Mill Creek Community School CorporationLocal Government

FINDING 2025-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY23-24, FY24-25, Rounds 1 - 4 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. A population of three covered transactions, totaling $1,854,606, was identified for testing. For all three transactions, the School Corporation did not have documentation to show that the vendors were verified for suspension and debarment status prior to entering into the transaction. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15 MILL CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause There was no documented internal control process for verification of vendors' suspension and debarment status. With no documented internal control process, it was unclear which employee at the School Corporation was responsible for the verification. As such, no internal controls could be observed to verify the School Corporation complied with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The School Corporation was not able to provide the documentation that they verified vendors were not suspended or debarred. If the School Corporation does not verify that vendors are not suspended or debarred, the School Corporation may be purchasing from vendors that are not eligible to receive federal funds. Without a proper system of internal controls in place that operated effectively, material noncompliance remained undetected. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls, including policies that would provide segregation of duties to ensure appropriate reviews, approvals, and oversight are taking place prior to entering covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.

FINDING 2025-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 16 MILL CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. The School Corporation was required to reserve at least 20 percent of funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and ensure that those interventions address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups. No evidence of a review or oversight process could be provided to support that the School Corporation monitored the earmarking requirements during the performance of the grant nor verified they had met the earmarking requirement as of the conclusion of the grant. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause The School Corporation uploaded its required ESSER plan to its website, which they believed satisfied the earmarking grant requirement. As such, no internal control procedures were created in relation to the earmarking requirements of the grant. With the lack of internal controls, we could not verify the School Corporation was monitoring the earmarking requirement during the performance of the grant. Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure required earmarking requirements are met. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.

FINDING 2023-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425D Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties, that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. The School Corporation was required to submit annual data reports to the Indiana Department of Education via JotForm, a form/report builder. Data to be submitted included, but was not limited to, current period expenditures, prior period expenditures, and expenditures per activity. During the audit period the School Corporation submitted two ESSER I reports, two ESSER II reports, and two ESSER III reports, for a total of six reports. The annual data reports were complied, prepared, and submitted by the Assistant Superintendent of Schools without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. Furthermore, the reported data on two of the reports, as noted below, could not be traced back to records that accumulate or summarize the data; therefore, the accuracy and completeness of the reports could not be verified. ESSER I, Year 3 Report The key line item, "Meeting Students' Academic, Social, Emotional, and Other Needs (Excluding Mental Health Supports) Uses - Personnel Services - Salaries," was not able to be verified to the School Corporation's records. Additionally, the key line item, "Meeting Students' Academic, Social, Emotional, and Other Needs (Excluding Mental Health Supports) Uses - Personnel Services - Benefits," was understated by $16. ESSER II, Year 2 Report The key line item, "Meeting Students' Academic, Social, Emotional, and Other Needs (Excluding Mental Health Supports) Uses - Personnel Services - Salaries," was understated by $288,199. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17 MILL CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: . . . (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." 34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance with program requirements." Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. Embedded within a properly designed and implemented internal control system should be internal controls consisting of policies and procedures. Policies reflect the School Corporation's management statements of what should be done to effect internal controls, and procedures should consist of actions that would implement these policies. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. As a result, some data could not be traced back to the underlying records. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 MILL CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the loss of future federal funding to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure all reports submitted on behalf of the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund program funds are accurate and complete. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.

FINDING 2019-001 Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies CFDA Number: 84.010 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010A160014, S010A170014, S010A180014 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the compliance requirements listed above. The School Corporation had not designed or implemented adequate policies and procedures, such as review and approval or other oversight procedures, to ensure that expenditures were only for allowable activities or costs of the Title I grant program and to ensure that financial reports filed for the Title I grant program complied with reporting requirements. This was a systemic issue during the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that segregated key functions. 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 listed above. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls, including segregation of duties, related to the grant agreement and compliance requirements listed above. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.

FINDING 2019-002 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants CFDA Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 14216-046-PN01, 14217-046-PN01, 18611-046-PN01, 19611-046-PN01, 45716-046-PN01, 45717-046-PN01, 18619-046-PN01, 19619-046-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Old National Trail Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During the fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, the Cooperative operated the special education program and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. There was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation of the procurement and suspension and debarment procedures of the Cooperative. Procurement For the three vendors tested for 2017-2018, and two of the three vendors tested for 2018-2019, the Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes from an adequate number of qualified sources for purchases of goods or services that fell within the small purchase procedures for procurements, and full and open competition was not provided. Suspension and Debarment During 2017-2018, the Cooperative did not have procedures in place to verify vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions with these vendors. The Cooperative implemented procedures during 2018-2019 to verify vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions with these vendors, however, an effective internal control system was not in place over the procedures. The lack of controls and noncompliance over the small purchases procurement requirements were systemic issues throughout the audit period. The lack of effective controls over the suspension and debarment requirements was a systemic issue throughout the audit period; however, the noncompliance was isolated to 2017-2018. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.319(a) states in part: "All procurement transactions must be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition consistent with the standards of this section. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation in noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.

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