Minutes 04-28-2020 Virtual Joint Meeting w-Schools

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