Finding 45917 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-30
Audit: 39738
Organization: Dutchess County Boces (NY)
Auditor: Rbt Cpa's LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: An ineligible adult student was allowed to enroll in classes, violating eligibility criteria.
  • Impacted Requirements: Eligibility criteria state students must be at least 16, not enrolled in secondary school, and meet specific educational requirements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should strictly adhere to the eligibility checklist to ensure proper documentation and prevent enrollment of ineligible students.

Finding Text

Federal Program: Assistant Listing Number: 84.002 Adult Education ? Basic Grants to States Condition: It was noted that the BOCES allowed an adult student to take classes who was not eligible to take the classes. Criteria: Eligible individuals are individuals who are at least 16 years of age, who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law, and who are basic skills deficient, do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have not achieved an equivalent level of education, or are English language learners (29 USC 3272(4)). Questioned Costs: Not Applicable Context: Of the thirty-seven students selected for testing there was one student who did not meet the eligibility requirements for the program. Effect: Since the specific eligibility requirement is not being adhered to, it could result in other students that are ineligible to receive the federal assistance. Cause: The student was noted as not being eligible on the BOCES check list for eligibility, but the student was still enrolled in the classes. There are several new staff in the program which is believed to have led to the oversight. Recommendation: To prevent future occurrences of this deficiency, we recommend that management begin to follow all aspects of their eligibility checklist to ensure all proper documentation is gathered and retained and determination is made and if student is ineligible they are not enrolled. Perspective: There is a check list developed for the employee to complete to ensure that the student qualifies for the services. There is no indication on the check list that they are reviewed and some in the files were not completed at all. Repeat: This is not a repeat finding. Responsible Official?s View: The BOCES agrees with the finding. See attached corrective action plan.

Categories

Eligibility

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $1.55M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $398,452
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $280,520
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $178,989
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $153,000
10.555 National School Lunch Program $129,431
10.553 School Breakfast Program $50,776
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $27,519
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $1,201