[{"_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",6563595,"mediaKeyId","3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029","parentId",3575378,"title","Superintendent presents FY26 budget draft; $1M proposed use of fund balance and program additions outlined","audioSeconds",68,"startMs",3730000,"endMs",3798000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029&start=3730&end=3798","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029/thumbnail_3730000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563595/Maryland/Superintendent-presents-FY26-budget-draft-1M-proposed-use-of-fund-balance-and-program-additions-outlined","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563595-2dab7326e545d7223feb86e11fcf95a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204181&Signature=ab8h49paFm65satAADmrRzL5UbFooCpP87R8RSVGEG2BQBWH7Hdcl4CIZX1fls2BVBvNdjWzzOTZhw6Rk7ImTV9bVgH5LmGUWb-Ynmb-xDzATSqNYMeFI5IgkBP1eMwRRJGDI~~iXGAo9yFOOvR9RVZ8RxZKkzt1h9UqzsBwz~DH~GBCmzHfTQZAWBWiesMrielAHJzgbMMnV51-~RtYf3hkV-raDw~RafVmcGResTwf3w0cgxFRyQWHkF0ap~laN-wWc8WRs5fO9SxTU-qk3hNgfPz4ZWeBCwD~RKHZB-DFaRpAMUNVT8dzbQZX-g6we~hLR9U6AfGj9owQWUOgjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garrett County Public Schools","date","2025-05-14T00:08:48Z","article","Garrett County Public Schools staff presented a draft fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget at the May 13 board meeting and highlighted major initiatives and assumptions.

Finance staff said preliminary state funding numbers are pending; the district expects final figures by the end of the week. The presentation noted a shift in the foundation formula from state to local share (about $2.4 million) and that, unlike a prior estimate of a possible $1.8 million drawdown, the proposed budget uses $1,000,000 of fund balance to balance the operating budget.

Major initiatives and notable line items called out in the presentation included:
- Driver’s education: $30,000 budgeted to contract with a vendor for classroom and on-road components (initial offering focused on juniors and seniors).
- Culinary arts: one new full-time teacher at Northern High School to start a culinary arts program; future facility upgrades anticipated and grant applications under consideration.
- Instructional materials: $600,000 allocated for elementary English language arts materials; $93,000 for middle grades science materials.
- Summer programming: $45,000 in local funds budgeted for elementary summer programming plus other federal/title funds.
- Pilot “teacher leader” program (stipends projected at $12,500) to provide additional instructional support at selected schools.
- Payroll/HR system upgrade: approximately $150,000 set aside to modernize payroll and reduce manual workload in finance.

Staff noted enrollment projections indicate a potential decline of roughly 100 students next year, while special education needs are rising as a share of the population; the district flagged that special education staffing needs could change depending on student need. Capital items included funding for a new Bradford School project and a request to county commissioners for $140,000 for two vans.

Finance staff urged board members to submit questions in writing before the next meeting so staff can provide detailed answers; the board will vote on the budget in June after final state numbers are received.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/13/2025 - GCPS Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent and finance staff previewed the FY26 budget draft on May 13, proposing a $1,000,000 use of fund balance, several program additions, and multiple instructional-material purchases while warning state funding figures remain preliminary.","taxTitle","Garrett County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",55337,"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},6563609,"Board approves school-lunch price increase, abstinence-only supplemental resource and ratifies unit 1 career-ladder amendments",280,1758000,2038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029&start=1758&end=2038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029/thumbnail_1758000.jpg","/articles/6563609/Maryland/Board-approves-school-lunch-price-increase-abstinence-only-supplemental-resource-and-ratifies-unit-1-career-ladder-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563609-98b30d783ea1b6832de7e6af04a7ec76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204181&Signature=ieWY6CC5HOVXTtcVjfGQyXTP1CPwzqNc6XOcdm5nG4DhPD52wsugZ4IMq1iIYa~5I-7ati-Jryyl0PQE9FH8jYU44Z4w1HEConLAyvT73POVxjf41uYFAkf80M0~VuXuCqc7DMT5QpB3ArrMWNHPX0yNXKw-8kldzQUas5HsqAjvUdZR3d-Pne-dryTdq1XhOIGI4MG3pCXl~jduCfGzpKUP-nR0QJhAwGR0G4dVnSpmdvxMXW5VobB5S~gllM8R7cSdWAsxVHi8DJcOPlPZF19-zKjvt-~3ZFcDPNIFS9AWwJmVS7dlINJDKGQg2KAWqDCcgkJ8ADBHxUzwepXh5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garrett County Board of Education on May 13 voted on several items after brief discussion and public comment.

The board approved a proposal to raise the full-price student lunch by 15 cents beginning next school year. The superintendent said the district is applying for the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) that would make meals free to all enrolled students if approved; the increase is a backstop if that application is unsuccessful. Board members asked whether breakfasts would remain free (the superintendent confirmed they would) and were told that about 59% of students are currently directly certified for free/reduced benefits.

