Business Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
Board Members Present: Guessford, Beachley, Burkett, Murray, Evans, McCusker
Student Representative: Wong
Board Members Absent: Zentmeyer
Superintendent Report
Recognition of North Hagerstown High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society as State Chapter of the Year:
Dr. Sovine recognized the students in North Hagerstown High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society for earning the title of State Chapter of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year. Students honored include Shaye Bigsby, Dana Begzad, Brayden Caffarelli, Mayré Damour, Evan Darr, Nina Dethdy, Annicha English, Gabrielle Gatchalian, William Hou, Emily Mireku Baabu, Ruby Zhao, Rachel Liu, Lauren Ly, Oumou Macalou, Brielle Miller, Kimberly Miller, Zachary Nolan, Micaela Akamine, Aislinn O'Connor, Jennie Ramm, Kiera Robinson, Gabrielle Sanders, Betsy Vo, Daphne Wang. Micah Socks, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts, introduced the group, and the Board provided certificates of recognition to those in attendance. The student's advisor, NHHS teacher Jeannine Sturm, was also recognized for her leadership and support of the chapter's activities.
In the second portion of the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Sovine shared a video highlighting the five finalists for the Washington County Educational Support Personnel award. The winner will be announced at a banquet on February 19. Finalists include Edwina Walker, Lacey Grove, Charles Bell, Ashley Harbaugh, and Jessica Walsh. Dr. Sovine also noted that January is National School Board Month, and on behalf of WCPS, he thanked the Board members for their service. He also shared upcoming calendar reminders for February.
Old Business
Update to Pricing of Washington County Government Procurement “PUR-1707”
(Washington County Government (WCG) PUR-1707) – Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Deliveries.
In December of 2024, the Board awarded the contract for gasoline and diesel fuel deliveries. This is a cooperative bid that is led by the Washington County Government and was awarded at its November 19, 2024 meeting. After the bid award County staff notified WCPS that its procurement software rounded all pricing from four to two decimal points. As a result the pricing charged by the vendor (as quoted in the bid) is greater for transport deliveries than the amount approved by the Board at the December 2024 meeting. This business item provided the updated pricing with the clarification of the amount to 4 decimals. This contract will be effective from Date of Award by the county government through November 30, 2025. Orders will be placed on an as-needed basis throughout the year. The Procurement Review Committee recommends approving this updated pricing to James River Solutions, LLC and Petroleum Traders Corporation at the corrected bid factor plus the weekly OPIS wholesale price per gallon.
New Business
+ CONSENT AGENDA (Bid 2025-18) – HVAC Replacement at Pleasant Valley Elementary School
This project is partially state-funded and is subject to Prevailing Wage Rates and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) procedures. The bid established an overall MBE subcontract goal of 17%, with no sub-goals which the contractor met. Bid, payment, and performance bonds ar applicable to this project. This procurement aligns with Priority 3 (Culture, Safety, and Wellness) of the WCPS Strategic Plan. e Work on this project will start at the beginning of the Summer 2025 and work will be complete d prior to staff and students returning in August 2025. The contract includes a liquidated damag clause for unexcused delays. e The Procurement Review Committee recommends approval of this purchase to Borlie Mechanical Contracting, LLC at a cost of $1,524,000.Construction Documents for the new Downsville Pike Elementary School.
+ Construction Documents for the new Downsville Pike Elementary School have been prepared by Moseley Architects. The plans are consistent with the previous Design Development submission and are in keeping with the Educational Specifications. These documents are being submitted for the Board of Education’s review, comment, and approval. Once approved, the documents will be submitted to the State of Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction and Department of General Services for review and approval and will be finalized for the bid process.2025-2026 High School Program of Studies
+ The High School Program of Studies provides an overview of the courses offered in WCPS high schools.Washington County Board of Education Operating Norms and Communication Processes.
+ The Board of Education conducted an annual review of its operating norms and communications processes during its January 7, 2025 public work session. To view the document and see the changes as highlighted in "blue," go to BoardDocs. First Reading of Proposed Changes to Policy BEDD, “Rules of Order for Meetings (Regular Business Session),” and Exhibit BEDD-E, “Rules of Order for Meetings (Regular Session)”
Policy BEDD has been placed in the correct format and updated to state that Board of Education meetings will adhere to the Maryland Open Meetings Act and the 12th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order will be used as a guide for meetings. To review the changes, go to BoardDocs.
+ First Reading to Rescind Policy DC- “Tax and Debt Limitations”
The Policy Committee agreed with staff’s recommendation to rescind this policy at its public work session on 9/20/24. The Board of Education approved a first reading of the proposed rescission at its public business meeting on 10/15/24. The Policy Committee again agreed with staff’s recommendation to rescind this policy at its public work session on 1/8/25. To view the changes, go to BoardDocs.
+ First Reading of Proposed Changes to Policy DFAA - “Fund Balance”
The Policy Committee is recommending several updates to the policy which include adding a definition section to assist the reader in understanding the different types of fund balances and updating the policy to include all the Board of Education’s fund balance categories and reserves. The Committee is also recommending that the Board of Education, not the superintendent, promulgate the administrative regulation. This will allow the Board to determine fund balance uses. The Committee is requesting the Board of Education to approve the first reading of proposed changes to Policy DFAA. To view the changes, go to BoardDocs.
+ First Reading of Proposed Changes to Policy DJ - “Purchasing Standards”
The Policy Committee (“Committee”) reviewed Policy DJ at its public work session on October 31, 2024, and January 8, 2025, after the second reading of proposed changes to the policy failed at the October 15, 2024 business meeting. Staff originally brought the policy to the Committee because of a change in state law made during the most recent Maryland General Assembly session; however, the Board did not agree to make the corresponding change to the policy. The Committee is now recommending the amount at which Board of Education approval is needed for the purchase of school buildings, improvements, supplies, and equipment remain at $50,000 and it not be increased to $100,000. The Committee is again recommending striking language in the definition of prequalified bidder that is more appropriate for the administrative regulation. Also, the Committee recommends striking the paragraph on the requirements for the purchase of school materials because the paragraph is duplicative of the paragraphs on the purchase of school buildings, improvements, supplies, and equipment and the paragraph on textbooks, supplementary readers, and instructional resources. To view the changes, go to BoardDocs.
+ First Reading of Proposed Changes to Policy KDBA, “Procedures Governing the Response to a Subpoena or a Subpoena Duces Tecum”. The Policy Committee (“Committee”) reviewed Policy KDBA at its public work session on September 20, 2024. The Committee agreed with staff’s recommendation to strike a large portion of the policy because it is operational in nature and should be placed in an accompanying administrative regulation. Language was added to the policy stating that the Board of Education authorizes staff to charge a reasonable fee for the appearance of an individual in court and/or for the reproduction of documents as required by the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum. The new administrative regulation will set forth a fee schedule. The Board of Education approved a first reading of the policy at its October 15, 2024 public business meeting. In accordance with Policy BG, “Policy Setting,” a second reading of a policy must occur within eight (8) weeks of the first reading. A second reading of Policy KDBA did not occur within this time period. The Committee conducted another review of Policy KDBA at its public work session on January 8, 2025, and did not recommend any additional changes to the policy. The Committee is again recommending the Board of Education approve the first reading of proposed changes to Policy KDBA. To view the changes, go to BoardDocs.
+ Washington County Board of Education's 2025 Legislative Program and Approval of Legislative Representative and Legislative Response Team Members for the 2025 Maryland Legislative Session.
