Business Meeting Date: March 17, 2026
Board Members Present: Beachley, Burkett, Evans, Guessford, McCusker, Murray, Zentmeyer
Student Representative: Nora Murthy
Board Members Absent:
Video link to full meeting here.
**After the report to the board, the meeting took a recess from the business meeting and went into the public hearing. The public was provided the opportunity to comment on the Board of Education’s FY2027 Draft General Fund Operating Budget.
| Old Business |
| + None
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| New Business |
| +Scott Bachtell, Supervisor of Purchasing, requested Board of Education approval of the awards, renewals, and procurements as presented in the consent agenda.
Approved: Beachley opposed. ------ +Mr. Darrell Evans, Board President and Policy Committee Chair, Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, and Dr. Jana Palmer, Executive Director of Elementary Education, requested Board approval of the First Reading of Proposed Changes to Policy IKAB - “Grading System for Elementary Schools.” Approved. See changes to Policy IKAB here. ------ +Mr. Darrell Evans, President, and Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval of the first reading of proposed changes to Policy BDDA, entitled “Agenda Format for Regular Public Business Meetings - The Role of the Agenda Planning Committee.” Approved. See changes to Policy BDDA here. ------ +The Board of Education and the Foundation amended the Naming Rights Agreement on November 3, 2020, adding naming rights for brick pavers that compose the front sidewalk outside the school on South Potomac Street. Staff sought approval of naming rights for the Brick Paver Program that have been received from members of the community and committed by the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation, Inc. Approved. ------ + Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of the assignment of advertising rights as requested by the Smithsburg High School Athletic Booster Club. Approved. ------ + Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of the naming rights for the Smithsburg High School Field House. Approved. ------ |
| Personnel Actions |
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+Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, requested Board approval of the staff changes dated March 17, 2026.. Approved. View non-certificated and certificated changes. |
| Reports to the Board |
| + The Budget Advocacy and Review Committee has reviewed the Board of Education’s Draft FY2027 General Fund Budget that was adopted on February 17, 2026. The Committee has formulated a report based upon that draft. Evelyn Williams, the Committee’s Chairperson, presented the report.
+ 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.
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| Miscellaneous Business |
+ Darrell Evans, President of the Board, reviewed the Future Agenda Items and seek Board consensus:
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| Public Comment |
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| Board Member Comments |
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| Superintendent Report |
| + Board of Education Members, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, and Micah Socks, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts, recognized National Music in Our Schools Month by honoring the students who were selected to perform in all-state music ensembles during the 2025-2026 school year.
See all students here. + Board of Education Members, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, and Matthew Wilson, Teacher, Visual and Performing Arts, recognized National Youth Art Month by honoring the students whose work was selected at the Gold Key level in the 2026 National Scholastic Art Awards. Rory Curry - Barbara Ingram School for the Arts + Board of Education Members, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, Terri Baker, Executive Director of Human Resources, and Sheila Evers, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of WCPS, recognized Mr. Michael Smith, the 2026 ESP of the Year, and the finalists: Melonie Boyce, Erik DeVault, and Crystal Tobery. + Board of Education Members, Dr. David T. Sovine, Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent, recognized WCPS music educators who were honored with awards from the Maryland Music Educators Association: Michelle Rafter, Choir Teacher at Williamsport High School – MMEA Hall of Fame inductee |
| Adjournment |