Finding 11381 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
G
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-02-02

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Inaccurate expenditure amounts were reported for the Maintenance of Effort calculation to the State Department of Education.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls must ensure accurate reporting and proper documentation for compliance with federal award requirements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to save all supporting documentation and verify the accuracy of reported expenditures.

Finding Text

Federal Award Special Education (IDEA) Cluster – 84.027 and 84.173 Compliance Requirement Maintenance of Effort Criteria or specific requirement Internal controls should be in place to ensure that accurate amounts are reported to the State Department of Education for the Maintenance of Effort calculation. Condition Certain expenditure amounts reported to the State Department of Education for the Maintenance of Effort calculation were not accurate or could not be corroborated. Context We determined, through testing of the Maintenance of Effort submission, that one line item reported to the State Department of Education for the Maintenance of Effort calculation could not be corroborated with supporting documentation. In addition, five amounts reported had an immaterial variance when compared to the supporting documentation. Cause Supporting documentation was not saved at the time of preparation of the report. Effect The State Department of Education was provided inaccurate amounts for use in its Maintenance of Effort calculation. Recommendation Procedures should be established and implemented to ensure that all supporting documentation used in the preparation of the Maintenance of Effort submission be saved and that all expenditures reported are accurate. Views of responsible officials See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-003 Maintenance of Effort Condition Certain expenditure amounts reported to the State Department of Education for the Maintenance of Effort calculation were not accurate or could not be corroborated. Recommendation Procedures should be established and implemented to ensure that all supporting documentation used in the preparation of the Maintenance of Effort submission be saved and that all expenditures reported are accurate. Comments on the Finding Recommendation The District acknowledges the finding and agrees that it is accurate. Last year was only the Assistant Director's second year with the Cooperative, and in the time since that second submission, he has learned that better documentation and recordkeeping should be kept for any information used within the submission process. Action Taken During the 2024 calendar year, the Assistant Director will attend training through the Kansas State Department of Education regarding how to better complete and document the Maintenance of Effort report. For the next Maintenance of Effort report, a physical binder will be created to hold the printed documentation used to prepare the submission. As of the date of this notice, the Assistant Director has also reviewed any KSDE documentation and trainings available on completing the Maintenance of Effort report.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 11382 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 11383 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 587823 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 587824 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 587825 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $46,582
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $37,736