Board approves stadium lights, central office furniture and stormwater repairs; adopts 2025-26 calendar

Queen Anne's County Board of Education members voted on multiple procurement and calendar items during their Feb. 5, 2025 meeting, approving stadium lighting replacement, central office furniture purchases, additional stormwater repairs at Kent Island High School, adoption of the 2025-26 school calendar (option B), and a revised board handbook.

Votes at a glance

- Kent Island High School stadium lights: The board approved purchase orders to Musco Sports Lighting LLC (materials) and Eastern Sales and Engineering (installation) to replace stadium lights while reusing existing poles. The board discussed receiving four contractor bids; Eastern Sales was reported as the lowest installer bid. Motion: “Approve the purchase orders for Musco Sports Lighting LLC and Eastern Sales and Engineering Company to provide materials and complete necessary installation to replace the stadium lights at Kent Island High School.” Outcome: approved by voice vote. Fiscal note: budget source cited as FY 2026 local CIP funds.

- Central office furniture and equipment: The board approved a purchase through the Acvelis cooperative purchasing arrangement with WB Mason of Columbia, Maryland, to furnish the new central office. Staff said WB Mason’s quote was $698,069.16 and requested a 7% contingency to cover configuration adjustments. Motion: “Approve the purchase of central office furniture through the Acvelis Group operative purchasing program with WB Mason of Columbia, Maryland.” Outcome: approved by voice vote. Fiscal note: FY 2025 local CIP funds; board and staff emphasized these are capital funds tied to the new central-office project and cannot be used for school operating needs.

- Kent Island High School stormwater management, phase 2: The board approved additional funds to complete under‑ground stormwater repairs after contractors encountered deteriorated piping, root intrusion and sinkholes during excavation. Staff requested an additional $185,600 plus a 10% contingency (total requested: $204,160). Motion: “Approve the purchase order to Martin's Excavation and Hauling to complete remainder of phase 2 repairs to the existing stormwater infrastructure at Kent Island High School.” Outcome: approved by voice vote. Fiscal note: FY 2025 local CIP funds; staff said work will be scheduled to avoid disrupting spring sports when practical.

- School-year calendar 2025–26: After public comment and staff presentation of three options, the board voted to adopt Calendar B, which shifts one day from early September to create a two-week winter break and leaves three inclement-weather days embedded so the final school day may be pulled earlier if no closings occur. Motion: “Approve calendar B as the 2025–26 school year calendar.” Outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Revised Board Handbook: The board approved a revised handbook “subject to final edit for format and style.” Motion passed by voice vote.

- HR report and meeting minutes: The board approved the HR report developed in closed session and approved meeting minutes from Jan. 15 and the Jan. 22 budget work session.

What board members and staff said

Facilities supervisor Darryl Bariclo summarized the technical reasons for the stormwater work and for replacing the Kent Island lights, saying excavations revealed disconnected lines, collapsed inlets and tree-root infiltration. He told the board the replacement piping and bedding materials should reduce recurrence of the problems.

When a member of the public raised concerns that $750,000 for central-office furniture appeared to divert funds from school needs, board members and staff clarified the money is capital CIP funding tied to the new building and cannot legally be reallocated to school operating budgets.

Next steps

Approved work will proceed under the contracts and purchase orders discussed; staff said the stadium light work is expected in FY 2026 and stormwater repairs will begin after board approval subject to scheduling around spring athletics and weather. The board scheduled follow-on budget work sessions to consider FY 2026 operating and capital requests.