Finding 38790 (2022-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-09-27

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Chilton County Board of Education charged more indirect costs to the ESSER Fund than permitted by their approved Indirect Cost Proposal.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Board failed to calculate the indirect cost base correctly, violating Title 2 CFR Part 200 guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger controls to ensure accurate calculations of indirect costs and compliance with the Indirect Cost Proposal.

Finding Text

The Chilton County Board of Education (the ?Board?) prepared an Indirect Cost Proposal in accordance with Title 2 CFR Part 200, ?Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards?, Subpart E, ?Cost Principles?. The Indirect Cost Proposal was approved by the Alabama Department of Education in accordance with the U. S. Department of Education Delegation Agreement #2019-116. An indirect cost rate of 9.62% was approved in the Indirect Cost Proposal for unrestricted programs. This allowed the Board to charge the unrestricted indirect cost rate of 9.62% against the indirect cost base for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, one of the subprograms of the Education Stabilization Fund. The Board did not calculate the indirect cost base in accordance with the Indirect Cost Proposal, and thus charged indirect costs in excess of those allowed by the Indirect Cost Proposal. Controls were not in place to ensure that the indirect cost base and indirect costs charged were calculated correctly. As a result, indirect costs were charged against the ESSER fund in excess of what was allowed by the Indirect Cost Proposal.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding: The Chilton County Board of Education (the "Board") prepared an Indirect Cost Proposal in accordance with Title 2 CFR Part 200, "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal A wards", Subpart E, "Cost Principles". The Indirect Cost Proposal was approved by the Alabama Department of Education in accordance with the U. S. Department of Education Delegation Agreement #2019-116. An indirect cost rate of 9 .62% was approved in the Indirect Cost Proposal for unrestricted programs. This allowed the Board to charge the unrestricted indirect cost rate of9.62% against the indirect cost base for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, one of the subprograms of the Education Stabilization Fund. The Board did not calculate the indirect cost base in accordance with the Indirect Cost Proposal, and thus charged indirect costs in excess of those allowed by the Indirect Cost Proposal. Controls were not in place to ensure that the indirect cost base and indirect costs charged were calculated correctly. As a result, indirect costs were charged against the ESSER fund in excess of what was allowed by the Indirect Cost Proposal. Recommendation: The Board should implement controls to ensure the indirect cost base and indirect costs charged are calculated correctly. Response/Views: The board agrees with this finding. Corrective Action Planned: Controls have been put in place to ensure the indirect cost base is calculated correctly. Spreadsheet was created to verify allowable expenditures. Calculations will be checked no less than quarterly and verified at fiscal yearend. Anticipated Completion Date: Verified FY23 indirect cost is being calculated correctly in September 2023. Contact Person: Cheri' Miley Wright, Interim CSFO

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 38788 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 38789 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 615230 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 615231 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 615232 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.555 National School Lunch Program-Cash Assistance $4.52M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund - Covid-19 American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund $3.79M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund - Covid-19 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (esser) Fund $2.56M
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $2.27M
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $1.93M
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $1.57M
10.553 School Breakfast Program $1.41M
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants $451,945
10.555 National School Lunch Program-Non-Cash Assistance (commodities) $380,412
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $289,402
84.027 Covid-19 American Rescue Plan Act - Special Education - Grants to States $163,041
10.555 Covid-19 National School Lunch Program-Cash Assistance $161,262
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $154,801
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund - Covid-19 Governor's Emergency Education Relief (geer) Fund $131,249
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $130,079
84.358 Rural Education $127,666
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $83,066
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $76,971
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program - Non-Cash Assistance (commodities) $42,262
10.665 Schools and Roads - Grants to States $27,511
10.560 State Administrative Expenses for Child Nutrition $18,823
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $9,355
84.173 Covid-19 American Rescue Plan Act - Special Education - Preschool Grants $6,504
10.649 State Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (p-Ebt) $5,193
96.001 Social Security Disability Insurance $1,500