[{"_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",6523931,"mediaKeyId","5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64","parentId",5022754,"title","Washington County BOE passes consent items, MOUs, budgets and first readings; unanimous votes recorded","audioSeconds",493,"startMs",90000,"endMs",583000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64&start=90&end=583","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64/thumbnail_90000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6523931/Maryland/Washington-County-BOE-passes-consent-items-MOUs-budgets-and-first-readings-unanimous-votes-recorded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523931-752a76d5779dd0cdda9fec500fda8453/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138692&Signature=Z-87HK7OpW2jCjmZi4ryvxZ8O-e94ti4lVgjfIC-hOA4g2wIga9YZaMiKeJwOD1sKJYy-jP1nNfFbI5L43mF6E8u4R89E6LBg~gRNE1RpCffOU1krXblwgZushkQGOb7~wkHaXrmqWBwexqo0R70BDGSxwH3f7-2olnhd4EU-pmxg4EAzBHfjwTKsOH927KEuYxKWolzqi~hGtqz6RMbsij-pT-A5gBG81hkN9u9k00Skm9NQkDGszaRfZNIwxdBdA-GUbXpbwCdEep27P04n-yNJsV1quLXcHLDw5dSxsYpx3D~WWEwnlTKfKKw4pu05910ZGFcEJv2Vw6iZqA~XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County Public Schools","date","2025-06-18T09:40:34Z","article","The Washington County Board of Education, meeting June 17, approved a string of routine and substantive items by unanimous voice vote, including contract renewals and procurements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with local foundations and partners, fiscal items and first readings of several policy and administrative regulation changes.

Why it matters: The actions formalize existing partnerships and move multiple policy changes and budget items into the next steps of the district's governance process. Several items require further approvals or administrative follow-up (for example, state approval for property conveyance), while others were first readings that will return to the board for final action.

What the board approved (summary of motions recorded on the meeting record):

- Agenda and minutes: The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes for work and business meetings and closed-session records dated May 6 and May 20, 2025.

- Consent agenda (awards, renewals and procurements): The board approved the consent agenda, which included awards, contract renewals and procurements. The district discussed plans to surplus up to 20 buses and order eight new buses (purchase orders to be placed after July 1); staff said some buses may be held into a 13th or 14th year to bridge fleet needs.

- Memoranda of understanding: The board approved MOUs codifying relationships with two nonprofit foundations: the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation and the Washington County Public Schools Educational Foundation. The board also approved the fourth amendment to the MOU with the Smithsburg Athletic Booster Club, extending terms through Aug. 15, 2030.

- Property surplus declaration: The board declared approximately 1.6 acres of property on the Boonesborough High School campus surplus, to be conveyed (pending Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction approval) to the county for eventual transfer to the town of Boonesborough to support Campus Drive reconfiguration.

- Policy and regulation first readings: The board approved first readings of proposed changes to multiple policies and administrative regulations, including:
• Policy KD (opportunity for public comment at board meetings)
• Policy IMDA (silent meditation and pledge-related language)
• Policy IKE (promotion, acceleration and retention)
• Administrative Regulations BEE-R1, BEE-R2 and BEE-R3 and their exhibits (rules, procedures and appeal forms for hearings and appeals)
Each of the above was advanced as a first reading and will return for final adoption as required.

- Federal special education application (LAF): The board approved the local application for federal IDEA funds (the LAF application) for FY 2026. The combined total allotment presented to the board was $5,944,143.

- Food Nutrition Services operating budget FY 2026: The board approved the Food and Nutrition Services operating budget for FY 2026, which includes plans to expand community eligibility provision (CEP) schools, continued equipment investments from a spend-down plan, and a proposed 10-cent lunch price increase for next year.

- Educational Facilities Master Plan 2025: The board approved the district's 2025 Educational Facilities Master Plan, which proposes five major capital projects (three elementary replacements, one elementary addition and one middle-high replacement) and supports FY27 capital requests.

- Labor agreements and personnel actions: The board approved the negotiated agreement with Washington County Educational Support Personnel (WCESP) covering July 1, 2023'June 30, 2027 (with wages effective July 1, 2025) and approved a memorandum of understanding with the Washington County Association of Supervisors and Administrators (WCASA) regarding salary per the signed tentative agreement. The board also approved personnel actions reported in closed session for June 17, 2025.

