[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6327875,"mediaKeyId","2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf","parentId",2321905,"title","Votes at a glance: Wicomico County Board of Education, February meeting","audioSeconds",798,"startMs",1395000,"endMs",2193000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf&start=1395&end=2193","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf/thumbnail_1395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6327875/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Wicomico-County-Board-of-Education-February-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327875-d2a1564b98dec4292868ca618fd9ee59/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573197&Signature=LDxl07vOarOCS6RdPvX2KbxABIHwadzAmv0Gy4zIEv3f9XWWNDASRmn2WpcfQ4ln~YeykobVjMMeGL~psyVSw7vusMKimvTE0fCR2tBHmmlFXGrCMSWn4xAkpLG6-asQvSAxcKvw65SEjJyJIA37Ey2IOunc0PgYGv24d-9Q1fbOBSE7naJqEP79quANe~jZ7gPPQYh38~Meqs7bHC5VxAXyZQ0t6f1q-uQIGqsA2RQP2~sMqYUYJD~x1teNL2ly6vL0duNE5xQ3hEjNBvciIuwd8JxnwROySOZJ6NLX3tn3C7gemtvGSIEZEfBQySpF5yuMPAKjckEJyw4RshQbWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wicomico County Public Schools","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","This summary lists formal actions the Wicomico County Board of Education recorded at its February meeting and key details from roll‑call votes.

- Approval of open meeting minutes (Dec. 19 special meeting and Jan. 10 special meeting/work session): Motion carried by voice vote.

- Consent items (5 items): Approved. Items included certificated personnel matters; approval and rescission of board policies reviewed on Jan. 28; a fiber wide area network award to Comcast (incumbent, highest scoring proposal); and a three‑year cooperative contract for ice cream products and equipment executed under a Baltimore County cooperative agreement.

- First reading / posting for public input: Draft A and Draft B of the 2025–26 WCPS school calendar were approved for public posting (English, Spanish and Haitian Creole) to solicit feedback as part of the public input process. The board approved moving the drafts forward by roll call.

- Construction documents: Approved submission of construction documents for Fruitland Primary replacement (see separate article). Roll‑call: unanimous aye.

- Curriculum adoptions: The board approved the phonemic awareness resource for kindergarten and first grade and approved the Age of Learning supplemental MyMath and MyReading Academy for pre‑K classrooms; each resource had been presented at the Jan. 28 work session and moved forward for final approval.

- School boundary adjustments: Approved Option B (see separate article); roll‑call vote recorded as unanimous aye; effective next week.

- Calendar makeup day: Approved making Monday, Feb. 17 an early‑dismissal makeup day (the plurality preference in a district survey) so the district may seek a state waiver for the final day of school. Roll‑call: unanimous aye.

- Closed‑session confirmation: The board confirmed in open session a prior closed‑session ratification of a settlement and release in the federal lawsuit Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP et al v. Wicomico County, Maryland et al (Civil Action No. 123CV03325MJM). Roll‑call: 5 ayes, 2 nos.

Why it matters: The meeting covered multiple routine and substantive governance steps: personnel and procurement approvals, curriculum adoptions, calendar adjustments tied to inclement weather makeup needs, capital project advancement, boundary changes to rebalance enrollments, and confirmation that a confidentially negotiated settlement may be executed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education of Wicomico County - February 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved consent items, curriculum resources, calendar actions, construction documents and boundary changes; it also confirmed a closed‑session settlement ratification. This roundup lists motions, outcomes and key roll‑call results recorded at the meeting.","taxTitle","Wicomico County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",38259,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6327880,"Board confirms ratification of NAACP lawsuit settlement approved in closed session",100,2333000,2433000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf&start=2333&end=2433","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf/thumbnail_2333000.jpg","/articles/6327880/Maryland/Board-confirms-ratification-of-NAACP-lawsuit-settlement-approved-in-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327880-04d3ece61a170695276c74f5b3314877/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573197&Signature=VMKvbBvJZsoIvfYiXrTVSRdzBQduR6kAA5gUckxR6NT03Lbg4n3vC1siI8GPqFiEn2MqMZDvr1BkDjCeJ0C8W-9lm5UuU3YNLSwquR2J-SlprajjlqZuiW7PoseISLCb6w8qogYrQNETANuhyJOf6-gE9l7pNYP29JIVc67rhpyQ1I5YvkruoquVScsVbGsg~yr7mJZKY~TPo-yH3xYAGPuY8x994oO~oHK30GB9UHOsrB0kHAYO6Yw8TlN4rr8b6c7nBPrDOc4oMZb82KY4P1TXNtQPMbSQGxk6YRD91EnDDjPzgz5ehzGhCFVjNQGMqaCqekUX5lemHB48JcuHbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wicomico County Board of Education on Wednesday confirmed its prior closed‑session ratification of a settlement arising from the multi‑party federal lawsuit styled Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP et al v. Wicomico County, Maryland et al.

