Finding 47229 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
G
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District failed to keep necessary documentation for the maintenance of effort calculator, impacting compliance with funding requirements for special education.
  • Impacted Requirements: The District did not meet the Level of Effort compliance criteria, which mandates maintaining or increasing local funding for special education.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish a robust internal control system to ensure proper documentation is maintained for compliance with funding requirements.

Finding Text

U.S. Department of Education ? Passed-through the NYS Education Department Special Education - Grants to States (IDEA, Part B); ALN 84.027; Project #0032-22-0877; Grant Period ? Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 Special Education - Preschool Grants (IDEA Preschool); ALN 84.173; Project #0033-22-0877; Grant Period ? Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Level of Effort Criteria: According to the OMB Compliance Supplement, IDEA Part B funds received by a school district cannot be used, except under certain limited circumstances, to reduce the level of expenditures for the education of children with disabilities made by the school district from local funds, or a combination of State and local funds, below the level of those expenditures for the preceding fiscal year. To meet this requirement, school districts must meet (1) the eligibility standard and (2) the compliance standard. Condition: While the District did meet the necessary requirements for the compliance standards based on the amounts reported within the calculator, the District did not maintain supporting documentation for the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance for actual amounts for the 2020/2021 fiscal year and thus, the District was unable to substantiate various amounts reported within the calculator. Cause: Due to turnover of multiple positions at the District, the District did not maintain the supporting documentation used to substantiate the amounts reported in the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance. Effect: The District did not maintain the supporting documentation used to substantiate the amounts reported in the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend the District develop a system of internal controls to maintain support for the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance. District?s Response: The District?s response is included in their corrective plan.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING # 2022-002 (REPEAT FINDING OF #2021-002, 2020-003, and 2019-004) U.S. Department of Education ? Passed-through the NYS Education Department Special Education - Grants to States (IDEA, Part B); ALN 84.027; Project #0032-22-0877; Grant Period ? Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 Special Education - Grants to States (IDEA Preschool); ALN 84.173; Project #0033-22-0877; Grant Period ? Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Level of Effort Criteria: According to the OMB Compliance Supplement, IDEA Part B funds received by a school district cannot be used, except under certain limited circumstances, to reduce the level of expenditures for the education of children with disabilities made by the school district from local funds, or a combination of State and local funds, below the level of those expenditures for the preceding fiscal year. To meet this requirement, school districts must meet (1) the eligibility standard and (2) the compliance standard. Condition: The District did not maintain supporting documentation for the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance for actual amounts for the 2020/2021 fiscal year and thus, the District was unable to substantiate various amounts reported within the calculator. Cause: Due to turnover of multiple positions at the District, the District did not maintain the supporting documentation used to substantiate the amounts reported in the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance. Effect: The District did not maintain the supporting documentation used to substantiate the amounts reported in the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend the District develop a system of internal controls to maintain support for the maintenance of effort calculator for compliance. District?s Response: Implementation Plan of Action: The District agrees with these findings; had recognized this matter prior to the start of this audit and took corrective action for maintenance of effort calculator?s. Going forward the business official will file the maintenance of effort reports which will reconcile with the ST-3. Implementation Date: March 30, 2023 Person Responsible for the Implementation: Richard Snyder, the School Business Official is responsible for the implementation of this policy and procedure.

Categories

Eligibility Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 47230 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47231 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47232 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47233 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47234 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47235 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47236 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47237 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 47238 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 47239 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 47240 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 47241 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 623671 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623672 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623673 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623674 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623675 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623676 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623677 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623678 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623679 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 623680 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 623681 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 623682 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 623683 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Covid-19 - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund $1.89M
10.555 National School Lunch Program (cash Assistance) $1.32M
84.027 Special Education Grants to States (idea, Part B) $761,829
10.553 School Breakfast Program (cash Assistance) $608,853
84.425 Covid-19 - American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (arp Esser) $229,323
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (leas) $187,771
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grant $134,425
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $52,200
84.173 Special Education Preschool Grants (idea Preschool) $46,096
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $28,374
84.425 Covid-19 - Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund $12,958
10.555 National School Lunch Snack Program (cash Assistance) $3,002
10.649 State Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (p-Ebt) Administrative Costs Grants $2,404