Verona lays out funding impacts from reduced federal grants; families urged to avoid online meal fees

VERONA, N.J. — The Verona Board of Education on Aug. 26 reviewed budget items tied to federal grants and routine summer bills and repeated a district recommendation to avoid online meal-transaction fees.

Business administrator Jorge Cruz told the board that district allocations for Title funds and IDEA (special education) funding fell about 8 percent for the coming year, producing roughly a $16,000 net reduction versus prior expectations. Cruz said the district budgets conservatively and uses a built-in buffer; the shortfall will be covered with existing tax-levy funds and by reducing contracted professional-development spending where feasible.

Cruz explained federal grants are reimbursed to districts on a spending-then-reimbursement basis and described the timeline for receipt of those funds. He also walked the board through the general account, noting seasonal summer expenses including health-benefit premiums (a monthly run rate described as about half a million dollars), out-of-district tuition payments, workers'comp installments and an annual property-liability invoice.

On school meals, Cruz advised families that the district will continue using MySchoolBucks for meal accounts, which carries a $3.50 online transaction fee. To avoid that fee, parents may send a check payable to the Verona Board of Education with the student name and ID or bring cash to the high school cafeteria; the cafeteria manager will update meal accounts the same day a check is received. Chromebook insurance can similarly be paid by check to avoid online fees.

What's next: The district will finalize audit and year-close reporting items on the Sept. 9 agenda and will continue to monitor grant reimbursements and budget impacts.