Finding Text
FINDING 2025-006 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 24 DELPHI COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context A property record or capital asset listing which would include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and use and condition of the property is to be maintained for assets purchased that exceed the School Corporation's capitalization threshold of $5,000. The School Corporation hired a consultant to compile a capital asset listing report that was to contain all inventory and assets purchased that exceeded the School Corporation's capitalization threshold through June 30, 2025. The consultant prepared the report; however, the School Corporation did not have any policies or procedures in place to ensure the listing was complete. The School Corporation spent $802,314 on improvements, of which $344,829 was paid with COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Funds. The improvements should have been recorded as a capital asset purchased with grant funds as this project exceeded the capitalization threshold. The capital asset listing provided only included part of the project totaling $167,208 and did not identify the source of the funding, the correct cost of the property, or the percentage of federal participation as required. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the ESSER III grant S425U210013 in both fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the 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 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 DELPHI COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." Cause Effective internal controls were not in place to ensure that all assets purchased with federal funds were added to the School Corporation's capital asset listing. The School Corporation uses a consultant to prepare the capital asset listing which did not include all required information. Effect Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the repayment of federal funds. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a proper system of internal controls that would ensure compliance with the equipment and real property management requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.