Orange County School Board members discussed the 2020-21 budget priorities in a work session Tuesday, June 16. The Chief Financial Officer reviewed the operations and capital budget with the school board members in regard to the estimated revenue, appropriations and future issues. The budget includes an increase of 1,661 students bringing the projected Full-time Equivalent to 209,400 students. That number does not include VPK students. The student count was also calculated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The operating budget impacts include:
- $15.5 million for Florida Retirement System rate increases
- $17 million for current year 1.5 percent salary impact on fiscal year 2021 budget
- $10.6 million for Family Empowerment Scholarship
- Budget adjustments
- CARES Act funding
The future issues to consider that may have an impact on the operating budget include: legislative funding for public education, a sharp decline in state revenues, long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the special millage renewal which is in effect through the fiscal year 2023.
The Superintendent did propose a two percent district-level departmental hold-back for the 2020-21 school year in order to help reduce any impact on the school-level budgets.
The capital budget appropriations include:
$16.8 million for completion of the digital curriculum initiative
$16.1 million for school bus replacement
$18.9 million for portable moves and leasing
$8.7 million for charter school capital funding
$5.8 million for district-wide painting
PRIORITIES
- Potential for revenue shortfall
- COVID-19 safety measures
- Compensation to employees
- Mental health assistance
- Instructional support for Teaching and Learning
- Preserving academic programs
- Retain highly qualified teachers
- Protect arts, athletics and student activities
The future issues to consider impacting the capital budget includes: Adjust projected revenue for COVID-19 impacts, re-prioritize projects in the new schools' plan, review enrollment forecasts for relief schools, renewal of the half-penny sales tax.
Here is the Operating and Capital Budget presentation. All budget work sessions are also live-streamed on the School Board's YouTube page and accessible after the meeting.
Next steps:
Superintendent prepares the budget for school board adoption
Public hearing on tentative budget - July 30
Public hearing on adopted budget - September 8
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