MinutesBudgetComm06042020 (2)

COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
                                 Colchester, CT



                                 BUDGET COMMITTEE

                                Thursday June 4, 2020
                         BOE Budget Committee Meeting 9:00AM
                               Virtual Meeting via Zoom

                                        MINUTES

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: ​Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: ​Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, CFO Maggie Cosgrove,
Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen Perry, Director of Educational
Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby
OTHERS PRESENT: ​BOE Chair Mary Tomasi, BOE Member Suesen Hickey, BOF Liaison
Andrea Migliaccio, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Amy Trinnaman

1. CALL TO ORDER
   1.1 Call to Order
       Chair Morozowich called the meeting to order at 9:00AM

2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
   None.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT
   3.1 Public Comment
       None.

4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
   4.1 *Approval of May 7, 2020 Minutes
       Motion by: ​J. Rose
       To approve the minutes of the May 7, 2020 Budget Committee meeting.
       Second by: ​J. Morozowich
       Vote: ​Unanimous
       Roll call: ​J. Rose, J. Morozowich

5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
   5.1 District Closure Budget Impact
       Superintendent Burt provided an update of the District closure budget impact. Some
       State decisions on personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements and additional
       staffing needs could have significant budget impact. The closure impact is providing
       additional funds through the CARES Act; those funds may have to be used for mandates
      by the State. We are no longer in a budget freeze. CFO Cosgrove provided insight into
      areas of concern, including the food services program that is currently running a deficit.
      Grant funds are also uncertain at this time. There is an expectation that unplanned
      purchases may need to be made for items such as PPE. Potential FEMA reimbursement
      is also a possibility. CFO Cosgrove shared a concern about supply and demand problems
      with established vendors; limited quantities of PPE are being offered. In the absence of
      clear directives from the State, the purchase of masks and cleaning supplies should be
      considered as soon as possible.

      Director of Educational Operations Mario Hurtado shared there is limited funding left in
      this year’s budget to provide cleaning supplies; there are some remaining funds to
      provide initial PPE for nurses and custodians. State guidance and mandates are still
      unclear about whether students and staff will be required to wear PPE. Additional hand
      washing/disinfecting stations are needed as well. The $211,000 funding from the
      CARES Act is not sufficient to cover all possible needs such as bus monitors, additional
      paraprofessionals and teachers, and PPE for all students and staff.

      Discussion ensued around the proposed 0.4% budget current under review by the BOF.
      Committee members shared concern that a 0% budget would negatively impact students.

6. BUDGET REPORTS
   6.1 Monthly Budget Reports
       CFO Maggie Cosgrove presented the May 2020 budget report. The certified salary line
       is still in a deficit, but the daily substitute line and stipend lines show balances due to
       school closures. The mild winter accounts for larger than expected balances in fuel
       budget lines. CFO Cosgrove provided updates on several line items with impacts that are
       not necessarily COVID-19 related. She explained that the current unexpended balance is
       an anomaly this year given the 3-month school closure, and time is of the essence to be
       clear on end-of-year expenditures.
   6.2 Health Insurance Reserve
       CFO Maggie Cosgrove presented the Health Insurance Reserve Report. While both the
       Town and District have incurred stop-loss claims, there is not cause for concern for the
       District at this time. Fortunately we have not had significant, direct impact from
       COVID-19. Discussion ensued around potential impacts on the health insurance reserve,
       including the impact of less-expensive Telehealth options and the possibility that
       employees have delayed care during the pandemic.
   6.3 Cafeteria Fund
       CFO Maggie Cosgrove presented the Cafeteria Fund report through April, reflecting the
       impact of school closures. The loss of food sales is significant. There is a much lower
       reimbursement rate for the meals provided currently. For the month of April, the loss
       was approximately $24,000 with similar projections for May and June. Uncertainty of
       how the meals program will be impacted due to safety concerns in the Fall is also a
       concern. All food workers have remained on the payroll. If the District continues with
       provision of summer meals, we would need to change our practices to serving from
      CES, JJIS, and WJJMS. Staffing considerations for this possibility are being discussed.
      It was noted that the change to community-wide meals was smooth.
  6.4 Special Education Excess Cost Report
      There have been no changes in this report. A reduction in the contractual cost was
      negotiated with the transportation provider. Discussion ensued on the impact that
      COVID-19 might have on specific out-of-district placements.
  6.5 Budget Transfers Under $5,000
      None at this time.
  6.6 Capital Reserve
      No report at this time.
  6.7 Use of Schools
      No report at this time.

7. OLD BUSINESS
   7.1 2020-21 Budget Update
       This topic was addressed in previous agenda items.

8. *NEW BUSINESS
    None at this time.

9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
    9.1 Public Comment
        None.

10. ADJOURN
    The meeting adjourned at 11:01AM.