School briefs

January 19, 2004

Frederick County Board of Education proposes funding request for next school year

The Frederick County Board of Education has developed a proposed operating funding request for the 2004-05 school year. The proposal is available in booklet form through the Frederick County Public Schools Communications Office, 1-301-696-6900, or on the school system Web site, www.fcps.org.

The Board's plan outlines the funding resources necessary for FCPS to comply with Maryland's 2002 Bridge to Excellence legislation and the federal No Child Left Behind Act. For FY '05, the FCPS Master Plan calls for $342,069,905 in essential education funding.

Collectively - from the state, federal and county governments - FCPS is anticipating revenues totaling $318,697,218. This amount falls $23,372,687 short of the $342 million necessary to fulfill FCPS' Master Plan goals for FY '05.

For the first time in the county budget process, the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners and BOE will hold two joint town meetings, during which public comment is invited. The first is Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at 115 E. Church St. in Frederick, Md. Subsequent to receiving the BOE's funding request in March, the two boards will hold a second forum on Tuesday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. at Tuscarora High School.

Comment also is welcome by sending e-mail to boe@fcps.org or by writing to the Board of Education at 115 E. Church St., Frederick, MD 21701.

The Commissioners will set the allocation for FCPS in June.

Essay contest open to grades eight through 12

The eighth annual essay contest in honor of Women's History Month is being sponsored by the Washington County Commission for Women for students in grades eight through 12.

The United States Postal Service recently commemorated four women in journalism - Nellie Bly, Marguerite Higgins, Ethel L. Payne and Ida M. Tarbell - on 37-cent stamps. Students are asked to select the woman they believe is a "poster woman."

She may be a famous figure such as Rosie the Riveter from World War II; a world leader such as former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; a politician such as Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.; a writer such as Iris Murdoch; or other women who are accomplished in their fields.

Students are asked to write an essay about the woman they select, describing her life and accomplishments. Essays must be 500 to 2,000 words in length. Submissions must include the student's name, school, grade, teacher, principal, and the student's home address and phone number. Home-schoolers in grades eight through 12 also may participate.

Essays are due by Feb. 6. The first prize is $200, second prize is $100 and third prize is $50.

Send essays to Essay Contest, Washington County Commission for Women, County Administration Building, 100 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Prizes will be awarded March 10 and winners will be notified in advance.

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