District outlines summer learning, nutrition and staffing plans; transfer portal closing noted

Scott Cowher and Jerry Griffiths briefed the Carroll County Board of Education on April 14 about district plans for the summer and current staffing status.

Cowher said many schools will offer academic enrichment this summer, with an emphasis on reading and literacy work described earlier by district staff. The district27s Performing Arts Center will coordinate fine-arts opportunities, athletic programs will continue offerings, and the school nutrition department will run its summer feeding program with plans to expand on recent years. "A number of fine arts activities across the schools and at the district level" were described, and Cowher said staff training and school-level preparation work for the coming year will also occur during the summer months.

Jerry Griffiths updated the board on staffing and the transfer portal. He reported the district currently had "about 40 openings" but said ongoing hiring had reduced the number to around 10 residual vacancies expected to be filled by May. Griffiths noted special-education vacancies can be harder to fill and that principals are working to finalize remaining hires. He also confirmed that participants in a Power Pro certification program remained employed in the district and most are expected to graduate in December.

Board members asked for follow-up information: one member asked for teacher-to-pupil ratios by elementary and middle school; staff committed to provide a school-by-school breakdown for the April 17 meeting. Cowher and Griffiths encouraged board members to schedule follow-up meetings with staff for deeper questions.