REPORT DIGEST

 

ILLINOIS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

 

LIMITED SCOPE COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION

For the Two Years Ended: June 30, 2009

 

Summary of Findings:

Total this audit:  3

Total last audit:  1

Repeated from last audit:  1

 

Release Date: June 29, 2010

 

State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor General

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, AUDITOR GENERAL

 

To obtain a copy of the Report contact:

Office of the Auditor General, Iles Park Plaza, 740 E. Ash Street, Springfield, IL 62703

(217)    782-6046 or TTY (888) 261-2887

 

This Report Digest and Full Report are also available on the worldwide web at www.auditor.illinois.gov

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SYNOPSIS

 

•           The School’s controls over commodities inventory needs to be improved.

 

•           The School’s buildings on the campus have components which do not comply with fire safety standards.

 

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

INADEQUATE CONTROLS OVER INVENTORY

 

The Illinois School for the Deaf (School) does not have proper internal controls over their commodities inventory.

 

We noted the following conditions during our testing and inquiries concerning internal controls over commodities inventory:

 

•           During the fiscal year 2009 physical inventory count, we noted 11 of 25 (44%) tested commodity counts did not agree to the School’s perpetual records.  We also noted after the entire physical inventory count was completed the School’s inventory was overstated $14,437.  Total commodities inventory as of June 30, 2008 and 2009 as reported in the School’s inventory records was $116,324 and $117,943, respectively.

 

•           Requisitions were not prepared at the School when issuing goods from inventory for the dietary.  Thirteen of 89 (15%) requisitions that the School should have prepared for the dietary for the period of January 2009 through May 2009 were not completed.  The School does not have proper recordkeeping policies when inventory items are removed from the storage area and used.

 

•           The School’s inventory could be subject to theft.  During our review of the controls over commodity items, we noted that several individuals had access to the freezer and the freezer was kept unlocked throughout the day.  The freezer was kept locked at night, however there were individuals with a key to the freezer whose job description did not require them to need access to the freezer.

 

•           The School did not have adequate controls to ensure the dietary manager’s duties and functions were performed in the event of his or her absence.  (Finding 1, pages 10-11)

 

We recommended the School strengthen controls over its commodities inventory and ensure all purchases and requisitions are recorded and entered into the commodity system.

 

Officials agreed with our recommendation and stated the School will work to correct the deficiencies that relate to their commodity inventory.  ISD also stated that they will implement new controls over the commodity inventory in the dietary and storeroom area.  Staff involved in all areas of the commodity inventory will be instructed regarding the importance of the duties they perform.  ISD is also working with the Department of Human Services’ Central Office to have a new commodity system implemented in the storeroom.

 

FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS

 

The Illinois School for the Deaf (School) has buildings on campus which do not comply with fire safety standards.  The School has not fully corrected fire safety standards which were noted in a December 2006 State Fire Marshal inspection report.  The School has three dormitories and two classroom buildings that lack automatic or self-closing doors.  (Finding 2, page 12)

 

We recommended the School and the Department immediately rectify conditions noted by the inspections of the State Fire Marshal to ensure the safety of students.

 

Officials agreed with our recommendation and stated that the School is currently waiting for funding from the Capital Development Board (CDB) to finish the project.  CDB has completed the initial survey and found the cost of the project to be currently estimated at $3,600,000.  The project is listed as the Department of Human Services’ number one project for fiscal year 2010.  The project is dependent on passage of the fiscal year 2010 Capital Funding Bill.

 

OTHER FINDING

 

The remaining finding is reportedly being given attention by the School.

 

AUDITORS’ OPINION

 

We conducted a limited scope compliance examination of the School as required by the Illinois State Auditing Act.  Financial statements will be presented in the report for the Department of Human Services.          

 

STATE COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION – ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT

 

The auditors qualified their report on State Compliance for finding 09-1.  Except for the noncompliance described in this finding, the auditors state the School complied, in all material respects, with the requirements described in the report.

 

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, Auditor General

 

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AUDITORS ASSIGNED

 

This examination was performed by the Office of the Auditor General’s staff.