Commissioners to Appoint Advisory Committee for Education Opportunity Fund

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint a citizen's advisory committee to help determine how the Education Opportunity Fund will be implemented.   

In open session Thursday, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of moving forward with a two-step process to get the Education Opportunity Fund up and running.

The Board of County Commissioners budgeted $400,000 for the Education Opportunity Fund for fiscal year 2014 to help assist non-public school students with education costs.

"For the most part, I think our non public school children are getting by with less than what our public school children are experiencing," Commissioner Richard Rothschild said in Thursday's meeting.  

The citizen’s advisory committee will help finalize the broad guidelines for the Fund. A representative of the Community Foundation will also serve on the advisory committee. 

After completion of their work, which should take approximately 30-60 days, the committee will report its suggested guidelines to the Board of Commissioners, according to a news release. 

After the Board of Commissioners approves guideline recommendations from the advisory committee, the Fund will be turned over to the Carroll Community Foundation where it will be managed.

“The Education Opportunity Fund recognizes the importance of affording parents education alternatives that are best for their children," Commissioner Richard Rothschild said in a statement.  

Commissioner Robin Frazier said that she wants to be sure the process is ready so families can use it when school begins.

“Although I believe the general criteria are simple, I have no objection to soliciting more citizen input, as long as it is done in a timely manner so families and children will receive the intended benefit for the start of this school year,” Frazier said in a statement. 

Parents of private, parochial and home school students interested in helping to create the Fund guidelines by serving on a short-term advisory committee should contact Denise Hoover at 410-386-2043.