By Anne Scheck
Advisory Committee Convened On Budget
An advisory committee to help build a sustainable school-district budget has been convened now that Measure 98 revenue has arrived – and one aim is to reduce the “cut and add” strategy of the past, Jennifer Kubista EdD announced at the November 6 school board meeting.
The goal is a plan that can withstand fluctuations in funding “should this money go away,” Dr. Kubista said. The committee includes a cross-section of citizens, as well as key representatives from the school district. “We want to make sure we get input from the community,” she stressed.
The formal budget isn’t due till the end of the school year. However, a brief public hearing was held prior to the board meeting on the outcome of revenue from this ballot measure, which was approved by voters last November and requires the state legislature to support drop-out prevention and career and college preparation in public schools. “We’d like the authority to recognize this full amount of funding and start to plan accordingly,” said Cec Koontz, business manager for the district.
The committee will meet this winter and spring, and a draft plan is expected around the first of the year, Dr. Kubista noted. It’s not too soon to get started “as I continue to learn about the Oregon funding stream and how it works,” she said.
The goal is a plan that can withstand fluctuations in funding “should this money go away,” Dr. Kubista said. The committee includes a cross-section of citizens, as well as key representatives from the school district. “We want to make sure we get input from the community,” she stressed.
The formal budget isn’t due till the end of the school year. However, a brief public hearing was held prior to the board meeting on the outcome of revenue from this ballot measure, which was approved by voters last November and requires the state legislature to support drop-out prevention and career and college preparation in public schools. “We’d like the authority to recognize this full amount of funding and start to plan accordingly,” said Cec Koontz, business manager for the district.
The committee will meet this winter and spring, and a draft plan is expected around the first of the year, Dr. Kubista noted. It’s not too soon to get started “as I continue to learn about the Oregon funding stream and how it works,” she said.
Lunch Shaming Put in Past
Students who once had to forego a hot lunch and instead get a cold sandwich when their meal debt exceeded $5 will no longer be required to receive such a substitution.
“Every kid is going to eat, no kid is going to cry,” said Alex Singer, who directs food service for the district. The practice, known by a slang term as “lunch shaming,” is now a thing of the past, said Mr. Singer, who is known colloquially as the “food dude.” The action follows a bill signed by the Gov. Kate Brown last August that prohibits public identification of a student who cannot pay -- or owes money – for school meals.
Revenues in food service are up 3% and expenditures have increased only 1% -- so that part of the budget looks good thus far, he said. A “benevolent lunch fund” is being established, so that donated money for children’s meals can be used to compensate the district for unpaid lunch tabs, he added.
Though families in need of assistance are encouraged to apply for free or reduced-price meals, some miss the cut-off that would qualify them for this subsidy by only a “few dollars in monthly income,” he explained.
“Every kid is going to eat, no kid is going to cry,” said Alex Singer, who directs food service for the district. The practice, known by a slang term as “lunch shaming,” is now a thing of the past, said Mr. Singer, who is known colloquially as the “food dude.” The action follows a bill signed by the Gov. Kate Brown last August that prohibits public identification of a student who cannot pay -- or owes money – for school meals.
Revenues in food service are up 3% and expenditures have increased only 1% -- so that part of the budget looks good thus far, he said. A “benevolent lunch fund” is being established, so that donated money for children’s meals can be used to compensate the district for unpaid lunch tabs, he added.
Though families in need of assistance are encouraged to apply for free or reduced-price meals, some miss the cut-off that would qualify them for this subsidy by only a “few dollars in monthly income,” he explained.
Assist Animal Policy
A parent or guardian will be held responsible for any school-related harm when a student uses a service dog, according to a draft policy unanimously approved by the Central School District 13J school board at its last meeting.
“The service animal must be under the control of a handler at all times,” the policy states. In addition to being responsible for any damages, the parent or guardian will face “any costs necessary to remove and quarantine a service animal” if such action is taken, according to the new guideline.
To date, there are no service animals being used in Central School District facilities, but “a handful of inquiries” prompted Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD to bring the issue to the board, she explained. The policy was drawn up by examining guidelines adopted by other school districts, she said.
The federal definition of a service animal is a specially-trained dog -- with very few state-mandated exceptions. These canines must be able to perform needed and specific tasks. Other animals, such as cats and parrots, may provide comfort -- but they are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
“The service animal must be under the control of a handler at all times,” the policy states. In addition to being responsible for any damages, the parent or guardian will face “any costs necessary to remove and quarantine a service animal” if such action is taken, according to the new guideline.
To date, there are no service animals being used in Central School District facilities, but “a handful of inquiries” prompted Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD to bring the issue to the board, she explained. The policy was drawn up by examining guidelines adopted by other school districts, she said.
The federal definition of a service animal is a specially-trained dog -- with very few state-mandated exceptions. These canines must be able to perform needed and specific tasks. Other animals, such as cats and parrots, may provide comfort -- but they are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
McKid Drive-Thu?
That’s the label given to the developing frenzy of student drop-offs and pick-ups this year by the website strongtowns.org, as schools struggle to keep up with the clog of cars. The issue also was a recent topic of Central High School (CHS) newsletter “In the Know,” which advised against using local businesses across from CHS as a pick-up point. “We all feel the pain of the 16th Street congestion from 3:10 pm to 3:20 pm,” the newsletter noted, while requesting respect for merchant parking areas. Nationally, more parents than ever are driving their children to school. Some schools report car-pooling motorists double- or triple-park while trying to locate kid passengers. The National Safety Council has weighed in with the advice that every school should pay close attention to their drop-off/pick-up policy – it’s seen as just as important as those mandatory safety drills.
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