Finding 45256 (2022-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-10-24

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Expenditures were recorded incorrectly, overstating costs under the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) and understating them under the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with FCC Form 471 limits was not followed, leading to misreporting of federal program costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should review and adjust federal expenditures to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with grant requirements.

Finding Text

Emergency Connectivity Fund Expenditures Information on Federal Program: Direct Award from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Grant Name Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Federal Assistance Listing No 32.009, Contract Number ECF202104668. Criteria: Compliance under Section 7402(b) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides that the Commission will reimburse 100% of the costs associated with the purchase of eligible equipment and or advance technologies, limited by the rules of the ECF program on FCC Form 471 application. Statement of Condition: Procedures disclosed that expenditures and revenues were recorded at the total costs of the eligible purchases under the ECF program rather than being recorded based on the limitations within the FCC Form 471. The District?s supporting schedules documented a ?local share? however this had not been reflected in the Districts records. Statement of Cause: Adjustments had not been recorded to reflect the ?local share? which represented the portion to be supplemented by the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief ? 3. Statement of Effect: Recording of expenditures to the incorrect federal program. Allowable expenditures under the ECF program had not been adjusted to the limits set forth on FCC Form 471, which resulted in an overstatement of expenditures under the ECF program and an understatement of expenditures on the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief ? 3 program. Questioned Costs: $65,260 see perspective information Perspective Information: The District used an e-Rate consultant to assist with the ECF program funding and reimbursement, the District?s supporting schedules documented any differences in costs and ECF reimbursement, however these adjustments had not been reflected in the District?s underlying records. The consultant limited the request for reimbursement to the correct amount. Additionally, these costs were eligible under and will be claimed for reimbursement with COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief ? 3 funds. Identification of Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: The District should review federal expenditures in detail to ensure they are reported under the correct grant and only for allowable costs. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: The District will record expenditures properly using budget codes. The District will review its expenditure budget lines and will monitor the usage of Federal Funds more closely. Implementation date October 21, 2022 responsible person(s) Ryan Palmer and Marianne Romito.

Corrective Action Plan

The Independent External Audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 included finding #2022-004 in which the District was cited as recording expenditures to the incorrect federal program. Allowable expenditures under the ECF program had not been adjusted to the limits set forth on FCC Form 471, which resulted in an overstatement of expenditures under the ECF program and an understatement of expenditures on the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief - 3 program. This finding is new to the District as of the 2021-22 Audit and is not a repeat finding. The cause for this finding is the need to reclassify expenditures, amounting to $65,260. The District has recorded these expenditures, of "local share" in the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) budget line. These expenditures should have been expended from the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief - 3 budget line, as that is where the "local share" was expended. During the 2021-22 Fiscal Year, the School District worked with eRate Central to complete an application totaling $746,356, all of which were approved and committed by the FCC. While the District received this substantial commitment of funds to purchase earmarked technology equipment, the District was also responsible for a local share of some, but not all, devices. These local funds were being paid out of the ARP ESSER 3 Grant, out of a section earmarked for technology purchases. To mitigate findings, such as #2022-004 in the subsequent years, the District will record expenditures properly, using the appropriate budget codes. The District will review its expenditure budget lines and will monitor its usage of Federal Funds more closely. Anticipated Completion Date for Finding 2022-004: October 21, 2022 Person{s) Responsible for Corrective Action: Ryan Palmer & Marianne Romito

Categories

Questioned Costs Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Equipment & Real Property Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 621698 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $366,962
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $322,469
10.553 School Breakfast Program $187,599
10.555 National School Lunch Program $75,753
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $60,039
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $53,747
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $18,434
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $17,397
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $5,519
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $2,404
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $-76