If anyone wants to offer thoughts on Wiscasset’s next school budget, School Committee Chairman Steve Smith hopes they’ll be at Wiscasset Middle High School on Thursday, Nov. 19, or another committee meeting soon.

Finding out nearer the end of budget season what people want in the budget is harder, because the priorities will have already been set, Smith said in a telephone interview Nov. 16. “I’m looking for feedback from anybody,” he said.

So far, he hasn’t received any response from the public on budget talks, he said.

At committee meetings earlier this fall, Smith has said that keeping next year’s budget flat with this year’s would mean cutting staff. He has expressed support for a five-percent hike to avoid cuts; and he has floated the idea of increasing the budget by another two percent as an investment in the school system.

On Thursday night, the committee is set to discuss priorities for the next budget. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the middle high school library.

Smith encouraged the public to attend. He said he also welcomes emails about the budget at ssmith@wiscassetschools.org or phone calls at 207-882-6450.

Also Thursday, Wiscasset Middle High Principal Peg Armstrong, Wiscasset Elementary School Mona Schlein and Curriculum Coordinator Patricia Watts are on the agenda to give updates; the committee is set to take up Wiscasset Middle High French teacher Eva Castor’s resignation and new hires Kimberly Brewer, music teacher; Karina Sprague, gifted and talented teacher; and Jesse Morang, van driver.

Brewer will teach music classes at Wiscasset Middle High and do lessons and band ensemble there and at Wiscasset Elementary, Superintendent of Schools Heather Wilmot states in an email response Monday.

Teacher Dawn Jones will meet with the committee about the middle high’s class on drones.