Finding 1206394 (2025-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-04-10
Audit: 398399
Organization: Dolton West School District 148 (IL)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District claimed costs outside the approved performance periods, violating compliance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with the budget and period of performance rules set by ISBE.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen grant management controls by tracking grant dates, reconciling expenditures before claims, and conducting management reviews of reimbursement requests.

Finding Text

Criteria or specific requirement: The compliance requirements for "A. Activities Allowed and Unallowed", requires the District to conform to the itemized budgets which were filed with and approved by ISBE. Condition: The District claimed expenditures that were incurred outside of the applicable periods of performance. Cause: The District's internal controls over compliance were not functioning effectively to ensure reimbursements were claimed for only expenditures incurred within the applicable periods of performance. Effect: The District was not in compliance with the period of performance compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: The following questioned costs were computed based on differences between the amounts claimed for reimbursement by the District and its expenditure accounting records for the applicable periods of performance: $127,741 (Project No. 25-4300-00) $1,185 (Project No. 25-4331-00) Context: The condition noted was identified upon reconciling reimbursements claimed by the District to the general ledger accounts in which related expenditures were recorded, for the applicable periods of performance, and investigation of differences identified. Recommendation: We recommend that the District strengthen grant management controls by implementing procedures to ensure all expenditures claimed for reimbursement are incurred within the applicable period of performance. This should include tracking grant period dates, reconciling expenditures to allowable timeframes prior to claiming, and management review of all reimbursement requests. Management's response: The District agrees with the auditor's finding and recommendation.

Corrective Action Plan

Condition: The District claimed expenditures that were incurred outside of the applicable periods of performance.Plan: Management will review its policies and procedures and implement changes to strengthen internal control over compliance. Grant expenditures will be reviewed and approved by appropriate personnel prior to reimbursement requests being submitted. Responsible Person: Dr. Mable Alfred, Interim Superintendent. Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2026

Categories

Cash Management Period of Performance Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1206393 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1206395 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1206396 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1206397 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $836,886
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $503,336
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $345,612
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $216,114
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $186,764
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $169,575
93.778 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $143,773
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $86,252
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $42,748
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $39,535
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $10,170
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $3,046