Finding 606416 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-05-11

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District improperly requested $17,992 for devices not eligible under the Emergency Connectivity Fund guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Funding requests must only cover equipment for students and staff lacking connected devices for remote learning.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should seek guidance from the FCC and establish better controls for future program spending.

Finding Text

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COVID-19 EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND - AL NUMBER 32.009 AUDIT PERIOD - YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 Special Tests and Provisions Criteria or specific requirement: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 47 CFR ? 54.1710 requires entities requesting funding to certify that they are only seeking support for eligible equipment provided to students and school staff who would otherwise lack connected devices sufficient to engage in remote learning. Condition: During testing, we identified the District purchased and requested reimbursement totaling $17,992 from the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program for devices purchased for the sole purpose of anticipated loss or breakage, which did not meet the definition of eligible equipment. Cause: District's unfamiliarity with the new federal program. Effect: The District received funding in excess of the unmet need for their students and school staff resulting in unallowable costs of $17,992 paid from the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. Questioned costs: The District was reimbursed for $17,992 more than eligible. Context: Of the 1,050 devices purchased, 58 were not eligible to be reimbursed. Recommendation: The District should contact the Federal Communications Commission for guidance regarding this matter and implement proper controls over program expenditures. Views of responsible officials: The District will contact the Federal Communications Commission for guidance regarding the reimbursement for the purchase of additional devices for replacement of lost/damaged equipment and will implement proper controls over program expenditures.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Special Tests & Provisions Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 29974 2022-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $856,396
10.553 School Breakfast Program $396,059
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $341,259
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants $141,924
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $105,331
84.282 Charter Schools $96,616
10.555 National School Lunch Program $92,431
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $67,485
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $59,104
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $34,612
93.981 Improving Student Health and Academic Achievement Through Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Management of Chronic Conditions in Schools $33,597
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $22,148
84.425 Covid-19 - Education Stabilization Fund $12,201
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $10,000