CUMBERLAND – Although budget work is an ongoing process, Cumberland school leaders have stepped up their game going into the New Year.

According to Cumberland County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Amy Griffin, the process will officially begin on January 10, which is the School Board's regularly scheduled meeting. During this meeting, the administration will hear budget input from the School Board and the public related to the 2011-2012 budget.

“You all might want to bring those ideas of what you'd like to see in the budget,” expressed Dr. Griffin about the first budget-related meeting.

Following that public input session, work sessions will begin and a draft budget is expected to take shape.

“I wanted to make sure the public had time to look at the proposed budget and then have public comment on the budget. Of course it makes a lot of meetings, but to give everyone their voice,” said Dr. Griffin about a few minor changes proposed for the budget calendar.

The 2011-2012 budget calendar was provided to the Board for review and it includes a lot of meetings that will take place between January and March. One meeting in February is when the School Board will sit down with the County's Board of Supervisors and administration team to work out figures related to the school's local funding request.

“I wanted to make sure you had some input and knew what we were proposing to the County,” noted Dr. Griffin to the Board.

The school's budget request, according to the information provided, is due to the County by January 21 and the Superintendent's first presentation of the budget is scheduled for the School Board's regular meeting on February 14 and a public hearing would be next after the final presentation.

That information, Dr. Griffin noted, would also be available for review on the school system's website later this winter.

The Supervisors' overall budget approval is slated for April 12, she also concluded.

“Are you getting a good feel from the Board of Supervisors as to where we are-level funding or cuts or are we still unknown?” asked Chair Dr. Christine Ross about anticipated funding from the County.

According to Dr. Griffin, the amount of local funding is still “unknown.”

“Level funding is what they are thinking,” she said about information received so far from the County.

Recognitions Rescheduled

Due to schools being closed on Monday, December 13 because of inclement weather, the School Board delayed a few items until its January meeting.

During this upcoming meeting, the Board will recognize the students of the month, meet the community person, the fine arts students, and the boys and girls cross country teams.