Morning Reads for Monday, May 18, 2020

Not publicly.

I assure you on the admin and board level, it’s the no 2 topic of discussion in every system in the state. The no 1. topic is what funds will be coming in from the state and ESPLOST. They need to set their budgets for the tax rolls by July 1, and without figuring out what they have to spend and where to put it, they can’t fully answer what they are doing with the schools. Example, technology requirements that would allow some partial online classes can be covered by ESPLOST, but until they get a full picture of what is and is not coming in, they can’t tell you if that’s an option. Smaller classroom sizes will require portable units in most schools ($$$), or additional classroom construction (which requires ESPLOST in almost all systems) and that requires knowing if you have the funds.

They also don’t know what enrollment will be. A lot of parents are looking at home schooling as a permit option for at risk children. They don’t know what federal funds will be available or what will be cut. At least a dozen rural systems I can name off the top of my head are 100% USDA school lunch and breakfast systems because over half the system qualifies. If it’s cut or reduced to fend off the national debit (which after 3 1/2 years is a thing to worry over again), they have to start funding their food and kitchen budgets. All of this costs money and if the state and fed is slashing funds, they either have to cut back on non academics, (like football? – HAHAHA) or raise the mil rate.

Follow your systems budget discussions and or public meetings. It will tell you a lot about what they can and can not afford to do over school related COVID approaches for next year.