Finding 1206071 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-04-07
Audit: 397969
Organization: Learn (CT)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: LEARN lacks proper documentation and controls to verify that vendors are not suspended or debarred before engaging in transactions.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding relates to compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, which mandates checks against suspension and debarment for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: LEARN should implement a formal policy and review process to ensure all potential contractors are verified against suspension and debarment lists before services commence.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Magnet School Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.165A Federal Award Identification Number and Year: S165A220028 (2022) and S165A240052 (2024) Award Period: October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Award requires compliance with the provisions of suspension, and debarment. Condition: During our testing, we noted LEARN did not have adequate documentation of internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None Context: During our testing, it was noted that the LEARN did not have a formal policy for verification that an entity with which LEARN plans to enter into a covered transaction is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded. Cause: LEARN did not perform a formal documented review to ensure they were not suspended or debarred. Effect: There were no instances found that a suspended or debarred entity was paid with federal awards. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend LEARN enhance controls to ensure an adequate review process for reviewing potential contractors on whether they are not suspended or debarred prior to services being rendered. Views of Responsible Officials: Management has agreed with this finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Major Federal Programs Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matter Description of Finding During our testing, we noted LEARN did not have adequate documentation of internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Statement of Concurrence or NonConcurrence Management agrees with this finding. Our corrective action plan is detailed below. Corrective Action Management has initiated corrective measures to strengthen internal controls over compliance. LEARN reviewed the existing procedure which outlines the steps to review vendor suspension/disbarment. The Business Office communicated the procedure to all staff with responsibilities for creating purchase orders. In addition, the Business Office reviewed all existing purchase orders over $20k and reviewed those vendors for suspension/disbarment. See attached for LEARN’s purchasing policy and the related procedure document. Name of Contact Person Mike Belden, CFO Projected Completion Date June 30, 2026

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.165 MAGNET SCHOOLS ASSISTANCE $2.60M
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $477,668
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $266,015
93.575 CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT $229,743
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $196,694
84.126 REHABILITATION SERVICES VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION GRANTS TO STATES $128,750
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $99,023
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $89,407
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $33,234
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $24,161
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $21,654
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $20,885
10.185 LOCAL FOOD FOR SCHOOLS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM $2,545