Finding 8435 (2023-010)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-01-12

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District is inaccurately reporting CRF funding as spent, lacking proper documentation and failing to resolve outstanding liabilities.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with CRF funding reporting, as expenditures were not properly recorded and unspent funds must be returned to the state.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should identify valid expenditures for pupil transportation costs, return unspent funds, and consult with the Montana State Department of Commerce for proper submission procedures.

Finding Text

2023-010 Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF) Reporting – Repeated 2021/2022-018 CFDA Title: CRF CFDA Number: 21.019 Federal Award Number: N/A Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Pass-through Entity: Montana Governors Office Condition: The District continues to report the CRF funding received in fiscal year 2021 for Local Over schedule Transportation as expended which was not supported by the accounting records, and has not taken steps to resolve the liabilities. This is a repeat finding from the prior year audit. Context: In the prior audits, it was identified that CRF Local Over Schedule Transportation monies had not been spent and was determined it was owed back to state because the District was not able to provide documentation to support the money being used. In the current fiscal year, we followed with the District on this issue and it was not able to provide supporting documentation to support the funding being used and no action was taken to reach out to appropriate departments at state to determine how to resolve. Criteria: CRF Local Over Schedule Transportation monies were for additional pupil transportation related expenses related to the Coronavirus during the pandemic period of March 1, 2020, through December 30, 2020. Those expenditures related to this funding should be separately identified in the accounting system to support the amount reported. Any unspent funds at December 30, 2020 were to be sent back to the state. Effect: Noncompliance with the reporting requirement of CRF funding existed in the prior periods as the accounting system does not support expenditures for CRF Local Over schedule Transportation monies received, and therefore should be sent back to the state agency that provided the funding. Cause: The District was not properly accounting for the CRF funding as provided by the Montana Office of Public Instruction chart of accounts and did not code expenditures related to the funding directly to the grant monies. Recommendation :We recommend the District identify directly any expenditures which were for additional pupil transportation costs related to Coronavirus, then return any funding received which was not expended. In addition, the District should reach out to the Montana State Department of Commerce to work through how to submit the money back if no costs can be identified for that period.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING 2023-010: Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF) Reporting – Repeated 2021/2022- 018 Response: We are actively addressing the reporting requirements for Coronavirus Relief Funding. Due to the timing and complexity of our recent audits, we are still in the process of thoroughly identifying all relevant expenditures related to the Transportation Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) monies. Our team is committed to continuing this detailed examination, and once we have a complete understanding, we will engage with the appropriate state agency to confirm our course of action. This effort is part of our dedication to ensuring transparency and compliance in the management of these critical funds.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 8433 2023-009
    Material Weakness
  • 8434 2023-009
    Material Weakness
  • 584875 2023-009
    Material Weakness
  • 584876 2023-009
    Material Weakness
  • 584877 2023-010
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $328,877
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $240,420
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $132,144
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $63,792
10.553 School Breakfast Program $43,654
84.358 Rural Education $26,019
10.555 National School Lunch Program $23,107
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $21,101
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $11,653
84.323 Special Education - State Personnel Development $9,338
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $0