[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6603383,"mediaKeyId","3000323-96afacc7b10c5f8ad5ccd1376235689c","parentId",3000323,"title","Board approves FY26 operating budget; notes county bus funding may be cut and raises substitute pay","audioSeconds",409,"startMs",1741000,"endMs",2150000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000323-96afacc7b10c5f8ad5ccd1376235689c&start=1741&end=2150","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000323-96afacc7b10c5f8ad5ccd1376235689c/thumbnail_1741000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6603383/Maryland/Board-approves-FY26-operating-budget-notes-county-bus-funding-may-be-cut-and-raises-substitute-pay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603383-eff4558887bb5459cdf19288906c3665/orig.mp4?Expires=1770752638&Signature=Z6rnJpSRgKtFjZ-V48DcD52POKg2urCNhGrQtPCHn9hDgLBoVH4Q9sUjoYBQW6qwNukxnJiMwzh8AlmM0GBrz6QxaPZE41KGq78QwvU~FIPrKmK3Afv0Dw7GRNbLWjn2Q-DMbRT9pby0B-xHqhR-aiI~RCSTYZnq6TfQhIvvY-RER-Qcyw8dmyXLelp9ZK6bls6-gn-Eu9m6gFLq4lj9dHiYM1NyZyMO22VXp4E3VBz2SvkkxsJRLCohCwRKrd1TxYo2gnyP-fVGVu1xXT0jL1WpeAyeJIyUbyhVk7iCk6ALZkPUvXADQDg1mxqk4xDkzuikA4jYG2mZQe8P2yc~aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County Public Schools","date","2025-04-15T22:34:11.537Z","article","The Washington County Board of Education voted unanimously April 15 to adopt its FY26 general fund operating budget, while acknowledging the budget may need revision if Washington County government removes a proposed $2,240,000 capital allocation for replacement school buses.

Board members approved the budget with edits from an April 8 budget work session. Board leaders said the Board of County Commissioners’ chief financial officer emailed the school system on the morning of April 15 to say the bus purchase may be cut; the board noted the possibility and said it could revise the approved FY26 budget later if the county acts.

Why it matters: The budget funds day‑to‑day operations across the county’s schools. A removal of the bus allocation would require the board and staff to reallocate or remove planned purchases and could prompt a future vote to revise the adopted budget.

Chief Financial Officer’s explanation of health‑plan costs
The board heard a detailed explanation of the district’s self‑insured health plans from the chief financial officer and benefits staff. The CFO said the district is self‑insured — \"which means we pay actual claims. Whatever the actual claims are ... that's the actual cost that the board pays, plus the administration fees\" — and described ongoing healthcare inflation and prescription costs the board is watching. The CFO said growth in GLP‑1 weight‑loss drug use has been significant and noted that for the most recent reporting period those prescription drugs cost the plan $477,000 in a single month. He also said some biologic drug patents are expiring, which may yield future savings via biosimilars.

Amendments and votes
- The board considered several amendments proposed by members. Three substantive amendment motions — to add a supervisor of equity and excellence at $140,000 (offset by reducing OPEB by $140,000); to restore 15 school safety and security assistant positions at a cost of $942,900 while eliminating a connected‑grades program; and a separate motion to add those 15 safety positions funded from OPEB — failed (motions failed on the floor; no later recorded adoption).

- The board adopted one amendment increasing the regular substitute teacher daily wage rate by $10 per full day and $5 per half day, at an estimated annual cost of $162,000; the amendment funded that increase by reducing the planned increase to the Other Post‑Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability by the same amount. That amendment passed unanimously and was folded into the approved FY26 budget.

- Following discussion the board voted to adopt the FY26 general fund operating budget (as edited on April 8 and amended on April 15). The motion to adopt the budget passed unanimously.

What the board said
President Zentmayer and other board members thanked central office staff for months of work on the numbers. Several members emphasized continuing uncertainty at the county and state levels and asked staff to prepare for possible future adjustments if county capital funds are removed.

What happens next
Board staff said they will monitor the Washington County Commissioner actions on the county CIP funding and will return to the board if formal county action requires a revision to the adopted FY26 budget.

Provenance: discussion and motions on the FY26 general fund budget begin in the transcript when the board introduced the FY26 budget and the county funding question and continue through the final adoption vote recorded later in the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Public Business Meeting | April 15, 2025 | 4:00PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington County Board of Education voted unanimously April 15 to adopt its FY26 general fund operating budget while flagging that a county capital allocation of $2,240,000 for replacement buses may be removed by the Board of County Commissioners, and the board approved a pay increase for regular substitute teachers funded by a reduction to OPEB.","taxTitle","Washington County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14206,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6603373,"Votes at a glance: Board approves policies, contracts, procurements, donations and personnel actions",994,338000,1332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000323-96afacc7b10c5f8ad5ccd1376235689c&start=338&end=1332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000323-96afacc7b10c5f8ad5ccd1376235689c/thumbnail_338000.jpg","/articles/6603373/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-policies-contracts-procurements-donations-and-personnel-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603373-f2613907a87efc000fd16abaa836637f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770752638&Signature=TghiBZpuMTeLTVXoocpSiduvLhf6XT1oQWBhLby9N44PTBJS7dPUNj8gw9wNE6zIBkzTZsU3pZkzmG7UgMo9976oRDjyoOJekt0m-4Dix628Mmf0HvkE0t~KZP52ndKzcMtX-3T7tDjyfnlrjucfuS11lDszbvIsS6c2x2HlLaUF-ZCHNOLDmcV~XtT2wOpquWPlBb7GgV5FkNYv7HklA47nud9RFACN0-Km6Ytor9rhb~GHXLQQMO0yhs6jrCo3tuGaU1qneGiF-KV~qGDy2OzQ5~VFfUxa-DL315NE6NTcPZ8RT0xVA-3KSsbsC4UQuDhHYGVCZ1oWPdG8cLpJFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of Education took numerous formal actions during its April 15, 2025 business meeting. Key approvals and recorded outcomes follow. All motions below are taken from publicly recorded motions in the meeting and were adopted unless labeled as failed; most recorded votes in the transcript were unanimous.

Policies and administrative regulations (second readings)
- Approved second reading of proposed policy JHCG (telehealth policy for students). Motion moved by President Zentmayer; approved unanimously.
- Approved second reading of proposed changes to policy DGA/DGB (authorized signature/check writing services) and rescission of policy DGF (approval/signing authority). Motion moved by President Zentmayer; approved unanimously.
- Approved second reading of proposed changes to administrative regulation DFAA‑R (guidelines for classification and use of fund balance reserves). Motion moved by President Zentmayer; approved unanimously.

Consent agenda and procurements (selected items from staff recommendation)
- Purchasing review committee presented 16 items recommended for award, renewal or procurement. The board approved the awards as presented (motion moved by President Zentmayer; vote unanimous). Selected contract/award highlights mentioned in discussion and the packet:
- French core resource (textbooks): $56,647.40
- Annual milk contract: approximately $800,000
- Network servers/service items and Juniper service support and licensing: example line item $220,968; Juniper support described as a subscription for switch updates and security
- Electrical distribution replacement at Hancock Middle/High: $1,527,140
- Door hardware replacement at various schools: $319,968
- Selected kitchen upgrades at Williamsport High School: $152,992
- Portable bathroom renovations at South High: $81,300
- Design‑build fire alarm replacement (Clear Spring Middle): $291,360; North High alarm replacement $349,000
- Miscellaneous painting, masonry and diagnostics items as presented in the consent packet

Employee benefits and stop‑loss contracts (separate motions)
- Awarded administration for active and pre‑65 retiree prescription drug programs to Cigna for a three‑year contract with an option for one additional two‑year period. Administration fee: $23.34 per employee per month (active) and $11.34 per employee per month (medical‑only Medicare post‑retirees); annual administrative cost reported as $992,152. Motion moved by board; approved unanimously.
- Awarded post‑65 retiree prescription drug program to CVS Employers Health for a three‑year contract (implementation Jan. 1 to align with CMS subsidies) with an option for one additional two‑year period. Administration fee: $9.28 per employee per month; annualized administration cost reported at approximately $214,933 for post‑65 retirees. Motion approved unanimously.
- Awarded vision program administration to EyeMed for a three‑year term with option for an additional two‑year period. Administration fee: $0.41 per employee per month; annual administrative cost $20,295. Motion approved unanimously.
- Awarded a one‑year specific stop‑loss administration contract to Cigna at $35.24 per employee per month; estimated cost reported $1,209,437. Motion approved unanimously.

Donations and gifts
- Approved gift of $9,704.40 from the Boonsboro Athletic Boosters to be used for Boonsboro High School cheer team jackets, jerseys and tumbling mats. Motion moved and approved unanimously.
- Approved donation of $92,020 for \"Landon's project\" from multiple donors including Puzzle Derby proceeds, Rotary Club of Hagerstown, Arc of Washington County, Fletcher Foundation, Community Foundation and others. Motion approved unanimously.
- Approved donation of $23,281.33 from the Giant Feeding School Kids Roundup program, to be used by Food and Nutrition Services for weekend meals and to offset debt for students who become eligible for free and reduced meals. Motion approved unanimously.

Minutes, personnel actions and other approvals
- Board approved multiple sets of minutes from work sessions, closed sessions and business meetings dated 03/04/2025, 03/11/2025 and 03/18/2025 (motions moved and carried, recorded as unanimous).
- Personnel actions dated April 15, 2025 (as discussed in closed session) were presented and approved unanimously.

Votes that did not pass
- Several amendment motions related to adding an equity supervisor position at $140,000 and restoring 15 school safety/security assistant positions (several funding proposals) were moved and failed on the floor; the transcript records the motions as failing.

