Business Meeting Date: August 19, 2025
Board Members Present: Beachley, Burkett, Evans, Guessford, Murray, Zentmeyer
Student Representative:
Board Members Absent: McCusker and Student Representative Nora Murthy
Video link to full meeting here.
| Old Business |
| + Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, Jeff Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, Eric Sisler, Executive Director of Finance, Kameron Shives, Budget and Financial Reporting Analyst, requested an amendment to the FY2026 General Fund Budget that was approved in May 2025. The proposed amendment is based on a change in the funding process for private pre-kindergarten providers determined by MSDE. See amendments HERE |
| New Business |
| + Scott Bachtell, Supervisor of Purchasing, requested Board of Education approval of the awards, renewals, and procurements as presented in the consent agenda. Details in PDF HERE.
1. (RFP 2022-34) – Mental and Behavioral Health Providers – Renewal + Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, Robert Rollins, Director of Facilities, Matt Burton, Supervisor of Construction, and Scott Bachtell, Supervisor of Purchasing, requested Board approval to award the contract for the construction of the Downsville Pike Elementary School (Bid 2026-01) to San Jose Construction Group, Inc. in the amount of $37,445,005. Details in PDF HERE. + Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of the proposed FY2027 Budget Calendar as a general guideline for development of the fiscal 2027 budget. Operating Budget Calendar HERE. + Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, sought Board approval to accept a donation of $12783.92 from the Boonsboro High School Athletic Boosters (BABI). $6946.87 will be used to support the Boonsboro High School baseball program, and $5837.05 will be used to support the Boonsboro High School softball program. + Dr. April Zentmeyer, Board President, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent, Theresa Baker, Executive Director of Human Resources, and Carol Mowen, WCTA President, requested Board approval of the proposed (1st) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Board of Education of Washington County and the Washington County Teachers Association, Inc. + Dr. April Zentmeyer, Board President, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent, Theresa Baker, Executive Director of Human Resources, and Carol Mowen, WCTA President, requested Board approval of the proposed (2nd) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Board of Education of Washington County and the Washington County Teachers Association, Inc. + Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval of the Virtual Education Plan for Williamsport High School. Virtual Plan HERE. All votes were approved unanimously. |
| Personnel Actions |
|
+ Dr. Willow presented personnel actions dated August 19, 2025, for Board consideration. View non-certificated and certificated changes. |
| Reports to the Board |
|
| Miscellaneous Business |
| + Dr. Zentmeyer, President of the Board, reviewed the Future Agenda Items and seek Board consensus:
1. FY27 Budget Priorities—Work Session–September 2, 2025 |
| Notable Public Comment Questions/Concerns |
| - Sean Porter spoke on nepotism in the Washington County Government - Roger Stenersen, Rising to Learn Communications Director, asked about the email request sent by Rising to Learn and corrected the erroneous information shared publicly by Board Member Mike Guessford about Rising to Learn - Student Evan Mollo delivered comments on behalf of April Crohare's pertaining to Special Education and the lack of equity in special education programs in Washington County - Stan Stouffer, retired WCPS teacher and former WCBOE board member spoke about how Maryland school boards are to be nonpartisan - Susan Day touched on different issue: we are not here democrats or republicans, not here as an arm of the federal government, laws are different from school rules, teachers are not the enemy - Elizabeth "Liz" Harris, teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired for WCPS, spoke about inclusivity as a community model - all students deserve acceptance and a culture where differences are seen as strengths and investing in inclusion models that work - Carol Mowen provided comments on behalf of WCTA noting the importance for community engagement in the budget calendar process that begins on Tuesday, September 2nd at the board work session; she related that the Board builds next year's budget and they listen to educators and provide the resources needed for safe and orderly schools for every student and every staff member. |
| Board Member Comments |
| Burkett - looking forward to visiting schools Guessford - thanks to all staff for working over the summer - noted the absence of McCusker to care for her children Murray - attended the BISFA Board Meeting, attended TIA and the apprenticeship training, is excited for Grow Your Own programs Beachley - wish all a good first day and first week Evans - |
| Superintendent Report |
| + Dr. Melissa Brunson, Director of Special Education, and Dana Peake, Supervisor of Section 504 and Special Projects, reviewed the Opioid Grant Initiative.
+ Carly Pumphrey, Supervisor of ELA and Social Studies, and Siona Escoto, Apprenticeship Coordinator, provided reading tutor apprentice results from the 2023–2024 school year and give an overview of the 2025–2026 school year, including the planned expansion into math. The presentation will highlight key growth metrics, outline training, and detail how math tutoring will be integrated alongside literacy support.
|
| Adjournment |