O.C. School Board Approves Budget

By MADDY VITALE The Ocean City Board of Education held its first virtual meeting, adopted the budget for the 2020-21 school year, gave thanks to the teachers for their virtual learning efforts and discussed the possibility of a prom alternative. The total budget is $41,555,147, down from $41.6 million last year. The bulk of the funding for the spending plan will come from $23.8 million in local tax revenue, School Business Administrator Timothy Kelley explained during the virtual meeting Wednesday night. The owner of a home assessed at $500,000 will pay roughly $1,080 in local school taxes for the year, about the same as last year’s figure. Homeowners will see a decrease in their school tax bills of $5 for the year under the new budget, Kelley said. “We will decrease taxes and continue to offer comprehensive and high quality programs,” Kelley noted in his presentation. He added that the school budget blends traditional and virtual learning tools and expands some of the high school offerings for the upcoming year. Board members thanked Kelley for presenting a "solid" budget. Shown in an earlier photo, School Business Administrator Timothy Kelley presents a budget with a slight savings for taxpayers. In other matters, Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor reminded the board and the public that Friday, May 1, is Heroes Day. The district will be showing its appreciation for food service workers who continue to provide meals to students for the free and reduced lunch program. Parents and guardians pick up the meals at the high school during the week, since school was closed due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions on March 17. To date, Dr. Taylor noted that the workers have prepared more than 4,368 meals. “Our deepest appreciation and thank you to food service workers,” she said. “They are very, very, hard at work and they are our heroes. I want to thank them for all that they do and for their dedication. They really do care.” Dr. Taylor and the board members also applauded the teachers in the district. Taylor said the teachers have done a “phenomenal” job connecting with students virtually. Summing up the sentiments of the board, School Board President Joe Clark praised the staff for doing "excellent work" during the COVID-19 crisis. “I want to thank all of the staff and the food service workers. All of the teachers and staff are in unchartered territory and they are doing the best they can,” Clark said. Board Vice President Jacqueline McAlister called the work of the teachers and the staff an amazing job in the face of adversity. She added, “It takes a tremendous amount of work to take our public schools to virtual learning. Our staff has done an excellent and herculean task.” The board also discussed the possibility of an alternative to the prom and afterprom, which will be discussed further in coming weeks. Lunch "Heroes" in the cafeteria at the Ocean City High School will be celebrated on May 1 for their efforts to continue to prepare foods during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Ocean City School District website)