendors to ensure they are not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transaction. There were ten covered transactions, totaling $830,842, that equaled or exceeded $25,000 identified. Two covered transactions were selected for testing. For one of the two covered transactions tested, totaling $69,560, the School Corporation had not performed procedures that ensured the vendor was not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in federal assistance programs. The identified lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to 2021-2022. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity 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 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. . . . (b) Formal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non- Federal entity determines to be appropriate: (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. (i) In order for sealed bidding to be feasible, the following conditions should be present: (A) A complete, adequate, and realistic specification or purchase description is available; (B) Two or more responsible bidders are willing and able to compete effectively for the business; and (C) The procurement lends itself to a firm fixed price contract and the selection of the successful bidder can be made principally on the basis of price. (ii) If sealed bids are used, the following requirements apply: (A) Bids must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources, providing them sufficient response time prior to the date set for opening the bids, for local, and tribal governments, the invitation for bids must be publicly advertised; (B) The invitation for bids, which will include any specifications and pertinent attachments, must define the items or services in order for the bidder to properly respond; (C) All bids will be opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation for bids, and for local and tribal governments, the bids must be opened publicly; (D) A firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Where specified in bidding documents, factors such as discounts, transportation cost, and life cycle costs must be considered in determining which bid is lowest. Payment discounts will only be used to determine the low bid when prior experience indicates that such discounts are usually taken advantage of; and (E) Any or all bids may be rejected if there is a sound documented reason. (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or costreimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. They are awarded in accordance with the following requirements: (i) Requests for proposals must be publicized and identify all evaluation factors and their relative importance. Proposals must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified offerors. Any response to publicized requests for proposals must be considered to the maximum extent practical; (ii) The non-Federal entity must have a written method for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and making selections; (iii) Contracts must be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the non-Federal entity, with price and other factors considered; and (iv) The non-Federal entity may use competitive proposal procedures for qualifications-based procurement of architectural/engineering (A/E) professional services whereby offeror's qualifications are evaluated, and the most qualified offeror is selected, subject to negotiation of fair and reasonable compensation. The method, where price is not used as a selection factor, can only be used in procurement of A/E professional services. It cannot be used to purchase other types of services though A/E firms that are a potential source to perform the proposed effort. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, the improper procurement method was utilized for one vendor and a vendor to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made was not verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that the proper procurement method is used for purchase and that contractors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context Procurement When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other qualifications. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation must be retained supporting the determination. During fiscal year 2022-2023, the School Corporation purchased five ovens, totaling $311,705, from one vendor. As the cost of the ovens was in excess of $150,000, the proper procurement method would have been the formal bid process; however, the School Corporation only obtained quotes. Additionally, there was no contract between the School Corporation and this vendor. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the purchase noted above. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed that the Food Service Director obtained verification from the vendors to ensure they are not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transaction. There were ten covered transactions, totaling $830,842, that equaled or exceeded $25,000 identified. Two covered transactions were selected for testing. For one of the two covered transactions tested, totaling $69,560, the School Corporation had not performed procedures that ensured the vendor was not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in federal assistance programs. The identified lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to 2021-2022. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity 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 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. . . . (b) Formal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non- Federal entity determines to be appropriate: (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. (i) In order for sealed bidding to be feasible, the following conditions should be present: (A) A complete, adequate, and realistic specification or purchase description is available; (B) Two or more responsible bidders are willing and able to compete effectively for the business; and (C) The procurement lends itself to a firm fixed price contract and the selection of the successful bidder can be made principally on the basis of price. (ii) If sealed bids are used, the following requirements apply: (A) Bids must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources, providing them sufficient response time prior to the date set for opening the bids, for local, and tribal governments, the invitation for bids must be publicly advertised; (B) The invitation for bids, which will include any specifications and pertinent attachments, must define the items or services in order for the bidder to properly respond; (C) All bids will be opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation for bids, and for local and tribal governments, the bids must be opened publicly; (D) A firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Where specified in bidding documents, factors such as discounts, transportation cost, and life cycle costs must be considered in determining which bid is lowest. Payment discounts will only be used to determine the low bid when prior experience indicates that such discounts are usually taken advantage of; and (E) Any or all bids may be rejected if there is a sound documented reason. (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or costreimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. They are awarded in accordance with the following requirements: (i) Requests for proposals must be publicized and identify all evaluation factors and their relative importance. Proposals must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified offerors. Any response to publicized requests for proposals must be considered to the maximum extent practical; (ii) The non-Federal entity must have a written method for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and making selections; (iii) Contracts must be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the non-Federal entity, with price and other factors considered; and (iv) The non-Federal entity may use competitive proposal procedures for qualifications-based procurement of architectural/engineering (A/E) professional services whereby offeror's qualifications are evaluated, and the most qualified offeror is selected, subject to negotiation of fair and reasonable compensation. The method, where price is not used as a selection factor, can only be used in procurement of A/E professional services. It cannot be used to purchase other types of services though A/E firms that are a potential source to perform the proposed effort. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, the improper procurement method was utilized for one vendor and a vendor to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made was not verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that the proper procurement method is used for purchase and that contractors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context Procurement When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other qualifications. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation must be retained supporting the determination. During fiscal year 2022-2023, the School Corporation purchased five ovens, totaling $311,705, from one vendor. As the cost of the ovens was in excess of $150,000, the proper procurement method would have been the formal bid process; however, the School Corporation only obtained quotes. Additionally, there was no contract between the School Corporation and this vendor. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the purchase noted above. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed that the Food Service Director obtained verification from the vendors to ensure they are not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transaction. There were ten covered transactions, totaling $830,842, that equaled or exceeded $25,000 identified. Two covered transactions were selected for testing. For one of the two covered transactions tested, totaling $69,560, the School Corporation had not performed procedures that ensured the vendor was not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in federal assistance programs. The identified lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to 2021-2022. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity 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 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. . . . (b) Formal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non- Federal entity determines to be appropriate: (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. (i) In order for sealed bidding to be feasible, the following conditions should be present: (A) A complete, adequate, and realistic specification or purchase description is available; (B) Two or more responsible bidders are willing and able to compete effectively for the business; and (C) The procurement lends itself to a firm fixed price contract and the selection of the successful bidder can be made principally on the basis of price. (ii) If sealed bids are used, the following requirements apply: (A) Bids must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources, providing them sufficient response time prior to the date set for opening the bids, for local, and tribal governments, the invitation for bids must be publicly advertised; (B) The invitation for bids, which will include any specifications and pertinent attachments, must define the items or services in order for the bidder to properly respond; (C) All bids will be opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation for bids, and for local and tribal governments, the bids must be opened publicly; (D) A firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Where specified in bidding documents, factors such as discounts, transportation cost, and life cycle costs must be considered in determining which bid is lowest. Payment discounts will only be used to determine the low bid when prior experience indicates that such discounts are usually taken advantage of; and (E) Any or all bids may be rejected if there is a sound documented reason. (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or costreimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. They are awarded in accordance with the following requirements: (i) Requests for proposals must be publicized and identify all evaluation factors and their relative importance. Proposals must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified offerors. Any response to publicized requests for proposals must be considered to the maximum extent practical; (ii) The non-Federal entity must have a written method for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and making selections; (iii) Contracts must be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the non-Federal entity, with price and other factors considered; and (iv) The non-Federal entity may use competitive proposal procedures for qualifications-based procurement of architectural/engineering (A/E) professional services whereby offeror's qualifications are evaluated, and the most qualified offeror is selected, subject to negotiation of fair and reasonable compensation. The method, where price is not used as a selection factor, can only be used in procurement of A/E professional services. It cannot be used to purchase other types of services though A/E firms that are a potential source to perform the proposed effort. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, the improper procurement method was utilized for one vendor and a vendor to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made was not verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that the proper procurement method is used for purchase and that contractors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context Procurement When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other qualifications. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation must be retained supporting the determination. During fiscal year 2022-2023, the School Corporation purchased five ovens, totaling $311,705, from one vendor. As the cost of the ovens was in excess of $150,000, the proper procurement method would have been the formal bid process; however, the School Corporation only obtained quotes. Additionally, there was no contract between the School Corporation and this vendor. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the purchase noted above. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed that the Food Service Director obtained verification from the vendors to ensure they are not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transaction. There were ten covered transactions, totaling $830,842, that equaled or exceeded $25,000 identified. Two covered transactions were selected for testing. For one of the two covered transactions tested, totaling $69,560, the School Corporation had not performed procedures that ensured the vendor was not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in federal assistance programs. The identified lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to 2021-2022. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity 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 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. . . . (b) Formal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non- Federal entity determines to be appropriate: (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. (i) In order for sealed bidding to be feasible, the following conditions should be present: (A) A complete, adequate, and realistic specification or purchase description is available; (B) Two or more responsible bidders are willing and able to compete effectively for the business; and (C) The procurement lends itself to a firm fixed price contract and the selection of the successful bidder can be made principally on the basis of price. (ii) If sealed bids are used, the following requirements apply: (A) Bids must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources, providing them sufficient response time prior to the date set for opening the bids, for local, and tribal governments, the invitation for bids must be publicly advertised; (B) The invitation for bids, which will include any specifications and pertinent attachments, must define the items or services in order for the bidder to properly respond; (C) All bids will be opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation for bids, and for local and tribal governments, the bids must be opened publicly; (D) A firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Where specified in bidding documents, factors such as discounts, transportation cost, and life cycle costs must be considered in determining which bid is lowest. Payment discounts will only be used to determine the low bid when prior experience indicates that such discounts are usually taken advantage of; and (E) Any or all bids may be rejected if there is a sound documented reason. (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or costreimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. They are awarded in accordance with the following requirements: (i) Requests for proposals must be publicized and identify all evaluation factors and their relative importance. Proposals must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified offerors. Any response to publicized requests for proposals must be considered to the maximum extent practical; (ii) The non-Federal entity must have a written method for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and making selections; (iii) Contracts must be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the non-Federal entity, with price and other factors considered; and (iv) The non-Federal entity may use competitive proposal procedures for qualifications-based procurement of architectural/engineering (A/E) professional services whereby offeror's qualifications are evaluated, and the most qualified offeror is selected, subject to negotiation of fair and reasonable compensation. The method, where price is not used as a selection factor, can only be used in procurement of A/E professional services. It cannot be used to purchase other types of services though A/E firms that are a potential source to perform the proposed effort. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, the improper procurement method was utilized for one vendor and a vendor to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made was not verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that the proper procurement method is used for purchase and that contractors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 21-22, FY22-23 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context Procurement When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other qualifications. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation must be retained supporting the determination. During fiscal year 2022-2023, the School Corporation purchased five ovens, totaling $311,705, from one vendor. As the cost of the ovens was in excess of $150,000, the proper procurement method would have been the formal bid process; however, the School Corporation only obtained quotes. Additionally, there was no contract between the School Corporation and this vendor. The lack of effective internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the purchase noted above. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed that the Food Service Director obtained verification from the vendors to ensure they are not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transaction. There were ten covered transactions, totaling $830,842, that equaled or exceeded $25,000 identified. Two covered transactions were selected for testing. For one of the two covered transactions tested, totaling $69,560, the School Corporation had not performed procedures that ensured the vendor was not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in federal assistance programs. The identified lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to 2021-2022. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity 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 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. . . . (b) Formal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non- Federal entity determines to be appropriate: (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. (i) In order for sealed bidding to be feasible, the following conditions should be present: (A) A complete, adequate, and realistic specification or purchase description is available; (B) Two or more responsible bidders are willing and able to compete effectively for the business; and (C) The procurement lends itself to a firm fixed price contract and the selection of the successful bidder can be made principally on the basis of price. (ii) If sealed bids are used, the following requirements apply: (A) Bids must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources, providing them sufficient response time prior to the date set for opening the bids, for local, and tribal governments, the invitation for bids must be publicly advertised; (B) The invitation for bids, which will include any specifications and pertinent attachments, must define the items or services in order for the bidder to properly respond; (C) All bids will be opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation for bids, and for local and tribal governments, the bids must be opened publicly; (D) A firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Where specified in bidding documents, factors such as discounts, transportation cost, and life cycle costs must be considered in determining which bid is lowest. Payment discounts will only be used to determine the low bid when prior experience indicates that such discounts are usually taken advantage of; and (E) Any or all bids may be rejected if there is a sound documented reason. (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or costreimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. They are awarded in accordance with the following requirements: (i) Requests for proposals must be publicized and identify all evaluation factors and their relative importance. Proposals must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified offerors. Any response to publicized requests for proposals must be considered to the maximum extent practical; (ii) The non-Federal entity must have a written method for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and making selections; (iii) Contracts must be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the non-Federal entity, with price and other factors considered; and (iv) The non-Federal entity may use competitive proposal procedures for qualifications-based procurement of architectural/engineering (A/E) professional services whereby offeror's qualifications are evaluated, and the most qualified offeror is selected, subject to negotiation of fair and reasonable compensation. The method, where price is not used as a selection factor, can only be used in procurement of A/E professional services. It cannot be used to purchase other types of services though A/E firms that are a potential source to perform the proposed effort. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, the improper procurement method was utilized for one vendor and a vendor to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 were made was not verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions or the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that the proper procurement method is used for purchase and that contractors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission Federal Program: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Assistance Listings Number: 32.009 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2022, FY 2023 Compliance Requirements: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was for the purchase of eligible equipment, advanced communications, and information services for use by students, school staff, and library patrons at locations that include locations other than at a school or library. The ECF Program provides funding to meet the remote learning needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to connected devices and broadband connections sufficient to engage in remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period. To ensure that funding is focused on unmet need, the grantor agency required schools to certify, as part of their funding application, that they are only seeking support for eligible equipment and/or broadband connectivity to provide to students and school staff who would otherwise lack access to connected devices and/or broadband connectivity sufficient to engage in remote learning. The unmet need at the time of the funding application can be based on an estimate. However, when the school corporation files the request for reimbursement, only equipment and services provided to students or school staff who would otherwise lack broadband services and/or devices sufficient to engage in remote learning should be requested. The School Corporation made four reimbursement requests during the audit period. All four reimbursement requests were selected for testing to verify the expenditures were in conformance with the applicable cost principles. Of the four reimbursement requests tested, issues were identified with three of the reimbursement requests. The issues identified were as follows: For two reimbursement requests, the amount requested, in total, exceeded the expenditures posted to the grant fund. The total amount requested for reimbursement was $616,800; however, total expenditures in the fund were $615,400. As such, the amount requested and received exceeded the amount spent out of the grant fund by $1,400. The School Corporation did not perform a reconciliation, which would have identified the error and allowed them to move the associated expenses to the grant fund, nor did the School Corporation return the additional funds to the grantor agency. At the end of the audit period, the $1,400 was included in the fund's overall ending cash balance. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) For one reimbursement request, although an invoice was submitted as evidence of expenditures, the funding received from the grantor agency was not used to pay the invoice. Instead, the School Corporation paid for that invoice using a lease and opted instead to use the funding received over the course of the next five years to cover maintenance and service costs for school technology. This information was not disclosed with the initial reimbursement request nor has a substitution request been sent to the awarding agency. The amount received from the grantor agency and not paid to the vendor, $500,000, will be considered questioned costs. At the end of the audit period, this money had not been expended, and was included in the fund's overall ending cash balance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the two reimbursements noted above. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 47 CFR 54.1710(a)(1) states in part: "The FCC Form 471 shall be signed by a person authorized to order eligible services for the eligible school, library, or consortium and shall include that person's certification under penalty of perjury that: . . . (vii) The school or school consortium listed on the FCC Form 471 application is only seeking support for eligible equipment and/or services provided to students and school staff who would otherwise lack connected devices and/or broadband services sufficient to engage in remote learning. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 47 CFR 54.1710(b) states in part: "(1) A request by an applicant to substitute equipment or service for one identified on its FCC Form 471 must be in writing. (2) The Administrator shall approve such written request where: (i) The equipment or service has the same functionality; and (ii) This substitution does not violate any contract provisions or state, local, or Tribal procurement laws. . . . " 47 CFR 54.1711(a)(1) states in part: "The FCC Form 472 shall be signed by a person authorized to order eligible services for the eligible school, library, or consortium and shall include that person's certification under penalty of perjury that: . . . (iv) The funds sought in the request for reimbursement are for eligible equipment and/or services that were purchased or ordered in accordance with the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program rules and requirements in this subpart and received by either the school, library, or consortium, or the students, school staff, or library patrons as appropriate. (v) The portion of the costs eligible for reimbursement and not already paid for by another source was either paid for in full by the school, library, consortium, or will be paid to the service provider within 30 days of receipt of funds. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, reimbursements in excess of expenditures were received and retained by the School Corporation. In addition, reimbursements received were not used to pay the invoices for which the reimbursement was sought. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs Known questioned costs of $500,000 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure reimbursement requests are used to pay the invoices used to support the request and that only the amount spent is requested for reimbursement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-001 Subject: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission Federal Program: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Assistance Listings Number: 32.009 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2022, FY 2023 Compliance Requirements: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Special Tests and Provisions - Restricted Purpose Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was for the purchase of eligible equipment, advanced communications, and information services for use by students, school staff, and library patrons at locations that include locations other than at a school or library. The ECF Program provides funding to meet the remote learning needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to connected devices and broadband connections sufficient to engage in remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period. To ensure that funding is focused on unmet need, the grantor agency required schools to certify, as part of their funding application, that they are only seeking support for eligible equipment and/or broadband connectivity to provide to students and school staff who would otherwise lack access to connected devices and/or broadband connectivity sufficient to engage in remote learning. The unmet need at the time of the funding application can be based on an estimate. However, when the school corporation files the request for reimbursement, only equipment and services provided to students or school staff who would otherwise lack broadband services and/or devices sufficient to engage in remote learning should be requested. The School Corporation made four reimbursement requests during the audit period. All four reimbursement requests were selected for testing to verify the expenditures were in conformance with the applicable cost principles. Of the four reimbursement requests tested, issues were identified with three of the reimbursement requests. The issues identified were as follows: For two reimbursement requests, the amount requested, in total, exceeded the expenditures posted to the grant fund. The total amount requested for reimbursement was $616,800; however, total expenditures in the fund were $615,400. As such, the amount requested and received exceeded the amount spent out of the grant fund by $1,400. The School Corporation did not perform a reconciliation, which would have identified the error and allowed them to move the associated expenses to the grant fund, nor did the School Corporation return the additional funds to the grantor agency. At the end of the audit period, the $1,400 was included in the fund's overall ending cash balance. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) For one reimbursement request, although an invoice was submitted as evidence of expenditures, the funding received from the grantor agency was not used to pay the invoice. Instead, the School Corporation paid for that invoice using a lease and opted instead to use the funding received over the course of the next five years to cover maintenance and service costs for school technology. This information was not disclosed with the initial reimbursement request nor has a substitution request been sent to the awarding agency. The amount received from the grantor agency and not paid to the vendor, $500,000, will be considered questioned costs. At the end of the audit period, this money had not been expended, and was included in the fund's overall ending cash balance. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the two reimbursements noted above. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 47 CFR 54.1710(a)(1) states in part: "The FCC Form 471 shall be signed by a person authorized to order eligible services for the eligible school, library, or consortium and shall include that person's certification under penalty of perjury that: . . . (vii) The school or school consortium listed on the FCC Form 471 application is only seeking support for eligible equipment and/or services provided to students and school staff who would otherwise lack connected devices and/or broadband services sufficient to engage in remote learning. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 47 CFR 54.1710(b) states in part: "(1) A request by an applicant to substitute equipment or service for one identified on its FCC Form 471 must be in writing. (2) The Administrator shall approve such written request where: (i) The equipment or service has the same functionality; and (ii) This substitution does not violate any contract provisions or state, local, or Tribal procurement laws. . . . " 47 CFR 54.1711(a)(1) states in part: "The FCC Form 472 shall be signed by a person authorized to order eligible services for the eligible school, library, or consortium and shall include that person's certification under penalty of perjury that: . . . (iv) The funds sought in the request for reimbursement are for eligible equipment and/or services that were purchased or ordered in accordance with the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program rules and requirements in this subpart and received by either the school, library, or consortium, or the students, school staff, or library patrons as appropriate. (v) The portion of the costs eligible for reimbursement and not already paid for by another source was either paid for in full by the school, library, consortium, or will be paid to the service provider within 30 days of receipt of funds. . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, reimbursements in excess of expenditures were received and retained by the School Corporation. In addition, reimbursements received were not used to pay the invoices for which the reimbursement was sought. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs Known questioned costs of $500,000 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure reimbursement requests are used to pay the invoices used to support the request and that only the amount spent is requested for reimbursement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission Federal Program: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Assistance Listings Number: 32.009 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2022, FY 2023 Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program participants are required to maintain an asset inventory of the devices purchased with ECF Program support. For each connected device not provided to an individual student or school staff member, but used to provide service to multiple eligible users, the asset inventory must identify: 1. The device or equipment type (i.e., laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router); 2. The device or equipment make/model; 3. The device or equipment serial number; 4. The name of the school employee responsible for that the device or equipment; and 5 The dates the device or equipment was in service. The School Corporation had not designed or implemented adequate policies or procedures to ensure that the devices acquired with ECF program funds were properly supported by inventory records. A sample of 21 devices were selected for testing to verify that inventory records contained all the necessary information. Of the 21 devices tested, 8 did not include information with regard to the name of the school employee responsible for the device as no specific employee was assigned by the School Corporation. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 47 CFR 54.1715(a)(2) states: "For each connected device or other piece of eligible equipment not provided to an individual student, school staff member, or library patron, but used to provide service to multiple eligible users, the asset inventory must contain: (i) The device type or equipment type (i.e. laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router); (ii) The device or equipment make/model; (iii) The device or equipment serial number; (iv) The name of the school or library employee responsible for that device or equipment; and (v) The dates the device or equipment was in service." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, the asset inventory did not contain all the necessary information. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that the asset inventory contain all the necessary information. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-002 Subject: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission Federal Program: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Assistance Listings Number: 32.009 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2022, FY 2023 Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program participants are required to maintain an asset inventory of the devices purchased with ECF Program support. For each connected device not provided to an individual student or school staff member, but used to provide service to multiple eligible users, the asset inventory must identify: 1. The device or equipment type (i.e., laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router); 2. The device or equipment make/model; 3. The device or equipment serial number; 4. The name of the school employee responsible for that the device or equipment; and 5 The dates the device or equipment was in service. The School Corporation had not designed or implemented adequate policies or procedures to ensure that the devices acquired with ECF program funds were properly supported by inventory records. A sample of 21 devices were selected for testing to verify that inventory records contained all the necessary information. Of the 21 devices tested, 8 did not include information with regard to the name of the school employee responsible for the device as no specific employee was assigned by the School Corporation. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 47 CFR 54.1715(a)(2) states: "For each connected device or other piece of eligible equipment not provided to an individual student, school staff member, or library patron, but used to provide service to multiple eligible users, the asset inventory must contain: (i) The device type or equipment type (i.e. laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem, router); (ii) The device or equipment make/model; (iii) The device or equipment serial number; (iv) The name of the school or library employee responsible for that device or equipment; and (v) The dates the device or equipment was in service." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, the asset inventory did not contain all the necessary information. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that the asset inventory contain all the necessary information. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003 Subject: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission Federal Program: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Assistance Listings Number: 32.009 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2022, FY 2023 Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed there were not any documented internal controls. Three covered transactions with two vendors that equaled or exceeded $25,000 were identified. The covered transactions, totaling $735,400, were selected for testing. For the two vendors, the School Corporation did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person as the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." 47 CFR 54.8(d) states in part: "Effect of suspension and debarment. Unless otherwise ordered, any persons suspended or debarred shall be excluded from activities associated with or related to the schools and libraries support mechanism . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, vendors to whom payments were equal to or in excess of $25,000 were not verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-003 Subject: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Federal Communications Commission Federal Program: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Assistance Listings Number: 32.009 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2022, FY 2023 Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAMs exclusions, collecting a certification from that vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. Upon inquiry of the School Corporation in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the School Corporation disclosed there were not any documented internal controls. Three covered transactions with two vendors that equaled or exceeded $25,000 were identified. The covered transactions, totaling $735,400, were selected for testing. For the two vendors, the School Corporation did not verify the vendor's suspension and debarment status prior to payment. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person as the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." 47 CFR 54.8(d) states in part: "Effect of suspension and debarment. Unless otherwise ordered, any persons suspended or debarred shall be excluded from activities associated with or related to the schools and libraries support mechanism . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, vendors to whom payments were equal to or in excess of $25,000 were not verified to be not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure that contractors and subrecipients, as appropriate, are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - 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 and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 22619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 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 corporation, 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 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 nonpublic 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 Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member school corporations. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures were determined by applying a percentage to the nonpublic school budgeted expenditures. As such, we were unable to identify if the minimum amount per the grant awards was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As such, the school's Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures could not be determined, and it could not be determined if the School Corporation met their minimum Non-Public Proportionate Share as required by the grant agreement. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic school share funds are appropriately allocated to the member school corporation based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member school corporation. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - 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 and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 22619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 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 corporation, 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 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 nonpublic 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 Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member school corporations. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures were determined by applying a percentage to the nonpublic school budgeted expenditures. As such, we were unable to identify if the minimum amount per the grant awards was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As such, the school's Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures could not be determined, and it could not be determined if the School Corporation met their minimum Non-Public Proportionate Share as required by the grant agreement. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic school share funds are appropriately allocated to the member school corporation based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member school corporation. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - 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 and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 22619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 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 corporation, 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 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 nonpublic 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 Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member school corporations. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures were determined by applying a percentage to the nonpublic school budgeted expenditures. As such, we were unable to identify if the minimum amount per the grant awards was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As such, the school's Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures could not be determined, and it could not be determined if the School Corporation met their minimum Non-Public Proportionate Share as required by the grant agreement. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic school share funds are appropriately allocated to the member school corporation based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member school corporation. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - 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 and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, 22619-021-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 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 corporation, 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 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 nonpublic 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 Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards could not be verified for the individual member school corporations. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures were determined by applying a percentage to the nonpublic school budgeted expenditures. As such, we were unable to identify if the minimum amount per the grant awards was expended and properly reported to the IDOE as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 20611-021-PN01, 21611-021-PN01, and 22619-021-PN01 grant awards. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed, . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As such, the school's Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures could not be determined, and it could not be determined if the School Corporation met their minimum Non-Public Proportionate Share as required by the grant agreement. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 26 LAFAYETTE SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure nonpublic school share funds are appropriately allocated to the member school corporation based on expenses charged directly on behalf of the member school corporation. Supporting documentation for these expenses should be retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27
1. FINDING NUMBER: 2023 - 001 2. THIS FINDING IS: New 3. Federal Program Name and Year: National School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program - PY 2022 and 2023 4. Project No.: 22-4210-00, 23-4210-00, 22-4220-00, 23-4220-00 5. AL No.: 10.553, 10.555 6. Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education 7. Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture 8. Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation) Per 7 CFR 210.14(e), the District is required to determine the weighted average price of paid lunches, calculate the paid lunch equity (PLE) requirement and if the paid lunch equity calculated is higher than the weighted average price the District has been charging increase the price charged. Additionally, as noted in 2 CFR 200.303, the District should establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal awards that provide reasonable assurance that the District is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. 9. Condition: The District failed to perform and submit the required PLE calculation. 10. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs identified. 11. Context: The deficiency represents an isolated instance rather than a systemic problem. This was a one time occurence due to the transition of the program from outsourcing to in-house management. The District did complete the PLE document for FY24 in the Spring 2023. The sample was not statistically valid. 12. Effect: The District may inadvertently charge incorrect meal prices, affecting program equity. 13. Cause: The lack of completion was due to the transition from outsourcing the management of their food service program to moving the management of the program in-house. Due to this transition, the new management was not employed at the time this procedure is typically completed. 14. Recommendation: The District should complete the PLE each year going forward and implement internal controls to ensure the requirement is met. 15. Management's response: See corrective action plan.
1. FINDING NUMBER: 2023 - 001 2. THIS FINDING IS: New 3. Federal Program Name and Year: National School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program - PY 2022 and 2023 4. Project No.: 22-4210-00, 23-4210-00, 22-4220-00, 23-4220-00 5. AL No.: 10.553, 10.555 6. Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education 7. Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture 8. Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation) Per 7 CFR 210.14(e), the District is required to determine the weighted average price of paid lunches, calculate the paid lunch equity (PLE) requirement and if the paid lunch equity calculated is higher than the weighted average price the District has been charging increase the price charged. Additionally, as noted in 2 CFR 200.303, the District should establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal awards that provide reasonable assurance that the District is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. 9. Condition: The District failed to perform and submit the required PLE calculation. 10. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs identified. 11. Context: The deficiency represents an isolated instance rather than a systemic problem. This was a one time occurence due to the transition of the program from outsourcing to in-house management. The District did complete the PLE document for FY24 in the Spring 2023. The sample was not statistically valid. 12. Effect: The District may inadvertently charge incorrect meal prices, affecting program equity. 13. Cause: The lack of completion was due to the transition from outsourcing the management of their food service program to moving the management of the program in-house. Due to this transition, the new management was not employed at the time this procedure is typically completed. 14. Recommendation: The District should complete the PLE each year going forward and implement internal controls to ensure the requirement is met. 15. Management's response: See corrective action plan.
1. FINDING NUMBER: 2023 - 002 2. THIS FINDING IS: New. 3. Federal Program Name and Year: National School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program - PY 2022 and 2023 4. Project No.: 22-4210-00, 23-4210-00, 22-4220-00, 23-4220-00 5. AL No.: 10.553, 10.555 6. Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education 7. Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture 8. Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation) As noted in 2 CFR 200.303, the District should establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal awards that provide reasonable assurance that the District is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The submissions of monthly claims for reimbursement should be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer of the claim to ensure the claim is properly prepared and agrees to supporting documentation. The audit finding is based on the requirement that meal claim reports for the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program must undergo thorough review by an independent party outside of the preparer. 9. Condition: The Director of Food Services prepares and submits monthly reimbursement claims to ISBE. These submissions are not reviewed or approved by anyone else. No documented evidence exists of an independent reviewer examining meal claim reports beyond the preparer. 10. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs identified. 11. Context: The internal control deficiency is systemic in the District's process for submitting reimbursement claims. The sample was not statistically valid. 12. Effect: Inaccurate monthly claims reimbursements could be submitted for reimbursement which could lead to potential questioned costs under the award. Without external review, errors or inaccuracies in meal claim reports may go undetected and misreported claims could lead to overpayment or underpayment of federal funds. 13. Cause: The District has not designed and implemented an internal control process to ensure that monthly reimbursement claims submissions are reviewed and approved by someone outside the preparer. 14. Recommendation: Establish a formal process for external review of meal claim reports and ISBE reimbursement submissions by someone other than the preparer. 15. Management's response: See corrective action plan.
