Business Meeting: 5/20/25

1. (Bid 2025-16) – School Buses - Renewal
2. (OMNIA Partners Contract Number R170602) – Building Automation, Energy Management, and Automated Temperature Control – Annual Maintenance Extension
3. (Bid 2025-40) – Trash and Recycling Removal Services
4. (TIPS #230105) – Finalsite Mass Notifications and Mobile App – Renewal
5. (TIPS #210105) – Remind Communication and Engagement Platform – Renewal
6. (Professional Service) – Maintenance of Print Center Equipment
7. (Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC) UMD-972016) – VMware Licenses– Renewal
8. (Bid 2025-54) – Roof Replacement at Emma K Doub Elementary School
9. (RFP 2025-41) – Natural Gas Supply – Informational Report
10. (Bid 2025-59) – Replacement of Bathroom Partitions at Smithsburg Middle School

Evans moved, and Murray seconded.

Discussion: Guessford asked about the renewals on the list. How often are we sending out a bid to make sure that the bid is still the best price? PROUX: It depends on the procurement itself. In the initial bid, the dates for the bid are set for the vendor with a plan for a multi-year procurement with Year 1 pricing set with parameters for Year 2 and Year 3 that has to then be agreed upon again. If in the out years, the increase is no within the expected range, they can opt to go out to bid again or to move forward with renewal.
Zentmeyer calls the question, and the agenda was approved.

+ FY2025 Budget Adjustments—Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and Eric Sisler, Executive Director of Finance
These adjustments to the FY2025 operating budget reflect higher substitute costs with associated benefits and lower turnover rates, higher contracted nursing services, vehicle parts & repair costs, inflationary pressures in utilities expense, adjustments to student food service accounts, the need to show as a current expense the final expenses associated with the use of committed fund balance related to the Tech High renovations, and a State PreK revenue reduction. Offsetting these costs are savings from transfers for private PreK providers and HCC dual enrollment, savings from Non-Public Placements, instructional materials, reduction in maintenance materials and equipment,
and higher indirect cost recovery from federal grants along with savings from printer rentals and maintenance.
The proposed budget adjustments were reviewed by the Finance committee at their meeting on May 14, 2025, and were recommended for approval by the Board. The requested line item changes cross major categories. Therefore, once the Board approves these adjustments, staff will present them to the County Commissioners for approval.
Approved.

+ Board of Education Advisory Committee Appointments—Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer
No name given, no committee named.
Approved.

+ Project Memorandum of Understanding for the New Downsville Pike Elementary School Facility—Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer  Staff is seeking the Board of Education’s approval of the Project Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) for the new Downsville Pike elementary school facility. The MOU sets forth each party’s responsibilities in connection with the construction of the new school facility. Funding agreement that includes the MD Stadium Authority, Washington County Commissioners, and the BOE.
Approved.

+ Communications Tower at the Center for Education Services— Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer
Approved

+ Donation of $13,580.00 from SAT Fundraising/Leading Edge Fundraising to Support the North Hagerstown High School's Baseball Team and the Girls' Lacrosse Team—Dr. Heath Wilcox, Executive Director for Secondary Education
Approved.

+Move to approve the Real Property Deed of Lease Agreement by and between the Board of Education of Washington County and Milestone Tower Limited Partnership. Erects a communication tower at Smithsburg High School with a revenue stream.
Approved.

+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, requested Board approval of revenue received from the construction and operation of the cellular tower on the campus of Smithsburg High School towards capital improvements at Smithsburg High School. (Comment noted that this includes turf replacement)
Approved.

+ Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and Ilissa Ramm, Chief Legal Counsel, request Boarded approval of the Memorandum of Understanding by and between Board of Education of Washington County, the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, and Mayor and Town of Boonsboro for the realignment of Campus Avenue on the Boonsboro campus.
Approved.

+ Ilissa Ramm, Chief Legal Counsel,  requested Board approval of the Order of Dismissal be issued in Washington County Board of Education Docket #2025-001. This was discussed in closed session.
Approved.

+ Dr. Jennifer Webster, Associate Superintendent for Administration and Leadership, will request Board approval of the staff changes dated May 20, 2025.
Approved. Guessford voted against.

View non-certificated and certificated changes.

• Curriculum & Instruction Committee:
  Zentmeyer: Dr. Zentmeyer reported that the committee met May 7 at Smithsburg Elementary. They discussed the elementary grading rubric and the retention policy. The date of the next meeting is June 4 at Hancock Elementary.
• Facilities Committee:
  Guessford: Guessford reported that they have not met but will meet in June.
• Finance Committee:
  Burkett: Not present.
• Human Resources:
  Murray: Murray reported on the meeting held on April 29. Lindsey Darr provided information about changes to recruit processes and training for principals.
• Policy Committee:
  Evans: Evans reported that they met last week and discussed much of what was on the agenda this evening and other items. Next meeting in June.

• District Website Migration Update–Work Session–June 3, 2025
• Civics Presentation–Work Session–June 3, 2025
• Summer School Preview–Work Session–June 3, 2025
• 2025 Educational Facilities Master Plan–Work Session–June 3, 2025

• A participant in the Miss Maryland competition provided comments related to her platform on neurodiversity.
• A community member thanked the Board for listening to her concerns and reported that improvements have been made. (CSES)
• A mother of two at Hancock Elementary, shared concerns about an incident in her child's class at the end of March.
• Roger Stenerson provided comments on behalf of the Rising to Learn organization.
• Carol Mowen shared concerns.
• A community member spoke against Wes Moore and teachers unions.
• A community member shared comments about irrelevant topics and issues that have been a part of public comment. She also provided some context for recent comments that had presented misinformation.

• Cate Hensley, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
• Finn Jackson, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
• Kelly Nguyen, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
• Amelia Scolaro, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

+ Recognition of the "If I Were Mayor" Essay District Winner:

• Paramount Elementary School fourth-grade student Annabelle Sellers

+ Recognition of the 25/26 WCPS Teacher of the Year and Finalists:

• Teacher of the Year: Marjorie Chapman, a cosmetology teacher at Boyd J. Michael, III Technical High School

+ Recognition of President's Award for Excellence in Science and Mathamatics Teaching (PAEMST) Finalist:

• Northern Middle School Special Education Math Content Teacher Matthew Rinehart for being one of six finalists from grades 7-12

+ Additional recognitions