LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATIONLocal Government

2025-001 Title I, Local Educational Agencies, ALN 84.010 – Special Tests and Provisions - Participation of Private School Children Criteria: Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (“ESEA”), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (“ESSA”) (Sections 1117 and 8501), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), Local Educational Agencies (“LEAs”) are required to provide for "timely and meaningful consultation" with appropriate private school officials. To ensure services can begin at the start of the fiscal year, invitations to participate in federal programs must be sent early enough in the preceding school year to allow for proper planning and allocation of resources. Condition: The School District did not send out participation invitations or initiate the formal consultation process with private school officials in a timely manner for the FY 2025 federal programs. Context: During our testing of federal program compliance, we noted that invitations for private school participation in Title I, Part A were not issued, which did not allow for the completion of meaningful consultation prior to the start of the grant period on July 1, 2024. Cause: Management oversight Effect: The School District is in non-compliance with federal "Equitable Services" requirements. This delay potentially results in the late delivery of services to eligible private school students and teachers and could lead to the loss or required carryover of federal funds. Recommendation: We recommend the School District strengthen internal controls to ensure private school letters and consultations are performed in a timely manner. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Correction Action: We concur. The School District will strengthen controls to ensure timely communication with private schools regarding equitable services.