The Worcester County Board of Education on Jan. 21 elected its 2025 officers, approved a closed‑session safety contract and moved a package of personnel, policy and fiscal items including a FEMA cybersecurity grant and a revision to the district’s virtual‑instruction plan.

The board re-elected Todd Ferrante as president and selected William Buchanan as vice president for 2025. The board also approved a closed‑session contract with Window Film Depot for $231,684.37 funded in part by a safety grant and local capital funding. Other actions taken included a waiver of final exams for specified semester‑1 courses, approval of personnel actions, revisions to policy books 6 and 7, reauthorization of a virtual‑day plan for inclement weather and a superintendent‑recommended modification to the 2024–25 calendar.

Why it matters: The votes move forward multiple near‑term operational items the district said will affect school safety, instruction continuity during inclement weather and the superintendent’s ability to manage staffing and policy compliance ahead of a planned leadership transition announced at the meeting.

Key votes and formal actions (summary)
- Approve agenda: Motion by Donald Smack; second by Elaine McComis. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Enter closed session: Motion by Donald Smack; second by Whit Gordy. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Closed session topics cited on the record were personnel, negotiations, legal advice and school safety, under General Provisions Article §3‑305(b) of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
- Approve contract (closed session disclosed on reconvening): Approved contract with Window Film Depot for $231,684.37 to enhance school physical safety measures; motion by Elaine McComis, second by Katie Addis; board vote: unanimous (as reported on the record). No contract number specified.
- Election — Board president (2025): Nomination for Todd Ferrante; motion to elect by Donald Smack, second by Elaine McComis; outcome: elected (roll/voice; detailed tally not specified in minutes).
- Election — Board vice president (2025): Nomination for William Buchanan; motion and second recorded; outcome: elected (tally not specified).
- Approve minutes (Dec. 17, 2024): Motion by Mr. Schneck; second by Whit Gordy; outcome: approved.
- Superintendent: informational report and retirement announcement (no vote required). Lou Taylor announced he will retire at the end of the school year.
- Waive final exam policy (Policy 2B‑10) for semester‑1, 2024–25 courses not culminating in state assessments: Motion by William Buchanan; second by Elaine McComis; outcome: approved.
- Personnel exhibit (resignations and hires): Motion by Elaine McComis; second by Donald Smack; outcome: approved.
- Policy revisions (Book 6 and Book 7): Motion by John Andes; second by Donald Smack; outcome: approved. Changes include routing stop requests to the manager of transportation (policy 6A04), IEP team language for transportation of students with disabilities (policy 6A05), reference to COMAR for driver medical examinations (policy 6V05) and a reduction in required fire drills from 10 to 8 per year (policy 7D) to align with current building systems.
- Reauthorize virtual‑day instruction plan for inclement weather (2024–25): Motion by Whit Gordy; second by William Buchanan; outcome: approved. The revision uses take‑home devices for secondary students and personal devices for elementary and most middle‑school students; Schoology Conferences will be the delivery platform. The board and staff noted accommodations for students without connectivity and a five‑day make‑up window without penalty.
- Superintendent’s recommended 2024–25 calendar modification (April 22–23 changed to full days of instruction): Motion by Katie Addis; second by Whit Gordy; outcome: approved.
- FEMA cybersecurity grant/project ($382,788 approx.): Motion by John Andes; second by Elaine McComis; outcome: approved. The board approved applying for and accepting FEMA funding for cyber security hardening (award amount reported in presentation: $382,788; action authorized by the board).
- Monthly financial report (Dec. 31, 2024): Motion by Donald Smack; second by Elaine McComis; outcome: approved. Non‑salary expenditures reported for the month: $3,850.16.

Context and next steps: The board said it will continue work on a superintendent search following the announced retirement. Several operational approvals (safety contract, cybersecurity funding, virtual‑day plan) are intended to be implemented this school year. For items where vote tallies were not read into the record, the minutes show the motions, seconds and voice votes but do not provide a roll‑call tally for every action.

Ending: The board adjourned after routine board reports and scheduling its next budget work session for Jan. 27, 2025.