By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(Nov. 29, 2018) Those wishing to have a say in the fiscal year 2020 Worcester County Board of Education budget are encouraged to attend a public budget input meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Board of Education Central Office in Newark.

“The public budget input meeting is an opportunity for the public to give the board of education and school system administration feedback on what they think should or should not be included in the following year’s budget,” Carrie Sterrs, coordinator of public relations and special programs, said.

During the meeting, Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert will give an overview of the fiscal 2020 budget, while Sterrs will provide a presentation regarding the results of annual parents’ survey, which closed Nov. 20.

“The survey is intended to solicit input on the quality of our educational programs and support services, parent/guardian input on the school improvement process, and parent/guardian input on their budget priorities for the FY 2020 budget,” Sterrs said. “All parents/guardians in the school system [were] invited to participate.”

All 14 schools in Worcester County will have a representative from the school improvement advisory committee, comprised of teachers, support staff, school administration, parents/guardians and community members, on hand to present their school’s budget priorities for the following year.

Some students can also be considered members of the SIAC.

The meeting is open to the public similar to regular board of education meetings.

“The Worcester County Board of Education values input from all stakeholders when prioritizing what items, it plans to include in its operating budget,” Sterrs said. “This annual meeting is another opportunity for the public to be included in the school system budget planning process.”

The next regular board of education meeting is set for Tuesday, Dec. 18.