Finding 1176226 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-03

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over eligibility determinations for free and reduced price school meals, as one person handles applications without a review.
  • Impacted Requirements: The lack of a review process violates the criteria for effective internal controls, increasing the risk of incorrect eligibility determinations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a documented review process for eligibility determinations to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-003: Significant Deficiency - Internal Control over Eligibility Program: Child Nutrition Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 10.553/10.555/10.559 Pass-Through Agency: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Criteria: A system of internal control should be in place and operating effectively to achieve a higher reliability that errors or irregularities in eligibility would be discovered by your staff. Condition: Eligibility determinations for applications for free and reduced price school meals are prepared by one individual, and there is no review performed by someone other than the preparer. Cause: There is lack of documentation of review by someone other than the preparer of applications for free and reduced price school meals eligibility determinations. Context: For all eight of the applications selected for testing, the eligibility determination was completed by one individual without any documentation of review to confirm or verify the determination. The sample was not statistically valid. Effect: Without proper review of eligibility determinations, individuals could incorrectly be determined eligible for free or reduced price school meals. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendation: A system should be put in place to sufficiently document the review of the eligibility determinations and applications for free and reduced price school meals. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with finding 2025-003 and will make efforts to implement recommended procedures.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-003: Internal Control over Eligibility – Child Nutrition Cluster Corrective Action: Acknowledging the lack of controls within the Child Nutrition program's eligibility process, the District has determined that hiring additional staff to resolve this internal control deficiency is not a cost-effective solution. Consequently, the Food Service Director and the Finance Director share the responsibility of reviewing student eligibility forms. Responsible Person: Danielle Mittermeyer Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing

Categories

School Nutrition Programs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Eligibility Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1176223 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1176224 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1176225 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1176227 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1176228 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1176229 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1176230 2025-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $429,546
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $267,264
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $253,805
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $203,483
93.778 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $114,192
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $103,469
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $47,583
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $22,690
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $16,504
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $11,699
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $9,153
93.354 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE: PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE $1,149