Finding 38455 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-27

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District failed to keep necessary documentation for eight student transfers, impacting graduation rate reporting.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with OMB guidelines for reporting graduation rates using the adjusted cohort method.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Implement a system to ensure proper documentation is maintained for student transfers to meet compliance standards.

Finding Text

U.S. Department of Education ? Passed-through the NYS Education Department Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies; ALN 84.010; Project #0021-21-3155, 0011-21-2036, 0011-22-2036, & 0021-22-3155; Grant Period ? Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 Significant Deficiency Criteria: According to the OMB Compliance Supplement, the District is required to report graduation rate data using the four-year adjusted cohort rate, or one or more extended-year adjusted cohort rates. To remove a student from the cohort, the District is required to confirm, in writing, that the student transferred out, emigrated to another country, transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased. To confirm that a student transferred out, the school or LEA must have official written documentation that the student enrolled in another school or in an educational program that culminates in the award of a regular high school diploma. Condition: The District did not maintain supporting documentation for eight out of forty exit student transfers tested during the 2021-2022 school year. Cause: The District did not take timely action to maintain support for the removal of eight students from the regulatory adjusted cohort when reporting graduation rate data. Effect: The District is not in compliance with the high school graduation rate compliance requirement. Recommendation: We recommend the District develop a system to maintain the appropriate documentation to support the removal of a student from the regulatory adjusted cohort when reporting graduation rate data. District?s Response: The District?s response is included in their corrective plan.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDINGS # 2022-001 US Department of Education ? Passed-through the NYS Education Department Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies: ALN 84.010; Project #0021-21-3155, 0011-21-2036, 011-22-2036, & 0021-22-3155; Grant Period ? Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 Significant Deficiency Criteria: According to the OMB Compliance Supplement, the District is required to report graduation rate data using the four-year adjust cohort rate, or one or more extended-year adjusted cohort rates. To remove a student from the cohort, the District is required to confirm, in writing, that the student transferred out, emigrated to another country, transferred to a prison or juvenile facility, or is deceased. To confirm that a student transferred out, the school or LEA must have official written documentation that the student enrolled in another school or in an educational program that culminates in the award of a regular high school diploma. Condition: The District did not maintain supporting documentation for eight out of forty exit student transfers tested during the 2021-2022 school year. Cause: The District did not take timely action to maintain support for the removal of eight students from the regulatory adjusted cohort when reporting graduation rate data. Effect: The District is not in compliance with the high school graduation rate compliance requirement. Recommendation: We recommend the District develop a system to maintain the appropriate documentation to support the removal of a student from the regulatory adjusted cohort when reporting graduation rate data. District Response: The District will review its record keeping process for recording graduation data per the OMB Compliance Supplement. Record keeping adjustments will be made where necessary. Each building will have parents and/or guardians complete the Transfer Notice, after verification using photo ID. This document will be maintained in the student?s cumulative folder. The student?s reason for exit will be documented on the folder with the corresponding exit date. Secondary schools will also complete the Guidance Department Transfer/Drop form and maintain this document in the student?s cumulative folder. In the event a Transfer Notice is not completed, the school district will contact the parent and/or guardian by phone, certified mail, and with a home visit. Log entries of the contacts will be entered into PowerSchool. Completion Date: June 1, 2023 Person(s) Responsible: Anthony Coggiano, Principal Neema Coker, Principal Eric Haruthunian, Principal Brenda Jackson, Principal Kristine LoCascio, Principal Timothy Lynam, Principal Brett MacMonigle, Principal Carmen Vazquez, Principal

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 38456 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 38457 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 38458 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 614897 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 614898 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 614899 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 614900 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.555 National School Lunch Program (cash Assistance) $4.52M
10.553 School Breakfast Program (cash Assistance) $2.85M
84.425 Covid-19 - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (esser) Fund $2.33M
84.027 Special Education - Grants to States (idea, Part B) $2.24M
84.425 Covid-19 - American Rescue Plan - Elemtary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (arp Esser) $663,612
84.425 Covid-19 Governor's Emergency Education Relief (geer) Fund $270,726
84.365 English Language Acquisition Grants $246,903
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grant $205,749
10.555 National School Lunch Program (non-Cash Food Distribution) $163,306
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants $132,203
84.173 Special Education - Preschool Grants (idea Preschool) $130,493
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $25,368
10.649 State Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (p-Ebt) Administrative Costs Grant $12,155
84.425 Covid-19 - American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (arp Esser) - Homeless Children and Youth $5,395