Business Meeting Date: February 17, 2026
Board Members Present: Beachley, Burkett, Evans, McCusker, Murray, Zentmeyer
Student Representative: Nora Murthy
Board Members Absent: Guessford
Video link to full meeting here.

 

Old Business
+ None

 
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 2019-10) – Internet Service Provider – Renewal
2. (Bid 2026-37) – Wireless Access Points
3. (Bid 2023-51) – White Boards – Renewal
4. (Bid 2022-31) – Unit Price Contract for Tree Trimming and Removal - Renewal
5. (Materials of Instruction) – Middle School Social Studies Textbook
6. (RFP 2026-13) – Construction Machinery Job Development Program

See presentation.

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+Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and Eric Sisler, Executive Director of Finance, requested Board approval of the proposed FY2026 budget adjustments, as presented.

These adjustments to the FY2026 operating budget reflect higher Special Ed Non-Public Placement costs, needed increases for electricity, and adjustments to student food service accounts. Offsetting these costs are salary savings from position turnover in several areas and additional revenue from interest income. Additionally, we are moving some Instructional Textbooks and Supplies budget to Operation of Plant to account for the correct categorization of technology hardware expenses.

Approved.

See presentation.

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+Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, Eric Sisler, Executive Director of Finance, and Kameron Shives, Budget and Financial Reporting Analyst, requested Board approval to adopt the Superintendent’s FY2027 Recommended General Fund Budget as the Board of Education’s FY2027 Draft General Fund Budget.

Approved.

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+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of the Right-of-Way Agreement between the Board of Education of Washington County and the Potomac Edison Company.

Approved.

See presentation.

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+ Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education, requested Board approval of a donation of $6,982.75 from Boonsboro High School Athletic Boosters (BABI) to be distributed to the girls soccer team in the amount of $3,023.30 and the flag football team in the amount of $3,959.45.

Approved.

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+ Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval to authorize the Superintendent to provide virtual instruction days to students in accordance with the Washington County Public Schools Inclement Weather Virtual Instruction Plan for Post-Makeup Days.

Approved.

See presentation.

See plan.

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Personnel Actions

+Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval of the staff changes dated February 17, 2026.

Approved.

View non-certificated and certificated changes.
Reports to the Board
+ Dr. David Sovine, Superintendent, Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and Jamie Brown, Paralegal & Legislative Representative, provided an overview of the 2026 Maryland legislative session to date.

See presentation.

  • Curriculum & Instruction Committee:
    Zentmeyer: reported on the recent meeting that was held at Eastern. Next meeting will be on March 10 at 10:30 at Smithsburg Middle
  • Facilities Committee:
    Guessford: next meeting will be on Feb. 26 at 1 PM (tentative).
  • Finance Committee:
    Burkett: reported that the committee will meet on March 31 at 8:30 AM.
  • Human Resources:
    Murray: reported on the recent meeting. Next meeting will be Tuesday, March 10, at 1 PM
  • Policy Committee:
    Evans:
Miscellaneous Business
+ Darrell Evans, President of the Board, reviewed the Future Agenda Items and seek Board consensus:

  1. Did not share the agenda publicly, told board members to review it.
Public Comment
Board Member Comments
  • Murthy: thanked the board members for their support and spoke on the Washington County Association of Student Council's General Assembly
  • Murray: went to the Washington County Association of Student Council's General Assembly and to Eastern's Renaissance Fair.
  • Burkett visited several schools and learned about the 5th grade departmentalizing.
  • Zentmeyer shared a story.
Superintendent Report
+ Recognition of Boonsboro High School's "We the People" State Champions — Board Members, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, and Scott Buhrman, Content Specialist, High School Social Studies

Board Members, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, and Scott Buhrman, Content Specialist, High School Social Studies, recognized students from Boonsboro High School’s We the People team for winning the Maryland state competition and advancing to the National Competition for the 11th year in a row.

+ Dr. Sovine noted the observance of Black History Month in February, and highlighted the ESP of the Year event. Dr. Sovine then shared that on July 1, 2022, he was a new name and face here. Despite the warm welcome and community support for our schools he has experienced here, Dr. Sovine has decided to not seek a contract renewal for another four year term.
Adjournment