Wicomico board approves Beaver Run GMP, submits facilities plan and adopts FY2026 budget

The Wicomico County Board of Education on Tuesday approved several capital- and budget-related items, including a $2,387,895 contract amendment to set a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the Beaver Run Elementary addition, the district's FY2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP) for submission to the state Interagency Commission, a public-works agreement with the City of Fruitland to connect water and sewer for the Fruitland Primary replacement, and an amended consolidated current expense budget for FY2026.

The GMP vote was made "upon the recommendation of the superintendent and the school building commission" and carried unanimously. Dr. Reger told the board the GMP "includes 22 bid packages" and that 73 bids were received; he said 84% of contractors were from the Lower Eastern Shore/Lower Delaware region, 27% from the Tri-County area and 19% from Wicomico County. Construction was described as locally funded using bond savings and the school construction savings fund, with occupancy anticipated in August 2026.

Board members also approved submitting the FY2026 EFMP to the Interagency Commission on School Construction. Dr. Reger said the draft "was reviewed during the May 27 work session" and that Fruitland Primary is the top capital priority; he said the EFMP "will be submitted to the IAC before their July 1 deadline." The board voted to enter a public-works agreement with the City of Fruitland to provide the necessary utility connections for the Fruitland Primary replacement project.

On the budget, Dr. Reger presented an amended consolidated FY2026 current expense budget and said the general fund unrestricted budget is $281,000,821.86 and the special revenue (restricted) budget is nearly $29 million; he described the consolidated total as about $310 million. The board thanked the county executive and county council for fully funding the board's request and approved the budget by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Authorize contract amendment (GMP) for Beaver Run addition: motion to authorize a $2,387,895 amendment to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company to incorporate the GMP. Vote: Palmer (Aye), Hazel (Aye), Platts (Aye), Beecham (Aye), Brown (Aye), Ennis (Aye), Chair (Aye). Outcome: approved.

- Approve FY2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan for submission to state: Vote: Palmer (Aye), Hazel (Aye), Platts (Aye), Beecham (Aye), Brown (Aye), Ennis (Aye), Chair (Aye). Outcome: approved. Note: top priority listed as Fruitland Primary; submission to IAC before July 1.

- Approve public works agreement with City of Fruitland for Fruitland Primary utilities: Vote: Palmer (Aye), Hazel (Aye), Platts (Aye), Beecham (Aye), Brown (Aye), Ennis (Aye), Chair (Aye). Outcome: approved. Note: board counsel reviewed the agreement and authorized proceeding.

- Approve amended consolidated FY2026 current expense budget: General fund unrestricted $281,000,821.86; special revenue restricted nearly $29 million; consolidated budget ~ $310 million. Vote: Palmer (Aye), Hazel (Aye), Platts (Aye), Beecham (Aye), Brown (Aye), Ennis (Aye), Chair (Aye). Outcome: approved.

What the board said and next steps

Dr. Reger told the board the Beaver Run GMP contains accepted alternates totaling $89,107 and that construction will start later this month. The EFMP will be forwarded to the IAC before its July 1 deadline. The Fruitland utilities agreement will allow the Fruitland Primary replacement to connect to city water and sewer. The approved FY2026 budget will be posted to the board website for public review.

Provenance and evidence

- Topic introduction excerpt: "is there a motion to authorize the following contract amendment in the amount of $2,387,895 to the contracting firm of the Whiting Turner contracting company to incorporate the guaranteed maximum price for the Beaver Run addition project." (transcript segment beginning at ~2996.465s). - Topic finish excerpt: "Chair votes aye. 6.6 is approved. That concludes our action discussion items." (transcript segment ending ~3274.56s).