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Northern Bedford's Preliminary Budget Features No Tax Increase

The Northern Bedford School District met Tuesday May 12, via Zoom, a virtual meeting platform.

A preliminary general fund budget was discussed and approved during this month’s meeting. The current edition of the 2020-21 budget was created based on expected revenues of $13,614,27 and will have a deficit of $543,037.

It was noted that efforts have been made to curb spending given the state of current affairs in particular the impact of COVID-19 on our local economy.

It was reported that from the first revision to this last one revenues were reduced $271,425 but expenditures were also reduced by $372,153. This means that the deficit was reduced by $100,767. And it was further noted that the first revision included a 2-percent tax increase which would have amounted to $65,111 but this current budget has a zero percent tax increase.

Some of the most notable decreases to the budget’s expenditures for the upcoming school year include a reduction in math curriculum for grades 3-12 of $32,000. Also, the student information system expenditure was reduced by $9,400.

The budget as it stands now is available for the public to view online at the Northern Bedford School District’s website. A final approval of the budget will be done at the June school board meeting.

It was mentioned that students can expect a slight increase in the cost of school lunches for the 2020-21 school year. Superintendent Todd Beatty explained that this increase is due to the requirements schools are bound to under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Beatty explained, “Reimbursement from free and reduced-price meals cannot subsidize the cost of the paid meal.”

This means school lunch prices will be increased by 10 cents for both elementary and middle and high school students.

Beatty discussed the CARES Act, the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. This is an initiative created by the federal government to make money available to states for distribution to public schools. It was discussed that originally the CARES act was “to be distributed based on Title 1 funding.” However, it has since been decided that private schools are to be included for a percentage as well.

“The calculation of these funds must include what share of all students in the area attend private schools, not just what share of low-income students do,” Beatty said. “It is not apparent of the extent to which any new federal funding may be offset by reductions in state funding.”

Beatty said, “The amount of state funding that could be supplanted via the CARES Act could be $300 million in existing state funding to potentially more.”

Beatty further explained, “it is interesting to note that based on the Title 1 concept, some cyber schools are scheduled to get over $2 million in CARES money.”

This would be significantly more than the amount that the five school districts in Bedford County are expected to receive, combined.

A new school board treasurer was appointed. Chad Mickle will take over for Tammy Reasy as treasurer.

Congratulations were given to the senior class of 2020.

“Your senior year was disrupted, but you have taken it in stride and have made the best of the situation.” Beatty said. “I wish you well in your future endeavors.”

The commencement ceremony is still scheduled for Thursday, May 28, but this is dependent upon restrictions being lifted. The district has established two contingency dates should it not be able to hold commencement as normal. Those dates are Tuesday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 23.

 

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