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WCPS secures $1M NEA solar award; board hears athletics and fine arts updates
Summary
Superintendent and program leads told the board the district received a $1,000,000 NEA rooftop solar award for Bennett Middle School and other grants; presentations highlighted athletics expansion (eSports, leadership council, inclusive programs) and arts participation supported by Title IV and MSDE funding.
Wicomico County Public Schools leaders told the board that the district received several grants, most notably a $1,000,000 award from the National Education Association's Solar on Schools program to expand rooftop solar at Bennett Middle School, and they gave updates on athletics and fine arts programming that the district says are expanding student opportunities.
Why it matters: The solar award is intended to reduce energy use and operating costs while providing STEM learning opportunities tied to real‑time energy data. Presenters also described growth in inclusive athletics and eSports and described how Title IV and a small MSDE fine‑arts grant are being used to fund countywide ensembles, teacher training and arts integration.
Dr. Rager told the board the NEA award will fund an expanded rooftop solar array at Bennett Middle School that the district estimates will add about 500,000 kilowatt‑hours of annual production, offset roughly 24% of the school's electricity and reduce more than 330,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The board record also notes a Maryland Energy Administration award of just over $71,000 to implement real‑time energy management at Parkside High School; that project will provide continuous building‑system optimization and data for classroom use.
"The NEA's solar on schools program has awarded $1,000,000 to install an expanded rooftop solar array at Bennett Middle School," Dr. Rager said. The solar project is described in the record as integrating real‑time energy data into STEM education.
Athletics supervisor Steve Romano highlighted district sports achievements and operational changes: a switch to a unified online sports schedule platform, a move to FinalForms for student‑athlete registration and injury reporting (supported by an emerging House Bill), the launch of a Student Athlete Leadership Council in partnership with Salisbury University, and expansion of inclusive competitions such as Unified Middle School Bocce and elementary track events with fully automatic timing. Romano also summarized county eSports championships (Rocket League, Fortnite, Madden, Super Smash) and said the district has partnered with PlayVersus to expand competitive play. "Educational based athletics is a term that we should be using more and more," Romano said.
Fine arts supervisor Dr. Jeff Baer reported steady or growing participation across art, music, theater and VPA (Visual and Performing Arts) programs, highlighted county ensembles (All County Band, Chorus, Orchestra) and noted Title IV funds are being used for All County Musical, ACES (All County Elementary School) Choir and an Arts in Motion Academy. Dr. Baer cited an MSDE fine‑arts grant of $16,908 used for a fine arts teacher trainer and reported that 100% of the district's AP arts test takers scored a 3 or higher last year; he said VPA seniors participating in arts programs had a 100% graduation rate in the referenced cohort.
Board members praised the presentations and linked participation in arts and athletics to improved attendance and academic outcomes; no formal votes were required for the program updates. Presenters noted upcoming performances and events supported by the grants and Title IV programming. The board requested continued reporting as projects (solar installation and energy management pilot) move into implementation.
What happens next: District staff will proceed with solar project planning and energy management implementation and will report back with timelines and any budgetary adjustments; athletics and arts programs will continue to expand under the described initiatives.
