Finding 15689 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-08

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District purchased equipment over $5,000 without required prior approval, violating federal guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Written approval from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education is mandatory for capital expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-up: The District should seek guidance from the Arkansas Division and strengthen internal controls on program spending.

Finding Text

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PASSED THROUGH ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COVID-19 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND - AL NUMBERS 84.425D and 84.425U PASS-THROUGH NUMBER 6004 AUDIT PERIOD - YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 2022-001. Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Criteria or specific requirement: Purchases of equipment and other capital expenditures require written approval of the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity, as specified in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR section 200.439. Condition: In our test of equipment purchases from the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund, we identified the purchase of two pieces of equipment with unit costs greater than the $5,000 threshold for which the District did not obtain prior written approval from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. Cause: Lack of internal controls and management oversight over program expenditures. Effect or potential effect: Unallowable costs of $13,797 were paid from the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund. Questioned costs: The amount of questioned costs was $13,797. Context: We examined all capital expenditures of the COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund totaling $1,262,158. Recommendation: The District should contact the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for guidance regarding this matter and implement proper controls over program expenditures.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 1: The District did not obtain prior written approval from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the purchase of two pieces of equipment with unit costs greater than the $5,000 threshold as required by COM-22- 047. Corrective Action: The District will comply with all federal purchasing requirements, including obtaining written approval for equipment with unit costs greater than $5,000. Person Responsible for Corrective Actions: Federal Programs Coordinator Completion Date: This practice will go into effect immediately. Supplemental Findings

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 592131 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Covid-19 - Education Stabilization Fund $2.90M
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $1.66M
10.553 School Breakfast Program $993,629
10.555 National School Lunch Program $224,067
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $108,792
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $84,443
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $78,153
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants $35,382
12.U01 Rotc $25,904
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $22,057
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $12,332