RTL Response

This is the third in a series of posts regarding the Maryland State Board of Education’s Opinion 26-07 in the matter of requests to remove Michael Guessford from the Washington County Board of Education. There are two sides to every

There are two sides to every story and there’s the truth. An excerpt from Maryland State Board of Education’s Opinion No. 26-07: Read the Opinion No. 26-07 in full here Social Media Posts  The Complainants allege that Mr. Guessford has

We deserve leaders whose behavior and judgment inspire trust.  In October of 2025, the Maryland State Board of Education received numerous requests to remove Michael Guessford as an elected member of the Washington County Board of Education for misconduct in

Dear Board Members, Before sharing suggestions for amending the 2027 budget, allow me to observe that very few community members ever attend your work sessions; for the last year I have been there on behalf of Rising to Learn because

PRESENTATION TO WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FROM RISING TO LEARN Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Hello, Mr. Evans, Dr. Sovine and Board members.  As you know, I am Roger Stenersen, speaking on behalf of Rising to Learn, a nonprofit organization which follows

Hello, Mr. Evans, Dr. Sovine and Board members. As you know, I am Roger Stenersen, speaking on behalf of Rising to Learn, a nonprofit organization which follows the actions of the Board of Education and reports them to the public.

PRESENTATION TO WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FROM RISING TO LEARN Tuesday, January 20, 2026 ​ Good evening, Mr. Evans, Board members and Dr. Sovine. As you know, I am Roger Stenersen, speaking as Communications Director for Rising to Learn. Earlier

Good evening, Dr. Zentmeyer, Board Members, and Dr. Sovine. As you know, I’m Roger Stenersen, Communications Director for Rising to Learn, and I’m pleased to be able to speak with you again this evening. Tonight I’d like to focus on

Good evening, Dr. Zentmeyer, Board Members, and Dr. Sovine. As you know, I’m Roger Stenersen, Communications Director for Rising to Learn, and I’m pleased to be able to speak with you this evening. As you know by now, our organization

A thriving school and community begins with acceptance, an understanding that every child regardless of race, religion, or background, deserves to be seen, valued, and respected. When students walk through the school doors each day, they bring with them their

Good evening. I’m Roger Stenerson, Communication Director for Rising to Learn. Board members, on July 31, 2025 an email was sent to you from Rising To Learn. That email was a request made in good faith calling for Board action.

On January 23rd at 10:23 a.m., board member Mike Guessford sent the following email to Dr. Sovine, Superintendent of Washington County Schools and the other six members of the Washington County Board of Education, with the subject line: “Ending DEI”:

Good Afternoon, Dr. Zentmeyer, Dr. Sovine and Board Members, I’m Roger Stenersen, Communications Director for RISING TO LEARN, a grassroots organization with a mission of communicating Board of Education actions to those who are impacted by them.  Our website may

There are several important points that need to be unpacked from the July 15, 2025 Board of Education Business meeting. Some comments made by board members warrant a closer look. + When April Zentmeyer announced the start time for Board

Mr. Darrell Evans Washington County School Board Downsville Pike Hagerstown, MD 21713 Dear Mr. Evans, As Communications Director of Rising to Learn, a grassroots organization dedicated to expanding the involvement of families in the business of Washington County Schools, I am

At the Policy Committee Meeting on June 11, Policy JK: Student Discipline was reviewed. According to notes taken by stakeholders in attendance, both Mr. Evans and Mr. Burkett voiced support for what they described as “more aggressive” disciplinary actions from

The Policy Review and Development Committee met on Wednesday, June 11th. Board member Darrell Evans is the Committee Chair. These were the items on the agenda for discussion: 1. Review of Policy JK – “Student Discipline” (Student Discipline Regulation JK-R)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 At this afternoon’s BOE meeting that begins at 4:00 p.m. the Board will consider changes to Policy KD. Ask questions or express your concerns by writing the BOE at boe@wcps.k12.md.us or attend the meeting and speak

Roger Stenersen, Communications Director for RTL, read the following comments during public comment at the 5/20/25 business meeting: —- Dr. Zentmeyer, Board Members and Dr. Sovine, My name, as I shared at your last meeting, is Roger Stenersen.  I am

This is an update to the original email we sent to the BOE email address on April 5th. The entire thread is in this post and the last entry is where we are as of 5/3/25. > Response from Dr.

Greetings, After watching the April 1 BOE work session, the public is left with many questions. It is understood that there is to be another BOE work session before the BOE business meeting on April 15. We would appreciate having these questions

One of the first actions taken by the newly elected school board was to adjust the timing of business meetings and shift the schedule for public comment. Previously, business meetings started at 6:00 pm, with public comment at the beginning.

The concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have become increasingly prominent in education, sparking conversations among parents about their implications for their children’s schooling. Whether you are a supporter of these initiatives or have concerns about their effects, understanding

The following is a copy of Policy BD. This policy explains the types of meetings that are held by the Board of Education, and how the community is notified of such meetings. You can view the policy on BoardDocs. I.

The first-thing-in-the-morning transition from home to school can be difficult for early elementary students, who may need a moment to pause and refocus when entering a new environment, as many adults do when arriving at work. Students benefit from gestures like morning