By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield School District is potentially facing a nearly $1.5 million budget shortfall for next year due to COVID-19. That’s what Business Services Director Pat Saucerman told members of the Marshfield Board of Education last night. He said early estimates are now putting state budget shortfalls at somewhere between $2-3 billion. That means increases in per pupil spending outlined in the last biennial state budget will most likely not be happening for next year.

Board member Kajal Sitwala – also a member of the District’s Finance Committee – told her colleagues on the full board that the committee has agreed they will have to start looking at possible cuts moving forward.

Also last night, the board approved a 10-cent increase in the school lunch price for next year. Sitwala told the board that is the minimal annual markup required by the state.

The price of breakfast and other costs will stay the same.

The board also accepted a $5,000 grant from Marshfield Clinic. Sitwala said the money is part of an effort to coordinate the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the funding will help to ensure that lines of communication between various public entities remain open to protect the district’s kids and their families.