Updated: FCPS superintendent to seek feedback at community budget forum
Nov. 29—Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Dyson will hold an online community forum Wednesday to gather feedback as she prepares a draft budget for the district.
The forum will be held virtually from 6 to 7 p.m.
The public can log on at https://meet.google.com/kjm-gnrb-jnz or call 1-224-601-6379 and use PIN: 118 434 738#.
The meeting originally was scheduled to be held in the board room at 191 S. East St., the school system's central office building. However, the district later changed course, saying that staff members could not attend in person.
The virtual meeting kicks off a months-long budget cycle that won't wrap up until late June.
Dyson will publish a recommended budget on Jan. 9. That document will provide the basis for the Frederick County Board of Education, which adjusts and adopts the spending plan.
The district is looking to hear from residents about their initial priorities for the budget, a news release about the forum says.
FCPS' budget for the current fiscal year is $822 million — an increase of $57 million, or about 7.5%, over fiscal year 2022.
Despite the jump, the final figure was $14 million less than what then-acting superintendent Mike Markoe proposed at the beginning of the most recent budget cycle.
Once Dyson presents her recommended budget, the school board will take over, holding work sessions and meetings throughout the winter and spring.
Members of the public will again be invited to comment on the spending plan at a public hearing scheduled for February.
Board members are scheduled to forward their funding request to the county on Feb. 8.
Follow Jillian Atelsek on Twitter: @jillian_atelsek
