Federal Agency: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects Assistance Listing Number: 93.243 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H79TI080332 (23/24) Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal awards period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: In a sample of transactions that were in the expense detail supporting the total federal expenditures on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), transactions were identified as being incurred after the end date of the period of availability. Questioned costs: N/A Context: In a sample size of fourteen expenditure transactions, one was incurred after the end date of the period of availability. • • Cause: Transaction was related to a payroll period that began prior to the end date of the period of performance and ended after said date. Effect: Amounts are included on the SEFA for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2024, that were incurred after the end date of the period of performance. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: Perform a review policies and procedures regarding proper monitoring of period of performance related to grant end dates. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal Agency: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects Assistance Listing Number: 93.243 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H79TI080332 (23/24) Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal awards period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: In a sample of transactions that were in the expense detail supporting the total federal expenditures on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), transactions were identified as being incurred after the end date of the period of availability. Questioned costs: N/A Context: In a sample size of fourteen expenditure transactions, one was incurred after the end date of the period of availability. • • Cause: Transaction was related to a payroll period that began prior to the end date of the period of performance and ended after said date. Effect: Amounts are included on the SEFA for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2024, that were incurred after the end date of the period of performance. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: Perform a review policies and procedures regarding proper monitoring of period of performance related to grant end dates. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal Agency: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects Assistance Listing Number: 93.243 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H79TI080332 (23/24) Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal awards period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: In a sample of transactions that were in the expense detail supporting the total federal expenditures on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), transactions were identified as being incurred after the end date of the period of availability. Questioned costs: N/A Context: In a sample size of fourteen expenditure transactions, one was incurred after the end date of the period of availability. • • Cause: Transaction was related to a payroll period that began prior to the end date of the period of performance and ended after said date. Effect: Amounts are included on the SEFA for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2024, that were incurred after the end date of the period of performance. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: Perform a review policies and procedures regarding proper monitoring of period of performance related to grant end dates. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal Agency: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Research and Development Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.323, 93.847 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G231006 (23/24), R01DK108054 (23/24) Pass-Through Agency: WV Department of Health and Human Resources Pass-Through Number(s): G231006 Award Period: July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal awards period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: In a sample of transactions that were in the expense detail supporting the total federal expenditures on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), transactions were identified as being incurred after the end date of the period of availability. Questioned costs: $3,320 Context: In a sample size of twenty-eight expenditure transactions, five were incurred after the end date of the period of availability. Cause: Four of the exceptions were the result of the department administering the grant not submitting a revised internal form to update the funding source. These transactions were not included on the final invoice to the awarding agency but were included in the SEFA. One of the exceptions was the result of clerical entry error. • • Effect: Amounts are included on the SEFA for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2024, that were incurred after the end date of the period of performance. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: Perform a review policies and procedures regarding proper monitoring of period of performance related to grant end dates. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Information on the federal program: Subject: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund – Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425C200018, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters Criteria: 2 CFR 200.403 establishes principles and standards for determining costs for federal awards carried out through grants, cost reimbursement contracts, and other agreements with state and local governments. To be allowable, under federal awards, cost must meet certain criteria: 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. c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. g) Be adequately documented. h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 indicates that non-Federal Entities receiving Federal awards must 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 terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School District to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Education Stabilization Fund and Activities Allowed or Unallowed. Cause: The School District's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School District at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,651 (Known questioned costs). Context: During the testing of vendor and payroll disbursements charged to Education Stabilization Fund grant awards during the audit period, the following exceptions were noted: Management was unable to provide an approved accounts payable voucher and supporting invoice for one vendor disbursement in a sample of 12 vendor disbursements. For one salaried employee selected out of a sample of 40 payroll disbursements, the employee was charged to Education Stabilization Fund grants for 50% of their time worked in a pay period. The School Corporation did not maintain any time-and-effort logs to support the employee’s partial allocation to Education Stabilization Fund grants. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommended that the School District maintain supporting documentation for vendor and payroll disbursements to support costs charged to the federal grant awards. For payroll disbursements charged to Federal awards, management should maintain time and effort records to support payroll costs allocated to Education Stabilization Grant funds to verify they are allowable and supported by documentation for work performed under the award. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund – Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425C200018, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters Criteria: 2 CFR 200.403 establishes principles and standards for determining costs for federal awards carried out through grants, cost reimbursement contracts, and other agreements with state and local governments. To be allowable, under federal awards, cost must meet certain criteria: 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. c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. g) Be adequately documented. h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 indicates that non-Federal Entities receiving Federal awards must 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 terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School District to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Education Stabilization Fund and Activities Allowed or Unallowed. Cause: The School District's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School District at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,651 (Known questioned costs). Context: During the testing of vendor and payroll disbursements charged to Education Stabilization Fund grant awards during the audit period, the following exceptions were noted: Management was unable to provide an approved accounts payable voucher and supporting invoice for one vendor disbursement in a sample of 12 vendor disbursements. For one salaried employee selected out of a sample of 40 payroll disbursements, the employee was charged to Education Stabilization Fund grants for 50% of their time worked in a pay period. The School Corporation did not maintain any time-and-effort logs to support the employee’s partial allocation to Education Stabilization Fund grants. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommended that the School District maintain supporting documentation for vendor and payroll disbursements to support costs charged to the federal grant awards. For payroll disbursements charged to Federal awards, management should maintain time and effort records to support payroll costs allocated to Education Stabilization Grant funds to verify they are allowable and supported by documentation for work performed under the award. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund – Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425C200018, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters Criteria: 2 CFR 200.403 establishes principles and standards for determining costs for federal awards carried out through grants, cost reimbursement contracts, and other agreements with state and local governments. To be allowable, under federal awards, cost must meet certain criteria: 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. c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. g) Be adequately documented. h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 indicates that non-Federal Entities receiving Federal awards must 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 terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School District to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Education Stabilization Fund and Activities Allowed or Unallowed. Cause: The School District's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School District at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,651 (Known questioned costs). Context: During the testing of vendor and payroll disbursements charged to Education Stabilization Fund grant awards during the audit period, the following exceptions were noted: Management was unable to provide an approved accounts payable voucher and supporting invoice for one vendor disbursement in a sample of 12 vendor disbursements. For one salaried employee selected out of a sample of 40 payroll disbursements, the employee was charged to Education Stabilization Fund grants for 50% of their time worked in a pay period. The School Corporation did not maintain any time-and-effort logs to support the employee’s partial allocation to Education Stabilization Fund grants. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommended that the School District maintain supporting documentation for vendor and payroll disbursements to support costs charged to the federal grant awards. For payroll disbursements charged to Federal awards, management should maintain time and effort records to support payroll costs allocated to Education Stabilization Grant funds to verify they are allowable and supported by documentation for work performed under the award. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund – Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425C200018, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters Criteria: 2 CFR 200.403 establishes principles and standards for determining costs for federal awards carried out through grants, cost reimbursement contracts, and other agreements with state and local governments. To be allowable, under federal awards, cost must meet certain criteria: 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. c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. g) Be adequately documented. h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 indicates that non-Federal Entities receiving Federal awards must 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 terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School District to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Education Stabilization Fund and Activities Allowed or Unallowed. Cause: The School District's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School District at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,651 (Known questioned costs). Context: During the testing of vendor and payroll disbursements charged to Education Stabilization Fund grant awards during the audit period, the following exceptions were noted: Management was unable to provide an approved accounts payable voucher and supporting invoice for one vendor disbursement in a sample of 12 vendor disbursements. For one salaried employee selected out of a sample of 40 payroll disbursements, the employee was charged to Education Stabilization Fund grants for 50% of their time worked in a pay period. The School Corporation did not maintain any time-and-effort logs to support the employee’s partial allocation to Education Stabilization Fund grants. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommended that the School District maintain supporting documentation for vendor and payroll disbursements to support costs charged to the federal grant awards. For payroll disbursements charged to Federal awards, management should maintain time and effort records to support payroll costs allocated to Education Stabilization Grant funds to verify they are allowable and supported by documentation for work performed under the award. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund – Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425C200018, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Other Matters Criteria: 2 CFR 200.403 establishes principles and standards for determining costs for federal awards carried out through grants, cost reimbursement contracts, and other agreements with state and local governments. To be allowable, under federal awards, cost must meet certain criteria: 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. c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. g) Be adequately documented. h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 indicates that non-Federal Entities receiving Federal awards must 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 terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School District to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Education Stabilization Fund and Activities Allowed or Unallowed. Cause: The School District's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School District at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,651 (Known questioned costs). Context: During the testing of vendor and payroll disbursements charged to Education Stabilization Fund grant awards during the audit period, the following exceptions were noted: Management was unable to provide an approved accounts payable voucher and supporting invoice for one vendor disbursement in a sample of 12 vendor disbursements. For one salaried employee selected out of a sample of 40 payroll disbursements, the employee was charged to Education Stabilization Fund grants for 50% of their time worked in a pay period. The School Corporation did not maintain any time-and-effort logs to support the employee’s partial allocation to Education Stabilization Fund grants. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommended that the School District maintain supporting documentation for vendor and payroll disbursements to support costs charged to the federal grant awards. For payroll disbursements charged to Federal awards, management should maintain time and effort records to support payroll costs allocated to Education Stabilization Grant funds to verify they are allowable and supported by documentation for work performed under the award. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding number: 2024-011 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-through agency: Commonwealth Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Program: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program ALN #: 84.424 Award number: 0309-000548-2024-0035 Award year: September 12, 2023 to September 30, 2025 Finding: Internal Control and Compliance over Period of Performance Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Criteria Period of Performance A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. LEAs and SEAs must obligate funds during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. This maximum period includes a 15-month period of initial availability plus a 12-month period for carryover. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 indicates that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards must 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. Condition During our testing of period of performance associated with those expenditures charged to grant awards which began during fiscal year 2024 and cost transfers, we noted noncompliance for 2 expenditures out of a sample of 4. Per review of the underlying vendor invoices, the service period for these expenditures started prior to the award start date of September 12, 2023.Cause This appears to be due to an insufficient review of invoices to ensure the underlying services performed by vendors are within the grant awards outlined grant period. Effect Insufficient review of vendor invoices increases the risk of costs being charged to a grant award outside its approved budget period. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: $1,250,864 Recommendation We recommend that the Boston Public Schools (BPS) re-enforce its policies and procedures to ensure their review of expenditures charged to the award also includes a detailed review of the underlying vendor service period. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee BPS will take a multi-step approach to ensuring accuracy of spending to the grant award period: 1. Reinforce our existing practice of ensuring that period of service is reflected on Purchase Orders, which it was for the PO’s in question. 2. Working with major suppliers to ensure they understand the grant funded nature of their program and the eligible dates of service, which are outlined on the Purchase Order 3. Review / Update training for our Accounts Payable team on ensuring that the period of service on an invoice matches the period of service on the Purchase Order 4. Review / Update training for our State & Federal Grants, Programs, and Compliance teams to ensure that expenses are reviewed before the end of the grant period to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
2024-001 ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED (REPEAT OF PRIOR YEAR FINDING 2023-0001) Federal Program Information: Federal Agency and Program Name Federal Assistance Listing Number U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Cluster 17.258/17.259/17.278 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(g) states that costs must “Be adequately documented.” Condition: During our testing of activities allowed or unallowed, for 4 of the 60 nonpayroll items tested, management could not provide adequate support that the charges were properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. Questioned Costs: Unknown Context: Total federal expenditures for the WIOA Cluster were $1,377,447 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: The Board did not demonstrate that proper internal controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that unallowable charges to the federal program do not occur. Effect: Unallowable payments to the federal program may have occurred due to the lack of effective internal controls in place. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board design and implement controls to ensure that all charges to federal programs are adequately reviewed and approved prior to payment. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding and will take the necessary corrective actions as noted in the corrective action plan attached.
2024-001 ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED (REPEAT OF PRIOR YEAR FINDING 2023-0001) Federal Program Information: Federal Agency and Program Name Federal Assistance Listing Number U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Cluster 17.258/17.259/17.278 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(g) states that costs must “Be adequately documented.” Condition: During our testing of activities allowed or unallowed, for 4 of the 60 nonpayroll items tested, management could not provide adequate support that the charges were properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. Questioned Costs: Unknown Context: Total federal expenditures for the WIOA Cluster were $1,377,447 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: The Board did not demonstrate that proper internal controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that unallowable charges to the federal program do not occur. Effect: Unallowable payments to the federal program may have occurred due to the lack of effective internal controls in place. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board design and implement controls to ensure that all charges to federal programs are adequately reviewed and approved prior to payment. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding and will take the necessary corrective actions as noted in the corrective action plan attached.