The board also adopted “Promoting Health Among Teens: Abstinence-Only Intervention” as a supplemental resource to the high school health curriculum after discussion about opt-out provisions. The superintendent characterized the material as supplemental and recommended adoption; the motion passed by a 3–1 recorded vote.

Separately, the board approved an amended FY26 negotiated agreement with the Garrett County Education Association (GCEA) Unit 1 addressing duty-day language and career-ladder salary enhancements (including provisions for Level 4 and Level 2B). The board authorized execution of a memorandum of understanding to incorporate the ratified amendments.

Procedural items including adoption of the meeting agenda and the consent agenda were approved earlier in the meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Full-price lunch increase (15¢): approved (motion moved and seconded; tally not specified in the transcript). The superintendent said the district would pursue CEP first; the increase serves as a contingency.
- Promoting Health Among Teens — Abstinence-Only Intervention (supplemental resource): approved, 3–1.
- Ratification of GCEA Unit 1 amendments to FY26 negotiated agreement and authorization to execute related MOU: approved (vote recorded as carried).
- Agenda adoption and consent agenda: both approved at the start of the meeting.

The meeting record shows each of these motions was made on the floor and voted on during the open session. Several other items on the agenda were first reads or informational (student handbook first read, educational facilities master plan first read, multiple policy first reads).","The Garrett County Board of Education on May 13 voted to raise the full-price student lunch by 15¢ for next school year as a contingency if a federal meal program application fails, approved an abstinence-only supplemental health resource, and ratified amendments to the FY26 negotiated agreement with the Garrett County Education Association Unit 1.",{"_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},6563591,"Parents and students urge review of extracurricular practice and cancellation policies amid coach suspensions",367,2547000,2914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029&start=2547&end=2914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029/thumbnail_2547000.jpg","/articles/6563591/Maryland/Parents-and-students-urge-review-of-extracurricular-practice-and-cancellation-policies-amid-coach-suspensions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563591-8e6275399ec8c8f7a83b37d7e278fc48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204181&Signature=BGvAciEO1FKSyIoH38aVL87F-5pCYnF-Q-exyXCdWxF8MfbgddxiYfG6cEyxbqAW3Lca51vwiqWyWnFbojLcsKqwMxYs5NA8~03ASxV0ld0~vpoWjKkuwUMhg88txHe5Ihr~Vrc9euS2Plj-ZkrXioOTqiiPZQ65mMenqZE2~inUAu4dxGCMEsKsXmGRC9vq-41Ry7ShtG0ch-mBT7DEhIeS8mNN-ZAxBLei7t4JTlCmYWD6sPp9N-586e38bTRmIRq8xNoyl3BlU3wV6t~cmQqSE5V~byzd~2ys6RTE8NapyRMiZza3fCxF0PrV3bZip-TdJqhTnqmkJ3Ug0gKcgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters at the May 13 Garrett County Board of Education meeting raised concerns about recent suspensions of coaches, the district's handling of related communications, and district policies on optional outside practices and cancellations.

Several speakers — including current student-athletes and parents — asked the board to allow principals to make regional decisions about after-school activities when weather affects only part of the county. They said optional outside practices run by community clubs or coaches who also coach for the schools have been common and helpful for student development and scholarships. Commenters said the district handbook language allowing principals to permit activities when conditions have alleviated has not consistently been followed; they urged the board to revisit the policy so local judgment can guide decisions.

Students at the meeting said coach suspensions have affected team morale and college/prep opportunities; the board president reminded speakers that personnel matters and pending appeals are excluded from public comment and cannot be discussed in detail during the meeting. Several speakers requested the written policy on cancellations and activities; board staff displayed the district procedure on the meeting screen and told speakers they could follow up with the executive board for further discussion.

The board did not take action during public comment; members acknowledged receipt of concerns and said the topics may be taken up outside the public-comment period or at a future meeting consistent with personnel rules and pending appeal processes.","During public comment, parents, students and community members urged the board to revisit policies on optional outside practices, snow-day cancellations and district communication after suspensions of coaches; speakers said they want principals to make regional decisions and expressed concern about the impact on student athletes.",{"_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},6563602,"Board reviews student handbook draft; nondiscrimination language updated to align with state law on gender identity",131,993000,1124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029&start=993&end=1124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029/thumbnail_993000.jpg","/articles/6563602/Maryland/Board-reviews-student-handbook-draft-nondiscrimination-language-updated-to-align-with-state-law-on-gender-identity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563602-3638bc64765ad7ae0ae5dbaf4a5f0850/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204181&Signature=c-PnJz5cApBY-4Ocv74kdmiYGj0kqtMOIwlterojVTEsSB7GOZNa~QVbCOqrXrrwCbhukK3fBbcvVoc8ZYTitvnIzGR~2geg36NgzftuKLL3Ph~nC6dgin0Sva43Wt-VwWhj1f~DX8-9wKMHuYfhOPRAB1AgRLk8UWecD0QqLaXbueJzpYBLfjkCPbNkL3k6e3OB5bm9rt9fQJvcTgBOJKgbuZQ3iN826Gms7X2m2G2UfI6~bGBTn05yJ52WQcdNiq4DT2VyLRoiPVNT4jgnbHNuu8mLq46zm1r5En4YOCz9WYvkH64V6FEZa03MJvvRdrLyn37FGmodnWQ0NbNyTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garrett County Board of Education reviewed the draft student handbook for the 2025–26 school year in a first-read presentation.

