Queen Anne's County board upholds superintendent's recommendation to deny classical charter application

The Queen Anne's County Board of Education voted 3-2 on Sept. 10, 2025, to adopt Interim Superintendent Kibler's recommendation to deny the charter application submitted by the Queen Anne's Classical Charter School, saying the application showed significant deficiencies in academic planning, operational capacity and demonstrated need.

The vote came at a special meeting called to give the charter applicant an opportunity to respond to the superintendent's recommendation. The board's motion to adopt the recommendation to deny the application carried after a roll call that recorded three votes in favor and two against; the board president announced that the recommendation was upheld.

The denial followed a presentation from the applicant team, led by Ashley Maclay, who identified herself as president of the board of directors for Queen Anne's Classical Charter School. Maclay outlined the group's purpose, a proposed classical-education model, and a tentative timeline that would allow the school to open in 2026 or, if the board and applicant agree, in 2027.

"Maryland charter schools are public schools, which are operated by independent nonprofits," Maclay told the board, citing the Maryland State Department of Education definition to explain the applicant's status and the autonomy it seeks. She said the group had gathered petitions and letters of support, run a short survey showing early interest, and planned a…