Agenda - 05-19-20; 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

12 1 Commissioner McKee asked if, given the presentation from Bonnie Hammersley, and 2 knowing that this situation has been going on for awhile, and that County revenue reductions 3 are expected, did OCS consider these factors when putting together this budget request. He 4 said a 2-cent increase would be required just to cover the OCS budget. 5 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS did not have the Manager's outlook on funding when 6 creating this budget, although OCS was aware of potential issues. He said OCS went through 7 each item and reduced its original budget. He said OCS has to pass a budget much earlier than 8 tonight's meeting, and OCS created this budget not knowing where the County was budget- 9 wise. 10 OCS Chair Atherton said it is not surprising to see the County's budget numbers. 11 Commissioner McKee said he appreciates the fact that the school boards have to 12 develop their budgets before this time, but there needs to be more discussion on these budgets, 13 given the current situation. 14 Chair Rich said she appreciated OCS going back and doing a post Covid-19 15 assessment to bring down its budget for this meeting tonight. She said this current situation is 16 far worse than the recession 10 years ago. 17 Commissioner Price asked for more clarification on the food distribution, and said it is 18 her understanding that all elementary kids get meals, with no questions asked. She asked if 19 there is a plan to pay for this going forward. 20 Chair Rich said they have had these discussions at the EOC with the schools. 21 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS was seeing increases in general food distribution, not just 22 daily distributions. He said elementary children are free, but middle and high school are not. 23 Rhonda Rath said OCS has the universal breakfast program for all elementary kids. 24 She said for the other foods, OCS has subsidies from the USDA and federal government, and 25 OCS has received enough subsidies to support the food and reduce costs to the students. 26 Rhonda Rath with regard to the other meals, such as snacks, there are some students 27 that do not get them, because they did not apply for the universal breakfasts. She said OCS is 28 aware of some needy children only due to hard won relationships between the school social 29 workers/counselors and families. She said a lot of the food services OCS is offering, due to 30 Covid-19, are being covered by reimbursements. She said donations are coming in from the 31 community to purchase supplemental foods. 32 Commissioner Price asked if she could have more information about the all the food 33 being provided, how much is funded federally, by the state, donations, etc. 34 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS has universal breakfast, but not lunch for elementary, and 35 there is nothing universal for middle or high schools. He said OCS does get donations from the 36 community to pay off accounts, and OCS sees this throughout the year. 37 Chair Rich said it might be difficult to get statistics on the food donation sources. 38 Commissioner Price said she is just interested in what affects the school budget. 39 Commissioner Bedford praised the OCS budget for being organized around what 40 benefits its students (literacy, culture, equity), and noted that OCS has only asked for things that 41 would help its students, but the County is facing an austere budget. 42 Commissioner Bedford asked if, when available, OCS would please share what its 43 projected fund balance will be at June 30, and how that compares to the required percentage, or 44 the policy percentage. She said she would like to know how much OCS appropriates from its 45 fund balance into its budget. She said CHCCS usually appropriates around $1 million. She 46 said this will help her understand OCS' flexibility. 47 Rhonda Rath said the OCS projected unassigned fund balance is $2.8 million, and pre- 48 Covid-19 that was hoping to increase 500,000-700,000. 49 Rhonda Rath said OCS does not appropriate unassigned fund balance to balance their 50 budget for recurring items. 51 Chair Rich asked if OCS has a plan in place if school does not start on time in the fall.