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Garrett County Board of Education votes to seek waiver to set June 5 as final student day
Summary
The Garrett County Board of Education voted April 14 to request a state waiver that would allow the district to declare Friday, June 5, 2026, the final student attendance day for 2025'26, citing multiple weather closures and virtual instruction days. The board approved the superintendent's recommendation by voice vote.
The Garrett County Board of Education voted April 14 at the Dent Road Educational Complex to seek a waiver from the Maryland State Board of Education to permit a 179-day student calendar for the 2025'26 school year, making Friday, June 5, 2026 the final student attendance day if the waiver is granted.
Miss Miller, who presented the agenda item, told the board that Garrett County Public Schools closed for students four days because of inclement weather this winter and used six virtual instruction days. Under the originally approved calendar the last day for students was Thursday, June 4. The waiver request invokes COMAR 13A.02.01.04 and asks the state board to allow the district to count 179 days of student attendance for the year.
Superintendent McCartney recommended the board approve submission of the waiver. The motion was moved by Don and seconded by Sadi; the board approved the superintendent's recommendation by voice vote.
Why it matters: district staff said they are proposing the change because they are concerned student attendance and engagement will decline on the calendar's last scheduled day, reducing the effectiveness of instruction. The waiver would allow the district to hold a shorter final week while meeting the state's minimum attendance requirement only if the Maryland State Board of Education approves the request.
What was presented: Miss Miller summarized the district's use of makeup and virtual instruction days, the original calendar structure, and the specific change being requested. She told the board the waiver would permit the district to designate Friday, June 5 as its final day for students for the 2025'26 year if approved by the state board.
Next steps: The board voted to submit the waiver to the state board; the district must now await the Maryland State Board of Education's decision. The board gave no numeric roll-call; the motion passed by voice vote.
