Calvert County Board approves $2.0M laptop purchase, Sunderland change order and multiple personnel and budget actions; posts policies for public comment
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Summary
At its meeting, the Calvert County Board of Education commended student achievements, heard public comment about retiree health coverage, and approved a $2,008,352 purchase of 2,562 student laptops, a $39,885.64 increase to a Sunderland Elementary HVAC project, two principal appointments and an executive salary structure; several policy updates were posted for 30 days.
The Calvert County Board of Education on Monday recognized school accomplishments, heard a public comment urging more transparency around retiree health‑plan changes, and approved a series of operational actions including a $2,008,352 purchase of student laptops and an increase to a school HVAC project.
The Board unanimously approved a contract through the MEET cooperative to buy 2,562 Lenovo ThinkPad G5 laptops, four‑year accidental‑damage protection and device services for incoming fifth‑ and ninth‑grade students to support the Future Ready 1:1 initiative. "This purchase includes 2,562 Lenovo ThinkPad G5 laptops ... for a total cost of $2,008,352," Sheldon Taylor, supervisor of finance and procurement, said during his presentation. Board members asked about spare devices, warranty and parental device agreements; staff said spares are retained for hot swaps and device agreements are managed through the student annual update process.
The Board also approved Change Order No. 1 for the Sunderland Elementary HVAC, unit ventilator, AHU and boiler replacement project, which replaces a 35 kW diesel generator and an underground fuel oil storage tank with a propane generator and adds a rooftop condenser removal not in the original contract. Shashida Warner, director of planning and construction, said the change order increases the project total from $2,298,000 to $2,337,885.64; the motion carried 4–0.
Superintendent Dr. Newsome recommended — and the Board approved — two principal appointments: Margo Gross as principal of Mount Harmony Elementary and Dr. Nicole Jimny as principal of St. Leonard Elementary. Appointees offered brief remarks of appreciation.
The Board approved a recommended executive salary structure aligning chief and assistant superintendent salary lanes with CASA and meet‑and‑confer schedules. Under the approved plan, the CFO lane is positioned 10% above director and high‑school principal lanes and the executive director lane is 4.5% above director lanes; placement for the CAO and COO will be applied retroactively to the start of the 2025–26 school year.
CFO Christine Jewett presented an intra‑category operating budget transfer of $251,713 within the capital outlay category to fund predesign and educational specification work by Grimm & Parker Architects for a proposed new Calvert Elementary/Calvert Country School co‑located facility; the transfer was approved unanimously.
During public comment, a retiree and long‑service educator urged the Board to reconsider how the district communicated and implemented a new Medicare Advantage PPO for retirees over 65. "When it came time to make a major change to their health care, they were not treated as partners in the decision," the commenter said.
The Board also posted several policy revisions for 30‑day public review, including Policy 1700 (authorized credit card use) and Policy 2305 (selection of media and instructional materials). Revisions to Policy 1700 clarify that card‑based purchasing (procurement cards, fuel cards and limited vendor accounts) will be governed under a consistent policy framework and add accountability and internal control language; Policy 2305 updates phrasing and adds COMAR citations.
The Board opened with recognition of Northern High School’s marching band for winning two national titles and a series of early‑learning accreditations; Dr. Newsome closed the meeting with routine system updates and testing reminders. The meeting adjourned after a series of board comments.
Votes at a glance
- Northern High School marching band resolution — approved (voice vote; unanimous). - Consent agenda — approved (voice vote; 4–0). - Appointments: Margo Gross (Mount Harmony Elementary) and Dr. Nicole Jimny (St. Leonard Elementary) — approved (voice vote; 4–0). - Sunderland Elementary HVAC Change Order No. 1 — approved (voice vote; 4–0). - SY27 student laptop refresh (2,562 Lenovo ThinkPad G5 devices) — approved (voice vote; 4–0); total $2,008,352. - Executive salary structure — approved (voice vote; 4–0). - Intra‑category budget transfer — approved (voice vote; 4–0); $251,713 for predesign/educational specification work.
What’s next
Several policies are posted for a 30‑day public comment period; administrators said grading‑procedure revisions presented separately will be converted into formal procedures and a communications and professional development plan will precede implementation.
