[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6580492,"mediaKeyId","3081755-7c5d53e1df4d9877609a0d47a21a0729","parentId",3081755,"title","Board approves safety software, school improvement contract, new CTE pathway and several principal assignments","audioSeconds",999,"startMs",2621000,"endMs",3620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3081755-7c5d53e1df4d9877609a0d47a21a0729&start=2621&end=3620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3081755-7c5d53e1df4d9877609a0d47a21a0729/thumbnail_2621000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6580492/Maryland/Board-approves-safety-software-school-improvement-contract-new-CTE-pathway-and-several-principal-assignments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580492-dbb7d724fcc1852eb3154ddfe450bea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974482&Signature=GTDkDnTF0P0z5ZRvDWnjwfciuPKGRvoIYSy6duHEax2T70m~yqi-yPrlGo54aaG9SH25SKEjToaMTD3BsUJnpvcQA6Ynrh7Cf7Vy7hQYk~6R0zOomqs81CcnUUVpjE63KROdESyjcQmBKE4YV~oyIzC6v8HbeyrM~ZxF5eVTu9tSrmZsiBI9rK1tAGG14on6geHZfg-70kxQlat-PijOq8zcn2fhx1g2Z2S8CJiS-ko0rq1POXKyYo36GdrEnpI7XUarEJLzmeqcFZFZ9S3WuwZmWd0oHkfvo1R2RSrUcdeN8t7lkEetsBT~EE5KwXftpqRbR41Z5ZLJJg-JjlUPyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Queen Anne's County Public Schools","date","2025-04-22T15:16:00.223Z","article","At its April 2 meeting the Queen Anne's County Board of Education approved several contracts and program actions aimed at campus safety, academic support and career and technical education.

The board unanimously approved a $53,625 purchase of the Navigate360 behavior threat-assessment case-management bundle. Matt Evans, supervisor of student services, said the platform provides training, a secure place to store threat-assessment data and consultative services; the cost will be paid from a Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance STOP School Violence grant that begins July 1.

The board also approved a three-year contract with IXL Learning for Kent Island High School, with a reported fiscal impact of $54,695 using Title I school improvement funds. Stacy Rankin, academic dean at Kennard High School, presented the contract and said Kent Island High was identified as a “school in need of improvement” for 2022–23 based on performance of student groups and therefore receives targeted Title I school improvement funding. Rankin said the IXL contract provides diagnostic assessments, individualized learning plans, instructional resources across reading and math and test-preparation supports aligned to state standards; the presentation included staff survey results showing majority support from affected departments.

On career and technical education, the board approved a new electrical pathway for the 2025–26 school year. Adam Tolley, supervisor of career and technical education, said the program already has Maryland State Department of Education approval and that students will be eligible for a certification and apprenticeship opportunities; the district said there is no direct fiscal impact for FY25–26.

Human resources: The board voted to approve the Human Resources report (presented in closed session). During the open meeting staff announced administrative moves that were recorded in the HR report: Michelle Carey (principal at Kennard Elementary School) will transfer to Centreville Elementary School; Sarah White was presented as principal at Kennard Elementary School; Lou Shepherd will be principal at Queen Anne's County High School for the upcoming school year; Dr. Billy Bryce will be principal at Sellersville Middle School; and Stacy Deagan will be principal at Bayside Elementary School. The HR report motion passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The Navigate360 purchase is tied to a federal safety grant and centralizes threat-assessment data and training; the IXL contract is funded through targeted Title I school improvement dollars for a high school identified for support; and the new electrical CTE pathway expands trade-focused certification and apprenticeship opportunities for students.