1. FINDING NUMBER: 2023 - 002 2. THIS FINDING IS: New. 3. Federal Program Name and Year: National School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program - PY 2022 and 2023 4. Project No.: 22-4210-00, 23-4210-00, 22-4220-00, 23-4220-00 5. AL No.: 10.553, 10.555 6. Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education 7. Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture 8. Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation) As noted in 2 CFR 200.303, the District should establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal awards that provide reasonable assurance that the District is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The submissions of monthly claims for reimbursement should be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer of the claim to ensure the claim is properly prepared and agrees to supporting documentation. The audit finding is based on the requirement that meal claim reports for the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program must undergo thorough review by an independent party outside of the preparer. 9. Condition: The Director of Food Services prepares and submits monthly reimbursement claims to ISBE. These submissions are not reviewed or approved by anyone else. No documented evidence exists of an independent reviewer examining meal claim reports beyond the preparer. 10. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs identified. 11. Context: The internal control deficiency is systemic in the District's process for submitting reimbursement claims. The sample was not statistically valid. 12. Effect: Inaccurate monthly claims reimbursements could be submitted for reimbursement which could lead to potential questioned costs under the award. Without external review, errors or inaccuracies in meal claim reports may go undetected and misreported claims could lead to overpayment or underpayment of federal funds. 13. Cause: The District has not designed and implemented an internal control process to ensure that monthly reimbursement claims submissions are reviewed and approved by someone outside the preparer. 14. Recommendation: Establish a formal process for external review of meal claim reports and ISBE reimbursement submissions by someone other than the preparer. 15. Management's response: See corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2022, FY2023 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding for Eligibility from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005. Condition and Context Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable programs. A child belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at a reduced price. Children that have been determined ineligible for free or reduced-price meals pay the full price for their meals. A child's eligibility for free and reduced-priced meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnished such information as family income and family size. The School Corporation determines eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Annual eligibility determinations may also be based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program, or, under most circumstances, the TANF program. A household may furnish documentation if its participation in one of those programs, or the School Corporation may obtain the information directly from the State or local agency that administers those programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. Paper applications and online applications are processed in the School Corporation's software system to determine if students are eligible for free or reduced meals. Paper applications are input by the Nutrition Services Director and online applications are directly submitted by parents. The software's determination of eligibility is recalculated by the Nutrition Services Director without an oversight or review process in place to ensure accuracy. Additionally, the Nutrition Services Director downloaded the Direct Certifications file from the CNC Web Portal and uploaded the file into the School Corporation's software on a monthly basis without a documented oversight or review process in place to ensure directly certified students were properly processed. The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2022, FY2023 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding for Eligibility from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005. Condition and Context Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable programs. A child belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at a reduced price. Children that have been determined ineligible for free or reduced-price meals pay the full price for their meals. A child's eligibility for free and reduced-priced meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnished such information as family income and family size. The School Corporation determines eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Annual eligibility determinations may also be based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program, or, under most circumstances, the TANF program. A household may furnish documentation if its participation in one of those programs, or the School Corporation may obtain the information directly from the State or local agency that administers those programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. Paper applications and online applications are processed in the School Corporation's software system to determine if students are eligible for free or reduced meals. Paper applications are input by the Nutrition Services Director and online applications are directly submitted by parents. The software's determination of eligibility is recalculated by the Nutrition Services Director without an oversight or review process in place to ensure accuracy. Additionally, the Nutrition Services Director downloaded the Direct Certifications file from the CNC Web Portal and uploaded the file into the School Corporation's software on a monthly basis without a documented oversight or review process in place to ensure directly certified students were properly processed. The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2022, FY2023 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding for Eligibility from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005. Condition and Context Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable programs. A child belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at a reduced price. Children that have been determined ineligible for free or reduced-price meals pay the full price for their meals. A child's eligibility for free and reduced-priced meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnished such information as family income and family size. The School Corporation determines eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Annual eligibility determinations may also be based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program, or, under most circumstances, the TANF program. A household may furnish documentation if its participation in one of those programs, or the School Corporation may obtain the information directly from the State or local agency that administers those programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. Paper applications and online applications are processed in the School Corporation's software system to determine if students are eligible for free or reduced meals. Paper applications are input by the Nutrition Services Director and online applications are directly submitted by parents. The software's determination of eligibility is recalculated by the Nutrition Services Director without an oversight or review process in place to ensure accuracy. Additionally, the Nutrition Services Director downloaded the Direct Certifications file from the CNC Web Portal and uploaded the file into the School Corporation's software on a monthly basis without a documented oversight or review process in place to ensure directly certified students were properly processed. The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2022, FY2023 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding for Eligibility from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005. Condition and Context Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable programs. A child belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at a reduced price. Children that have been determined ineligible for free or reduced-price meals pay the full price for their meals. A child's eligibility for free and reduced-priced meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnished such information as family income and family size. The School Corporation determines eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Annual eligibility determinations may also be based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program, or, under most circumstances, the TANF program. A household may furnish documentation if its participation in one of those programs, or the School Corporation may obtain the information directly from the State or local agency that administers those programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. Paper applications and online applications are processed in the School Corporation's software system to determine if students are eligible for free or reduced meals. Paper applications are input by the Nutrition Services Director and online applications are directly submitted by parents. The software's determination of eligibility is recalculated by the Nutrition Services Director without an oversight or review process in place to ensure accuracy. Additionally, the Nutrition Services Director downloaded the Direct Certifications file from the CNC Web Portal and uploaded the file into the School Corporation's software on a monthly basis without a documented oversight or review process in place to ensure directly certified students were properly processed. The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2022, FY2023 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding for Eligibility from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005. Condition and Context Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable programs. A child belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at a reduced price. Children that have been determined ineligible for free or reduced-price meals pay the full price for their meals. A child's eligibility for free and reduced-priced meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnished such information as family income and family size. The School Corporation determines eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Annual eligibility determinations may also be based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program, or, under most circumstances, the TANF program. A household may furnish documentation if its participation in one of those programs, or the School Corporation may obtain the information directly from the State or local agency that administers those programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. Paper applications and online applications are processed in the School Corporation's software system to determine if students are eligible for free or reduced meals. Paper applications are input by the Nutrition Services Director and online applications are directly submitted by parents. The software's determination of eligibility is recalculated by the Nutrition Services Director without an oversight or review process in place to ensure accuracy. Additionally, the Nutrition Services Director downloaded the Direct Certifications file from the CNC Web Portal and uploaded the file into the School Corporation's software on a monthly basis without a documented oversight or review process in place to ensure directly certified students were properly processed. The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2022, FY2023 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Eligibility, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding for Eligibility from the prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2021-005. Condition and Context Eligibility Any child enrolled in a participating school who meets the applicable program's definition of "child," may receive meals under the applicable programs. A child belonging to households meeting nationwide income eligibility requirements may receive meals at no charge or at a reduced price. Children that have been determined ineligible for free or reduced-price meals pay the full price for their meals. A child's eligibility for free and reduced-priced meals under a Child Nutrition Cluster program may be established by the submission of an annual application or statement which furnished such information as family income and family size. The School Corporation determines eligibility by comparing the data reported by the child's household to published income eligibility guidelines. Annual eligibility determinations may also be based on the child's household receiving benefits under SNAP, FDPIR, the Head Start Program, or, under most circumstances, the TANF program. A household may furnish documentation if its participation in one of those programs, or the School Corporation may obtain the information directly from the State or local agency that administers those programs. Certain foster, runaway, homeless, and migrant children are categorically eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Direct certified households do not need to complete an application. Paper applications and online applications are processed in the School Corporation's software system to determine if students are eligible for free or reduced meals. Paper applications are input by the Nutrition Services Director and online applications are directly submitted by parents. The software's determination of eligibility is recalculated by the Nutrition Services Director without an oversight or review process in place to ensure accuracy. Additionally, the Nutrition Services Director downloaded the Direct Certifications file from the CNC Web Portal and uploaded the file into the School Corporation's software on a monthly basis without a documented oversight or review process in place to ensure directly certified students were properly processed. The lack of internal controls was isolated to fiscal year 2022-2023. Reporting The School Corporation must submit monthly sponsor claims for reimbursement (claims) for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Claims were submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as required; however, the claims were prepared by one employee without a review or approval process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X, 84.173, 84.173X Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-113-PN01, 20611-113-PN01, 21611-113-PN01, 21619-014-PN01, 22611-113-PN01, 22619-014-PN01, 23611-113-PN01, 23619-014-PN01, 22611-113-ARP, 22619-113-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context Direct charges to a federal award are to be for allowable costs and made in conformance with the applicable cost principles. In addition, procurements under federal awards are to be made in compliance with applicable federal regulations and other procurement requirements specific to an award. The School Corporation's process to ensure an expense was for an allowable cost in conformance with the cost principles and procured appropriately was for the Deputy Treasurer or Grant Administrator to prepare an Accounts Payable Voucher (APV), and the Corporation Treasurer to review and approve the APV. To test the internal control for effectiveness, a sample of 40 APVs charged to the grant was selected for testing. For 9 of the 40 APVs tested, there was not a documented review by the Corporation Treasurer. As such, we determined the internal control as designed could not be effective at ensuring an expense was for an allowable cost in conformance with the cost principles and procured appropriately The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not implemented by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2023-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X, 84.173, 84.173X Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 19611-113-PN01, 20611-113-PN01, 21611-113-PN01, 21619-014-PN01, 22611-113-PN01, 22619-014-PN01, 23611-113-PN01, 23619-014-PN01, 22611-113-ARP, 22619-113-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context Direct charges to a federal award are to be for allowable costs and made in conformance with the applicable cost principles. In addition, procurements under federal awards are to be made in compliance with applicable federal regulations and other procurement requirements specific to an award. The School Corporation's process to ensure an expense was for an allowable cost in conformance with the cost principles and procured appropriately was for the Deputy Treasurer or Grant Administrator to prepare an Accounts Payable Voucher (APV), and the Corporation Treasurer to review and approve the APV. To test the internal control for effectiveness, a sample of 40 APVs charged to the grant was selected for testing. For 9 of the 40 APVs tested, there was not a documented review by the Corporation Treasurer. As such, we determined the internal control as designed could not be effective at ensuring an expense was for an allowable cost in conformance with the cost principles and procured appropriately The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause A proper system of internal controls, which would include segregation of key functions, was not implemented by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.