Carroll County board pauses overnight Outdoor School, moves to plan day‑program over next year

The Carroll County Board of Education voted unanimously on June 10, 2026, to modify the district’s long‑running Outdoor School program by suspending its overnight residential component and directing staff to plan a day‑based version integrated into students’ home middle schools.

Superintendent Dr. Scott McCabe told the board that district staff, outside counsel and the school system’s insurer had completed safety and risk reviews and concluded the program in its current overnight form presented security and supervision vulnerabilities that could not be remediated immediately. “My recommendation is that we act now to convert the Outdoor School program as it has existed into a day program with integration into the home middle schools for the students,” McCabe said during the meeting.

Board legal counsel and the district’s insurer reviewed the site and operations and identified a mix of one‑time facility needs (secure perimeter, cameras, reliable communications) and higher ongoing staff costs (adult overnight supervision and related compensation) necessary to meet current legal and safety expectations. Counsel also cited the changed liability environment since the program began decades ago, including the state’s Child Victims Act, which eliminated past statutes of limitations for certain claims and increases long‑term exposure for institutions that supervise children overnight.

Superintendent McCabe told the board the district discussed findings with county government — the Outdoor School property is county‑owned — and developed cost estimates and remediation plans. Those plans lacked an existing funding source, and some risks could not be fully mitigated within current operations. Board members said the recommendation was driven by student and staff safety concerns rather than finances.

Public commenters urged both caution and preservation of the program. Leman Tuttle, a parent and longtime supporter, told the board the Outdoor School is “the heart” of Carroll County’s student experience and urged the district to fight for the program. Others, including Julie Walsh and Lisa Mazano, asked for clearer public communication after learning the item was on the agenda and said the community deserved fuller explanation of non‑financial risks before a vote.

After discussion and legal explanation, the board approved a motion to “modify the Outdoor School program” with the following direction: pause the residential/overnight model for the 2026–27 school year, use 2026–27 as a planning year to design day‑based programming and operational logistics, and target implementation of the reconfigured program for the 2027–28 school year. The board also tasked advisory bodies — including the Community Advisory Council and the Curriculum Council — to consult with Outdoor School staff on curriculum, operations and family engagement during the planning year.

Board members stressed the change is not intended to end Outdoor School permanently. “We want to protect the students and staff while preserving the educational value of the program,” said a board member during the debate. The board voted unanimously to approve the modification.

Next steps identified at the meeting include forming workgroups with Outdoor School staff, county facilities representatives and law enforcement to: (1) define day‑program learning objectives and draft schedules that meet curricular standards; (2) analyze transportation and operational logistics (shuttle models, regional sites, or staggered visits); (3) develop a transparent communication plan for families; and (4) produce cost estimates and identify funding sources for any facility improvements if the board later considers returning to an overnight model.

The board’s action closes a nearly year‑long review that combined an insurer site assessment, county facilities input and legal advice. Supporters of the overnight program pledged to engage in the planning process; members of the public asked for regular reporting and clear timelines so families understand how the new day‑program will be designed and deployed.