2024-001 ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED (REPEAT OF PRIOR YEAR FINDING 2023-0001) Federal Program Information: Federal Agency and Program Name Federal Assistance Listing Number U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Cluster 17.258/17.259/17.278 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(g) states that costs must “Be adequately documented.” Condition: During our testing of activities allowed or unallowed, for 4 of the 60 nonpayroll items tested, management could not provide adequate support that the charges were properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. Questioned Costs: Unknown Context: Total federal expenditures for the WIOA Cluster were $1,377,447 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: The Board did not demonstrate that proper internal controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that unallowable charges to the federal program do not occur. Effect: Unallowable payments to the federal program may have occurred due to the lack of effective internal controls in place. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board design and implement controls to ensure that all charges to federal programs are adequately reviewed and approved prior to payment. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding and will take the necessary corrective actions as noted in the corrective action plan attached.
2024-001 ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED (REPEAT OF PRIOR YEAR FINDING 2023-0001) Federal Program Information: Federal Agency and Program Name Federal Assistance Listing Number U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Cluster 17.258/17.259/17.278 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(g) states that costs must “Be adequately documented.” Condition: During our testing of activities allowed or unallowed, for 4 of the 60 nonpayroll items tested, management could not provide adequate support that the charges were properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. Questioned Costs: Unknown Context: Total federal expenditures for the WIOA Cluster were $1,377,447 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: The Board did not demonstrate that proper internal controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that unallowable charges to the federal program do not occur. Effect: Unallowable payments to the federal program may have occurred due to the lack of effective internal controls in place. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board design and implement controls to ensure that all charges to federal programs are adequately reviewed and approved prior to payment. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding and will take the necessary corrective actions as noted in the corrective action plan attached.
2024-001 ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED (REPEAT OF PRIOR YEAR FINDING 2023-0001) Federal Program Information: Federal Agency and Program Name Federal Assistance Listing Number U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Cluster 17.258/17.259/17.278 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(g) states that costs must “Be adequately documented.” Condition: During our testing of activities allowed or unallowed, for 4 of the 60 nonpayroll items tested, management could not provide adequate support that the charges were properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. Questioned Costs: Unknown Context: Total federal expenditures for the WIOA Cluster were $1,377,447 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: The Board did not demonstrate that proper internal controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that unallowable charges to the federal program do not occur. Effect: Unallowable payments to the federal program may have occurred due to the lack of effective internal controls in place. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board design and implement controls to ensure that all charges to federal programs are adequately reviewed and approved prior to payment. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding and will take the necessary corrective actions as noted in the corrective action plan attached.
2024-001 ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED (REPEAT OF PRIOR YEAR FINDING 2023-0001) Federal Program Information: Federal Agency and Program Name Federal Assistance Listing Number U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Cluster 17.258/17.259/17.278 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(g) states that costs must “Be adequately documented.” Condition: During our testing of activities allowed or unallowed, for 4 of the 60 nonpayroll items tested, management could not provide adequate support that the charges were properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. Questioned Costs: Unknown Context: Total federal expenditures for the WIOA Cluster were $1,377,447 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: The Board did not demonstrate that proper internal controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that unallowable charges to the federal program do not occur. Effect: Unallowable payments to the federal program may have occurred due to the lack of effective internal controls in place. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board design and implement controls to ensure that all charges to federal programs are adequately reviewed and approved prior to payment. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding and will take the necessary corrective actions as noted in the corrective action plan attached.
2024-001 ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED (REPEAT OF PRIOR YEAR FINDING 2023-0001) Federal Program Information: Federal Agency and Program Name Federal Assistance Listing Number U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Cluster 17.258/17.259/17.278 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(g) states that costs must “Be adequately documented.” Condition: During our testing of activities allowed or unallowed, for 4 of the 60 nonpayroll items tested, management could not provide adequate support that the charges were properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. Questioned Costs: Unknown Context: Total federal expenditures for the WIOA Cluster were $1,377,447 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: The Board did not demonstrate that proper internal controls are in place and operating effectively to ensure that unallowable charges to the federal program do not occur. Effect: Unallowable payments to the federal program may have occurred due to the lack of effective internal controls in place. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board design and implement controls to ensure that all charges to federal programs are adequately reviewed and approved prior to payment. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding and will take the necessary corrective actions as noted in the corrective action plan attached.
