Having already forewarned parents in a weekend letter about budget constraints in light of the coronavirus pandemic, St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bruce tonight presented a Budget Roadmap outlining the district’s plans relative to anticipated state education budget reductions.
Dr. Bruce told the St. Joseph Schools Board of Education tonight, “This is really an opportunity for us to explore how to safely reopen our buildings while fully supporting robust learning for all of our students,” adding, “Through three work committees – focused on instruction, facilities/operations and health/wellness – we are not only identifying ways to maximize district funds, but are also reinventing our service model, examining how we deliver our curriculum and learning, and how to best support our students and staff through the lens of COVID-19.”
The district anticipates a $700 per pupil cut for both the current year, which ends in just a few weeks, as well as for next year, which begins on July 1st. That amounts to about $4.2 million.
Brenda Graham, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, says, “We are making the best decisions possible with the information we have now,” noting, “To be fiscally responsible and ensure St. Joseph Public Schools students are being served with a quality education, we need to put plans into place now. Our fiscal year begins on July 1st while the State’s fiscal year doesn’t start until October 1st. We are required to bring a budget to the Board before we know what the state will do in terms of a reduction in funding. We are urging the legislature at the State and federal level to minimize the impact of this financial crisis to our classrooms.”
While the district is hopeful that the recent economic downturn is only temporary, the challenge has given administrators the green light to be innovative and reimagine how it educates children. To address the 2019-2020 reduction of $2.1M, the district will spend down its fund balance. Over the past several weeks, staff members reviewed current budget projections, reviewed the District’s Strategic Plan goals, and evaluated parent survey data. Using that data, they have identified three areas where dollars can be reallocated, helping work toward the 2020-2021 year target of $2.1 million. They include:
- Operations/Transportation – recommended the review of transportation and custodial services to accommodate social distancing/recommended safety guidelines and State budget projections for the fall.
- Attrition – recommended the district not replace those teachers who are retiring or resigning as well as undergo a hiring freeze.
- Line-item Reductions – scrutinize all current spending to ensure dollars are being maximized across all departments.
Superintendent Bruce shared that throughout the summer parents, students and school community members will continue to be informed. Every week, the district issues Sunday Bear News which provides an update relative to the week’s events and will continue the conversation about the district’s Budget Roadmap progress. Additionally, a section of the district’s website is under development to include resources and frequently asked questions. St. Joseph area families will also be invited to participate in future surveys and other virtual meetings so that everyone feels informed, has the ability to ask questions and share ideas.
Board President Barry Conybeare says, “Our students deserve the best education we can possibly provide,” adding, “While we recognize that this budgeting process is difficult and we are faced with uncomfortable choices, I am confident that our administrative team, led by Dr. Bruce, our Board of Education, our Foundation and our community will continue to work together to support our schools. We are better together.”
To view the District’s Budget Roadmap, you can visit this link:
