Work Session Date: February 3, 2026
Board Members Present: Evans, Guessford, McCusker, Murray, Zentmeyer, Student Representative Nora Murthy
Board Members Absent: Beachley, Burkett
Video to full work session HERE
| Agenda Item / Topic #1 |
|---|
| Superintendent's Draft FY2027 Budget |
| Presenter(s) |
| 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, |
| Summary |
| The Superintendent and staff presented the Superintendent’s Draft FY2027 Budget at the work session. The Board’s discussion of needs will provide valuable input for further development of the FY2027 general fund budget. Staff will provide information on how the school system is funded under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and review the Board’s budget priorities for FY2027.
Dr. Sovine: positive news from the WCPS review of the governor's proposed budget, we are receiving about 14 million more in new funding this year. The reality, though, is that student needs are growing. Our expenses still out pace the funding we are slated to receive. We need to provide additional funding for special education programming. We need to provide every student with a positive and appropriate learning environment. Facing substantial increases in employee benefits - 6 million in health insurance and pension contributions along. That's almost half of the "new" funding. See presentation for enrollment changes, with the noted change that it's a 71 student decline (not 93) NOTE: For 2 consecutive years, Dr. Sovine's draft budget does not ask the county for more funding than the county is required to provide under the Blueprint formula. Assumptions - the state will hold the district harmless on Compensatory Education as per the change in the law around how that's calculated; another unknown is the potential shift of pension costs to local government $900,000 in county funding will be required to fund the pension shift. Blueprint funding is restricted to prekindergarten, defined student needs categories, and the career ladder implementation funding for NBC. NEW Expenditures in the proposed budget: In support of Culture, Safety, and Wellness: In support of Student Success: In support of Access and Opportunity: In support of Community Engagement: Proposed Decreases Murthy asked about the decrease in SRO. Shives noted that it is shifting into grant funding in contracted services - there is not a reduction in the number of SROs - we have 5 from the county and 4 from the city. No one spoke against the proposed budget so with the board's consensus the proposed budget will move forward to the Feb. 17 agenda. Click here to go directly to the presentation. |
| Agenda Item / Topic #2 |
|---|
| 2025 Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Results (KRA) |
| Presenter(s) |
| Kelly Longerbeam, Coordinator for Early Learning, and Gina Hoover, Early Learning Lead Teacher |
| Summary |
| Staff provided an overview of the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) and the district’s current data on school readiness for incoming kindergarten students.
The readiness in literacy determines if the students entering kindergarten are able to: The readiness in math determines if the students entering kindergarten are able to: Click here to go directly to the presentation. |
| Agenda Item / Topic #3 |
| Inclement Weather Virtual Plan |
| Presenter(s) |
| Dr. Gary Willow, Deputy Superintendent |
| Summary |
| Staff presented an overview of the draft Virtual Instruction Plan for Washington County Public Schools, which may be implemented during severe weather after all built-in makeup days have been used. This plan outlines when virtual instructional days may be utilized, describes what instruction will look like for students, and clarifies the responsibilities of both staff and students.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS Virtual Instruction Days: McCusker asked about students without internet or in power outages. Willow responded that the plan allows a student to make up any missing work within 2 days without penalty. McCusker also asked what happens if the teacher or para is out for an absence. Willow noted that for the teacher absence, the resident sub would be available, but not other subs. Classes could be combined, another teacher could cover the class for the absent teacher during a planning block. It will depend on the grade level and be determined by the principal. Guessford asked about the color codes. A "VIP" orange would be different from a regular orange day. Willow noted that yes, the chart would need to be updated to replace virtual days. Murray praised the plan and noted that the direct contact from the public information office can include the explanation of what the day's plan will be. Willow noted that new communication protocols would be developed if the plan is approved. Click below to see the full plan with all details: Click here to go directly to the presentation. |
| Agenda Item / Topic #4 |
| Student Withdrawal and Transfer Process |
| Presenter(s) |
| Jeremy Jakoby, Director of Student Services, School Counseling & School Health |
| Summary |
Staff shared the student withdrawal and transfer instructions published in MSDE’s Maryland Student Records System Manual. Staff also shared local procedures on how W50 withdrawals are monitored as well as current school year snapshot of W50s by level.
Click here to go directly to the presentation. |