Adams Central Community Schools

Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Material Noncompliance, Qualified Opinion Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards 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). . . ." 29 CFR 5.5 states in part: (1) Minimum wages. (i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… (3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). 2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part: In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . . (D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .” 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 Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate 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 design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: For the three projects sampled for Davis-Bacon requirements, the School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from the companies that performed renovations on the School Corporation. Therefore, no review was performed to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. The total amount disbursed and reported on the SEFA during the audit period is $2,799,607 and the labor portion was not determinable by the School Corporation. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll reports certifications are collected and reviewed to ensure compliance with the wage rate requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.

Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Material Noncompliance, Qualified Opinion 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 Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements. Context: For the three projects sampled for Davis-Bacon requirements, the School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from the companies that performed renovations on the School Corporation. Therefore, no review was performed to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. The total amount disbursed and reported on the SEFA during the audit period is $2,799,607 and the labor portion was not determinable by the School Corporation. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Dawn Cook, Corporation Treasurer; Joel Mahaffey, Superintendent Contact Phone Number: (260) 692-6193 Description of Corrective Action Plan: When utilizing federal funding for capital projects, ACCS will require and retain evidence that contractors, subcontractors, and other relevant agents comply with the federal wage rate requirements set forth in the Davis-Bacon Act. Anticipated Completion Date: Implementation is immediately.

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: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, 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: The School Corporation expended $2,799,607 on building renovations which was charged to the ESSER II (84.425D) and ESSER III (84.425U) grant awards. 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. Additionally, we recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing to include all the required information, including the source of funding for the property, outlined in the criteria above. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a 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: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D210013, 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. Context: The School Corporation expended $2,799,607 on building renovations which was charged to the ESSER II (84.425D) and ESSER III (84.425U) grant awards. 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. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Dawn Cook, Corporation Treasurer; Joel Mahaffey, Superintendent Contact Phone Number: (260) 692-6193 Description of Corrective Action Plan: Business Office personnel will ensure that federally funded capital assets are included in the capital asset listing for ACCS. Further, the capital asset list will clearly identify any equipment or projects that were supported by federal funding. Anticipated Completion Date: Implementation is immediately.

FINDING 2022-002 Information on the federal program: Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 Federal Award Number: 20611-001-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards 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 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards:? (g) Be adequately documented.... " 2 CFR 200.208(b) states in part: "The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may adjust specific Federal award conditions as needed..." 511 IAC 7-34-7(b) states: "The public agency, in providing special education and related services to students in nonpublic schools must expend at least an amount that is the same proportion of the public agency total subgrant under 20 U.S.C. 1411(f) as the number of nonpublic school students with disabilities, who are enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools within its boundaries, is to the total number of students with disabilities of the same age range Condition: The School Corporation is a member of the Adams Wells Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its member schools. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the school corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. There was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed an effective system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreements and the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system, as well as adequately document costs of federal awards, prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the earmarking requirements of the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 20611-001-PN01 grant award could not be verified for the individual member schools. Total non-public expenditures were posted as expended. The member school proportionate share expenditures were then determined by applying a budgeted percentage to the total non-public expenditures. These were the amounts reported to IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify if the minimum amount per member school was expended and properly reported to IDOE as required. The School Corporation?s Non-Public Proportionate Share for the 20611-001-PN01 grant application was $5,368. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: Yes. Finding 2020-002 in prior audit report. Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish an effective system of internal controls, as well as appropriately document and identify federal award expenditures to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.

FINDING 2022-002 Information on the federal program: Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Earmarking Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Special Education Grants to States Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 Federal Award Number: 20611-001-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Audit Findings: Significant Deficiency Condition: The School Corporation is a member of the Adams Wells Special Services Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal year 2021-2022, the Cooperative operated the special education programs and spent the federal money on behalf of all its member schools. As the grant agreements were between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and each member school, the school corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. There was inadequate oversight performed by the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the earmarking requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the required level of expenditures for non-public school students with disabilities was met for each member school. The Cooperative did not have effective internal controls to ensure non-public school expenditures were appropriately identified and reported. Context: The Non-Public Proportionate Share expenditures for the 20611-001-PN01 grant award could not be verified for the individual member schools. Total non-public expenditures were posted as expended. The member school proportionate share expenditures were then determined by applying a budgeted percentage to the total non-public expenditures. These were the amounts reported to IDOE. As such, we were unable to identify if the minimum amount per member school was expended and properly reported to IDOE as required. The School Corporation?s Non-Public Proportionate Share for the 20611-001- PN01 grant application was $5,368. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: Our corrective action plan is following the AWSSC plan of: Co-ops cannot combine proportionate share funds. Funds must be spent within each LEA?s geographic boundary. We will not receive a repeat finding for FY21. We will correct for FY22 and forward. Time & Effort Logs are being completed to show how many hours personnel are servicing Non-Pub school students with a service plan. If Materials and Equipment are purchased for a specific student?s need, per the service plan, then those expenditures are 100% school specific. Per the DOE, Materials used by our Speech Language Pathologist for Speech Therapy for all six school corporations, those expenditures are split evenly across all school corporations with a non-pub proportionate share allocation. Responsible Party and Timeline for Completion: The Superintendent and Corporation Treasurer will work with the Adams Wells Special Services Cooperative to monitor and verify those expenditures are allocated appropriately across all school corporations with a non-pub proportionate share allocation.

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