Citizens can offer their input on what they want to see in the FY 2021 budget.
Frederick, Md (KM) Citizens are invited to provide their input for next year’s Frederick County School System Budget. A budget forum will be held on Wednesday, December 4th at the Central Office building at 19 South East Street in Frederick from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In case of inclement weather, the forum will take place on December 18th at the same time and location.
“We’re always looking to get our community’s input on important decisions, and no decision is more important than how we found our school system, and what we established as the priorities,” says Darryl Boffman, the Executive Director of Public Affairs for Frederick County Public Schools.
He says any recommendations from citizens are welcome. “It is wide open. We want to hear old ideas, new ideas, priorities, concerns, whatever they have that they think that we need to consider when we establish what we send forward to our county and state officials,” says Boffman.
The School System’s budget is funded by both the County and the State.
But Boffman says money is limited, and not everything will be funded. “At least from a county standpoint, we’ve been fortunate with County Exec {Jan} Gardner funding education. We hope to continue that path. But also we have the Kirwan Commission funding that’s coming up this year. So we want to make sure we’re in the best position possible to do what we need to do for our children,” he says.
As for revenue projections for fiscal year 2021, “nothing definite. We are expecting some funds from the Kirwan Commission. I don’t know that exact amount. And as you know, we don’t exactly know what we’re going to be getting from the county. However, I think it’s fair to expect more than the maintenance of effort,” says Boffman.
Superintendent Doctor Theresa Alban is expected to share her proposed fiscal year 2021 budget with the public on Monday, January 6th. It will be presented to the Board of Education on Wednesdays, January 8th.
The School Board will hold a hearing on the budget on Wednesday, February 5th. A vote is scheduled for the following week, Wednesdays, February 12th. The Budget will be sent to the County Council which will hold its own hearing. Final approval of the entire spending plan is expected on June 10th. It will take affect on July 1st, 2020.
By Kevin McManus