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FINDING 2025-004 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-151-PN01, 22611-151-ARP, 23611-151-PN01, 23619-151-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities was met. Although the Proportionate Share Report was prepared by the Treasurer and reviewed and approved by the Special Education Director, the internal controls were not effective to ensure nonpublic school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. The nonpublic expenditures spent did not meet the earmarking requirements for grant award numbers 22611-151-PN01, 22611-151-ARP, 23611-151-PN01, and 23619-151-PN01. The required expenditures for nonpublic proportionate shares were $11,074, $2,423, $9,363, and $504, respectively. The School Corporation could only provide documentation of expenditures of $10,465, $0, $2,561, and $0, respectively. In addition, the School Corporation did not track the expenditures in a separate line item within the ledger to specifically identify services provided for nonpublic school students. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the 22611-151-PN01, 22611-151-ARP, 23611-151-PN01, and 23619-151-PN01 grants. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 DELPHI COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . . " 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed . . ." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range." Cause Through inquiry of management, they were unaware of the requirements to track the nonpublic proportionate share expenditures separately. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation was unable to track expenditures for nonpublic services and ensure the proper amount was spent which could result in the repayment of federal awards. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls to ensure the required level of expenditures for nonpublic school students with disabilities is met and properly tracked to ensure compliance with the matching, level of effort, earmarking requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.