Finding 2024-003 – Reporting Name of Federal Agency: Department of Labor- Federal Program Name and Assistance Listing Number: YouthBuild Program -17.274 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: YB-38231-22-60-A-36 May 02, 2022 through September 01, 2025. Criteria In accordance with the Funding Opportunity Announcement, the Company is required to provide and expend cash, in-kind or third party resources equivalent to exactly 25 percent of the grant award amount as "matching" funds. Match can be in the form of cash, in-kind contributions and third-party contributions and must meet the requirement found at 2 CFR 200.306, 2 CFR 200.403, 2 CFR 200.434, and 2 CFR 2900.8. 2 CFR 2900.8 requires that match is recognized at the time in which the funds are expended. The matching funds are required to be reported in the quarterly financial reports submitted by the Company. Condition The Company did not record in-kind matching funds contributions and related expense for the year ending June 30, 2024. In addition, the Company did not report their in-kind matching funds contributions or the related expenses on the quarterly financial report to the Department of Labor. Cause Internal controls over reporting of in-kind contributions and in-kind expenses were not operating effectively. Effect This resulted in an understatement of revenue and expense of $702,250 for the year ending June 30, 2024. In addition, the Company was not in compliance with the reporting requirements of the YouthBuild program. Questioned Costs N/A. Context A sample of 2 financial reports out of 2 financial reports required during the year ended June 30, 2024 did not report the in-kind contribution of matching funds. Identification as a Repeat Finding This finding is not a repeat finding. Recommendation We recommend that management reviews its internal controls over reporting of the ETA-9130 Financial Report to ensure complete and accurate reports. Additionally, we recommend that management strengthens its policies and procedures to ensure proper recognition and recording of revenue from in-kind contributions and related expenses. Views of Responsible Officials The Crenulated will request a quarterly in-kind contribution report from DOE and will ensure the in-kind contributions are recorded in the financial statements. The Crenulated plans to hire an in-house
CONDITION: During my review of a random sample of eleven (11) invoices related to the District’s expenditure of federal funds, I noted that there was not an approved purchase order issued in eight (8) of those instances. This is a repeat Finding (2023-003) from the prior fiscal year. CRITERIA: In accordance with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), the District shall use properly prepared and approved purchase orders for federal purchases. In addition, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that all expenditures (costs) must be adequately documented. EFFECT: The District did not comply with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), or Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance, regarding the use of purchase orders and the adequate documentation of federal expenditures. QUESTIONED COST: None CAUSE: Management of the District did not properly interpret the provisions of its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs to include the use of purchase orders for federal expenditures in all instances. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the District utilize properly prepared and approved purchase orders for all future federal program purchases in compliance with its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5) and Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The School District concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During my review of a random sample of eleven (11) invoices related to the District’s expenditure of federal funds, I noted that there was not an approved purchase order issued in eight (8) of those instances. This is a repeat Finding (2023-003) from the prior fiscal year. CRITERIA: In accordance with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), the District shall use properly prepared and approved purchase orders for federal purchases. In addition, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that all expenditures (costs) must be adequately documented. EFFECT: The District did not comply with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), or Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance, regarding the use of purchase orders and the adequate documentation of federal expenditures. QUESTIONED COST: None CAUSE: Management of the District did not properly interpret the provisions of its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs to include the use of purchase orders for federal expenditures in all instances. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the District utilize properly prepared and approved purchase orders for all future federal program purchases in compliance with its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5) and Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The School District concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During my review of a random sample of eleven (11) invoices related to the District’s expenditure of federal funds, I noted that there was not an approved purchase order issued in eight (8) of those instances. This is a repeat Finding (2023-003) from the prior fiscal year. CRITERIA: In accordance with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), the District shall use properly prepared and approved purchase orders for federal purchases. In addition, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that all expenditures (costs) must be adequately documented. EFFECT: The District did not comply with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), or Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance, regarding the use of purchase orders and the adequate documentation of federal expenditures. QUESTIONED COST: None CAUSE: Management of the District did not properly interpret the provisions of its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs to include the use of purchase orders for federal expenditures in all instances. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the District utilize properly prepared and approved purchase orders for all future federal program purchases in compliance with its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5) and Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The School District concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During my review of a random sample of eleven (11) invoices related to the District’s expenditure of federal funds, I noted that there was not an approved purchase order issued in eight (8) of those instances. This is a repeat Finding (2023-003) from the prior fiscal year. CRITERIA: In accordance with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), the District shall use properly prepared and approved purchase orders for federal purchases. In addition, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that all expenditures (costs) must be adequately documented. EFFECT: The District did not comply with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), or Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance, regarding the use of purchase orders and the adequate documentation of federal expenditures. QUESTIONED COST: None CAUSE: Management of the District did not properly interpret the provisions of its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs to include the use of purchase orders for federal expenditures in all instances. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the District utilize properly prepared and approved purchase orders for all future federal program purchases in compliance with its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5) and Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The School District concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During my review of a random sample of eleven (11) invoices related to the District’s expenditure of federal funds, I noted that there was not an approved purchase order issued in eight (8) of those instances. This is a repeat Finding (2023-003) from the prior fiscal year. CRITERIA: In accordance with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), the District shall use properly prepared and approved purchase orders for federal purchases. In addition, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that all expenditures (costs) must be adequately documented. EFFECT: The District did not comply with the District’s Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5), or Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance, regarding the use of purchase orders and the adequate documentation of federal expenditures. QUESTIONED COST: None CAUSE: Management of the District did not properly interpret the provisions of its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs to include the use of purchase orders for federal expenditures in all instances. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the District utilize properly prepared and approved purchase orders for all future federal program purchases in compliance with its Procurement Policy for Federal Programs (#626.5) and Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The School District concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness 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. . . ." 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: "Standards for documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non- Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE's definition of IBS); . . . (vii) Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. . . ." 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 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation’s management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were $1,944 of known questioned costs identified. Context: During testing of the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements, there were two vendor vouchers in a sample of 60, where the School Corporation was unable to locate any supporting documentation. These two selections totaled $1,530 charged to the grant. It was further noted that during our testing of payroll costs charged to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund, for 2 selections in a sample of 40, the School Corporation was unable to provide any support to validate the amount of payroll charged to the grant. These two selections totaled $414 charged to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation’s management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and that expenditures charged to the grant comply with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness 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. . . ." 2 CFR 200.430(i) states in part: "Standards for documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non- Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE's definition of IBS); . . . (vii) Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. . . ." 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 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation’s management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were $1,944 of known questioned costs identified. Context: During testing of the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements, there were two vendor vouchers in a sample of 60, where the School Corporation was unable to locate any supporting documentation. These two selections totaled $1,530 charged to the grant. It was further noted that during our testing of payroll costs charged to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund, for 2 selections in a sample of 40, the School Corporation was unable to provide any support to validate the amount of payroll charged to the grant. These two selections totaled $414 charged to the COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation’s management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and that expenditures charged to the grant comply with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation 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 grant award. The School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools with a portion of the proportionate share being remitted to the member school for earmarking costs. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for private school and homeschooled students as nonpublic students were met. The School Corporation received the full earmarking amount from the Cooperative for grant award 21611-047-PN01 and a portion of grant award 22611-047-PN01. The School Corporation spent only a portion of the required proportionate share amount on allowable costs for each grant award tested in the audit period. For grant awards 21611-047-PN01 and 22611-047-PN01, the School Corporation spent $15,361 and $14,999, respectively, out of the required amount for the proportionate share of $48,324 and $57,883, respectively. For grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP, the School Corporation did not expend any amounts as these funds were spent and handled at the Cooperative. Time and effort logs were not maintained to determine if the teachers paid from these funds were performing duties for the nonpublic students; therefore, amounts charged to the grants were not based on actual time spent for the nonpublic students as required. The School Corporation required amount of proportionate share for grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP was $926, $1,913, and $1,009, respectively. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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: . . . (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 Through management inquiry, there was confusion at the School Corporation as to whether the Cooperative or the School Corporation handled what portions of the nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Upon further inquiry, it was determined that the School Corporation handles the portion for the 611 grants by receiving funds from the Cooperative, and the Cooperative handles the 619 grants. However, proper time and effort logs were not maintained for expenditures used to meet the earmarking requirements; therefore, the School Corporation was not able to meet the required earmarking requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation was unable to ensure compliance with earmarking requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation 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 grant award. The School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools with a portion of the proportionate share being remitted to the member school for earmarking costs. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for private school and homeschooled students as nonpublic students were met. The School Corporation received the full earmarking amount from the Cooperative for grant award 21611-047-PN01 and a portion of grant award 22611-047-PN01. The School Corporation spent only a portion of the required proportionate share amount on allowable costs for each grant award tested in the audit period. For grant awards 21611-047-PN01 and 22611-047-PN01, the School Corporation spent $15,361 and $14,999, respectively, out of the required amount for the proportionate share of $48,324 and $57,883, respectively. For grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP, the School Corporation did not expend any amounts as these funds were spent and handled at the Cooperative. Time and effort logs were not maintained to determine if the teachers paid from these funds were performing duties for the nonpublic students; therefore, amounts charged to the grants were not based on actual time spent for the nonpublic students as required. The School Corporation required amount of proportionate share for grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP was $926, $1,913, and $1,009, respectively. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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: . . . (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 Through management inquiry, there was confusion at the School Corporation as to whether the Cooperative or the School Corporation handled what portions of the nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Upon further inquiry, it was determined that the School Corporation handles the portion for the 611 grants by receiving funds from the Cooperative, and the Cooperative handles the 619 grants. However, proper time and effort logs were not maintained for expenditures used to meet the earmarking requirements; therefore, the School Corporation was not able to meet the required earmarking requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation was unable to ensure compliance with earmarking requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation 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 grant award. The School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools with a portion of the proportionate share being remitted to the member school for earmarking costs. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for private school and homeschooled students as nonpublic students were met. The School Corporation received the full earmarking amount from the Cooperative for grant award 21611-047-PN01 and a portion of grant award 22611-047-PN01. The School Corporation spent only a portion of the required proportionate share amount on allowable costs for each grant award tested in the audit period. For grant awards 21611-047-PN01 and 22611-047-PN01, the School Corporation spent $15,361 and $14,999, respectively, out of the required amount for the proportionate share of $48,324 and $57,883, respectively. For grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP, the School Corporation did not expend any amounts as these funds were spent and handled at the Cooperative. Time and effort logs were not maintained to determine if the teachers paid from these funds were performing duties for the nonpublic students; therefore, amounts charged to the grants were not based on actual time spent for the nonpublic students as required. The School Corporation required amount of proportionate share for grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP was $926, $1,913, and $1,009, respectively. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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: . . . (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 Through management inquiry, there was confusion at the School Corporation as to whether the Cooperative or the School Corporation handled what portions of the nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Upon further inquiry, it was determined that the School Corporation handles the portion for the 611 grants by receiving funds from the Cooperative, and the Cooperative handles the 619 grants. However, proper time and effort logs were not maintained for expenditures used to meet the earmarking requirements; therefore, the School Corporation was not able to meet the required earmarking requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation was unable to ensure compliance with earmarking requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation 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 grant award. The School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools with a portion of the proportionate share being remitted to the member school for earmarking costs. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for private school and homeschooled students as nonpublic students were met. The School Corporation received the full earmarking amount from the Cooperative for grant award 21611-047-PN01 and a portion of grant award 22611-047-PN01. The School Corporation spent only a portion of the required proportionate share amount on allowable costs for each grant award tested in the audit period. For grant awards 21611-047-PN01 and 22611-047-PN01, the School Corporation spent $15,361 and $14,999, respectively, out of the required amount for the proportionate share of $48,324 and $57,883, respectively. For grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP, the School Corporation did not expend any amounts as these funds were spent and handled at the Cooperative. Time and effort logs were not maintained to determine if the teachers paid from these funds were performing duties for the nonpublic students; therefore, amounts charged to the grants were not based on actual time spent for the nonpublic students as required. The School Corporation required amount of proportionate share for grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP was $926, $1,913, and $1,009, respectively. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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: . . . (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 Through management inquiry, there was confusion at the School Corporation as to whether the Cooperative or the School Corporation handled what portions of the nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Upon further inquiry, it was determined that the School Corporation handles the portion for the 611 grants by receiving funds from the Cooperative, and the Cooperative handles the 619 grants. However, proper time and effort logs were not maintained for expenditures used to meet the earmarking requirements; therefore, the School Corporation was not able to meet the required earmarking requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation was unable to ensure compliance with earmarking requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation 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 grant award. The School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools with a portion of the proportionate share being remitted to the member school for earmarking costs. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for private school and homeschooled students as nonpublic students were met. The School Corporation received the full earmarking amount from the Cooperative for grant award 21611-047-PN01 and a portion of grant award 22611-047-PN01. The School Corporation spent only a portion of the required proportionate share amount on allowable costs for each grant award tested in the audit period. For grant awards 21611-047-PN01 and 22611-047-PN01, the School Corporation spent $15,361 and $14,999, respectively, out of the required amount for the proportionate share of $48,324 and $57,883, respectively. For grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP, the School Corporation did not expend any amounts as these funds were spent and handled at the Cooperative. Time and effort logs were not maintained to determine if the teachers paid from these funds were performing duties for the nonpublic students; therefore, amounts charged to the grants were not based on actual time spent for the nonpublic students as required. The School Corporation required amount of proportionate share for grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP was $926, $1,913, and $1,009, respectively. