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Board adopts FY2027 draft budget, approves transfers and authorizes virtual snow-day plan
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the board unanimously adopted the superintendent's FY2027 recommended general fund budget as the board's draft, approved FY2026 budget adjustments and unanimously authorized the superintendent to implement a virtual-instruction plan after exhausting six inclement-weather days. Several routine consent, procurement, personnel and construction items were also approved.
The Washington County Board of Education unanimously adopted the superintendent's FY2027 recommended general fund budget as the board's draft on Feb. 17. Board members moved that the recommendation become the board's draft budget; the motion passed with a unanimous vote and the student member's concurrence. The draft will be forwarded to advisory committees for review and a public hearing is scheduled in March.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved FY2026 budget adjustments that recategorize and move allocations within the General Fund; staff said the adjustments reflect increased utility rates and recategorization of some instructional-materials funds to technology hardware used in the physical plant. Staff indicated the adjustments will be forwarded to county commissioners for final approval next week.
The board also unanimously approved a set of consent-agenda items including awards, renewals and procurements recommended by the purchasing review committee. During discussion members asked about textbook renewal cycles and the federal E-Rate reimbursement process; staff said E-Rate can reimburse approximately 70% to 80% of eligible costs and that a full E-Rate bid will be required at the next renewal.
On facilities and gifts, the board approved a right-of-way agreement with Potomac Edison to provide electrical service to the Downstone Pike Elementary construction project and approved acceptance of a donation from the Boonsboro High School Athletic Boosters (donation amount presented as $6,982.75 by the requester; the motion language referenced $6,980.75) for girls' soccer and flag football.
The board voted to authorize the superintendent to provide virtual instruction days under the district's inclement-weather virtual plan. Staff emphasized that the plan does not eliminate snow days: the district must exhaust six built-in inclement-weather days before the superintendent may activate virtual instruction; the district has used five of those built-in days to date. The plan requires four hours of synchronous instruction on any virtual day to count as an official school day. Staff also noted provisions for students without internet access and said the plan could be modified after implementation if needed.
Personnel actions discussed in closed session were approved unanimously by the six voting board members (the student member did not participate in that vote). In an announcement, the superintendent named Andy Ketzle as the new principal at Hancock Middle Senior High School.
