Finding 1172379 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
G
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-04

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School failed to accurately report expenses, leading to unreliable maintenance of effort calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal guidelines requiring a minimum fiscal effort per student, as outlined in 2 CFR part 200.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement internal controls to ensure accurate reporting on the Form 9 report in accordance with state guidelines.

Finding Text

FINDING 2025-001 MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY Federal Program: Title I, Part A (84.010) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2024-004. Criteria 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XI, Compliance Supplement 2020, Section 4-84.000-13, states “An LEA may receive funds under an applicable program only if the SEA finds that the combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate expenditures of the LEA from state and local funds for free public education for the preceding year was not less than 90 percent of the combined fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for the second preceding year, unless specifically waved.” Condition The Indiana Department of Education completes the maintenance of effort calculation using the Form 9 report issued by the School, which is a cash-basis report. Review of the School’s Form 9 found the report to be unreliable. Expenditures per the Form 9 totaled approximately $46,050,000 for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Cash basis expenses per the School’s financial records totaled approximately $28,950,000. Cause The School did not report expenses in line with the guidelines set by the Indiana Department of Education. Effect Maintenance of effort calculations prepared by the Indiana Department of Education could be impacted by incorrect reporting of expense transactions. Recommendation We recommend the School develop internal controls to ensure expenses are properly reported on the Form 9 report in line with guidelines. Views of Responsible Officials The School’s Corrective Action Plan is included on pages 27 to 28.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan Matchbook Learning Schools of Indiana, Inc. Finding 2025-001 – Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Federal Program: Title I, Part A (84.010) Repeat Finding: Yes (Prior Audit Finding 2024-004) Corrective Action Plan Matchbook Learning Schools of Indiana, Inc. acknowledges the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) finding related to the accuracy of expenditures reported on the Form 9 cash-basis report submitted to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). This finding is a repeat finding from the prior audit period. The School recognizes that prior corrective actions were not sufficient to fully address the reliability of Form 9 reporting. As a result, the School has enhanced and formalized internal controls surrounding Form 9 preparation, review, and submission to ensure compliance with IDOE guidelines and to prevent recurrence of this issue. Corrective Actions Implemented 1. Formal Form 9 Reconciliation Process ○ The School has implemented a documented reconciliation process to compare internal cash-basis financial records to the Form 9 prior to submission. ○ This reconciliation ensures that only allowable cash expenditures are reported and that reported totals align with bank activity and supporting documentation. 2. Strengthened Review and Approval Controls ○ Preparation of the Form 9 is now subject to a multi-level review process. ○ The Form 9 will be reviewed by the School’s financial consultant and School leadership to confirm accuracy, compliance with IDOE reporting guidance, and consistency with underlying financial records prior to submission. 3. Written Procedures and Staff Training ○ Written internal procedures have been developed outlining Form 9 preparation requirements, including proper treatment of accruals, timing differences, and non-cash items. ○ Staff involved in financial reporting have received refresher training on IDOE Form 9 reporting requirements and maintenance of effort considerations. 4. Ongoing Monitoring and Communication ○ The School will perform periodic internal monitoring of cash-basis expenditures throughout the fiscal year to identify potential discrepancies prior to year-end reporting. ○ When necessary, the School will proactively communicate with IDOE to clarify reporting requirements before submission. Responsible Officials ● Board of Directors ● School Leadership ● Director of Finance Planned Completion Date ● Immediate and Ongoing These procedures have been implemented and will be applied to the current and all future reporting periods. Expected Results The implementation of these enhanced internal controls will ensure that Form 9 expense reporting is accurate, complete, and prepared in accordance with IDOE guidelines. This will support reliable Maintenance of Effort calculations by IDOE and is expected to prevent recurrence of this finding in future audit periods. Don Stewart COO Matchbook Learning

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1172378 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
81.086 CONSERVATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT $3.52M
84.282 CHARTER SCHOOLS $1.14M
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $1.02M
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $518,396
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $451,606
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $120,762
84.367 IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS $58,615
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $54,422
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $29,368
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION_GRANTS TO STATES $4,729