As children from kindergarten through 12th grade start back to school after the holidays, residents are encouraged to provide input on the Lunenburg County Public Schools’ (LCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020 budget.

The public hearing, scheduled for Jan. 14, is set to be held at 6 p.m. at Central High School, 131 K-V Road, Room 104.

According to the LCPS website, the proposed budget is expected to be delivered to the Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors and County Administrator March 29.

In between those times, the Lunenburg County School Board will have four budget work sessions Jan. 30, Feb. 20, March 13 and March 27.

Jan. 14 will be the only public hearing held for the budget.

While the official budget hasn’t been released to the board of supervisors, the county provided $3.5 million to the school board during the fiscal year that ended June 2018. A report of 70 more students enrolled at LCPS than what was initially budgeted is also encouraging as far as state and federal funding is concerned.

The LCPS budget has the potential to fund transformative opportunities and experiences for area students and faculty. It strengthens our county’s entire economy, its entire outlook and future.

If students are mastering the skills needed to thrive in the workforce. If they are being instilled with the creativity and drive to make a difference in their communities, this bodes well for all of us.

If teachers and staff receive competitive and compensatory wages, then individuals and families are encouraged to stay in the area.

This meeting involves our participation and input, whether we are parents of students or members of the community.

I encourage community members to attend and to make their voices heard as the LCPS budget is being developed.