Springfield Business Journal_2020-04-06

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 15 APRIL 6-12, 2020 support. She said 89% of her 355 students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch- es. “Not all of our parents have a car to get to Weller,” she said. “The district is working on bus stops to give out food. We do have some very needy families.” Superintendent John Jungmann said the district has promised no staff member will be laid off or furloughed through the initial in-person school closure. Students are ex- pected to return to school on April 27. Staff members have been reassigned as needed, and many have devoted extra hours leading up to the transition to online courses. “We reduced down to essential and criti- cal staff at each one of our buildings. We Zoom call multiple times daily with our leaders,” he said. Hall added roughly 15% of the district’s roughly 3,600 staffers are still working in SPS buildings. For this school year, Jungmann doesn’t expect increased costs for the district. He said there may be a cost savings with re- duced energy and transportation needs. But he said the district is facing a reduc- tion of revenue, specifically through Propo- sition C. “Statewide sales tax revenue will be de- creasing in the months to come,” he said. “We do anticipate some revenue challenges.” In a March 24 board meeting presenta- tion via video conference, Jungmann said Prop C has so far brought in $19.5 million of the $27 million budgeted for this school year. He predicted a shortfall in statewide revenue, and said that will likely affect the school’s budget for this school year and next. In the coming school year, Jungmann said a predicted recession could increase student count and revenue would be slower to return than it was to dissipate. The district also has, alongside neighbor- ing school districts, child care programs for emergency responders and health care workers. “We continue to collaborate weekly on how each of us are doing the business of serving the students in our community,” he said. “It reinforces the value of the public education system.” EDUCATION Because Everyones Holiday Should be Merry and Bright Holidays can be stressful. Perimeter Healthcare can help. ‘ 417.799.7474 Free confidential assessments available 24/7 SERVING A D OLESCENTS AG ES 12-17 www.perimet er springfield.com C M Y CM MY CY CMY K KNOW THE SIGNS How is your child’s mental health? Call for a free assessment 24/7 417.799.7474 www.perimeterspringfield.com Providing hope. Transforming lives. •Feeling sad or isolating from others •Self-harm or thoughts of suicide •Severe and problematic mood swings •Hearing/seeing things that aren’t there •Out-of-control behaviors 67K Free meals provided to SPS students the week of March 23 Principal Rebecca Donaldson, right, and nutrition services worker Alice Grajirenesorliz pass out breakfast and lunches at Weller Elementary School. JESSICA ROSA