Board attorney Darren Burns said the board had previously voted in closed session to ratify a settlement agreement and release resulting from confidential court‑ordered mediation in the case (Civil Action No. 123CV03325MJM). Burns told the board the settlement \"has since been approved by all plaintiffs and all defendants and jointly reported as such to the court.\" He recommended the board confirm its prior actions so the agreement \"may be executed on behalf of the board, vice chair and superintendent.\"

The board then voted to confirm its prior ratification. In roll call, Mr. Palmer said he sought to confirm his prior \"no\" vote; Miss Hazel voted yes; Mr. Plots voted aye; Mrs. Beauchamp voted no; Mr. Brown voted aye; Dr. Ennis voted aye; the chair voted aye. The chair announced the motion carried.

Why it matters: Confirming the ratification allows school officials to execute the settlement agreement on behalf of the board. Board counsel presented the matter for confirmation during the open meeting after the prior confidential action in closed session.

The board did not disclose the settlement terms during the open meeting.","The board voted to confirm a previously ratified settlement and release in the multi‑party federal lawsuit brought by the Wicomico County branch of the NAACP; the agreement had been approved in confidential court‑ordered mediation and reported jointly to the court.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6327885,"Board approves Fruitland Primary construction documents; bid and mobilization depend on state and county funding",61,1755000,1816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf&start=1755&end=1816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf/thumbnail_1755000.jpg","/articles/6327885/Maryland/Board-approves-Fruitland-Primary-construction-documents-bid-and-mobilization-depend-on-state-and-county-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327885-c9fb7ea71c52ca14fbbc8fbcd7ed0318/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573197&Signature=Pk2ny-p571BWcIbA23Cem5Sdib~2O4c~LTJ3tD9QF7ucDFaoC7OibgJopbPzl1BQpqZZTGICu14qHna3w5T8tuKSrLykYghWpZTkPnbB4BHqaaApAt16TM7W~JBvt8KiKv~Ble42mvGrqnhhYRAaaMGAzdDRHG3wCXfTuoqiWOxGfe0658C10Vql-gUScqS748ccOM1D7KT8FF9ftrqTg1Bi7~64tLBH6F~fTUylg5m2p7a77NfUCBLkfGQhcXuO1wa6G3796aIweME1nK1jiXkyXPz9GtI9BWXdMrH3jXxWAnnL2g3sDIR-zyD~NdHGQA6MzCUh0cQw0YEXTZxYSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wicomico County Board of Education voted to approve construction documents for the replacement Fruitland Primary School and authorized staff to submit the documents to the state for review.

\"The construction documents before you were approved by the school building commission on January 23 and presented for your review at the January 28 work session,\" Dr. Reager, a WCPS staff member, said. He told the board the state Department of General Services would review the submission and that an authorization to bid could come by April 2025, with potential June 2025 mobilization for construction contingent on the IAC's FY2026 CIP funding allocation and county approval.

A board member asked when the school is expected to be finished; staff responded the construction period is expected to be two years.

Why it matters: Approving construction documents advances the replacement project through state review and toward bidding. Staff emphasized the timeline depends on Interagency Commission (IAC) funding and county capital approvals.

Vote: The motion to authorize submission and proceed passed on roll‑call: Mr. Palmer (aye), Miss Hazel (aye), Mr. Plots (aye), Mrs. Beauchamp (aye), Mr. Brown (aye), Dr. Ennis (aye), and the chair voted aye.

Next steps: Staff will submit documents to the state Department of General Services, await review and comment, seek authorization to bid, and—if funding is allocated and county approvals follow—begin mobilization in mid 2025 with an estimated two‑year construction timeline.","WCPS authorized submission of construction documents for the Fruitland Primary replacement project; staff said authorization to bid and site mobilization depend on state FY2026 CIP allocation and county approval, with construction expected to last about two years.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6327890,"Board approves school boundary adjustments to rebalance elementary enrollments; changes take effect next week",86,1965000,2051000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf&start=1965&end=2051","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf/thumbnail_1965000.jpg","/articles/6327890/Maryland/Board-approves-school-boundary-adjustments-to-rebalance-elementary-enrollments-changes-take-effect-next-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327890-b972f2bdd94cbe8d66f8c808ed37ffd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573197&Signature=fpTEvT1-5j-Y1FM2eMhJRruw3djmzKfw9OgyaCAHlGnAXrivCH~C8cQpNqkj2OGF8xgsKO8NmtFeJ6spxdIKvJoZAOjXt95Ojhe8lh9aVsFvLYjC2QxLIpNZhZntcffQTeIJ5IygElbux-J7nZdgHSRpnDgxsqnsBxwG3RCw5-WS190~-PoS18KQm-AtqiE78utuHDLlxwwcqH1zdTwAyIRnGFsiI6u7La8lqvPbtl0nkJ0StIufN4qLnrLrUDzwl6CYhh25Plw2hXl6es73zeYhEN2xkodClUPfDYZE60wv-nldB9HVd93uWJKsWLh~H8qWL1oy4xkwmihsodW54Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wicomico County Board of Education voted Wednesday to approve school boundary adjustments recommended by the school boundary planning team and facilitated by Cropper GIS.

