The School District of Beloit is incurring added expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s also saving money in other areas.

Executive Director of Business, Human Resources and Operations JoAnn Armstrong presented a financial update to a school board committee this week, which outlined the budget differences caused by the public health emergency.

The majority of the increased costs have come through the free meal program it offers to all children 18 and under. As of this week, the district has distributed over 65,000 breakfasts and 65,000 lunches for an expense of nearly $350,000.

Armstrong said most, if not all, of that cost will be reimbursed by funding from the federal government, but that money has not yet been released to school districts.

Beloit has also spent more on sanitation and cleaning products, which combined with the meal costs has totaled $477,680 in added expenditures due to COVID-19 so far.

Compared to last year, Armstrong said the district has saved money on heat and air conditioning costs as well as garbage and recycling.

The biggest cost saving has come from not having to pay substitute teachers who cost the district an average of $85,000 a month.

Overall, Armstrong calculated the district has seen $322,352 in savings up to this point.

The expense and savings figures are not fixed numbers as the school closures and pandemic continue, but the reimbursement for meals puts the district in position to have a potential net savings overall, based on the numbers Armstrong presented this week.