Board of Education Policy BJ states that the Board is to discuss its legislative program on an annual basis. The Board is also to establish its legislative priorities for state and federal legislation and establish a Legislative Response Team under the policy. The Board of Education conducted public work sessions to discuss its core values, legislative priorities, and initiatives for the 2025 Maryland legislative session on November 5, 2024, and January 7 and 15, 2025. The Board of Education will now formally adopt its legislative program as discussed at the work sessions, appoint the legislative representative, and appoint Board members and staff to serve on the Legislative Response Team. Notable changes include the following: striking the word LOCAL from the core values statement regarding adequate funding levels for WCPS; removing language about "the wealth of the local county" from the section tiled "Equity in Funding;" revisions to language about "Aid to Education" as updated by the Blueprint for Maryland's Future new funding formula to advocate for greater local flexibility in deciding how state funds are used; and, advocates for changes in state law concerning the recertification salary enhancements for teachers who received National Board Certification prior to the July 1, 2022, implementation of the Blueprint law. To view the changes in more detail, go to BoardDocs.
+ Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Committee Nominations
The Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) has requested the Board of Education of Washington County to submit the names of school board members who have an interest in serving on a MABE committee. Dr. Zentmeyer will seek nominations and a Board endorsement for committee assignments.
+ Board of Education Advisory Committee Appointments
Dr. Webster presented potential candidates for consideration as a member on one of the District Technology Planning Advisory Committee. Names were not included in the coversheet posted on BoardDocs.
+ Approval of Advertising Rights for Smithsburg High School Athletic Booster Club
On September 17, 2024, the Board of Education approved an MOU for advertising rights with the Smithsburg High School Athletic Booster Club to identify entities and persons willing to donate funds towards programs supporting educational or athletic programs at Smithsburg High School in exchange for being granted advertising rights on the school campus. Vendors have been identified for advertising rights located in the gym.
+ Donation of $7,500 from the Nora Roberts Foundation to Western Heights Middle School
This donation of $7,500 from the Nora Roberts Foundation is being made to Western Heights Middle School to be used for improvements to the auditorium to support the Western Heights Middle School arts program.
Reports to the Board
None
Board Committee Reports
HR Committee Chair BOE member Linda Murray provided a summary of the recent meeting that provided an overview of the HR department to the Ashley McCusker, the new member on the committee. Murray thanked Terri Baker and the HR staff for providing an excellent explanation of the work done by the individuals who work in HR.
Policy Committee Chair BOE member Darrell Evans updated the Board on the recent meetings of the committee and announced that the next meeting would be on Feb. 11 at 11AM.
Other committee chairs also announced upcoming meeting dates, but no substantive announcements were made related to the Finance Committee, Curriculum and Instruction Committee, and the Facilities Committee.
Daphne Wang provided a report from the Washington County Student Government Association and the Maryland Association of Student Councils. She also thanked the two students who provided public comment.
Future Agenda Items
1. Superintendent’s Recommended FY2025 Budget — February 4, 2025
2. School Highlight: South Hagerstown High School — February 4, 2025
3. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Update — February 4, 2025
Miscellaneous Business
None other than the future agenda items noted above.
Notable Public Comment Questions/Concerns
A parent shared her concerns regarding the placement issue related to the child's Individual Education Plan (IEP).
The president of the Washington County Teachers Association, Carol Mowen, provided comments about Maryland's Blueprint for Public Education, the WCPS budget, and the expectations of the Blueprint that teachers meet mandates related to collaboration and small group instruction without adequate time and support to do so.
A citizen shared his opinion to the function and focus of teachers associations.
A parent, along with another citizen who was dressed in a costume, made comparisons related to the LGBTQ+ community.
A student (from BISFA) spoke about the importance of inclusivity in schools.
A second student (from BHS) spoke about the quality of school lunch programs noting that healthier and tastier options should be on the menu.
Board Member Comments
Beachley - No comments
Murray - Thanked the speakers at the meeting. She also reported that she had visited the Connections program at South Hagerstown High. She thanked the two teachers who welcomed her to their classrooms. She also thanked principal Rodney Gayman for the warm welcome.
Evans - No comments other than to "stay warm" in the unusually cold weather
Burkett - Burkett reported that he attended the Maryland Association of Board of Education orientation program. He also shared that he plans to visit all WCPS buildings, and has recently visited SHHS and the Innovat-Ed Learning Center. He also shared that as a former restaurant owner who has foster kids in the schools, he was pleased to see fresh broccoli at SHHS, but he agrees that the Food and Nutrition program could look to be improved.