Dr. Reager, a WCPS staff member presenting the plan, said the recommended option was developed over several months with public input and that the process and reports are posted on the WCPS website. \"The boundary study recommendation before you today is the combination of several months of work by the school boundary planning team facilitated by Cropper GIS,\" Reager said.

The board adopted Option B, which staff said primarily rebalances enrollments at the elementary level and supports a more even distribution of instructional resources across the district. The board chair confirmed the option voted on was the Option B presented at the Jan. 10 work session.

Board members cast roll‑call votes: Mr. Palmer (aye), Miss Hazel (aye), Mr. Plots (aye), Mrs. Beauchamp (aye), Mr. Brown (aye), Dr. Ennis (aye), and the chair voted aye. The superintendent said the new boundaries will take effect next week.

Why it matters: Boundary changes affect which schools students attend, class sizes, and resource distribution. Board staff said the adjustment aims to relieve overcrowding at elementary schools.

Board discussion and public input: The presenter told the board the recommendation considered public feedback and equity and followed the district's school boundary guidelines within board policy. No additional substantive amendments were proposed at the meeting.

Implementation: Staff said the adjustments will go into effect next week and that mapping and reports remain available on the WCPS website for parents and the public to review.","The Wicomico County Board of Education approved Option B of the school boundary analysis after months of public input; the board said the changes will help balance elementary enrollments and take effect next week.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6327895,"Teacher of the Year and residents urge county to increase per‑pupil funding",407,297000,704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf&start=297&end=704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321905-fc17283c1226693832e55f5a41bfa1bf/thumbnail_297000.jpg","/articles/6327895/Maryland/Teacher-of-the-Year-and-residents-urge-county-to-increase-perpupil-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327895-53907ab67d1a894d91008198b7d7d931/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573197&Signature=CHKEyBdOPcF5EbLuKI7UnvhWVdgEl5~JI~WjqUpLNsLbwgrHee5OGxhiUdI2qig3VjMpRSRrumKKZovWi-ri9Ee14pqj0bIQH5f1faPnocFAh0QbNuUjCCtt~6rPUTRRRgI4MOP~1U9Th00RSXf~eZAMUPFUqvlLfJeeHLizTIGOsyDYIbVkDm-17lQjKrMGjnIChx7L~gIVuXqJW64mXuxEYf1R2ARh59ObTh1E4qzyPH3OyQLyw4OSdhDdbviJcBFJZJH4UpFxpcrWk9qZdk8QUB9kx49HU5AcveOZN7LW~WgaPkUVtPRIjKpVpJ-552cRP2Cx-tOOtFZzk6SlCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Debbie Reynolds, the 2025 Wicomico County Teacher of the Year, told the Wicomico County Board of Education on Wednesday that local government funding for schools has fallen in real terms and sends a negative message to students and staff.

\"When I was a senior in 2010, the Wicomico County government allocated $3,623 in per pupil funding. Guess how much the county government allocated this year? $3,583 per pupil,\" Reynolds said, adding that the county now ranks last among Maryland's 24 jurisdictions for per‑pupil local funding.

Reynolds said she served on a blue‑ribbon panel of educators, business leaders, parents and officials reviewing short‑ and long‑term funding needs and urged the board to press county leaders for more than the state minimum maintenance‑of‑effort allocation. \"I can no longer stay silent in regards to the Wicomico County government and how they are choosing to allocate funds for our school system at a maintenance of effort level,\" she said.

Chris Eccleston, who identified himself as a business owner in the county, backed Reynolds and argued for a multiyear operating formula. \"We need to look long term 10 to 15 years out and create an operating formula of how the school system is funded,\" Eccleston said, suggesting maintenance of effort plus CPI plus 2 percent as an example to improve predictability.

Resident Bev Urich offered congratulations to a student, Julia Gore, appointed to the Maryland General Assembly page program and said she supported the board's redistricting work.

Why it matters: Public funding decisions determine staffing, class size and programs available to students. Speakers at the meeting said current local funding levels constrain educational options and described efforts underway to propose changes to county allocations.

Board members did not immediately respond with an action at the meeting; the public comment period is advisory. The board and superintendent discussed budget development and state funding uncertainty elsewhere in the agenda and encouraged public comment on the FY2026 budget during the posted public comment window.","At the Wicomico County Board of Education February meeting, public commenters including the county Teacher of the Year criticized the county's maintenance‑of‑effort funding and urged a long‑term funding formula; speakers also voiced support for recent redistricting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Wicomico County Board of Education, February meeting

Board confirms ratification of NAACP lawsuit settlement approved in closed session

Board approves Fruitland Primary construction documents; bid and mobilization depend on state and county funding

Board approves school boundary adjustments to rebalance elementary enrollments; changes take effect next week

Teacher of the Year and residents urge county to increase per‑pupil funding