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Superintendent details summer audits, construction and meals program for St. Mary's County schools
Summary
At a July 8 board meeting the superintendent reported on statewide curriculum convenings, an ongoing legislative audit covering back to 2019, multiple summer facilities projects and a summer meals program that has served over 31,000 meals to date; two pre‑K playgrounds were completed with about $150,000 in private funding.
The superintendent delivered a summer operations update to the St. Mary's County Board of Education on July 8, outlining curriculum work, an expansive legislative audit, school construction and the district's summer meals program.
Why it matters: the update lays out near‑term facility work and fiscal oversight that affect school openings and student services this fall. The board heard audit timelines and funding details that shape follow‑up oversight and public reporting.
The superintendent said instructional leaders from across the region met this summer to align on high‑quality math and literacy materials and Tier 1 instruction, and that the district will continue MTSS and targeted professional learning aligned to the new standards. "All of the instructional supervisors were meeting in this space on Monday, and they were talking about how we're going to be rolling out all of our professional development," the superintendent said.
On fiscal oversight, the superintendent described multiple reviews: the system's annual independent audit and a larger legislative audit currently underway that the superintendent said "goes back until 2019," with auditors working on site and reviewing statutory requirements. The superintendent urged the public to consult posted audit reports and said district annual audits are available on the school system website.
Facilities work highlighted included HVAC replacement and oil‑tank removal projects at Green Holly and Benjamin Banneker, HVAC prep and relocatable swing‑space installation at Chopticon High School, gym floor replacements at multiple sites and exterior lighting and fire pump work at other schools. The superintendent said new relocatable classroom units are being prepped for delivery so auxiliary instructional spaces will be available by the start of school.
Two outdoor pre‑K playgrounds were completed this summer at a total cost the superintendent described as "over $200,000," with roughly $150,000 coming from the Donny Williams Foundation and the remainder from SMECO rebates and other district funds. "They're absolutely beautiful," the superintendent said of the new play spaces.
On student services, the superintendent reported the district's summer meals program had served "over 31,000 meals so far in week 2" and that 2,002 students had been served at listed congregate and non‑congregate sites. The superintendent said the program will continue through the end of the summer.
The superintendent closed by reminding the board that most 12‑month district staff are working through the summer to prepare for the school year. The board did not take any formal action on these informational items during the meeting.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for July 22, with an executive session at 5 p.m. and the open meeting at 6 p.m.
