Business Meeting: 9/16/25

+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and Robert Rollins, Director of Facilities, requested Board approval the State and Local FY2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan for Fiscal Years FY2026-FY2031.
- State and Local FY2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan Fiscal Years FY2027-FY2032- See presentation.
- Capital Improvement Program FY‐2026—Draft 09/16- See presentation.

+ Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools; Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer; and Eric Sisler, Executive Director of Finance, sought approval of the FY2027 Budget Priorities discussed by Board Members during the September 2, 2025, Work Session. Staff’s recommendation for FY2027 aligns the initiatives to the Strategic Plan.
(1) Culture, Safety, and Wellness
(2) Student Success
(3) Access and Opportunity
(4) Community Engagement as discussed during the September 2nd Work Session

+ Jeff Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of the assignment of advertising rights as requested by the Smithsburg High School Athletic Booster Club. See presentation.

+ Dr. Jana Palmer, Executive Director for Elementary Education, requested Board approval for a donation of four picnic tables from the Paramount PTA, valued at $ 5,858.33. These tables are intended to support outdoor learning activities.

+ Dr. Jana Palmer, Executive Director for Elementary Education, requested Board approval of a donation of $20,000 from Landon’s Puzzle Pieces for the Enhanced Programs at Funkstown.

+Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval of the staff changes dated September 16, 2025.

View non-certificated and certificated changes.

• Curriculum & Instruction Committee:
  Zentmeyer: September 30th at Hager Elementary
• Facilities Committee:
  Guessford: September 30th at 1pm
• Finance Committee:
  Burkett: Changing the October 28th meeting
• Human Resources:
  Murray:
• Policy Committee:
  Evans:
• Student Member Nora Murthy shared updates from the Washington County Association of Student Council. The first session will be on October 10th.

1. Presentation of Audited Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report—Work Session–October 7, 2025
2. Williamsport High School Update—Work Session–October 7, 2025

• Alina Chester - mom of a student at Fountaindale Elementary, speaking about advance learners programs and the magnet program. Advanced learner Pre-K students go back to their home schools at kindergarten and have to back to the Gen Ed classrooms and go back through the application process. She shared concerns about the way the programs are currently set up.
• Roger Stenerson - communications director for Rising to Learn spoke about the development of the 2027 operating budget and the four focal points of the strategic plan that the budget should support.
• Curtis Ray - a candidate for county commissioners in 2026 spoke about alleged public proclamations made on Facebook about a person.
• Carol Mowen - WCTA president spoke about the National Voter Registration Day celebrated on the third Tuesday of September each year. She noted the importance of voting, encouragement of youth voters, and the nonpartisan expectations for school board elections and candidates.
• Pam Abston - WCTA vice-president and WHS Building Rep spoke about some of the issues that the WHS community are facing.
• Ethan Lowen - Spoke about comments from the prior meeting's comments provided by the local teachers association president.
• Levi Trumbel- Spoke about Charlie Kirk
• Shaun Porter- Spoke about multiple topics, see video for full comments
• Susan Day - a concerned Washington County resident spoke about the Board's policy on public comment and urged the Board to focus on the students.

+ Dan Fowler, Supervisor of School Management, provided an overview of the 2025 Summer School program, highlighting student attendance, program costs, and academic outcomes. The update offers insights into program effectiveness and impact, supporting ongoing planning and improvement for future summer learning opportunities. See presentation.

+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, and Scott Noll, Principal, Williamsport High School, provided an update on how Williamsport High School has supported students to date through its virtual instructional model, enrichment opportunities, student events, and strong communication efforts. The presentation also includes an update on the cleaning process to reopen Williamsport High School. See presentation.

+ September is Attendance Awareness Month and Dr. Sovine shared updates about messaging related to staff and student attendance. He also thanked the student services team for their work on a task force last spring. He provided reminders about the Focus Now, Phones Later initiative and the Fit Check initiative.

+ Board members, Dr. David Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, and Micah Socks, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts, recognized North Hagerstown High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society as State Chapter of the Year. See presentation.