Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community schools specialist reports expansion; board recognizes staff and student achievements
Summary
A community school specialist updated the board on countywide expansion of the community school model, reporting 985 families served, 171 events hosted and distribution of more than 26,000 resources over the program's first years; the board also recognized National Merit honorees and Southern Garrett's state basketball championship.
Megan Kep, community school specialist at Yucklade Elementary School, told the Garrett County Board of Education on April 14 that the district's five elementary-level community schools have grown into countywide supports that coordinate wraparound services, family engagement and summer programming.
Kep described the community school model as "the school as the hub for the community," saying each site has a specialist who coordinates partnerships and services. She told the board the countywide initiative has served 985 families over the last two to three years, hosted 171 events and distributed more than 26,000 resource items such as food, clothing, school supplies and hygiene products. She described efforts to finalize implementation plans at four of the five sites and said community schools will offer at least four weeks of summer programming combining academic supports and high-interest camps.
Board members praised Kep and surprised her with recognition as a Community School Champion for Western Maryland. The board also discussed partnering with Judy Center staff and coordinating a mobile "learning beyond the classroom" bus for shared target families; a resource fair is being planned for August.
The meeting also featured recognitions: the board named Mr. Timothy Brans a National Merit Scholarship finalist and recognized Dr. Hayden Green as a commended student for the National Merit program; the Southern Garrett High School Lady Rams were honored for winning the 2026 Maryland Class 1A state championship, with Jaden Weaver named the class 1A most outstanding player and Emily Parks named Westmack Player of the Year.
What was not specified: Transcript spelling and some school or individual names vary in the record; the article uses the names as spoken at the meeting and the district as identified in the meeting materials, Garrett County Public Schools.