What the record shows about votes and counts: For most motions the meeting transcript records the result as \"All those in favor? Unanimous\" or similar. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally with individual yes/no votes for each motion. Where additional approvals are required (for example, state agency approval for property conveyance), the board record identifies those next steps.

Next steps and follow-ups: Several items will require further administrative work or outside approvals: the surplus property transfer requires Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction approval; the policy and regulation changes advanced as first readings will return for final adoption; the Food and Nutrition Services budget will be implemented and monitored by central office staff; and MOUs will be executed with partner organizations per the agreements approved.

Ending note: The meeting record shows broad agreement among board members on the items presented at this meeting; items with substantial public discussion (for example, discipline policy matters and proposed changes to public-comment procedures) were discussed separately and are covered in detailed reports in this meeting packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Public Business Meeting | June 17, 2025 | 4:00PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington County Board of Education, meeting June 17, approved a string of routine and substantive items by unanimous voice vote, including contract renewals and procurements, memoranda of understanding with local foundations and partners, fiscal items and first readings of several policy and administrative regulation changes.","taxTitle","Washington County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14206,"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},6523917,"Board approves FY26 Food Nutrition Services budget; CEP expansion and equipment investments planned",508,2001000,2509000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64&start=2001&end=2509","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64/thumbnail_2001000.jpg","/articles/6523917/Maryland/Board-approves-FY26-Food-Nutrition-Services-budget-CEP-expansion-and-equipment-investments-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523917-56c6f91888041a32257e41efcaa90cd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138692&Signature=J0p1rI9GBjVvPZkr9F1vrab0vHHdAiaxsl-h3e-lnzgN-TxztVqPRMM03SEy~PN0WVqN7PSXnLCPqCoJemdPnlKYBEymsK9QX1aUMNpRvLTNU5SYTJYBJ5F6GU2iaKqXXzFNtNymI8GeDyCu2~-KBX6ORZIwyu42Fux-CyLmBN19eLrnBcRmP2bwr5VC2NFPilL1Weo07XqdYclUO04jalsSHkvsfpKD84w3uxI7uULszcqNJU8pHAJ6EJxjvix0JuiKEctVq~jUCdsEZmHB2nGOOE59Agwj8svBgPJgTSxo1ThGHkYbjJTI~F8eEb9VKo4moCHRBaJ7FEVWRZj-gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of Education on June 17 approved the Food and Nutrition Services operating budget for fiscal year 2026, moving forward with equipment investments, a planned expansion of community eligibility provision (CEP) schools and a modest lunch-price increase.

Why it matters: The food services budget funds school meals and operations for every day of the school year. The district's approach affects students' access to meals, district finances and how the department manages aging equipment and participation rates.

Key details from the presentation and board discussion:

- Participation and recent activity: Staff reported serving roughly 1,500,000 breakfasts, 2,100,000 lunches and 177,000 after-school suppers in the most recent year. Breakfast participation is projected to be about 8,700 average daily breakfasts next year.

- Fund balance and equipment investments: The department reported it spent $1,400,000 from its fund balance under a planned spend-down for equipment and facility needs, including refrigerator and freezer replacements. Staff said they propose an additional $500,000 investment for the coming year to continue infrastructure upgrades, including remote monitoring for freezers.

- Community Eligibility Provision expansion: Staff recommended adding 11 schools to the CEP program (bringing the district total to 26 schools) so all students at those schools would receive free meals. The federal CEP funding algorithm and direct-certification formulas determine eligibility; staff confirmed CEP funding comes from federal sources.

- Federal commodity allotment and grants: The department expects a $195,000 decrease in its commodity allotment for the coming year, and staff said it is monitoring pending federal funding changes and expiring local food grants.

- Meal prices: The board approved a proposed 10-cent lunch price increase for next year. Staff projected a small revenue gain from the change (roughly $25,000 given the district's federal funding share) and said smaller, incremental increases were preferred over larger hikes later.

- Vote and next steps: The board voted to approve the FY26 operating budget (transcript records a unanimous vote). Staff will implement CEP conversions and program changes and continue monthly budget monitoring.

Ending: The adopted budget keeps the department on a path to replace aging equipment, expand free-meals coverage at qualifying schools and modestly adjust paid-meal pricing to help sustain operations. Staff will return regular financial updates to the board.","The Board approved the Food and Nutrition Services FY2026 operating budget, authorizing continued equipment investment from a prior spend-down, expansion of community eligibility provision schools and a small lunch-price increase (10 cents) projected to raise modest additional revenue.",{"_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},6523921,"Parents, teachers and board members debate stricter discipline measures and supports after policy committee discussion",1217,3219000,4436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64&start=3219&end=4436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64/thumbnail_3219000.jpg","/articles/6523921/Maryland/Parents-teachers-and-board-members-debate-stricter-discipline-measures-and-supports-after-policy-committee-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523921-56ee07074a4931f99a07c3f6830acd36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138692&Signature=ZRSjRhIwHF6qtvRm7WbtgmKa7ZcooTlWokxRg-CIxfdL~8CWFR3aUckWLJVXYLCyl915uOsXJ5ouxzH930p5TLlRwB1~fe2u1yhfuTOhuE0hkRFyrZWTfwGR7cV3XpOTK8-Zc~ZJfchlzuuMdWx-mVJi2YGb3U3LTYzfKdJZFTsL-CnB5MmLwp604HgN0Oaa~k-jmAz5lu-xHg5wi59P0G0UPokLexZuACzybKvsFp-CG259ke-qbXr~bSuw4g4hjLHD3djouOhMRK8xl2rJBVanxf1pW0kQUjQXwKe5HR8c2YaOpg0ASlbAMpafQSb0ZO~LZzxCFvijf1p5ZcLTig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several public speakers and teacher representatives addressed the board on June 17 during public comment, focusing on student behavior, the policy committee's recent work on student-discipline policy (JK) and the need to balance consequences with supports.

Why it matters: Student-discipline policy determines how schools respond to disruptive or violent behavior and what supports are available. The discussion highlighted a tension between calls for stricter immediate measures for persistently disruptive students and concerns that removing students without robust supports risks worsening outcomes.

Public comments and union feedback:

- Roger Stenerson, representing the grassroots group Rising to Learn, urged the board to pair any more aggressive discipline with expanded support services. Stenerson said removing students from classrooms without interventions can \"place them back in harm's way\" and asked the district for a breakdown of the \"16,000 behavior referrals\" referenced at a June 11 policy committee meeting to know how many fall into the most serious tiers.

- Mary Haringa spoke on behalf of the Washington County Teachers Association (WCTA). She said WCTA supports stronger consequences for disruptive behavior but warned that consequences must be age-appropriate and paired with additional paraprofessionals, behavioral supports and alternate classrooms, noting the current budget does not fund those expansions.

- Christy Gross, a veteran teacher and WCTA leader, invited board members to visit schools and meet teachers to deepen collaboration and improve policy decisions.

- Ethan Loewen urged a return to more traditional discipline and criticized restorative approaches; his remarks reflected a community faction advocating for stronger, direct consequences and greater order in classrooms.

Board response and direction:

- Board members acknowledged a broad constituency concern about classroom disruption. Mister Burkett (board member) and Mister Evans (board member) emphasized that the board is not advocating punitive measures that abandon supports, but rather seeks to ensure persistently disruptive students receive appropriate education in a setting where learning for others is preserved. As Mister Burkett said, removing a disruptive student without consideration \"causes 20 to 25 other kids more trauma.\"

- Mister Gassford and other board members said the policy committee's discussion had been mischaracterized to some public speakers and asked stakeholders to reexamine committee notes; the board clarified its intent was to align discipline procedures with contemporary needs while ensuring supports are present.

- Direction to staff: The board asked staff to realign the district's behavior matrix and discipline ladder to reflect current classroom needs and to ensure regulations and exhibits match the board's practices. Staff previously confirmed they withheld recommending final regulatory changes until outstanding appeals under the board's jurisdiction were reviewed.

What the record shows: The meeting included a series of public comments urging both stronger immediate responses and expanded supports. The board accepted public input and recorded direction to staff to revisit the discipline matrix and the accompanying regulations; specific regulatory language and any changes to appeals forms will return to the policy committee and board.

Ending: The board did not adopt a final change to policy JK at this meeting; the discussion and public comment signal further work ahead on striking a balance between classroom safety, consequences and investment in behavioral supports.","Public commenters and teachers'union representatives urged more resources for behavior supports while some board members pressed for stronger measures and temporary placements for persistently disruptive students; the board directed staff to review discipline matrices and regulations.",{"_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},6523926,"Board advances change to public-comment policy; members debate sign-up timing and 15-speaker limit",437,726000,1163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64&start=726&end=1163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022754-5f27ae1ac23bbbb104fb6e6a5e14db64/thumbnail_726000.jpg","/articles/6523926/Maryland/Board-advances-change-to-public-comment-policy-members-debate-sign-up-timing-and-15-speaker-limit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523926-5f59525e825a62d9915100fd35799fd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138692&Signature=CYRSusRbsrqHc853pDrif~G7rV6GeeZq8T2LJTQuCJdmgwt~Y53sytbEzV9pgwLoawp5awrJzx5J5t7J~mtakCIWDokd7P1w0q9I1J2Pevwq4tVOnH-r6uz0nSqHb5jZQd-LTVcxl-YYHWK18Cmt1NKmaEhSTl4fwQeNNMpm5gJ9q3ulsBpy-sethVuQLPz0Y2cGP94mL8mtwzqK7nWZRwsx6PhMhqSM516Jnq0BzoBc3CsAaPv6wtfqr-a0BBwORGjI~zMRaoPYN8cgjHi7sDWGlitmn1~g2raM2oZgoX8-3RmaoRT6SjeGmCWbIhPpVV6nJGB9wjDMoi73-v-BVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of Education on June 17 approved a first reading of proposed revisions to Policy KD, which governs public comment at board business meetings, town meetings and public hearings. The draft revisions require that speakers sign up prior to the start of public comment and limit the number of speakers to 15 and each speaker's time to four minutes.

Why it matters: The policy change alters how the public will access the board's public-comment period. Board members said the changes balance the need to hear from residents with the practical constraints of lengthy meetings. Opponents said the limits risk silencing community voices at moments of elevated public concern.

Key points from the meeting:

- What the draft requires: The proposed language requires sign-up before public comment begins, limits the total number of speakers to 15 and sets each speaker's time at four minutes. Written comments may still be submitted and will be distributed to board members.

- Concerns from board members and the public: \"I don't agree with limiting the number to 15 speakers,\" said Mrs. Mascalski, a board member who said large community turnout on particular topics should be heard. \"I think that people should be heard if they're willing to come speak.\"

Board member Mister Evans defended the change as a compromise to prevent multi-hour public-comment sessions that can exceed the board's and the public's capacity to remain engaged: \"At some point, we all need to remember that we're human beings also ... when I have to sit in a 5-hour meeting, it ... I lose my ability to grasp and understand some of the discussion.\" Evans said the sign-up timing option—allowing sign-up while people arrive in addition to pre-sign-up—was an improvement over earlier drafts.

- Clarification on practice: Board members and staff emphasized that the change does not remove the public's ability to comment on actions taken in public sessions. The draft clarifies that personnel and student matters that clearly identify individuals remain inappropriate for public comment and should be addressed through other forums.

- Vote: The board advanced the draft as a first reading (motion approved by the board; transcript records the motion as passing). The policy will return for a subsequent reading and final adoption per board procedure.

Context and next steps: Board members said the policy committee reviewed the changes over several public work sessions and added the sign-up and speaker-limit provisions in response to repeated long public-comment periods. Staff will prepare the revised policy for the board's next reading and final action. Members of the public and stakeholder groups indicated they plan follow-up correspondence with the policy committee.

Ending: The first reading moves the proposed language to the next stage; final adoption will require a subsequent board vote.","The Board of Education advanced a first reading of changes to Policy KD that would require sign-up for public comment and cap speakers at 15 with four-minute remarks; several board members and public speakers said the limit could curb input on hot-button issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Washington County BOE passes consent items, MOUs, budgets and first readings; unanimous votes recorded

Board approves FY26 Food Nutrition Services budget; CEP expansion and equipment investments planned

Parents, teachers and board members debate stricter discipline measures and supports after policy committee discussion

Board advances change to public-comment policy; members debate sign-up timing and 15-speaker limit