Finding 1170530 (2025-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-01-26

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District's internal controls were ineffective, leading to inaccurate meal count claims for reimbursement.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and 7 CFR Section 210.8(a) regarding accurate reporting of meal counts.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should review and enhance internal control policies to ensure compliance and accurate claims.

Finding Text

8. Criteria or specific requirement: Per Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) Subpart D, Post Federal Award Requirements Section 200.303, Internal controls, the recipient must establish, document and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the recipient is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Per 7 CFR Section 210.8(a), the school food authority shall establish internal controls which ensure the accuracy of meal counts prior to the submission of the monthly claim for reimbursement. '9. Condition: Three (3) monthly claims for reimbursement reported meal counts in excess of those supported by records of the District. 10. Cause: The District's internal controls over compliance were not functioning effectively to ensure claims for reimbursement were accurately prepared. '11. Effect: The District was not in compliance with the reporting compliance requirement. '12. Questioned Costs: The following questioned costs were computed based on the excess meals claimed for reimbursement times the applicable reimbursement rate: $37 (Project No. 25-4220-00) $2,074 (Project No. 25-4210-00) '13. Context: From the population of eleven (11) monthly claims for reimbursement, a sample of four (4) claims were selected for testing. We noted three (3) months in which the claims for reimbursement reported meal counts in excess of those supported by records of the District as follows: October 2024: Actual breakfast meals served: 10,313; Breakfast meals claimed for reimbursement: 10,326. March 2025: Actual lunch meals served: 12,901; Lunch meals claimed for reimbursement: 12,911 April 2025: Actual lunch meals served: 10,087; Lunch meals claimed for reimbursement: 10,190 In addition, the District was unable to locate supporting documentation of the snack claim counts of 765 for October 2024 and 525 for April 2025, which contributed to the questioned cost total for program 25-4210-00. A statistically valid sample was not utilized. 14. Recommendation: We recommend that management review its policies and procedures and implement changes to strengthen internal control over compliance. 15. Management's response: The District agrees with the auditor's finding and recommendation.

Corrective Action Plan

Condition: Three (3) monthly claims for reimbursement reported meal counts in excess of those supported by records of the District. Corrective Action Plan: Management will review its policies and procedures and implement changes to strengthen internal control over federal reporting. In addition, underlying claim support will undergo review before claims are submitted to the ISBE. Responsible Person: Janiesa Owens, Chief School Business Official Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2026

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1170529 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1170531 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $3.86M
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $332,649
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $169,838
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $91,521
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $90,536
93.778 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $69,028
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $50,657
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $30,310
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $27,807
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $6,081