Bear Valley Unified reports two findings in federal programs audit; board told to finalize SPSAs before next year

The district superintendent reported to the Bear Valley Unified School District Board of Education that a recent federal programs monitoring audit produced only two findings and emphasized the timing requirements for school-site plans and spending.

The superintendent said the audit was “a monster” to prepare for but praised district staff and consultant Carol Craig, noting the audit produced just two findings compared with much larger counts the auditors sometimes observe. The superintendent told the board that, under federal program rules, school plan documents (SPSAs/CIPs) for the next school year must be in place before federal funds can be spent for that school year.

Why it matters: federal Title and other program dollars are contingent on local compliance with program planning and approval timelines. The superintendent told the board staff will start the SPSA/CIP process now so plans can be in place by the start of the next school year and that the board may need to reapprove allocations in December after state unduplicated-count funding information is finalized.

Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and data. The superintendent explained that initial plan documents are typically drafted using prior-year assumptions and that the district must run an October recalculation of unduplicated counts, with final funding clearer by December. He said the district expects to bring an updated set of allocations back to the board for reapproval if the October/December funding adjustments change available dollars.

The superintendent credited school-site staff for the audit work and said auditors were complimentary about several school interviews and systems the team has put in place. No formal board action was taken; the superintendent directed staff to proceed with the SPSA/CIP schedule and to return with any required budget adjustments once October funding counts are available.