Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Allegany County honors school staff for Westernport flood response
Loading...
Summary
The Allegany County Board of Education on Sept. 9 recognized staff from Westernport-area schools for their emergency response during the May 13 flood and read a governor's citation honoring their actions.
The Allegany County Board of Education on Sept. 9 read a governor's citation and publicly thanked staff from Westernport-area schools for their response to the May 13 flood that affected Westernport and surrounding communities.
Superintendent Dr. Martorano introduced the recognition and invited principals and staff from Westernport Elementary, Westmar Middle School, Georges Creek Elementary, Mountain Ridge and other affected schools to the microphone. Board members and the superintendent said staff helped evacuate and care for students during the event and provided continued support as buildings reopened.
Derek Horne, principal of Westernport Elementary, said the community's outreach had been “overwhelming” and that staff were "cramped, but we are doing well." Multiple classroom teachers and principals who worked through the incident described staying with students overnight, coordinating transport to Mountain Ridge and ensuring no students or staff were lost that day.
The citation was presented as a formal acknowledgement of staff "outstanding services" during the emergency. Meeting remarks said the citation was issued Aug. 20 and read the names given on the citation as presented at the meeting.
Board members praised staff and visited affected campuses in the weeks after the flood. The board thanked emergency responders and community partners for their role in student safety and recovery.
The recognition was ceremonial; no formal board action was taken during the presentation.
