Business Meeting Date: November 18, 2025
Board Members Present: Beachley, Burkett, Guessford, McCusker, Murray, Zentmeyer
Student Representative: Nora Murthy
Board Members Absent: Evans
Video link to full meeting here.
| Old Business |
| + 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.
Motion #1: The Board nominated Dr. April Zentmeyer, Charles Burkett, and Michael Guessford to serve as the Washington County Board of Education’s Legislative Response Team for the 2026 Maryland Legislative Session. Motion #2: The Board nominated Jamie Brown to serve on the Legislative Response Team for the 2026 Legislative Session. Motion by Michael Guessford, second by Victoria Beachley |
| New Business |
| + Scott Bachtell, Supervisor of Purchasing, requested Board of Education approval of the awards, renewals, and procurements as presented in the consent agenda.
1. (RFP 2026-21) – Professional Design Services for Oil Tank Replacement at Multiple Schools Motion by Charles Burkett, second by Michael Guessford ------ + Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Board of Education and the Boonsboro Athletic Boosters, Inc., Public-Private Partnership, as presented. Motion by Charles Burkett, second by Ashley McCusker ------ + Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of the assignment of advertising rights as requested by the Smithsburg High School Athletic Booster Club.. Motion by Michael Guessford, second by Linda Murray ------ + Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of advertising rights as requested by the South Hagerstown High School Athletic Booster Club.. Motion by Michael Guessford, second by Linda Murray ------ + Dr. April Zentmeyer, Board President, requested nominations for names of school board members interested in serving on the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Committee. Motion: To approve the self-nominations for MABE committee assignments, as presented by President Zentmeyer, and the sending of a Board endorsement of those nominations to MABE. Legislative Representative: Charles Burkett Motion by Michael Guessford, second by Charles Burkett. ------ + Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, shared information regarding the donation from Volvo and its application in supporting growing robotics and computer science within WCPS.. Motion: To approve the Donation of $25,000 to the WCPS VEX Robotics Program. Motion by Victoria Beachley, second by Linda Murray ------ + Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, requested approval from the Board to accept a donation of $12,524.00 from SAT Fundraising/Leading Edge Fundraising to support the North Hagerstown High School Band Boosters. These funds will be Motion by Linda Murray, second by Ashley McCusker ------ + Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, will seek Board approval of a donation of $150,000 from the PAA Foundation to Smithsburg High School. These funds are to be used for the Smithsburg High School auditorium renovations. Motion by Victoria Beachley, second by Linda Murray ------ + Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, will seek Board approval of a donation of $10,000 to the Clear Spring High School athletics department from the Hagerstown Area Police Athletic League. These funds are intended to support the eventual establishment of a wrestling program at Clear Spring High School. Motion by Linda Murray, second by Victoria Beachley ------ Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, will seek Board approval of a donation of $25,231.02 to Boonsboro High School from the Boonsboro High School Athletic Boosters to support the Boonsboro High School volleyball, golf, boys soccer, and cheerleading teams. Motion by Victoria Beachley, second by Linda Murray |
| Personnel Actions |
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+Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval of the staff changes dated November 18, 2025. Following the approval, Dr. Sovine announced that Matthew Tack has been named principal of Sharpsburg Elementary School. Motion by Linda Murray, second by Victoria Beachley. View non-certificated and certificated changes. |
| Reports to the Board |
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| Miscellaneous Business |
| + Dr. Zentmeyer, President of the Board, reviewed the Future Agenda Items and seek Board consensus:
1. Board Reorganization – Business Meeting – December 9, 2025 |
| Public Comment |
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| Board Member Comments |
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| Superintendent Report |
| + Tim Haines, Coordinator of Talent Acquisition and Development, and Joni Burkhart, Supervisor of Professional Development, provided an annual update regarding teacher recruitment initiatives, hiring data, and new teacher induction. See Presentation. + Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, and Jeff Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, provided an update on the cleaning process to reopen Williamsport High School and share survey results from students, staff, and families regarding their preferences for in-person learning options. + Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, will share information and updates with Board members.
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| Adjournment |