Finding 530203 (2024-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
F
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-26
Audit: 348306
Organization: Eastern Greene Schools (IN)
Auditor: Crowe LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School Corporation lacks an effective internal control system for managing equipment and real property, leading to potential noncompliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.313(d) is not met, particularly in maintaining accurate property records and conducting physical inventories.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update the capital asset listing annually to include all acquisitions and ensure it contains all required information for tracking federal funding usage.

Finding Text

Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425U Federal Award Numbers: S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management Requirements compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: We noted the School Corporation expended approximately $63,000 and $44,000 on pump and HVAC replacements, respectively. These assets were charged to the ESSER III (84.425U) grant award. It was noted these capital asset acquisitions were not reported on the capital asset listing for the School Corporation as of June 30, 2024. Additionally, we noted the School Corporation’s capital asset listing did not contain all the required information, including the source of funding for the property, outlined in the criteria above. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing at least annually to include all equipment and real property acquisitions and review for potential capital asset dispositions. The capital asset listing should include all required information to track capital asset acquisitions purchased with federal funding. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425U Federal Award Numbers: S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management Requirements compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan. The Treasurer will prepare all necessary documentation and have it reviewed by the Grants Administrator to ensure that we are in compliance with the grant agreement. Both parties will sign as verification of agreement. Responsible party and timeline for completion: The Corporation Treasurer will be responsible effective immediately.

Categories

Equipment & Real Property Management Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 530204 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 530205 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 530206 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1106645 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1106646 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1106647 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1106648 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $894,655
10.553 School Breakfast Program $306,625
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $214,382
10.555 National School Lunch Program $99,048
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $71,427
84.027 Special Education Grants to States $49,483
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants) $20,552
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $15,870
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $7,418
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $5,828
84.173 Special Education Preschool Grants $4,085
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $628