Finding 4026 (2023-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-12-13

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A significant deficiency was found in internal controls regarding allowable costs for the Education Stabilization Fund grant.
  • Impacted Requirements: Costs charged to the grant, like a $20,050 sound system, did not comply with 2 CFR 200.402 on allowable expenses.
  • Recommended Follow-up: The District should review grant agreements and strengthen internal controls to ensure only allowable costs are charged.

Finding Text

2023-004 - ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED / ALLOWABLE COSTS/COST PRINCIPLES Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control / Non-compliance Program: ALN 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund, COVID-19 - ESSER II - Formula Criteria: As detailed in 2 CFR 200.402, the total cost of a Federal award is the sum of the allowable direct and allocable indirect costs less any applicable credits. Condition: During testing of grant disbursements, it was noted that a charge for a sound system was not authorized by the grant. The total amount charged to the grant for this purchase was $20,050. Cause/Effect: This condition appears to be the result of a misunderstanding of costs allowed under this grant. These costs were not in compliance with 2 CFR 200.402. Recommendation: We recommend that the District review all grant agreements to gain a thorough understanding of allowable costs and then establish/modify internal controls to assure that only allowable costs are charged to the grant. View of Responsible Official: Management is in agreement with this recommendation

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Number 2023-004 — Significant Deficiency in Internal Control/Non-Compliance — Covid 19-ESSER II - Approved Expenditures Condition: During expense testing of ESSER funds, a final invoice for a sound system project in Shepherd Middle School was not detailed in the approved grant application. The expenditure was for $4,010 but the total cost of the project was $20,050. The bulk of the project cost, $16,040, was expended during 2021-2022. The sound system was not an allowable cost based on not being in the original grant application. Responsible Person: Carl Seiter, Director of Business Services Implementation Date: December 31, 2023 Corrective Action: Develop an approval process that requires the Director of Business Services to review approved grant application prior to approving any federal grant expenditure. The Director of Federal Programs and the Director of Business Services will meet monthly to review federal grants, expenditures in the near future and discuss/review proper assignment of expenses to the specific grants and general ledger function codes. Sincerely, Carl Seiter Director of Business Services Shepherd Public Schools

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 4022 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4023 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4024 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4025 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4027 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 4028 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 4029 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580464 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580465 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580466 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580467 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580468 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580469 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580470 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580471 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $431,967
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $379,121
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $257,786
10.553 School Breakfast Program $126,934
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $41,381
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $15,474
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $4,475
10.555 National School Lunch Program $3,557
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $628