[{"_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",6468960,"mediaKeyId","5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831","parentId",5781426,"title","Votes at a glance: Board approves multiple contracts, donations, personnel actions and budget priorities","audioSeconds",1025,"startMs",4171000,"endMs",5196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831&start=4171&end=5196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831/thumbnail_4171000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6468960/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-multiple-contracts-donations-personnel-actions-and-budget-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468960-791e0ea420122f68182a36ca657287ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1775393748&Signature=lqunpc3pICYApNG0GuHyHYKgQqSDf5Hb2KyIukDSB1R2EhzLCc1XZVkWxDqy25D7-4VBTjaLMbc0F99aBL2ctE4WGsEQ8uN8vqMh600MOfyhsNkRGr6IOIHkSFRLv0xZBmhxOXe2IXnHRpWsAtShQLKdT8wHNh4AGETiZz8pgi5f7aF3qFH7-FdWfrCSeNGyt-bGA4GC5g-GYtYRao~cbxqdcW-2dgt1w40~4NTfzRKOnAMC3a8sOcxbUX~5jXYHBrnAl2reC4dNZ6kN6hv0CjNe32dPXoD7PySm0h2VKk0MKoVG0t9xeM09MZ4YqvOYk7AqjXzn3gJu0Gxn50Vbgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County Public Schools","date","2025-09-17T12:56:06Z","article","The Washington County Board of Education took a series of formal actions on Sept. 22. Below are the motions, movers/seconds when recorded, outcomes and the meeting evidence for each vote.

• Rescind contract award for construction of Downsville Pike Elementary School (Bid 2026‑01) previously awarded to San Jose Construction Group Inc. Motion to rescind was moved from the dais and carried; board minutes state “The motion carries.” Outcome: rescinded.

• Award contract for construction of Downsville Pike Elementary School (Bid 2026‑01) to Waynesboro Construction Company Inc. for $37,752,260. Motion moved and seconded from the floor; the board voted and the motion carried. Outcome: approved.

• Approve fiscal‑year 2027 budget priorities guiding the superintendent (1. culture, safety and wellness; 2. student success; 3. access and opportunity; 4. community engagement). Motion moved and seconded; unanimous approval recorded as “student concurs.” Outcome: approved (unanimous).

• Approve submission of the FY‑27 state and local Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan, including requests for Downsville Pike construction funding, Jonathan Hager Elementary addition planning funds and systemic capital maintenance projects. Motion moved and seconded; unanimous approval recorded. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

• Approve multiple consent agenda items that include purchase and support agreements (for example, a Microsoft support contract for IT engineering support), award of bridge/procurements as presented, and other routine procurements. Staff presented summaries; motions moved and seconded; votes recorded as carried. Outcome: approved (unanimous where recorded).

• Approve assignment of advertising rates for Smithsburg High School Athletic Booster Club (MOU previously approved). Motion moved and seconded; unanimous approval recorded. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

• Accept donations: (a) four picnic tables valued at $5,868.33 from Paramount PTA for Paramount Elementary School; (b) $20,000 from Landon’s Puzzle Pieces to support sensory and motor room items at Funkstown (enhanced programs). Motions moved and seconded; votes carried. Outcome: accepted (unanimous).

• Approve personnel actions discussed in closed session. Motion moved and seconded; unanimous approval recorded. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

The board’s public minutes state motions were moved and seconded and record outcomes as “motion carries” or “unanimous” for listed items. Detailed roll‑call tallies with individual member votes were not provided in the discussion transcript.

For reporters and residents: the board plans further work‑session review of Williamsport arrangements; staff will return with follow‑up budget and CIP procurement details where timing or forward‑funding is recommended.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Public Business Meeting | September 16, 2025 | 6:00PM","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 22 meeting the Washington County Board of Education approved contract awards and a range of consent items, including rescinding and re‑awarding a large construction contract, donations, personnel actions and FY‑27 budget priorities.","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},6468964,"Board approves FY‑27 capital improvement requests; district emphasizes built‑to‑learn funding and portables for interim needs",437,4587000,5024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831&start=4587&end=5024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831/thumbnail_4587000.jpg","/articles/6468964/Maryland/Board-approves-FY27-capital-improvement-requests-district-emphasizes-builttolearn-funding-and-portables-for-interim-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468964-100a6f76a1d5376b6e999e550993ece0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775393748&Signature=JAM9PA8kBwlJRvCGSjzMC-vgT3tMVZuU0fY8Z~zdx0dHyrQZwaESWeOdxn2zAxuwoqDQj0k5QiP9-o8so50ii7KlXRYUcF993PYeO-xcHId7n1MAmoFK2HMKnM2Y2VrnvfINU7B26YuiDvlMYV3tbRRNoH9qU4f41FWyBzyvkVczNf70-aNdRzo6NG7x-6Tx0N4oamEwm8c8aeffsxTOGE7KS99BCH79QSPf86vep0BJ~aDtJBsPJDI27cCaPGEkGgtp4CcuI5jXF0RKapZSV3Y3mJN5JfPyMY~fbCcfJ7CibEq-gHHGkOfeIdkIqffffV8RNQ8LMEf~zG9eB-Y4rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of Education approved the district’s FY‑27 state and local capital improvement program (CIP) requests on Sept. 22 after staff outlined proposed projects, state participation assumptions and a strategy to request higher state funding in order to keep projects in the queue.

District staff said the CIP includes continued construction funding for the Downsville Pike Elementary School (project sometimes referenced as Downesville/Dansville in materials), design and initial funding requests for a Jonathan Hager Elementary School addition and systemic capital maintenance projects including roof, chiller and HVAC replacements. The district’s presentation noted the state now allows higher participation on eligible construction costs in some cases and that the built‑to‑learn act provides roughly $19 million toward the Downsville Pike project.

“Even though the cost is lower, state participation is up,” Mr. Rollins, who presented the CIP details, said of the Downsville Pike project, noting local funding needs decreased by about $4 million after recent bid results. He also told the board the district’s estimate for the Downsville project fell from about $51 million to roughly $48 million.

District staff said the FY‑27 state request totals about $28 million (including roughly $8 million from Built to Learn Act funds and $20 million from the state CIP) and local funding of about $9.7 million, bringing the total request to approximately $38 million. Staff cautioned the $20 million state request is higher than typical single‑year awards but said it is appropriate to state needs for projects that may be funded later in the budget cycle.

Board members asked about temporary housing if student attendance zones change before construction finishes. Staff said leased portable classrooms—whose leasing and utility connection costs the district expects the state to cover in this instance—are the planned interim solution and would reduce local cash needs compared with buying portables outright. Officials noted hiring an architect and completing design work will determine timing; even with fast procurement, some additions would likely not be finished within a single school year and portables would be needed for interim housing.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the FY‑27 priorities for the general fund budget (1. culture, safety and wellness; 2. student success; 3. access and opportunity; 4. community engagement) and then to approve the CIP plan for submission to state and local partners.

District staff asked the board to consider forward funding for early design work on the Jonathan Hager addition if local approvals are required before state payments are available; staff said such forward funding would be reimbursed once CIP allocations are received.

The board’s action keeps lengthy multi‑year projects moving through state review while allowing staff to adjust timing and scope depending on actual appropriations.","The Board approved the fiscal‑year 2027 state and local capital improvement program requests and discussed funding for Downsville Pike Elementary and Jonathan Hager Elementary additions, emphasizing built‑to‑learn funding, state participation increases and portable classrooms for temporary housing.",{"_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},6468969,"District reports summer learning gains in math; officials say attendance affected results",551,5650000,6201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831&start=5650&end=6201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831/thumbnail_5650000.jpg","/articles/6468969/Maryland/District-reports-summer-learning-gains-in-math-officials-say-attendance-affected-results","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468969-8517a332e74580ed156d307cb7106f61/orig.mp4?Expires=1775393748&Signature=Nb92eXPzxowJ25jrckizhh0oTV7AtcaTen8h5SsKw8Ob3RkAgoOIfhq1UWlcD3v9i00nbCOu1BtAAD4ORDS4PyhoM1VMgRylH2uV72gNGpSlZ518aoILzYJ3M2trZd408J0fdQyKbT~s-Waq-7wTthuFEeHwxUEThSTsHsaHMMa23--x6V7EwbYMrn6ANoM-6hLiVGP69wtc0sb-z5Heehf6ih-3pxjvrxKYNYlPbTMZJ8tJzc8Igqdzby7en1VzyfMXt4fQ6-Fv9DET78X0lrrMaSANN~ItC7P41J7kX0B0oSmbbk4G93CPqsJVZN-X3y26poyNlKEwwP2OeH-2kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washington County Public Schools presented results of its summer learning programs on Sept. 22, reporting math gains for students who attended regularly and higher completion rates at the high school level, while noting attendance patterns affected measured outcomes.

Dan Fowler, the district supervisor of school management, told the Board of Education the district enrolled 1,009 elementary students across 16 July sites and that 63.6% of those students improved on mathematics pre‑ to post‑assessments, with an average growth of 11.1 percent. Middle‑school cohorts showed larger average gains on short assessments—35.5% in sixth grade, 46.5% in seventh grade and 26.2% in eighth grade—while high school participants completed original or repeat credit courses at higher rates.

“For kindergarten through second grade, our outcomes in mathematics, 62%, a little over 62% of the students increase their score from the pre assessment… and the average growth…was a little over 11%,” Fowler said. Fowler added that the district is still in the testing window for English language arts and will report ELA results once that assessment window closes Oct. 3.

The district budgeted site‑level amounts for the elementary program (about $170,000 per site, including transportation) but reported spending substantially less in several areas. Fowler said the elementary program used about $111,631.52 of a single site budgeted amount and that transportation across levels cost about $197,555.53 of an originally budgeted $235,000. He said staffing and program design sought a 12:1 student‑to‑instructor ratio when possible.

High school summer programming ran at South Hagerstown High School; officials said 469 students enrolled and attendance was 93.8 percent. Of 90 original credits attempted by students, 86 were completed; repeat credit attempts totaled 379 with 336 completed. The district also held a summer graduation for 27 students who finished their requirements during the session.

Board members and administrators discussed variability in attendance—elementary overall attendance was 74.35% of enrolled students attending regularly—and whether to expand or replicate the programs next year. Fowler and other administrators said the programs produced measurable gains for students who attended consistently and recommended stronger outreach and planning time to increase participation if the district repeats or expands the initiative.

The district said it will track summer participants into the school year so testing and interim assessments can show whether summer gains carried into regular instruction.","Washington County Public Schools reported participation and assessment outcomes for summer programs in elementary, middle and high schools, with math gains for regular attendees and plans to analyze ELA results when testing windows close.",{"_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},6468973,"Williamsport High closed after asbestos release; district outlines multi‑stage cleanup and interim student arrangements",5593,2037000,7630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831&start=2037&end=7630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781426-177c423ce90d7aec7437aa351a86d831/thumbnail_2037000.jpg","/articles/6468973/Maryland/Williamsport-High-closed-after-asbestos-release-district-outlines-multistage-cleanup-and-interim-student-arrangements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468973-acf7fad49ed2f91c8a2aa2c101c275e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775393748&Signature=apNe6Z91QWX80-fmtmCWO1TemnwnEQIlJ4DQa38MHTn2T~qQ7DuwaiymyHEGkGxXR9Lm-d~xICziK305jWY9670~T7p63bCfZv4KnV0TA5sHdYXTIvEb0EoxBL5zR5-6hGT9KOz7qhHkYUr4OslJGj8PlHwNpTFnyxpnjMkrkv6do2BF2FBOM5ZMs8CXMtDHxsS3OeSZVoTpr6bD4IcTOvl6J4f5~sAl7iRfSJouEtaIrtQNVqyQHBkAwp5QpW8991LTNtcjyKU6qE~G6PwY2NJl-sfm7BR-y8W~bezGrtdWiupodqDhKGo5pyxIemoGPl6t8zJX9pGHx6OeMCaJ2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamsport High School remained closed weeks after an asbestos release, Washington County Public Schools officials told the Board of Education on Sept. 22, and the district outlined a multi‑phase cleanup plan while continuing in‑person support at off‑site community hubs.

District officials said they have removed asbestos‑containing material from the building, set up sealed decontamination chambers for cleaning school property and are performing laboratory wipe and air testing before returning items and reopening classrooms. The superintendent’s office also paused a recently released survey about temporary relocation options and said it will consult Williamsport staff and community members before seeking broader feedback.

The remediation process follows an incident this summer that left the 153,000‑square‑foot school closed. “We did not hit the mark there,” Dr. Savine, the district superintendent, said in presenting the update, acknowledging the district’s handling of communications and promising to “work to do better.” District facilities staff said the cleanup follows guidance from a certified industrial hygienist retained by the district.

The facilities presentation described five stages of cleaning: directed air stream, HEPA vacuuming, wet wiping, receiving/inspection and quality‑assurance testing. Officials said ceiling tiles—classified as nonporous for this work—must be replaced rather than cleaned. The district reported about 30 people have worked on the site at times; five tractor‑trailer loads of cleaned materials were already removed for off‑site storage. Officials said some priority items needed for athletics, fine arts and special education were removed and cleaned first so students could resume extracurricular activities as possible.

Scott Knowl, principal of Williamsport High School, said the school is running an A/B schedule taught via Google Meet, with a daily built‑in enrichment and support block that the school uses for tutoring, clubs, athletics and performing arts. He said the school is also operating community hubs—local partner sites where students can work with staff in person—and that the district has coordinated material pick‑ups and student events to maintain engagement: “We wanna be Wildcats together,” Knowl said of students and staff.

Facilities staff said there currently are no operational air handlers or boilers at the school because several construction and replacement projects were paused when the contamination was discovered. That work must be finished before the building can return to service.

Board and district leaders described next steps: continue staged decontamination and certified testing; restore mechanical systems and ceilings; return packed classroom items once laboratory wipe and air samples show no asbestos fibers; and give teachers time to reset rooms before reopening. The superintendent’s team said it will meet with Williamsport staff this week and then reissue the survey to collect staff, student and parent feedback over a short window before presenting results to the board at a scheduled work session.

District officials said no reopening date has been set and declined to give a firm timeline, saying the schedule depends on the results of industrial‑hygienist testing and completion of construction work. In the meantime, the district is prioritizing student access to in‑person supports at community hubs and continuing extracurricular activities when safely possible.","Washington County Public Schools officials described a five‑stage remediation process, temporary storage and cleaning of classroom items and multiple interim student support options after an asbestos release closed Williamsport High School; staff said the building will not reopen until industrial‑hygienist testing verifies it is safe.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board approves multiple contracts, donations, personnel actions and budget priorities

Board approves FY‑27 capital improvement requests; district emphasizes built‑to‑learn funding and portables for interim needs

District reports summer learning gains in math; officials say attendance affected results

Williamsport High closed after asbestos release; district outlines multi‑stage cleanup and interim student arrangements