Finding 1169132 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-01-15
Audit: 381949
Organization: Amistad Academy (CT)
Auditor: COHNREZNICK LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Academy lacks proper documentation and review of time and effort for teachers funded by the Title I grant, leading to potential inaccuracies in salary allocations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR, Part 200.430(i)(1) regarding accurate records and internal controls for salary charges to federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Implement a system for written documentation and periodic review of teachers' time and effort related to Title I activities to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 – Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Significant Deficiency Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name and Assistance Listing Number: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) - ALN #84.010 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 0000000279-00 12060-20679-2025-82070- 170002 and 2025 Name of Pass-through Entity: Connecticut State Department of Education Criteria According to 2 CFR, Part 200.430(i)(1) charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the actual work performed, which must, among other things: (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) and reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity. Condition During the year ended June 30, 2025, the Academy had insignificant support for the review and of time and effort spent on the allowable activities related to the Title I grant. Cause Approval signature was not documented on Semi-Annual Time Certification Form. This lack of approval therefore did not demonstrate that any review had been performed over salary allocations using Title I grant revenue. Effect of Potential Effect As a result of the lack of review, the teachers' salaries allocated to the Title I grant may not be accurate. Questioned Costs None Context We selected four employees charged to the Title I grant to test for controls over time and effort. The Academy did not have evidence of review of the Title I teachers' time and effort for any of the four employees tested. Identification as a Repeat Finding This finding is not a repeat finding. Recommendation The Academy should have written documentation for each teacher's time and effort related to allowable activities for Title I grant. The Academy should also review this time and effort report on a periodic basis and include a review process to ensure the policy is followed. Views of Responsible Officials We agree with the finding and will develop and implement procedures to address the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Audit Finding Reference: 2025-001 – Title I Grants to Educational Agencies (LEAs) – ALN #84.010 Planned Corrective Action: We will revise our process to ensure the appropriate approval signatures are on Student Withdrawl Forms for transferred students, and for Graduated Students Listing. Name of Contact Person: Bob Haynes Interim Controller Bobhaynes@achievementfirst.org Anticipated completion date: December 9, 2025

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1169133 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $741,055
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $596,107
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $315,226
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $74,223
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $57,308
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM - COMMODITIES $53,268
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $44,437
10.185 LOCAL FOOD FOR SCHOOLS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM $976