Leaders of two local school systems discussed the budgeting process, the future of education and more Friday during a Middle Peninsula League of Voters (MidPenVOTE) "Lunch with the League" forum at First Presbyterian Church, Gloucester.

Ben Kiser, superintendent for Gloucester County Public Schools; Dave Holleran, superintendent for Mathews County Public Schools; Ann Burruss, chair of the Gloucester County School Board, and John Persinger, chair of the Mathews County School Board also took some time to answer questions from members of the audience at the forum.

Similar to a recent presentation at a MidPenVOTE forum with local county administrators, school leaders said they have faced one of the most challenging budgeting processes they have seen in their entire careers recently. However, each praised the devoted staffs of the Gloucester and Mathews school systems as they have endured more responsibility in recent months in trying to meet educational requirements with li...