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34 <br /> inspire <br /> GRECS is unwavering in our commiunent to ensuring success for EVERY child. <br /> 1 <br /> 2 <br /> 3 Commissioner Fowler asked if the —$1 million fund balance appropriation was needed in <br /> 4 addition to the CARES money for COVID-related issues. <br /> 5 Jonathan Scott said CHCCS allocated $1 million last year for COVID response. He said <br /> 6 that money was utilized primarily for additional responsibility stipends to get people to return to <br /> 7 work prior to reopening. He said the additional money the Board allocated beyond the $1 <br /> 8 million was necessary because CHCCS has not received the remainder of CARES Act money. <br /> 9 Commissioner Fowler asked about reorganization, and if previous positions were taken <br /> 10 into account. <br /> 11 Dr. Hamlett said that was taken into account prior to her arrival, and changes were <br /> 12 based on the strong recommendation from the financial audit. <br /> 13 Jonathan Scott said it is important to remember that when the external audit was done, <br /> 14 the staffing levels were the same level as they are now. He said it was recommended to have <br /> 15 an administrator level position, as opposed to classified level position. <br /> 16 Commissioner McKee clarified that CHCCS is anticipating $11.7 million in unassigned <br /> 17 fund balance going into July 1, 2021, plus half a million in ESSR phase III money. He asked if <br /> 18 the request of$8 million assumes that none of the unassigned fund balance will be used. <br /> 19 Jonathan Scott said that is correct. He said he is actually anticipating around $15 million <br /> 20 in fund balance by year-end. <br /> 21 Commissioner McKee asked if there was a minimum required fund balance amount. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Jonathan Scott's connection cut out. <br /> 24 Bonnie Hammersley said the County policy for the schools in undesignated fund balance <br /> 25 is 5.5%. <br /> 26 Jonathan Scott said he believes there is no minimum requirement by law, but best <br /> 27 practice indicates 3 months of local expenditures with operating cash. <br /> 28 CHCCS Board Member Rani Dasi said the reason CHCCS is not using the CARES <br /> 29 funding is because there are asking for items that are recurring, which cannot be paid for with <br /> 30 one time crisis funding. <br /> 31 Commissioner Bedford asked for a list of information to be emailed including: current <br /> 32 position allotments (other than classroom teachers) for elementary, middle, and high schools; <br /> 33 information on second step; the qualifications for the mental health specialist and Dean of <br /> 34 Students positions; the dates of any presentations about SEL to watch; and the estimate of any <br /> 35 budget changes with the USDA covering school lunches through December. <br /> 36 Commissioner Bedford said she was on the school board when Athletic Directors were <br /> 37 cut from 12 to 10 months. She said between 2009-2011 CHCCS cut over$10 million out of <br /> 38 budget, in addition to losing a lot of teaching assistants. She said it is nice to see some of the <br /> 39 proposals, but she would personally advise looking at the fund balance policy in order to plan <br />