Business Meeting: 10/21/25

1. (Bid 2026-10) – Generator Preventative Maintenance
2. (RFP 2026-05) – Employee Benefits Consulting Services
3. (The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) Contract 220105) – Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) - Renewal
4. (Bid 2023-17) – Bulk Motor Oil and Fluids – Renewal
5. (Bid 2024-33) – Security Equipment and Service – Renewal

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, Charles Burkett, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans
See presentation.

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+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and Robert Rollins, Director of Facilities, requested Board approval of the FY2026 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan.

• McCusker asked a question about staff hours vs. contracted hours. She asked how many staff would make the department more efficient so that there would be less spent on contracted services. Rollins noted that some of the contracted services are for expertise to address specific needs, such as HVAC. Proulx directed the Board's attention to page 38 that shows that we would need 9 more technicians to meet state standards, and that the 191 custodians and 5 ground crew also doesn't meet the recommended number of staff to meet state standards.
• Guessford noted that the maintenance staff is to be commended for their work in maintaining the aging schools. He asked if there was a way to use apprenticeships and engage students in learning skills. Proulx noted that WCPS does engage students in apprenticeships in electrical and carpentry.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley, Charles Burkett
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans
See presentation.

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+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and Eric Sisler, Executive Director of Finance, requested Board approval of the proposed FY2025 Year-End Budget Adjustments, as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley, Charles Burkett
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans
See presentation.

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+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, presented potential candidates for consideration as a member of the Naming Committee for the “Downsville Pike” Elementary School.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley, Charles Burkett
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans
See Policy FF:
See Policy FF-R:

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+ Dr. David Sovine, Superintendent, requested Board approval of the 2026 Washington County Board of Education Legislative Program, the individual nominated to serve as the Washington County Board of Education’s Legislative Representative for the 2026 Maryland legislative session, and the individuals nominated to serve on the Legislative Response Team for the 2026 legislative session.
See presentation.

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+ Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, requested Board approval of a donation of $21,000 from the Nora Roberts Foundation to Boonsboro High School to support the band, orchestra, and drama programs at Boonsboro High School. The donation allocates $8,000 to the band program, $3,000 to the orchestra program, and $10,000 to the drama program, ensuring that all receive the
essential resources needed for each program.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, Charles Burkett, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans

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+ Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director of Secondary Education, requested Board approval of a gift of $75,000 from an anonymous donor to Smithsburg High School. This donation is to be used for the auditorium renovation.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, Charles Burkett, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans

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+ Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, requested Board approval of a donation of $18,012 from SAT Fundraising/Leading Edge Fundraising to support the North Hagerstown High School football program. These funds will be
used to purchase shoulder pads and helmets for the football team.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, Charles Burkett, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans

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+ Staff requested the board to approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) and the Washington County Teachers Association, Inc. (WCTA) Regarding a Temporary Amendment to the Negotiated Agreement Regarding Educators Who Completed the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Process Between 2016 and 2020 and Who Meet the Definition of "Teacher."

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Michael Guessford, Linda Murray, Charles Burkett, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans

+Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval of the staff changes dated October 21, 2025.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Linda Murray, Michael Guessford, April Zentmeyer, Ashley McCusker, Victoria Beachley, Charles Burkett
Not Present at Vote: Darrell Evans

View non-certificated and certificated changes. View certificated addendum.

• Curriculum & Instruction Committee:
  Zentmeyer: Meeting next week at BISFA with a side trip to USMH
• Facilities Committee:
  Guessford:
• Finance Committee:
  Burkett: Oct. 29 at 8:30am
• Human Resources:
  Murray: Will meet in December
• Policy Committee:
  Evans:

+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, Eric Sisler, Executive Director of Finance, and Kameron Shives, Budget & Financial Reporting Specialist, reviewed the progress made towards reaching Minimum School Funding (MSF), a requirement under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.  The Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) has offered a waiver process for school systems to accommodate locations that may be more challenging than others.  The identified goal for WCPS in FY26 is to reduce the number of students enrolled at schools where MSF is not being met by 50% from FY25.  The waiver applications must be submitted to the AIB by December 1, 2025.  Staff will also discuss how the public can provide feedback on our progress and the waiver process.  Any community feedback received will be included in the waiver application packet to be reviewed by the AIB.  Proulx noted that today's meeting begins the Public Comment period for the waiver requests. All comments must be submitted with the waivers to the state board.

• McCusker asked about the identification of FARM, and Proulx noted that WCPS does a very good job in this area.
• McCusker then asked about schools who receive 100% coverage for school meals. Proulx explained how the prior year's data is considered.
• McCusker asked if the 75% rule could go to HVAC needs. Proulx said that yes, if can, within certain parameters.

See waiver request.
See presentation.

1. Joint Meeting with the Washington County Board of Education and the Washington County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly- Joint Meeting -November 5, 2025
2. Consent Agenda—Business Meeting–November 18, 2025

• See video for public comment

• Burkett visited Clear Spring middle and high school to ask about the new cell phone and dress code policies and reported that both seemed to be going well.
• McCusker - none
• Guessford - none
• Beachley shared that her thoughts and prayers are with the family of Tom Garner. She also reported that she had fun playing in the golf tournament sponsored by the annual Ed Foundation, noting that she appreciates the Ed Foundation's partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library  Parents can request free books from their children from birth through age five via the program.
• Murray attended the MABE conference in Annapolis and was sworn in to serve on the MABE Board of Directors. She shared the agenda of the learning opportunities available there to her fellow Board members and shared information related to equity from the conference. She also shared her fond memories of working with Mr. Garner at Salem.
• Zentmeyer added that Tom was not just a principal but also had family who mourn his loss. She thanked the student, Carlos, for digging deep into the dirt at the groundbreaking and also praised the outstanding Showcase of Bands event.
• Nora Murthy shared her sympathies and condolences on the loss of Mr. Garner. She also reported on the student council's first representative assembly.
• Sovine thanked the Board members for their level of engagement.