How to read this list
This summary lists items that were explicitly moved and recorded in the April 15 meeting transcript. Dollar amounts are taken from staff remarks during the meeting and the board packet language read into the record. If an item in the consent packet was read at the meeting but not substantially discussed, it is shown as approved as part of the consent vote; the meeting packet contains full line‑item details.

Provenance: policy approvals begin near the start of the business portion of the meeting; procurements and benefits contracts were discussed and voted later in the new business/consent agenda; donations and personnel actions were recorded separately and approved during the business meeting.","At its April 15, 2025 business meeting the Washington County Board of Education approved second readings of three policy/regulation items, multiple procurements and benefit‑administration contracts, several donations, minutes and personnel actions; most motions passed unanimously as recorded in the public minutes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6603378,"Teachers and parents describe violent, disruptive behavior at Clear Spring Elementary; board pledges review",1036,4364000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000323-96afacc7b10c5f8ad5ccd1376235689c&start=4364&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000323-96afacc7b10c5f8ad5ccd1376235689c/thumbnail_4364000.jpg","/articles/6603378/Maryland/Teachers-and-parents-describe-violent-disruptive-behavior-at-Clear-Spring-Elementary-board-pledges-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603378-2424f372cb30b7438c7bed55d2992cf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770752638&Signature=Cjz6OswVLG4FKTXvo1cUUdZM5AfBlntJhgNcZ-MbeIPGYpG0GI9WnRvf7k0TnkCr45ufTDOZhJiCX3gKktJfXfRuYclpchwkti4ShCl9wtJU2-kLu1vib9SBRV6Lx1ga-pS8hxUIYQeGVHrOrRnd73lnxzBFbrtjQCjoD05NiWpztMusRAPSfe529HevbNvdzZMuGTnCmLKO67-Dqdcl-O6FWcnmuLn2~f~9QoFNBO8FttK9i20Rpmhlp~lZ5Px6CUD97XVFytibnbAVDkL4KxEMujh8hQazdZv7hsWwakoImRV6~HZKnMTi5U7YGQEiFxqbiEvEmT~E-ZFMF60WRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple teachers, substitutes and parents told the Washington County Board of Education on April 15 that violent and disruptive behavior at Clear Spring Elementary School is widespread, is traumatising classmates and staff, and is interrupting instruction.

Why it matters: Speakers said the behavior is occurring in early‑grade classrooms and has created ongoing safety and instructional problems that they said are not being solved by current supports.

What speakers said
- Holly Fairley, a pre‑K teacher at Clear Spring Elementary, described repeated incidents she said include physical attacks on adults and children (hits, kicks, scratches, pencils used as weapons), chairs and objects thrown across classrooms, elopements from rooms and buildings, classrooms trashed and repeated disruption that forces teachers to evacuate classes or remove other students. Fairley said many children bring \"serious mental, emotional, social, psychological\" trauma into the classroom and that the classroom environment is not safe. She said: \"The kids in our classroom are exposed to this trauma.\" (public comment)

- Amy Anderson, a Clear Spring parent and former substitute teacher, told the board her kindergartner had returned from school with a bruise on the head after being shoved by another student and said some children are repeatedly allowed back into classrooms after serious incidents. She said: \"He comes home upset and frustrated each day from the constant disruptions.\" (public comment)

- Another parent reported a five‑year‑old saying classmates had told her to kill herself; parents recounted chairs thrown near students and other physical injuries. A substitute who works regularly at the school said the disruptions are common and interfering with basic instruction.

Teacher‑association perspective
Carol Mallon, president of the Washington County Teachers Association, asked the board to retain protections in policy KD that restrict public comment about personnel or students who can be identified and to consider an agenda slot for association representatives to address the board. Mallon said employees are sometimes reluctant to speak publicly for fear of consequences.

Board response and next steps
Board members said they heard the testimony and expressed concern. Several board members and Central Office staff said they are reviewing discipline policies and potential changes to the discipline matrix and promised central office follow‑up with school‑level staff. Superintendent and central office representatives said team members would follow up with the speakers to provide additional supports and information.

Requests from speakers
Public commenters asked for clearer disciplinary procedures, documented consequences for students who cause repeated disruptions, consideration of separate specialized placements when behaviors persist, and better communication to parents about responses. Several speakers asked the board to \"fix it\" and to prioritize student and staff safety.

Provenance: public‑comment block began in the transcript when the board read policy KD and called the first speaker and continued through multiple public‑comment speakers focused on Clear Spring Elementary; board members responded near the end of the meeting.","Multiple teachers, substitutes and parents testified at the April 15 Board of Education meeting that violent and disruptive behavior at Clear Spring Elementary has become common and is undermining student safety and instruction; central office said staff will follow up and policy and discipline procedures will be reviewed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves FY26 operating budget; notes county bus funding may be cut and raises substitute pay

Votes at a glance: Board approves policies, contracts, procurements, donations and personnel actions

Teachers and parents describe violent, disruptive behavior at Clear Spring Elementary; board pledges review