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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: . . . (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 Through management inquiry, there was confusion at the School Corporation as to whether the Cooperative or the School Corporation handled what portions of the nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Upon further inquiry, it was determined that the School Corporation handles the portion for the 611 grants by receiving funds from the Cooperative, and the Cooperative handles the 619 grants. However, proper time and effort logs were not maintained for expenditures used to meet the earmarking requirements; therefore, the School Corporation was not able to meet the required earmarking requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation was unable to ensure compliance with earmarking requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context The School Corporation 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 grant award. The School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools with a portion of the proportionate share being remitted to the member school for earmarking costs. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for private school and homeschooled students as nonpublic students were met. The School Corporation received the full earmarking amount from the Cooperative for grant award 21611-047-PN01 and a portion of grant award 22611-047-PN01. The School Corporation spent only a portion of the required proportionate share amount on allowable costs for each grant award tested in the audit period. For grant awards 21611-047-PN01 and 22611-047-PN01, the School Corporation spent $15,361 and $14,999, respectively, out of the required amount for the proportionate share of $48,324 and $57,883, respectively. For grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP, the School Corporation did not expend any amounts as these funds were spent and handled at the Cooperative. Time and effort logs were not maintained to determine if the teachers paid from these funds were performing duties for the nonpublic students; therefore, amounts charged to the grants were not based on actual time spent for the nonpublic students as required. The School Corporation required amount of proportionate share for grant awards 21619-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP was $926, $1,913, and $1,009, respectively. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to 21611-047-PN01, 21619-047-PN01, 22611-047-PN01, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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: . . . (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 Through management inquiry, there was confusion at the School Corporation as to whether the Cooperative or the School Corporation handled what portions of the nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Upon further inquiry, it was determined that the School Corporation handles the portion for the 611 grants by receiving funds from the Cooperative, and the Cooperative handles the 619 grants. However, proper time and effort logs were not maintained for expenditures used to meet the earmarking requirements; therefore, the School Corporation was not able to meet the required earmarking requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation was unable to ensure compliance with earmarking requirements. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the School Corporation should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During fiscal year 2023-2024, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For costs related to nonpublic schools, the practice of the Cooperative was to separate out the required amount for each member school from the Cooperative budget, and the member schools would work with the nonpublic schools to determine how to spend its proportionate share amount. Each member school would then request reimbursement from the Cooperative for nonpublic school expenditures incurred. This allowed both the Cooperative and member schools to maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies. In the initial sample of 25 expenditures, there was no noncompliance identified. However, while performing a review of transactions for the Period of Performance compliance requirement, it was noted that nonpublic schools received direct reimbursements from the Cooperative for its proportionate share expenditures. A total of 13 expenditures were made from special education funds to nonpublic schools on behalf of the member schools during the audit period. Of the 13 expenditures, 5, totaling $2,798, were made on behalf of the School Corporation to a nonpublic school. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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). . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act– (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding §§ 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with § 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act– (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 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. . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-9 states in part: "(a) The public agency must hold title to and exercise continuing administrative control of all: (1) property; (2) equipment; and (3) supplies; the public agency acquires with Part B funds for the benefit of nonpublic school students with disabilities. (b) The public agency may place equipment and supplies in a nonpublic school for the period of time needed to provide special education and related services. The public agency must ensure that the equipment and supplies: (1) are used only for the provision of special education and related services; and (2) can be removed from the nonpublic school without remodeling the nonpublic school facility." Cause Management was not aware that nonpublic school officials have no authority to obligate or receive federal funds and that School Corporation must maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies; therefore, reimbursements were made to a nonpublic school for proportionate share expenditures. Effect The payment of proportionate share expenditures to a nonpublic school resulted in the potential misuse of funds that were meant to pay the excess costs of providing special education to students. The unallowable nature of these expenditures may also result in the School Corporation not meeting its requirements related to Non-Public Proportionate Share for the respective grants. Questioned Costs There were questioned costs identified in the amount of $17,857. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no direct reimbursements are made to the nonpublic schools and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During fiscal year 2023-2024, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For costs related to nonpublic schools, the practice of the Cooperative was to separate out the required amount for each member school from the Cooperative budget, and the member schools would work with the nonpublic schools to determine how to spend its proportionate share amount. Each member school would then request reimbursement from the Cooperative for nonpublic school expenditures incurred. This allowed both the Cooperative and member schools to maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies. In the initial sample of 25 expenditures, there was no noncompliance identified. However, while performing a review of transactions for the Period of Performance compliance requirement, it was noted that nonpublic schools received direct reimbursements from the Cooperative for its proportionate share expenditures. A total of 13 expenditures were made from special education funds to nonpublic schools on behalf of the member schools during the audit period. Of the 13 expenditures, 5, totaling $2,798, were made on behalf of the School Corporation to a nonpublic school. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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). . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act– (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding §§ 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with § 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act– (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 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. . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-9 states in part: "(a) The public agency must hold title to and exercise continuing administrative control of all: (1) property; (2) equipment; and (3) supplies; the public agency acquires with Part B funds for the benefit of nonpublic school students with disabilities. (b) The public agency may place equipment and supplies in a nonpublic school for the period of time needed to provide special education and related services. The public agency must ensure that the equipment and supplies: (1) are used only for the provision of special education and related services; and (2) can be removed from the nonpublic school without remodeling the nonpublic school facility." Cause Management was not aware that nonpublic school officials have no authority to obligate or receive federal funds and that School Corporation must maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies; therefore, reimbursements were made to a nonpublic school for proportionate share expenditures. Effect The payment of proportionate share expenditures to a nonpublic school resulted in the potential misuse of funds that were meant to pay the excess costs of providing special education to students. The unallowable nature of these expenditures may also result in the School Corporation not meeting its requirements related to Non-Public Proportionate Share for the respective grants. Questioned Costs There were questioned costs identified in the amount of $17,857. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no direct reimbursements are made to the nonpublic schools and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During fiscal year 2023-2024, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For costs related to nonpublic schools, the practice of the Cooperative was to separate out the required amount for each member school from the Cooperative budget, and the member schools would work with the nonpublic schools to determine how to spend its proportionate share amount. Each member school would then request reimbursement from the Cooperative for nonpublic school expenditures incurred. This allowed both the Cooperative and member schools to maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies. In the initial sample of 25 expenditures, there was no noncompliance identified. However, while performing a review of transactions for the Period of Performance compliance requirement, it was noted that nonpublic schools received direct reimbursements from the Cooperative for its proportionate share expenditures. A total of 13 expenditures were made from special education funds to nonpublic schools on behalf of the member schools during the audit period. Of the 13 expenditures, 5, totaling $2,798, were made on behalf of the School Corporation to a nonpublic school. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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). . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act– (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding §§ 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with § 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act– (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 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. . