[{"_1":2,"_104":-5,"_105":-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",[32,74,84,94],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6239429,"mediaKeyId","3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8","parentId",3337712,"title","Parents urge Board to approve Carroll Classical charter application; speakers cite grant and waitlist","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5910000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8&start=5910&end=5910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8/thumbnail_5910000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239429/Maryland/Parents-urge-Board-to-approve-Carroll-Classical-charter-application-speakers-cite-grant-and-waitlist","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239429-1abb08438f24cc5fb21d5068f4e713d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064600&Signature=oclPIjejAraUuiDumIUu0beF6eloi2qVV4s7vqTZAPPW91Ap2I3Us7UQmYrerBL-FXwhve9bc61smiZfWtrtPAM-iyYMdTnmeE2v0qOF-cv9LXS2t5SN~2LDN29mttGZN3ERC0mTDoXogWlVIEs2uVTlhW5hGy-CVyxbG-wrWCflpTduiYT3FnKwQ3a~s1DHr1fsYsVpc0rleovIN6cOYaXu8x3CZgzA0qCXwU9DikqxwRAaHrC4mjuTi0YyHUE0FEaPuHnCF0sLmywwpqONkchjris2hD1lAOM2yvMYuVV-qWcAF8VNzoaHVVzzrQe690JGHqqli8mZst4ohrmJtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-16T08:41:01.623Z","article","Two parents told the Carroll County Board of Education on May 14 that the Board should approve the Carroll Learning Alliance’s application to open a classical charter school in the county.

\"A charter school that embraces this approach gives students a real choice to learn in a setting that values depth over shortcuts and wisdom over noise,\" said Grama Watson, who identified herself as a parent of two young children and a supporter of the Carroll Classical model. Watson told the board the Carroll Learning Alliance had been awarded more than $1.6 million in federal subgrant funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (the Maryland Momentum Project) to launch the proposed school.

Another parent, Joni Gutierrez Palko, said she supports the proposal because it would provide a tuition-free classical option for families who cannot afford private school and would help meet projected growth in areas such as Eldersburg. Gutierrez Palko told the board she and other organizers have run multiple information sessions and said a wait list exceeds 200 students.

A third commenter, Josh Wilhite, said he is not categorically opposed to charter schools but questioned the timing while budget work is underway and raised concerns about class-size caps for a charter versus the district. He also said he had obtained a list of titles removed from district libraries and described that practice as banning books; he urged the district to do a better job addressing library challenges.

Board response and next steps: The public comment period concluded without Board action on the charter application that evening. The Board did not deliberate or vote on the application at the May 14 meeting; any formal approval or denial would follow the district’s charter application review process and state law procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CCPS Board of Education Meeting May 14,2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the public comment period on May 14 two parents urged the Board to approve the Carroll Learning Alliance’s application for a classical charter school, citing a $1.6 million federal subgrant and a waiting list of more than 200 families. A third speaker raised concerns about timing, class-size caps and library removals.","taxTitle","Carroll County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14200,"location","Maryland","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6239434,"CCPS: All schools now represented on Community Advisory Council; apprenticeships and internships expand",3492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8&start=3492&end=3492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8/thumbnail_3492000.jpg","/articles/6239434/Maryland/CCPS-All-schools-now-represented-on-Community-Advisory-Council-apprenticeships-and-internships-expand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239434-88b95ef35a832e7e9b5cc779586cc004/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064600&Signature=EWnYd1pCkduo-YMTjuQzXIHQFHf6XHRGsiuCZVBeGD00GVZRsPfZLVrd88~HtPYEBVd5YiOlNV31V8gnsyzjBDahJSciUw-FYLJlOOuEQst57lfByUD-cahSUEx8XbSjt83mpl6YD-~o4bAL~BFecEC~dEp7EO~SfO2ztWIcklXjYGvwKOPj1aEPLRR48BzKdOeJ9qVqX0fOeqYt0zix9tvesd6VLleg0bIMYWg0~fAZvkJh0o3SkqpjYQaRXLoOjuRGdcZu8dmBXTDL9GunI5-IR30qX44EKUtN3xDhO2SY2YUSMahJ~-yf8AyISQ2yjIhKECS~eb~Q490L2ZgbHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County Public Schools on May 14 reported full participation by district schools in the districtwide Community Advisory Council (CAC) and growth in career pathways for students, officials said.

