Finding 1226268 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-08-12

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: $68,662 in salary and benefits for Non-Title I employees were incorrectly charged to Title I funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: Costs must be necessary, reasonable, and well-documented per OMB 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Charter School should continue working with DESE and strengthen internal controls over program expenditures.

Finding Text

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PASSED THROUGH ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TITLE I - GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES - AL NUMBER 84.010A PASS-THROUGH NUMBER 5440 AUDIT PERIOD - YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Criteria or specific requirement: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR part 200, subpart E – Cost Principles, establishes principles and standards for determining allowable costs incurred by the School under federal awards. Such costs are to be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the federal award and adequately documented. Condition: During our examination of Title I payroll expenditures, we identified $68,662 in salary and fringe benefits paid to Non-Title I employees. A similar finding was issued in the prior year audit. Cause: Lack of internal controls and management oversight over program expenditures. Effect or potential effect: Unallowable costs of $68,662 were paid from Title I. Questioned costs: $68,662. Context: An examination of Title I payroll expenditures for 6 employees totaling $173,575 from a population of 44 employees totaling $1,378,919. Our sample was not a statistically valid sample. Identification as a repeat finding: Yes Recommendation: The Charter School should contact the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for guidance regarding this matter and implement proper controls over program expenditures. Views of responsible officials: The School has contacted DESE for guidance regarding this matter and has implemented proper controls over Title I program expenditures.

Corrective Action Plan

The School has contacted DESE for guidance regarding this matter and has implemented proper controls over Title One program expenditures.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Questioned Costs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1226266 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1226267 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1226269 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1226270 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1226271 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1226272 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1226273 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 COVID-19 - EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $2.57M
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $1.45M
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION_GRANTS TO STATES $421,518
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $382,675
10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM $50,816
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $33,641
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION_PRESCHOOL GRANTS $12,821