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-9 states in part: "(a) The public agency must hold title to and exercise continuing administrative control of all: (1) property; (2) equipment; and (3) supplies; the public agency acquires with Part B funds for the benefit of nonpublic school students with disabilities. (b) The public agency may place equipment and supplies in a nonpublic school for the period of time needed to provide special education and related services. The public agency must ensure that the equipment and supplies: (1) are used only for the provision of special education and related services; and (2) can be removed from the nonpublic school without remodeling the nonpublic school facility." Cause Management was not aware that nonpublic school officials have no authority to obligate or receive federal funds and that School Corporation must maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies; therefore, reimbursements were made to a nonpublic school for proportionate share expenditures. Effect The payment of proportionate share expenditures to a nonpublic school resulted in the potential misuse of funds that were meant to pay the excess costs of providing special education to students. The unallowable nature of these expenditures may also result in the School Corporation not meeting its requirements related to Non-Public Proportionate Share for the respective grants. Questioned Costs There were questioned costs identified in the amount of $17,857. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no direct reimbursements are made to the nonpublic schools and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During fiscal year 2023-2024, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For costs related to nonpublic schools, the practice of the Cooperative was to separate out the required amount for each member school from the Cooperative budget, and the member schools would work with the nonpublic schools to determine how to spend its proportionate share amount. Each member school would then request reimbursement from the Cooperative for nonpublic school expenditures incurred. This allowed both the Cooperative and member schools to maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies. In the initial sample of 25 expenditures, there was no noncompliance identified. However, while performing a review of transactions for the Period of Performance compliance requirement, it was noted that nonpublic schools received direct reimbursements from the Cooperative for its proportionate share expenditures. A total of 13 expenditures were made from special education funds to nonpublic schools on behalf of the member schools during the audit period. Of the 13 expenditures, 5, totaling $2,798, were made on behalf of the School Corporation to a nonpublic school. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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). . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act– (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding §§ 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with § 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act– (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 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. . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-9 states in part: "(a) The public agency must hold title to and exercise continuing administrative control of all: (1) property; (2) equipment; and (3) supplies; the public agency acquires with Part B funds for the benefit of nonpublic school students with disabilities. (b) The public agency may place equipment and supplies in a nonpublic school for the period of time needed to provide special education and related services. The public agency must ensure that the equipment and supplies: (1) are used only for the provision of special education and related services; and (2) can be removed from the nonpublic school without remodeling the nonpublic school facility." Cause Management was not aware that nonpublic school officials have no authority to obligate or receive federal funds and that School Corporation must maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies; therefore, reimbursements were made to a nonpublic school for proportionate share expenditures. Effect The payment of proportionate share expenditures to a nonpublic school resulted in the potential misuse of funds that were meant to pay the excess costs of providing special education to students. The unallowable nature of these expenditures may also result in the School Corporation not meeting its requirements related to Non-Public Proportionate Share for the respective grants. Questioned Costs There were questioned costs identified in the amount of $17,857. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no direct reimbursements are made to the nonpublic schools and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During fiscal year 2023-2024, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For costs related to nonpublic schools, the practice of the Cooperative was to separate out the required amount for each member school from the Cooperative budget, and the member schools would work with the nonpublic schools to determine how to spend its proportionate share amount. Each member school would then request reimbursement from the Cooperative for nonpublic school expenditures incurred. This allowed both the Cooperative and member schools to maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies. In the initial sample of 25 expenditures, there was no noncompliance identified. However, while performing a review of transactions for the Period of Performance compliance requirement, it was noted that nonpublic schools received direct reimbursements from the Cooperative for its proportionate share expenditures. A total of 13 expenditures were made from special education funds to nonpublic schools on behalf of the member schools during the audit period. Of the 13 expenditures, 5, totaling $2,798, were made on behalf of the School Corporation to a nonpublic school. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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). . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act– (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding §§ 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with § 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act– (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 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. . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-9 states in part: "(a) The public agency must hold title to and exercise continuing administrative control of all: (1) property; (2) equipment; and (3) supplies; the public agency acquires with Part B funds for the benefit of nonpublic school students with disabilities. (b) The public agency may place equipment and supplies in a nonpublic school for the period of time needed to provide special education and related services. The public agency must ensure that the equipment and supplies: (1) are used only for the provision of special education and related services; and (2) can be removed from the nonpublic school without remodeling the nonpublic school facility." Cause Management was not aware that nonpublic school officials have no authority to obligate or receive federal funds and that School Corporation must maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies; therefore, reimbursements were made to a nonpublic school for proportionate share expenditures. Effect The payment of proportionate share expenditures to a nonpublic school resulted in the potential misuse of funds that were meant to pay the excess costs of providing special education to students. The unallowable nature of these expenditures may also result in the School Corporation not meeting its requirements related to Non-Public Proportionate Share for the respective grants. Questioned Costs There were questioned costs identified in the amount of $17,857. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no direct reimbursements are made to the nonpublic schools and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During fiscal year 2023-2024, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For costs related to nonpublic schools, the practice of the Cooperative was to separate out the required amount for each member school from the Cooperative budget, and the member schools would work with the nonpublic schools to determine how to spend its proportionate share amount. Each member school would then request reimbursement from the Cooperative for nonpublic school expenditures incurred. This allowed both the Cooperative and member schools to maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies. In the initial sample of 25 expenditures, there was no noncompliance identified. However, while performing a review of transactions for the Period of Performance compliance requirement, it was noted that nonpublic schools received direct reimbursements from the Cooperative for its proportionate share expenditures. A total of 13 expenditures were made from special education funds to nonpublic schools on behalf of the member schools during the audit period. Of the 13 expenditures, 5, totaling $2,798, were made on behalf of the School Corporation to a nonpublic school. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was isolated to the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards. 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). . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act– (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding §§ 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with § 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act– (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 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. . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-9 states in part: "(a) The public agency must hold title to and exercise continuing administrative control of all: (1) property; (2) equipment; and (3) supplies; the public agency acquires with Part B funds for the benefit of nonpublic school students with disabilities. (b) The public agency may place equipment and supplies in a nonpublic school for the period of time needed to provide special education and related services. The public agency must ensure that the equipment and supplies: (1) are used only for the provision of special education and related services; and (2) can be removed from the nonpublic school without remodeling the nonpublic school facility." Cause Management was not aware that nonpublic school officials have no authority to obligate or receive federal funds and that School Corporation must maintain control of all special education funds, property, equipment, and supplies; therefore, reimbursements were made to a nonpublic school for proportionate share expenditures. Effect The payment of proportionate share expenditures to a nonpublic school resulted in the potential misuse of funds that were meant to pay the excess costs of providing special education to students. The unallowable nature of these expenditures may also result in the School Corporation not meeting its requirements related to Non-Public Proportionate Share for the respective grants. Questioned Costs There were questioned costs identified in the amount of $17,857. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no direct reimbursements are made to the nonpublic schools and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-005 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, 22619-047-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context During the audit period, the School Corporation was a member of the Cooperative School Services (Cooperative). The Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of its member schools. