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New superintendent pledges support for Western Port Elementary; board reviews closed-session summaries and summer programs
Summary
Dr. Martirano, who began July 1, described supporting students and staff at Western Port Elementary after a traumatic May 13 incident and said the district aims to open the school on the first day; the board also filed closed-session summaries and discussed summer meal and voucher programs and a website migration.
Dr. Martirano, who began his tenure as superintendent of Allegany County Public Schools on July 1, told the board July 15 he is prioritizing support for students, teachers and families at Western Port Elementary after a traumatic event in the community on May 13.
"It has been a busy start, to say the least," Dr. Martirano said, adding that staff are focused on preparing the district for the opening of school and filling leadership vacancies. He said the district is working to keep students at Western Port and to "provide what is necessary for our young people to be fully educated, not dislocate them to other schools." He praised the school principal for communication and work with teachers and staff during his visit.
Board staff member Mr. Llewellyn read summaries of two closed sessions held June 10 and June 13 at Central Office. Both summaries say all five board members were present and that topics discussed included a state board appeal, superintendent goals and evaluation, and staff appointments. The board did not take public action on those closed-session topics during the July 15 meeting.
During board member updates, Miss Lepley described summer food access programs in Frostburg. She said a volunteer-run Frostburg Lunchbox program, coordinated by volunteer coordinator Jennifer Georgeson with help from Mountain Ridge District school social worker Sherian Manges and Food and Nutrition Services staffer Tasha Larson, is offering daily lunches for children through mid-August and a weekly grocery bag with recipes; participating sites are coordinating a farmers' market that provides $20 vouchers for vegetables and meat on Fridays.
A board member noted that the district website is temporarily down while the central office migrates to a new platform and urged residents seeking information to call the central office. The meeting was short by design for July; board members said August meetings will return to a fuller agenda.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing of constituents. The board approved a consent agenda earlier in the meeting by a unanimous vote; the consent motion was made by Dr. Bond and seconded by Mrs. Widmeier.
