Finding 1223215 (2023-012)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-07-08

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Williston Basin Public School District No. 7 failed to keep necessary documentation for data submitted to NDDPI, raising concerns about the accuracy of reported information.
  • Impacted Requirements: The district did not comply with grant reporting requirements outlined in the CARES Act and related regulations, potentially leading to incorrect data being reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The district should implement a system to ensure proper documentation is maintained for all data submitted to NDDPI for the Education Stabilization Fund Annual Report.

Finding Text

2023-012– EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND - REPORTING – ALN 84.425 - MATERIAL WEAKNESS & MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE FINDING TYPE: MATERIAL WEAKNESS & MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE Finding 2023-012 Federal Program: Education Stabilization Fund ALN: 84.425 Federal Award Number(s) and Year(s): S425U210007, 2023 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass Through Agency: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Questioned Cost: N/A Condition Williston Basin Public School District No. 7 did not maintain documentation for the data that was submitted to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) for the state’s completion of the Annual Report for the Education Stabilization Fund program. We were able to obtain the information that was submitted from NDDPI; however, due to issues identified with the accuracy of underlying accounting records we were unable to determine if the information included in the report is accurate. Effect The School District may have reported incorrect data to NDDPI, which was then improperly reported to the U.S. Department of Education in the Annual Report on the use of Education Stabilization Funds. Cause The School District may have reported incorrect data to NDDPI, which was then improperly reported to the U.S. Department of Education in the Annual Report on the use of Education Stabilization Funds. Criteria Per the grant agreement, "the LEA will comply with all reporting requirements, including those in Section 15011(b)(2) of Division B of the CARES Act, and submit required quarterly reports to the NDDPI at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary may subsequently require. (See also 2 CFR 200.327-200.329). Additional reporting may be required in the future, which may include: the methodology LEAs will use to provide services or assistance to students and staff in both public and non-public schools, the uses of funds by the LEAs or other entities and demonstration of their compliance with Section 18003(d), such as any use of funds addressing the digital divide, including securing access to home-based connectivity and remote-use devices, related issues in supporting remote learning for all students, including disadvantaged populations." Context Williston Basin Public School District No. 7 had ESSER expenses of $9,095,712.87 during the year. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation We recommend that Williston Basin Public School District No. 7 maintain documentation for the data that is submitted to NDDPI for the completion of the Annual Report for the Educations Stabilization Fund. Williston Basin Public School District No. 7’s Response See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-012– EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND - REPORTING – ALN 84.425 - MATERIAL WEAKNESS & MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE Condition: Williston Basin Public School District No. 7 did not maintain documentation for the data that was submitted to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) for the state’s completion of the Annual Report for the Education Stabilization Fund program. We were able to obtain the information that was submitted from NDDPI; however, due to issues identified with the accuracy of underlying accounting records we were unable to determine if the information included in the report is accurate. Management’s Response: We agree. The District will work to ensure that all federal programs reporting requirements are met going forward. The district has implemented new documentation retention requirements. Anticipated Completion Date: FY 2025

Categories

Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1223216 2023-013
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1223217 2023-014
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF (ARP ESSER) $6.81M
84.425 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF (ESSER) FUND $2.20M
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $1.44M
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $433,633
16.071 SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM $335,021
84.371 COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY DEVELOPMENT $261,610
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $242,266
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $215,714
10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM $212,825
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $158,625
84.425 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF - HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH $84,345
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $77,385
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $18,270
10.560 STATE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES FOR CHILD NUTRITION $10,222
84.369 GRANTS FOR STATE ASSESSMENTS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES $9,106
10.579 CHILD NUTRITION DISCRETIONARY GRANTS LIMITED AVAILABILITY $5,454