How COVID-19 has impacted District 303 finances
The COVID-19 crisis has had a net impact of roughly $1.1 million on St. Charles Unit District 303 finances so far, stemming from staffing changes, new technology, health and safety measures, and other costs in response to the pandemic.
A breakdown of actual and anticipated coronavirus-related expenses was presented to school board members this week, highlighting the actions taken by the district after the stay-at-home order took effect in the spring and now heading into a modified 2020-21 school year.
The district plans to hire up to 10 additional full-time employees at the elementary level -- costing roughly $650,000 -- to accommodate smaller class sizes and social distancing regulations when classes resume next month, said Seth Chapman, assistant superintendent for business services. That line item could decrease depending on how many kindergartners through fifth-graders choose a remote learning option, rather than a modified in-person instructional model, he said.
Staffing needs are expected to fluctuate in other areas, as well, Chapman said. With reduced elementary class sizes, for example, enrollment aides will no longer be necessary. But custodial support will be increased districtwide, he said, and uncertainties remain over potential substitute teacher costs.
Weighing those projected expenses and savings, the district is estimating a net impact of $390,205 on personnel costs.
“If there's one thing we're really keeping our eye on, it's staffing,” Chapman said.
Making up the most expensive category of virus-related costs are health monitoring and disinfecting protocols, such as touchless faucet and toilet fixtures, water bottle filling stations, and automatic hand sanitizer and soap dispensers. Those line items total about $526,500, according to district data.
The district has spent $397,126 on technology, systems and licenses, the bulk of which were purchased in the 2019-20 school year. Personal protective equipment cost the district $59,483, and the transportation category has a net impact of $30,000, accounting for extra bus cleaning costs for this upcoming school year and a reduction of routes this past spring.
District 303 is expecting to receive $523,901 in federal funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which will help cover a portion of those costs, Chapman said.
For the first time, the district is planning to add a contingency of $1 million for unforeseen COVID-19 expenses in the 2020-21 budget, he said, offering “a little more flexibility.”
“I'm breathing a little easier,” board member Becky McCabe said. “It's fascinating to see how previous boards did such a great job so that when we come to a crisis like this, we're able to do some things other districts can't.”
The proposed budget anticipates an operating surplus of $535,466 and a deficit of $488,472 for all funds, largely due to capital project payments, Chapman said.
A public hearing is expected to take place Sept. 14, after which school board members would likely vote on whether to adopt the proposed budget.