\"Our target was 90% for this school year and our performance was 100% so we met that target,\" said Michael Shockney while presenting the Pillar 2 family and community partnerships annual report. Shockney told the board CAC representation now includes every school and that the council increased meeting frequency to four or five times during the school year.

Why it matters: The district framed Pillar 2 as a strategic effort to strengthen family and community partnerships and to expand student access to career-ready experiences. Shockney reported the number of paid apprenticeships rose to 19 (from a target of 15 for the year) and internships increased from 438 in 2023–24 to 440 in 2024–25. Apprenticeship placements now include sectors such as automotive, health care, education, the National Security Agency, the Maryland Department of Transportation and technology.

Other actions and tools: Shockney said the district is moving solicitation and vendor registration functions to a platform called PublicPurchase effective July 1. The service is free for vendors and will host vendor registration, solicitation advertisements, receipt of bids and proposals, addenda and award notifications. Shockney described the prior work as largely developmental and said the procurement office is entering an implementation phase with additional advertising platforms planned for the summer.

Staff emphasized the role of career coaches working with middle schools to expose students to industries and increase approved apprenticeship sites through the Department of Labor.

Next steps: Shockney said staff will continue outreach to employers and vendors to expand placements and vendor engagement. Board members asked clarifying questions about specific roles (reading and math specialists were discussed) and saw the Pillar 2 update as a demonstration of ongoing partnership and measurable progress.","A May 14 presentation on Pillar 2 of Carroll County Public Schools’ strategic plan reported 100% school participation in Community Advisory Council meetings, growth to 19 paid apprenticeships and 440 internships, and a move to PublicPurchase for vendor solicitations beginning July 1.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":42,"_43":87,"_45":87,"_46":88,"_48":89,"_50":90,"_52":91,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6239440,"Board approves FY26 operating, food service, debt and capital budgets as county funding holds",7406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8&start=7406&end=7406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8/thumbnail_7406000.jpg","/articles/6239440/Maryland/Board-approves-FY26-operating-food-service-debt-and-capital-budgets-as-county-funding-holds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239440-e3510817a73369f7cd511009a77cf2d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064600&Signature=cU6Ij1PoXTDT99yEyocKa-RFz1BdyCf-RGWrYULDx~ZgSp0Nt9BKCmqyoWdv7NcRTdawD4B52HrjLUx7p30q9JyBqygxSopywGR16G~YH4CbK11WgmvUcXvywO~tGNZdFKDnHmSS~GDw8CW2XFrTum39gFGMeqOiuxYcC0zVVVmkuQRu1csn5DnRDMIXiwUMcrnLKkV8nnZ5qeuFZxfLiWHXOs29iiKrcoAEh6Lnezwg7FUhlc2pBFxClkjbl0szE7tg~91uG4om88JuHiEwwZBcXeWXuL1XDUsh1dNaUIM54lT4ow1Q8bwCQxM7PHeF3QhSbioukdGYD2qKtf5-4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carroll County Board of Education voted unanimously May 14 to approve the district’s fiscal 2026 operating budget by the categorical totals required under state law, along with the food service fund, debt service fund and the final Capital Improvement Program totals.

“By state law, the board must approve our annual operating budget by the major categorical totals contained in state law,” Superintendent McCabe told the board before members voted. Board members cast unanimous aye votes on the operating fund, the food services budget (a self-supporting fund), the debt-service total and the CIP project totals.

Why it matters: Board members said county budget actions provide the funding floor for district plans. Board member Miss Zimmer thanked the county commissioners for preliminarily agreeing to fund Carroll County Public Schools “$5,800,000 above the promised increase in ongoing funds for fiscal year 2026,” a funding commitment the board said will help cover negotiated salary agreements, maintain outdoor school programs, sustain one-to-one technology in grades 3–5 and prevent using fund balance for rising utility costs.

Details:
- The food service fund was approved as a self-supporting budget that relies on meal sales and federal reimbursements.
- The debt service total — the county’s payment for school construction bonds — was approved; votes acknowledged state and county processes set that figure.
- The board adopted the final CIP project totals reflecting actions by the General Assembly and the county.

Other approvals during the meeting included the transportation reimbursement formula (used to pay contracted bus operators), a special-education staffing plan required by the Maryland State Department of Education, and several procurement awards for emergency HVAC rentals and food-service equipment. All actions were approved by unanimous vote.

