Beverly School Panel Approves $49,413 in Pandemic Grants, Corrects Unemployment Budget Error

BEVERLY — December 16, 2020 — Beverly School Committee's Finance and Facilities Subcommittee approved $49,413 in state grants and corrected a public misunderstanding about unemployment funding at its December 16 meeting. Director of Finance and Operations Gene Sherburne told the panel that a recent City Council action authorizing $55,000 for unemployment costs did not represent new money but rather permitted the district to spend fiscal year 2021 funds on fiscal year 2020 obligations — a distinction she said had been misstated in multiple forums. With only $427.10 remaining in the unemployment line and monthly bills running near $15,000, Sherburne said the district must identify internal funding sources for the remainder of the year; she is contesting approximately $180,000 in claims she believes are fraudulent but does not expect quick recoveries. The subcommittee unanimously accepted a $44,413 DESE reopening grant — used for Virtual High School seats and teacher stipends — and a $5,000 Department of Public Health school health services grant, now in its second of five years.