[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6525396,"mediaKeyId","3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0","parentId",3460297,"title","Board recognizes student artists from second and third quarters","audioSeconds",444,"startMs",1122000,"endMs",1566000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0&start=1122&end=1566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0/thumbnail_1122000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6525396/Maryland/Board-recognizes-student-artists-from-second-and-third-quarters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525396-7da5c251fac0d22f3a08efb8eac80402/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145009&Signature=fKs20Vr59vACbme2peajg6ZAnWXzVvVw097yem3ibfa9gRrGaD2YlKwQFtlX3pXrrCP1zcimI8S~fmHJTW48~nF73sv8BVQa7nFcZB~AwnerNrf~TsA3J5o0NGccCCsca7e88wOLg2IGLeRB~QmwpGQogu91-lMKubss2rLJ~DwMLaviuYnoOTOGg4SxxPRPPbKBQ9qmaeyLsAF0hrLNpuSwzHk7UC7J5KgEs4JizXkAermgEd4-DymPW8DIp8L-QzUxGel87VXwZ-XuAH6a1SxA5~J~4W4vS-2qU177T4BT2YDTk8xEIkmpaciCmQkOTpJSbS6m9VgqZf~oFh2TPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County Public Schools","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","The board recognized students whose artwork appeared in the superintendent’s second- and third-quarter art galleries for the 2024–2025 school year and presented certificates to each student.

The recognition included second-quarter winners such as Kendall Carpenter (Leonardtown High School, \"Shine Bright\"), Rena Childress (Green Holly Elementary, \"Cherry Blossom\"), Asia Furlough (Leonardtown Middle School), Lillian Racine (Piney Point Elementary) and Dylan Schwegeman (Evergreen Elementary). Third-quarter selections included Brady Barr (Great Mills High School), Maria Jose Lopez Camilo (Town Creek Elementary), Virginia Davenport (Hollywood Elementary), Nora Keever (Oakville Elementary) and Sophia Dana Romero Caballero (Spring Ridge Middle School).

An administrator leading the presentation thanked the board for continued support of arts programming, noted that artwork is displayed in the boardroom and the hallway to the superintendent’s office, and encouraged families to keep the framed pieces. The presenter highlighted the district’s recognition as a leader in arts and theater education and thanked principals, art teachers and administrators who attended the event.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Mary's County Public Schools Board of Education Meeting - 05/21/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Education honored student artwork selected for display in the superintendent’s second- and third-quarter galleries and thanked teachers, principals and parents for supporting arts education.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14203,"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},6525401,"Student member of the board Hannah Heisler gives final report, urges students to 'take yourself seriously'",1518,718000,2236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0&start=718&end=2236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0/thumbnail_718000.jpg","/articles/6525401/Maryland/Student-member-of-the-board-Hannah-Heisler-gives-final-report-urges-students-to-take-yourself-seriously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525401-445e0daa5d01c9312031f00c27c978cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145009&Signature=EjNpVlKjslELRRW~COGe2bC2IKX9oj0BOnkvp~WrU58F~vXY~zUtrXXDj2C27BH~alB8P6wmTv~HYzlSS-iRSj~ddu7oi3vUFcG3t36fqvMWc7NwakhjgQ1p2on4GS9GPwWEWEyvwOdBFsEK318NwA1dfacK8rS9ijWHGazlRb1cKGeX1N5L-lwpcLPMAnGyh9q-r6xIS~Bb1rjdbf6XSbcaAi91cjs82knl4n2eqBiOzSUbwEZi4KVVh-Lm6s9F4C5~5QDY1RqD-xEe6jH7CejSn0TqD20u3Pt-2pkfGsbNe~5rwaxN3uEIUf12nqJhWi2tS7AHkblfPoY-No48XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hannah Heisler, the outgoing student member of the board (SMOB), delivered her final report at the May 21 meeting and urged students to take themselves seriously as they assume leadership roles.