The Board set its next regular meeting for June 11 and emphasized that the district and county remain in close communication about funding and capital-timing questions raised by recent state bond-rating changes.","On May 14 the Carroll County Board of Education approved the district’s FY26 operating budget by state-required categories, plus the food services, debt service and capital improvement totals. Board members noted preliminary county funding commitments that staff say will allow agreed salary increases and keep certain programs in place.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":42,"_43":97,"_45":97,"_46":98,"_48":99,"_50":100,"_52":101,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6239443,"AIB grants Carroll County three-year extension to meet Blueprint spending rules; district to revise plan",4285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8&start=4285&end=4285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337712-d0018f9392b0e4f7109c1d40a5ddbab8/thumbnail_4285000.jpg","/articles/6239443/Maryland/AIB-grants-Carroll-County-three-year-extension-to-meet-Blueprint-spending-rules-district-to-revise-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239443-03451a8fd490d3fbc4a5def15949a4f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064600&Signature=IbY~MhEIEYnH-L~Ol8tzm31ayobH4zAGHM2VaiY1E8zBJbQS7kgCx33Fl4-GFLd55es5GpKDO8MHCPagILT4R9Z2QVdYK6~EwaqXMx3seDvkyHb4r5z1AJOIVKUjNw4ArBZs92W7AuvgEHceNj4K6x1pincXWqz3HwenCHkrBNgTVx4Q7fvhu21JpU1SIwMzEEDi4otDBJzf1-2l5VI-sWGiiefcqWkwJfYq5UO3wOdPnktghuDiUt6ZqcfoSoeeamwMoXb3oP6pdGK1HzYY-9CUa8sBNxS-f6S6kSMzzzrmr6GwBmOR5ASec~2NN05vKcF~EFz30htAu8T2smMbrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The state’s Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) voted unanimously to give Carroll County Public Schools through fiscal 2028 to reach full compliance with Maryland’s Blueprint fiscal rules, Superintendent McCabe told the Board of Education at its May 14 meeting.

The extra time follows months of public outreach and a formal waiver request from the county. \"We were never requesting to not have to comply with the law,\" said Michael O'Neil, a county official who presented details of the AIB decision, adding that the AIB’s approval was a 6–0 vote of members present.

Why it matters: Blueprint requires local school systems to align spending to student need (for example, compensatory education and multilingual learner programs). Carroll County experienced an unusually large increase in students identified for compensatory education after the state adopted direct certification; county officials said compensatory enrollment rose 86.3% in Carroll County from 2023 to 2024, compared with a 33.6% statewide increase. That enrollment surge changed the district’s initial compliance calculations and was a central point in the waiver request.

County staff and AIB-appointed consultants from APA Consulting will now review district data and methodologies and help reshape the local compliance plan. O'Neil said the consultants have begun data validation and that the district expects initial findings by the end of the summer and a fuller report during the coming fiscal year. The district also plans to refine its approach to coding expenditures — how staff and program dollars are attributed to specific schools and programs — and to develop a clearer “base school” model that defines the essential staff and services every school should have regardless of student composition.

Dr. McCabe thanked community members, county commissioners, the local delegation and staff for their work supporting the waiver request and for extensive public engagement that included more than 1,300 emails submitted to the AIB during its public record period.

Discussion vs. decisions: Board discussion at the May 14 meeting focused on next steps and technical questions about coding expenditures and the timeline for consultant deliverables. No Board action was required; the AIB rendered the waiver decision. The district will revise its Blueprint compliance plan, present updated materials to the public and return to the Board with a revised plan informed by APA’s findings.

The waiver gives Carroll County additional time to reconcile spending practices with Blueprint’s requirements while consultants and district staff work to limit disruptive program cuts. O'Neil said the extra time provides \"a much needed just opportunity to kinda take a deep breath\" as the district refines its plan.","The state Accountability and Implementation Board unanimously approved an extension through fiscal 2028 allowing Carroll County Public Schools more time to finalize a Blueprint compliance plan. County staff will work with consultants to revise spending codes, refine a “base school” model and present updated plans after summer review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents urge Board to approve Carroll Classical charter application; speakers cite grant and waitlist

CCPS: All schools now represented on Community Advisory Council; apprenticeships and internships expand

Board approves FY26 operating, food service, debt and capital budgets as county funding holds

AIB grants Carroll County three-year extension to meet Blueprint spending rules; district to revise plan