Staff said a committee reviewed the handbook and made mostly minor, routine annual updates. During the review the board learned the nondiscrimination statement required additional edits to align with state and federal law; those updates were made and posted to the version on BoardDocs and hard copies of the revised pages were provided to board members.

A board member asked why the handbook uses the term \"gender identity.\" The presenter replied, \"That's the term that is used in the state law and in the, federal laws,\" and noted that Maryland State Department of Education guidance and COMAR (citing MSDE law 13A.01.07.03) requires inclusion of gender identity in the handbook definition.

The board treated the handbook as a first read; members were advised they will receive a final version and vote on adoption at the next meeting.","The board took a first read of the 2025–26 student handbook. Staff said the nondiscrimination statement was updated to align with state and federal law and specifically references gender identity per COMAR requirements; the handbook will return for adoption next month.",{"_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},6563606,"Board reviews draft library materials policy; member seeks addition barring sexually explicit content",182,1378000,1560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029&start=1378&end=1560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3575378-bb48412f5dd0937394eda07b68dd2029/thumbnail_1378000.jpg","/articles/6563606/Maryland/Board-reviews-draft-library-materials-policy-member-seeks-addition-barring-sexually-explicit-content","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563606-46b39e72e56563e215ece95b3b4711c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204181&Signature=No1VjNvlidiKVv9krcci2pTfC0xTzj6~4yjvAqXEnrVsNlH1JQYX~0vtxy7VIdGKjuGEc5lbQcIQATaxv5vuO1gTmOEhJhwHcyDi5fkPcYomWwMSaffegDTgXllP6urFComMDcLMekEqDk6-EnE3i8wkZi-z6WXiP7MLU2GBhCtoCL41Z07bF4jqo5Ues3gDG6bqBqlID5sm5yiD324uL4Z~g7ItKIyVTGAC4CMrXr1k2ooYk5JczF45R~Diui18uPmLyxiK5siYRh5mC4wMZ0CMQlkaOkOxweKu0jR6pMSwEVB69pEG6gsRUGwDWQ6QKHj5ofOYhl2QpJhDownkiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garrett County Board of Education reviewed a first draft of a new policy (IJL) and revised procedure to govern the selection and review of school library media materials and objections to them.

The policy was introduced as aligning local practice with the Freedom to Read Act and provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland (Education Article 4-142 and related COMAR language) that require procedures for handling objections while protecting against content removal based solely on ideology or political viewpoint. The presenter told the board the law was enacted as House Bill 785 / Senate Bill 738 and signed by Governor Wes Moore in April 2024.

During discussion a board member objected to perceived gaps and asked that the draft include explicit language stating that materials provided in the school library \"shall not contain sexually explicit content.\" The member said the proposed language would be narrowly targeted and not based on religion, ideology or partisanship; they suggested a definition modeled after another Maryland county that would describe sexually explicit content as \"describing, depicting, showing or writing about certain sexual acts.\" The board member said they had discussed the wording with the superintendent and legal counsel.

Board members and the superintendent responded that current practice emphasizes ensuring age appropriateness and that library media staff are trained in making those determinations. The superintendent said the suggested wording would be included in the revised draft if the proposer submits the language formally; otherwise, a board member indicated they would prepare an amendment at the next meeting. The policy was a first read; the board did not vote to adopt it at this meeting.

The item will return for action at a future meeting; the board directed staff to include the most recent legal alignment language and to circulate any proposed amendment language in advance.","In a first read of a new IJL policy to align Garrett County schools with Maryland law on library materials, a board member asked the superintendent to add language barring \"explicit content\" from school library materials; the item will return for board consideration next month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent presents FY26 budget draft; $1M proposed use of fund balance and program additions outlined

Board approves school-lunch price increase, abstinence-only supplemental resource and ratifies unit 1 career-ladder amendments

Parents and students urge review of extracurricular practice and cancellation policies amid coach suspensions

Board reviews student handbook draft; nondiscrimination language updated to align with state law on gender identity

Board reviews draft library materials policy; member seeks addition barring sexually explicit content