Finding Text
U.S. Department of Education – Passed-through the NYS Education Department Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Special Education - Grants to States (IDEA, Part B), Special Education - Preschool Grants (IDEA Preschool); Assistance Listing Numbers 84.027 and 84.173; Project #0032-25-0421, #0033-25-0421; Grant Period – Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Maintenance of Effort Criteria: According to the OMB Compliance Supplement, IDEA Part B funds received by a school district cannot be used, except under certain limited circumstances, to reduce the level of expenditures for the education of children with disabilities made by the school district from local funds, or a combination of state and local funds, below the level of those expenditures for the preceding fiscal year. To meet this requirement, school districts must meet (1) the eligibility standard using budgeted amounts and (2) the compliance standard using prior year’s expenditures. Condition: While the District did ultimately meet the necessary requirements for the eligibility standard using budgeted amounts, certain amounts presented in the maintenance of effort calculation for eligibility for the 2024/25 fiscal year were not reported accurately. Cause: The District inadvertently utilized certain inaccurate amounts in the calculations. Effect: While the District did ultimately meet the necessary requirements for the eligibility standards using budgeted amounts, the District’s maintenance of effort calculator for eligibility was submitted to NYS Education Department (NYSED) with certain inaccurate information. Questioned Costs: None. Statistical Sampling: Not applicable. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the District develop a system to review the maintenance of effort calculator with all supporting documentation before submitting it to NYSED in order to ensure that the information submitted is completed and accurate. District’s Response: The District’s response is included in their corrective action plan