Heisler summarized student government activities across the district, including homecoming events, a successful drive-in movie fundraiser, a winter carnival that awarded $200 to the winning club, participation at Maryland Association of Student Councils conferences, and multiple leadership-development assemblies. She said the student governments visited elementary, middle and high schools and that the division’s student-leadership officers are transitioning to the next year’s team.

On personal reflection, Heisler said serving as SMOB taught her to “take yourself seriously” and to recognize that holding the SMOB role makes one a role model. She thanked the board, district staff and her family for their support and said she planned a June meeting with Vanessa Lee to transition responsibilities to the incoming SMOB.

Board members presented Heisler with a certificate and a desk pen set engraved with her title and year, and several board members praised her outreach to fifth graders and continued presence at school events. Dr. Smith and other board members thanked Heisler for visiting every elementary school and for raising student concerns, including during the rollout of a new cell-phone policy.

Heisler’s remarks and the board’s recognition concluded with a certificate presentation and brief remarks from board members thanking her for her service.","Student member of the board Hannah Heisler reflected on her year, described student government activities and leadership events, and introduced successor Vanessa Lee during her final meeting on May 21.",{"_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},6525406,"Superintendent highlights awards, apprenticeships, scholarships and spring athletics",664,55000,719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0&start=55&end=719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0/thumbnail_55000.jpg","/articles/6525406/Maryland/Superintendent-highlights-awards-apprenticeships-scholarships-and-spring-athletics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525406-1429b5b73c05123b1a939f96e3ce5c86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145009&Signature=d50OUytY2AA8F1ORXIn-BhJJdlLY3iShZBNm3pq9oySMoP3pUOdTfyH0u-~faS14SdcoGVv5m-7ZK08-X~4FZ-PwxprO-repArbp2PHIkUtwzZYRlWNKoWYyuAZ6rWsXVfAH0DISw920Q0V0kMD2Jfk1WpgAw3MawtUapxMDdUDqGXbvPhaSYTyhdLUSw0EhncypcAQXUPhOA1UV0wYi8AvLCrjBN0F0g05OAKUjP5F1TDYP~974FhS~vQzKu4Yusy1yMNKnlJWcw2ABYdPIKkf9mWVU5R3OSFAcLwxOGzdgY7bx8VdGEZTZEDtAEYacwZh8sMQrIzi2LEu0gqnjDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Smith, superintendent of Saint Mary's County Public Schools, opened the meeting with a progress update highlighting recent district achievements in arts, career and technical education, student support, and athletics.

Dr. Smith noted that the district was recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association for Music Merchants and named a premier community for theater education by the Educational Theatre Association. He also pointed to the Chesapeake Public Charter School’s third-grade opera and broad visual-arts participation across the district.

Since the board last met, the district hosted the Saint Mary's County Mental Health and Wellness Fair at the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center with more than 50 community vendors, over 30 volunteers and about 375 guests — roughly three times prior attendance. The superintendent reported 92 student art entries and keynote presentations at the event and described plans to continue the fair as a community resource.

Dr. Smith described the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center’s apprenticeship program (AMP Recognition), noting the program includes paid apprenticeships of 450 hours and that employers and community partners — including the Patuxent Partnership and on-base partners — are increasing opportunities leading to full-time employment.

He also recapped the Becca scholarship ceremony where the district awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships and praised partnerships that support student opportunities. On athletics, Dr. Smith highlighted state-qualifying performers from Great Mills, Chopticon and Leonardtown high schools and noted upcoming state-level meets at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex and Prince George's Stadium in Bowie.

Dr. Smith closed by outlining the end-of-school schedule — last day for students on June 11 and last day for teachers on June 13 — and reminded attendees that commencements would be livestreamed in HD on the district website.","Superintendent Dr. Smith summarized recent district achievements, including national recognitions for arts and music education, a growing apprenticeship program, scholarship totals, and upcoming commencements and state athletic competitions.",{"_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},6525411,"Board approves $298 million FY2026 budget that includes $7.7 million use of fund balance",1284,2368000,3652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0&start=2368&end=3652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460297-af366d494658ebe27a705e450b974ea0/thumbnail_2368000.jpg","/articles/6525411/Maryland/Board-approves-298-million-FY2026-budget-that-includes-77-million-use-of-fund-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525411-4d0fc4b7aa6fb929f739543ca8b140f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145009&Signature=F4LQ4hePb1aGPt2x5zjiNuHARhClg2Az7z9typAxmaO7AcA7Ewu2g5LZlMhB-pIydwJzsYOI1DEXlrUE7LvX0gPil1dzZeQVgkxhW0WqnsclJ6M9lGGr8DDy8BxT0kQsjz74Zb-9Xt0JNWNkAOqQuGFQ4NKi5DahLhukFRbFUxlVNvYkzBwcP52k2Wchas5cZXFJ9TD-1uNOUVy4lPUH6cjG8uMRPUtEMhIVg06waiN3IXdSsdSr~5ZKGwNcM6CXk~YWyky0gejuO5x~TD8pWCPPD~raN5OfSXu0VtySyW0SOakz8RQWFoUduTMqSk0qEMICrTS2Hr4BPYFUhtkEYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Mary's County Board of Education voted to approve the FY2026 unrestricted fund budget on May 21, approving a $298,000,000 total plan that includes a planned use of fund balance of approximately $7,700,000.

The budget, presented by the district budget team, sets unrestricted recurring funds at $290,200,000 — reflecting a $7,300,000 increase from the current year — with local funding of $137,400,000 (a $3,100,000, or 2.3 percent, increase) and state funding of $146,500,000 (a $3,100,000, or 2.2 percent, increase). The presentation also listed federal funding at $2,700,000 and other funding at $3,400,000.

The board heard a line-item recap that said nonrecurring funds total about $7,800,000, composed mainly of the $7,700,000 planned use of fund balance together with charter school fund-balance uses. The administration recommended allocations of that planned fund-balance use that include $1,200,000 for bus-contractor retention, $1,000,000 for a capital transfer to support critical building maintenance, $250,000 for redistricting consulting, $231,000 for workforce development (restricted under the Blueprint program), $2,500,000 for a technology refresh, $500,000 for classroom furniture at Lexington Park Elementary School and Margaret Brent School, and $2,000,000 for OPEB contributions.

Budget staff emphasized increases under instructional salaries and wages ($2,300,000), special education ($1,300,000), and associated fixed charges ($1,300,000) to support three negotiated agreements. The presentation also described several budget adjustments made to reduce costs, including a 17.2-percent reduction in positions in selected areas, discontinuing a 1-to-1 device program for kindergarten and first grade, relocating the virtual academy and returning its lease to the county, and other operational changes.

The board discussed the state’s Blueprint funding reporting requirement, a new accounting and reporting framework for certain targeted funds. The administration noted that while the district reports 94 percent of Blueprint funds at the school level in the aggregate, meeting the law’s school‑ and program‑level 75-percent standard by category is complex and may require a waiver for the multilingual component. The district said MSDE and AIB issued guidance that allowed phased compliance (a 50-percent improvement target in FY26, with full compliance deferred to FY27) and that staff are continuing calculations to finalize school-level allocations.

A motion to approve the FY2026 budget as presented and forward it to the Saint Mary's County commissioners for their review and approval was made and seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition stated. The board chair instructed staff to post the formal budget docket and supporting line-item documents to the district website following the board's approval.

The budget presentation named district staff and partners involved in the work, including Karen Breslauer (supervisor of budget), Michelle Aguto (Blueprint accountant), and representatives from county government who supported coordination of the FY26 plan.","The Saint Mary's County Board of Education voted to approve the fiscal year 2026 budget, a $298 million plan that incorporates $7.7 million in planned use of fund balance and allocations for bus-contractor retention, building maintenance, technology refresh and OPEB contributions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board recognizes student artists from second and third quarters

Student member of the board Hannah Heisler gives final report, urges students to 'take yourself seriously'

Superintendent highlights awards, apprenticeships, scholarships and spring athletics

Board approves $298 million FY2026 budget that includes $7.7 million use of fund balance