Finding 1055131 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-07-17
Audit: 315328
Organization: Prescott School District (AR)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District purchased playground equipment costing $13,714 without prior written approval, violating federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: OMB 2 CFR part 200 mandates prior approval for capital expenditures from the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should seek guidance from the Arkansas DESE and strengthen internal controls over program expenditures.

Finding Text

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PASSED THROUGH ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SPECIAL EDUCATION - GRANTS TO STATES - AL NUMBER 84.027A AUDIT PERIOD - YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 2023-001. Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Criteria or specific requirement: Purchases of equipment and other capital expenditures require prior written approval of the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity, as specified in OMB 2 CFR part 200, subpart E. Condition: During our examination of expenditures, we identified a journal entry reclassifying the purchase of playground equipment, with a cost of $13,714, to the Special Education Cluster. The District did not obtain prior written approval from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for this purchase. Cause: Lack of internal controls and management oversight over program expenditures. Effect or potential effect: Unallowable costs of $13,714 were paid from the Special Education Cluster. Questioned costs: The amount of questioned cost was $13,714. Context: As a result of an examination of 2 journal entries (totaling $15,514) from a population of 17 journal entries (totaling $31,431). Our sample was statistically valid. Identification as a repeat finding: No Recommendation: The District should contact the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for guidance regarding this matter and implement proper controls over program expenditures. Views of responsible officials: The Prescott School District will contact the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for guidance regarding this matter and implement proper controls over program expenditures on any further projects.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 478689 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $498,566
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $289,571
10.553 School Breakfast Program $211,737
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants $80,098
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $77,168
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $61,990
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $39,428
10.555 National School Lunch Program $36,804
84.358 Rural Education $28,654
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $26,305
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $25,975
84.371 Comprehensive Literacy Development $21,417
84.425 Covid-19 - Education Stabilization Fund $520