FINDING 2025-006 Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Assistance Listings Number: 84.010 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A220014, S010A230014 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure all costs paid from Title I funds and submitted for reimbursement were for allowable activities or allowable costs. As a result, the following compliance issues were noted: On May 26, 2023, a check for $886 was issued for which supporting documentation could not be provided. As a result, it could not be determined if the expense was for an allowable activity or an allowable cost. On August 16, 2024, seven stipends were paid to non-Title I administrative staff from Title I grant funds. Two employees received $5,000 each and five employees received $3,000 each. On December 20, 2024, three stipends for $918 each were paid from Title I grant funds to employees who had previously received a stipend payment on August 16, 2024. These stipends were determined to not be an allowable activity or an allowable cost. The current Treasurer identified the stipend errors. The School Corporation requested and received reimbursement from the seven employees who received these stipends. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.302 states in part: "(a) Each state must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with state laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the state's own funds. In addition, the state's and the other non-Federal entity's financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions; and the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. . . . (b) The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (1) Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. Federal program and Federal award identification must include, as applicable, the Assistance Listings title and number, Federal award identification number and year, name of the Federal agency, and name of the pass-through entity, if any. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. . . . (3) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federallyfunded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation. (4) Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets. . . ." 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 200.400 states in part: "The application of these cost principles is based on the fundamental premises that: (a) The non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of the Federal award through the application of sound management practices. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (b) The non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. (c) The non-Federal entity, in recognition of its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, has the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of sound organization and management techniques may be necessary in order to assure proper and efficient administration of the Federal award. . . ." 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 200.404 states in part: "A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. The question of reasonableness is particularly important when the non- Federal entity is predominantly federally-funded. In determining reasonableness of a given cost, consideration must be given to: . . . (e) Whether the non-Federal entity significantly deviates from its established practices and policies regarding the incurrence of costs, which may unjustifiably increase the Federal award's cost." 2 CFR 200.508 states in part: "The auditee must: . . . (d) Provide the auditor access to personnel, accounts, books, records, supporting documentation, and any other information as needed for the auditor to perform the audit required by this part." Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 18 states in part: "Treasury has divided the Restriction on Use section into . . . (B) other restrictions on use, which include (1) debt service and replenishing reserves, (2) settlements and judgements, and (3) general restrictions. These restrictions apply to all eligible use categories. . . ." Cause The School Corporation did not design and implement an effective internal control system to review all payroll expenditures from the Title I funds, ensuring they were for allowable activities. Effect The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system over payroll expenditures caused noncompliance with the compliance requirements as detailed in the Condition and Context. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a system of internal controls to ensure that grant award fund compliance requirements are appropriately researched prior to spending. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.