Sources: Presentations and contract details were delivered by Matt Evans (student services), Adam Tolley (CTE supervisor), and Stacy Rankin (academic dean) during the April 2 board meeting; funding sources were cited in the board agenda and staff presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting - April 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a federal grant-funded behavior-threat assessment platform, a three-year contract for IXL learning at Kent Island High School paid with Title I school improvement funds, a new electrical CTE pathway, and accepted a human-resources report that included multiple principal appointments.","taxTitle","Queen Anne's County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",38792,"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},6580496,"Queen Anne's County Board adopts FY26 budget, leaves $2.1 million shortfall after cuts",1533,5479000,7012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3081755-7c5d53e1df4d9877609a0d47a21a0729&start=5479&end=7012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3081755-7c5d53e1df4d9877609a0d47a21a0729/thumbnail_5479000.jpg","/articles/6580496/Maryland/Queen-Annes-County-Board-adopts-FY26-budget-leaves-21-million-shortfall-after-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580496-4b02e0507fe41da461798862fc1c666a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974482&Signature=FE1vxmen8xRjHdiirJIFBFmVf2ojhiU9Bk1~YV~HYqI1YStITizDP9cMJvi7MryCF9HQGubaFrPlaTrybL4EbgaWxR~8kZMnhLy-2cncJEhETIVjtosIRokzfVmY98Pgsdi9F1Q0pgi-AYQLPMkcfv0ocRhTnXzPj52jDO5GtyC2FYbVa6Plc0O2uq3Z3Ae8hDv1n-tNwAjKBRUxTgVUPr3UAlRlE8pHzCyMURYuisLAlk2J~CieV2jXSSldJHFKL8e5vdpcv8pgdpjPVBICfQGsEoVCKH8yFjKF0ELvpuCcHnwQDkyv~v61wAt6tJ5SNOcdFV1M2UTQCgFWnU5w7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Queen Anne's County Board of Education voted unanimously April 2 to adopt a revised fiscal year 2026 operating budget after staff presented a series of reductions that lowered, but did not eliminate, the shortfall.

Interim Supervisor of Finance Rob Watkins told the board the latest changes reduce the district's remaining deficit to about $2.1 million after a mix of revenue adjustments and program cuts. He said a state funding change projected to reduce the district's state share this year by $433,040 and continuing pension shifts created additional pressure on the budget.

The board’s vote came after an extended presentation by Watkins and follow-up discussion with Superintendent Doctor Salins and board members. Watkins said county elected officials agreed to add $644,000 to cover part of the district’s pension-related costs; he described a mix of savings and one-time shifts that together decreased the overall gap but left the $2.1 million amount that still must be solved.

Watkins and district staff described the specific reductions the budget includes and how those choices were made: removing a previously requested $280,000 line for four community-school positions that have since been captured elsewhere in the budget; adding $150,000 for national board certification stipends; consolidating furlough accounting; and cutting several discretionary lines. Among the reductions Watkins listed were a $175,000 cut to hourly stipend lines used for curriculum and assessment work; a $150,000 reduction to the substitute-teacher budget; elimination of stipends for a drug-education coordinator (covered by a grant); the removal of student-assistance program stipends; a $127,000 cut tied to transportation (including pre-K route changes and the DeKalb Lake route); a $46,000 lease-payment adjustment; $21,500 in subscription reductions; and a $151,650 cut to tuition reimbursement funds.

Board members and staff stressed that most of the budget is people-related: Watkins said roughly 84–85% of the operating budget goes to salaries, wages and fixed charges (insurance, retirement, FICA, etc.). Board members repeatedly told the public the district had tried to avoid repeating last year’s furloughs and reductions to instruction, but said position reductions remain a likely step if new revenue is not secured.

Board discussion said two near-term uncertainties could change the budget before final adoption: (1) final action by the General Assembly on the bills affecting the state's pension and school funding that Watkins said would have a negative impact this year if enacted as drafted (the presentation carried a projected $433,040 reduction in state share), and (2) the county commissioners’ final budget decisions in June. Watkins said the budget book is a living document and staff will return with a final budget after the county and the state finalize their numbers.

The board voted to approve the FY26 budget as presented, acknowledging that the budget will be adjusted if additional revenue arrives or if final administrative numbers (health insurance, property insurance and other fixed costs) change. President Bent made the motion to approve and it passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The adopted budget sets staffing, program and vendor priorities for the coming year; the remaining shortfall of about $2.1 million means the district will continue negotiating with county leaders, consider additional position reductions and seek other savings or revenue sources before the final vote in June.

Sources and context: The figures and line-item changes in this article were presented by Rob Watkins, Interim Supervisor of Finance, during the April 2 board meeting and discussed by Superintendent Doctor Salins and board members during the public session. The district emphasized that some items are contingent on action by the county commissioners and by the General Assembly and that several state-level bills under discussion could change the district’s obligations and revenues.","After hours of review and line-by-line adjustments, the Queen Anne's County Board of Education approved a revised FY2026 budget that reduces the district's projected deficit but still leaves roughly $2.1 million to close; board and staff said more cuts and negotiations with the county and state remain possible.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves safety software, school improvement contract, new CTE pathway and several principal assignments

Queen Anne's County Board adopts FY26 budget, leaves $2.1 million shortfall after cuts