Finding 518736 (2024-001)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-01-10

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Clinton School District's food service program has a surplus of $860,408, exceeding the allowed non-profit balance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance guidelines state that food service accounts must not hold more than three months' average expenses.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Monitor fund balances regularly to ensure compliance with child nutrition guidelines.

Finding Text

Child Nutrition Cluster - CFDA No. 10.553, 10.555 - Grant No. 042-124 Condition: Clinton School District must operate the food service program on a non-profit basis. The District’s ending food service balance exceeded three months average expenses by $860,408. Criteria: The child nutrition cluster compliance guidelines N.3 states that a school must operate the food service accounts on a non-profit basis. This indicates that no more than three months operating expenses may be maintained by the District to be considered non-profit. Effect: The District maintains funds in its food service accounts that exceed the amounts as allowed in the child nutrition guidelines. Questioned Costs: $860,408 based on the amounts in the fund balance of $1,173,169 above the three months operating costs of $312,761. Cause: Anticipated expenditures for food service were not made. Recommendation: We recommend that fund balances should be monitored to ensure that balances remain in line with child nutrition compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials & Planned Corrective Action:

Corrective Action Plan

U.S. Department of Education Clinton School District #124 respectfully submits the following Corrective Action Plan for the year ended June 30, 2024. Contact information for the individual responsible for the corrective action: Daniel Brungardt, Superintendent Clinton School District #124 Independent Public Accounting Firm: Gerding, Korte & Chitwood, P.C., 723 Main Street, Boonville, MO 65233 Audit Period: Year ended June 30, 2024 The findings from the June 30, 2024, Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs are discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule. Significant Deficiency 2024-001 Child Nutrition Cluster Recommendation: We recommend that fund balances should be monitored to ensure that balances remain in line with child nutrition compliance requirements. Action Taken: Over the last five years, the school district's fund increased due to securing a contract at a low initial rate, while also benefiting from higher reimbursement rates and increased participation. This year, the district will once again go through the rebid process, and the estimated increase in costs is expected to range from 10% to 15%. This increase will likely surpass the amount the district receives in reimbursements, leading to a budget deficit. Additionally, student participation in the lunch program has declined over the years.

Categories

Questioned Costs Cash Management School Nutrition Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.553 School Breakfast Program $215,053
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $172,599
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $148,249
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $79,117
10.555 National School Lunch Program $78,965
12.357 Rotc Language and Culture Training Grants $71,290
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $47,272
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $44,579
84.425 Grants for State Assessments and Related Activities $36,605
84.032 Student Loans $33,802
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $33,671
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $29,945
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $13,476
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $12,905
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $3,650
93.434 Pd Reimb. Parent Ed. Program $1,650
93.434 Kindergarten Entry Assessment $700