The county commissioners have proposed a $1.2 million funding increase for the county school system in fiscal year 2002, but the increase falls about $3.6 million below the $4.8 million increase requested by the school board. Under the county's proposed budget for fiscal 2002, county funds for the board of education operating budget total $30,478,413 (compared to $29,257,534 in fiscal 2001). The board of education requested $34,101,728 for fiscal 2002.

McNeil said the difference in funding could result in educational and extracurricular programs being cut back or eliminated. He mentioned the following: the middle school/high school alternative program; foreign language courses in the middle schools; summer school programs; staff development programs; funding for band trips and 9th-grade athletics; and funding for libraries and technology.

Earlier this month the commissioners released a proposed county operating budget of $62.5 million for fiscal 2002. The commissioners indicated the county real estate tax, which increased sharply in fiscal 2001, would not be increased to fund the upcoming budget. Budget hearings are scheduled May 21 at Bayside Elementary School, Stevensville; May 22 at the Liberty Building, Centreville; and May 23 at Sudlersville Middle School. Each hearing starts at 7 p.m.

The school funding issue was the subject of a meeting Tuesday attended by county commissioners George O'Donnell, Marlene Davis and John McQueeney; county administrator Mark Belton, county finance director Joe Zimmerman, school board president Rebecca Burner, school superintendent Dr. Bernard Sadusky, McNeil, one other teacher and a representative of the Maryland State Teachers Association.

"It was basically a two-hour sharing of ideas," said McNeil. He said people at the session had an "open and frank discussion" about the fiscal 2002 budget.

From his perspective, Sadusky said the meeting had a "healthy exchange" of viewpoints. He said both sides (teachers union and county officials) did a good job of trying to get a common understanding of the economic issues.

No decisions were made during the meeting, said O'Donnell. He said the session was "just a meeting of the minds to hear what everybody had to say." O'Donnell said the commissioners will not make any decisions about the proposed budget until after they hear all the comments from citizens at the budget hearings.

Sadusky said one of the expenses hurting the school system is a sharp increase in energy costs - for electricity, fuel oil, propane and diesel fuel. He said energy costs are estimated to increase about 35 percent in one year.

O'Donnell said one issue hurting the county is a reduced level of funding from the state for mandated programs, especially for special education and transportation.