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. For Special Education Cluster awards, funds must be obligated during the 27 months, extending from July 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated through September 30 of the second following fiscal year. When testing transactions which occurred in the liquidation period for the 22611-047-PN01, 22611-047-ARP, 22619-047-PN01, and 22619-047-ARP grant awards, two exceptions were identified in the initial sample of five transactions. When expanding the sample, a third exception was noted, and it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to examine the remaining 14 transactions. For the above listed awards, costs must be obligated by September 30, 2023. For the three identified exceptions, an initial purchase order was made in September, but the ultimate transaction was paid to a separate vendor than the original purchase order, and this obligation was incurred in November 2023. 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 22 NORTH NEWTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: "Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3)." 34 CFR 76.707 states in part: ". . . If the obligation is for- . . . (d) Performance of work other than personal services. . . . The obligation is made- On the date on which the State or subgrantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property. . . ." 2 CFR 200.1 states in part: ". . . Period of Performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date . . ." 36 CFR 76.709(a) states: "If a State or a subgrantee does not obligate all of its grant or subgrant funds by the end of the fiscal year for which Congress appropriated the funds, it may obligate the remaining funds during a carryover period of one additional fiscal year." Cause Management had established an initial obligation date that occurred in September of the second fiscal year but modified the final vendor for payment. The new obligation occurred after the period in which the School Corporation was allowed to incur the expense. Effect If funds are not obligated by the end of the specified date, the grantor agency is not obligated to reimburse the School Corporation for costs incurred. This may indicate that the funding that was reimbursed, which incurred outside of the period of performance, will need to be repaid to the grantor agency, and the School Corporation will then need to support the costs with nonfederal funding. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that no costs are incurred after the September 30 deadline and to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA)- Earmarking 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, 22619-054-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Wabash-Miami Area Programs for Exceptional Children (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, 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 and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. 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 nonpublic expenditures spent did not meet the earmarking requirements for grant award numbers 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures for each member school were determined by applying a percentage based on the total grant award to the nonpublic school total expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP grant awards. 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: (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 Through inquiry of management, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate share expenditures directly for each member school. The Cooperative did implement new processes and procedures to ensure expenditures were tracked by each member school starting with the 2024 grants, and these grants were still ongoing during the audit period. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the Cooperative was unable to track expenditures for nonpublic services for each member school. Consequently, the amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures but rather a percentage based on the budget per member school. Because of this, expenditures were not accurately reported to the oversight agency. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the Cooperative should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by member school. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the Earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA)- Earmarking 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, 22619-054-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Wabash-Miami Area Programs for Exceptional Children (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, 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 and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. 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 nonpublic expenditures spent did not meet the earmarking requirements for grant award numbers 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures for each member school were determined by applying a percentage based on the total grant award to the nonpublic school total expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP grant awards. 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: (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 Through inquiry of management, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate share expenditures directly for each member school. The Cooperative did implement new processes and procedures to ensure expenditures were tracked by each member school starting with the 2024 grants, and these grants were still ongoing during the audit period. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the Cooperative was unable to track expenditures for nonpublic services for each member school. Consequently, the amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures but rather a percentage based on the budget per member school. Because of this, expenditures were not accurately reported to the oversight agency. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the Cooperative should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by member school. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the Earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA)- Earmarking 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, 22619-054-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Wabash-Miami Area Programs for Exceptional Children (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, 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 and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. 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 nonpublic expenditures spent did not meet the earmarking requirements for grant award numbers 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures for each member school were determined by applying a percentage based on the total grant award to the nonpublic school total expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP grant awards. 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: (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 Through inquiry of management, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate share expenditures directly for each member school. The Cooperative did implement new processes and procedures to ensure expenditures were tracked by each member school starting with the 2024 grants, and these grants were still ongoing during the audit period. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the Cooperative was unable to track expenditures for nonpublic services for each member school. Consequently, the amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures but rather a percentage based on the budget per member school. Because of this, expenditures were not accurately reported to the oversight agency. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the Cooperative should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by member school. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the Earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA)- Earmarking 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, 22619-054-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Wabash-Miami Area Programs for Exceptional Children (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, 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 and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. 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 nonpublic expenditures spent did not meet the earmarking requirements for grant award numbers 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures for each member school were determined by applying a percentage based on the total grant award to the nonpublic school total expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP grant awards. 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: (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 Through inquiry of management, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate share expenditures directly for each member school. The Cooperative did implement new processes and procedures to ensure expenditures were tracked by each member school starting with the 2024 grants, and these grants were still ongoing during the audit period. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the Cooperative was unable to track expenditures for nonpublic services for each member school. Consequently, the amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures but rather a percentage based on the budget per member school. Because of this, expenditures were not accurately reported to the oversight agency. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the Cooperative should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by member school. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the Earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA)- Earmarking 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, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, 22619-054-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Wabash-Miami Area Programs for Exceptional Children (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, 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 and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. 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 nonpublic expenditures spent did not meet the earmarking requirements for grant award numbers 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP. Total grant expenditures were posted as expended. The nonpublic proportionate share expenditures for each member school were determined by applying a percentage based on the total grant award to the nonpublic school total expenditures. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 21611-054-PN01, 22611-054-PN01, 22619-054-PN01, 22611-054-ARP, and 22619-054-ARP grant awards. 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: (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 Through inquiry of management, they were unaware of the requirements to track nonpublic proportionate share expenditures directly for each member school. The Cooperative did implement new processes and procedures to ensure expenditures were tracked by each member school starting with the 2024 grants, and these grants were still ongoing during the audit period. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the Cooperative was unable to track expenditures for nonpublic services for each member school. Consequently, the amounts requested for reimbursement were not supported by actual expenditures but rather a percentage based on the budget per member school. Because of this, expenditures were not accurately reported to the oversight agency. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation Management of the Cooperative should develop written policies and procedures which would require tracking of actual nonpublic proportionate share expenditures by member school. Documentation should be maintained to show how these expenditures are being tracked to ensure compliance with the Earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.