Finding 974463 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-20
Audit: 306717
Organization: Pine Bluff School District (AR)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District exceeded budget limits for Title I expenditures without prior approval from DESE.
  • Impacted Requirements: Budgeting for specific functions was not completed, leading to unapproved spending of $249,174.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement monitoring procedures for expenditures and ensure timely budget amendments are submitted to DESE.

Finding Text

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PASSED THROUGH ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES - AL NUMBER 84.010A PASS-THROUGH NUMBER 3505 AUDIT PERIOD - YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 2023-001. Reporting Criteria or specific requirement: The District is required to budget Title I expenditures and submit such information to the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Actual expenditures may not exceed the budget amounts for specific categories by more than 10 percent without prior approval from the DESE and submission of budget amendments or adjustments. Condition: The District did not budget for functions 2210 (Improvement of Instructional Services) and 2230 (Instructional-related Technology) in the Title I program but expended $147,863 and $101,311, respectively, from these functions. Cause: The District failed to properly monitor expenditures against the approved budget. Effect or potential effect: The District did not submit applicable budget amendments or adjustments for DESE approval for the Title I program resulting in actual expenditures exceeding budgeted amounts. Context: Comparison of the entire program's budgeted expenditures to actual expenditures as reported on the annual financial report. Identification as a repeat finding: No Recommendation: The District should implement procedures to ensure expenditures are properly monitored and budgets are amended as necessary and consult with DESE for further guidance regarding this matter. Views of responsible officials: The District concurs with this finding. The District will follow the recommendations set forth by Arkansas Legislative Audit and implement procedures to ensure expenditures are properly monitored and budgets are amended as necessary and consult with DESE for further guidance regarding this matter.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 398021 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 398022 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 398023 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 398024 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 974464 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 974465 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 974466 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $4.82M
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $863,649
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants $750,425
10.553 School Breakfast Program $531,585
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $438,180
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $243,769
84.371 Comprehensive Literacy Development $220,625
10.555 National School Lunch Program $133,522
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $39,373
12.U01 Rotc $39,324
84.425 Covid-19 - Education Stabilization Fund $27,692
84.196 Education for Homeless Children and Youth $9,223
93.079 Cooperative Agreements to Promote Adolescent Health Through School-Based Hiv/std Prevention and School-Based Surveillance $616