Board adopts FY26 budget, school calendar and multiple district actions in February meeting

The Worcester County Board of Education on Feb. __ approved its proposed FY26 operating budget, adopted the 2025–26 school calendar, authorized virtual instruction for inclement weather next year and approved a series of contracts, personnel actions and recurring-cost requests.

The board voted in favor of the FY26 proposed operating budget, a motion moved by Dr. John Andes and seconded by William Gordy. Superintendent Lou Taylor and chief financial officer Vince Tolbert presented the budget after two board work sessions. The board also approved a recommended change to the OPEB contribution and the transfer of a previously restricted after‑school grant into the unrestricted budget, per Tolbert’s presentation.

In other formal actions the board approved: the Garland turnkey contract to replace the roof at Pocomoke Elementary School (including two alternates); a FY26 non‑recurring cost request to purchase and implement Xonar GPS software for buses; the annual virtual‑instruction authorization for inclement weather for 2025–26; the January monthly financial report; and the personnel exhibit that listed multiple retirements, hires and…