Gates County approves up to $50,000 in emergency aid to extend school daycare, conditions tied to cuts and reporting

The Gates County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution providing supplemental emergency funding to extend operations of the district-run New Beginnings daycare, with county contributions capped at $50,000 and monthly costs to be split 50/50 with the Gates County Board of Education beginning January 2026. The board set conditions requiring immediate cost-cutting measures by the school district, regular submission of cash-flow reports, verification of staffing levels and student counts before each monthly allocation.

The vote followed extensive discussion of the daycare’s finances and broader school fiscal concerns. County Manager Scott Sauer reviewed draft audit figures and said the school’s childcare fund has run cumulative operating deficits over multiple years. "A review of financial audits for the most recent five fiscal years reflect annual operating deficits for the Board of Education's childcare fund with a combined total of $444,394," Sauer said during the meeting. Commissioners and staff said the board wants accountability for county dollars while recognizing the daycare’s role in supporting working parents and local workforce needs.

Commissioner Nathan Berryman, who met with school board members before the meeting, said the county is seeking a realistic path forward that keeps the daycare available while the district implements fiscal reforms. "We are here to support them, but there are hard decisions that have to be made," Berryman said, urging a detailed plan from the Board of Education to return the school system to fiscal responsibility.

The resolution explicitly states county funds "shall not be used to retire the $25,000 loan" already advanced to the childcare fund and directs that any county allocation be paid monthly upon receipt of the latest cash-flow report, staffing levels and number of enrolled students. The resolution also requires the school district to take immediate cost-cutting measures, including eliminating two part‑time positions and one co‑director position as part of the condition for releasing county funds.

Several commissioners cautioned against open-ended subsidies. Commissioner Dave Forsyth, while supporting the motion, said he did not want the county to ‘throw good money after bad’ and insisted on firmer fiscal controls by the district. "I want to hold their feet to the fire," Forsyth said, stressing the need for the district to present aggressive actions to rein in spending.

Supporters of the funding noted the county’s role in enabling working parents to remain in the workforce. Chair Emily Truman emphasized the county’s right to seek accountability for funds it provides. The board approved the resolution by unanimous voice vote; commissioners said the county and the school will continue meetings and that the board expects the school district to present a detailed fiscal recovery plan at follow-up sessions.

Next steps: the county will prepare a budget amendment to authorize county funds as required, and monthly allocations will be disbursed only after the Board of Education provides the required cash‑flow reports and documentation of staffing and enrollment. The board also signaled continued collaboration with the district on exploring third‑party operators or other structural options for the daycare program.

The resolution and related audit figures were discussed at length during the November meeting; the board scheduled further joint meetings with school representatives to monitor progress and compliance with the resolution’s conditions.