THE U.S. Department of Education has instructed the Public School System to submit its delinquent single audit reports for fiscal years 1997 to 2000 or face administrative actions that could “interrupt” funding grants.
In a recent letter to the Board of Education, Philip A. Maestri, director for financial improvement and post audit operations of the department’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer, said the last submitted audit report for PSS was in 1996.
“Thus, the audits of CNMI-PSS for FYs 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 are delinquent,” Maestri said.
“The lack of single audits is a very sober matter. Thus, when audits are not submitted on a timely basis, the department is authorized to consider taking a number of administrative actions. Some of those actions include remedies that may interrupt the continued funding of the grants the school system receives,” he added.
In an interview, BOE Chairman Herman T. Guerrero said the issue had been addressed.
He said the 2000 audit report was being finalized and would be submitted within 90 days.
The other reports had been forwarded to the department early this year, he added.
“Most of these have been sent to the office where it is supposed to go. Perhaps, it’s just a matter of actually finding them from the files,” he said.
PSS, as recipient of federal funds that exceeded $300,000, is required by federal law to submit an annual, organization-wide audit done by an independent auditor nine months after the end of each audited period.
This audit “is an important source of accountability information on how federal funds are spent,” Maestri said.
“We take seriously our mutual responsibilities so that no child is left behind,” he added.
In related news, Gov. Juan N. Babauta has asked PSS to submit its annual reports to his office.
PSS needs to submit annual reports outlining, among others, its achievements beginning 1998.
Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos has formed a panel co-chaired by Lou Mendiola and Robert Myers “to compile and complete pending PSS annual reports.” Myers, BOE’s spokesman, said the 1998-1999 report is “almost finished” and would be submitted on May 28. Other reports would follow.
