[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6261652,"mediaKeyId","3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72","parentId",3120787,"title","Student representative highlights budget concerns, events, and student-government activities","audioSeconds",509,"startMs",984000,"endMs",1493000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72&start=984&end=1493","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72/thumbnail_984000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261652/Maryland/Student-representative-highlights-budget-concerns-events-and-student-government-activities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261652-705f3b44ca81a10cbfacc634b0655fc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157565&Signature=PAUdVmRfl86yAh87OHUYUGtgtVG8bIZbe5R8d6InobCau-bDNw1~EDSJVMUixpzEvRXatB8AFZpvU2eEFU~0XGRsjWTg~46b4YwHvSPM1u3IcmGcpKJ4aQN0L817qnswQg12VYXhCqCeeHCyJ1ohANVeG82MQaagpf4LEisQHQnDiDV047tTp4Sy7rIcwDbcb4Qr4CIJJjiMvX5x5sGLlNvHXLoFzz5p0F1tvt7b7oKyujgrsT2qqikIyoq0TP7Cml8U6lYMLOxdQFnOA-LYLlPVVlV2t5q99zQ90nU~uozULTF1RyW9tuGbPEHxDM7z7JkYVpyWESGN-8fw378eSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-25T08:50:30.527Z","article","Hannah Heisler, the student member of the Board of Education, reported on April 23 that student leaders had discussed the district budget and expressed concern about funding levels.

Heisler said students learned about the county budget slides and reacted strongly. She reported three main student takeaways: that St. Mary's ranks low in per-pupil allocation in the state; that the county share for education has fallen from 47.7% in 2018 to 41.4%; and that students worry cuts will create a “domino effect” affecting extracurriculars and opportunities for scholarships. “Youth must be a priority,” Heisler summarized, relaying comments from the Superintendent Student Leadership Council.

She also updated the board on student-government activity: student government associations (SGAs) at Chocticon High School and Great Mills High focused on homecoming, inclusion and partnerships such as Stingers Buddies. Chocticon’s SGA raised funds to send students to the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) convention, and student leaders held local events including NestFest (scheduled for June 7, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.) and campus wellness days May 2 and May 14.

Heisler reminded the board that appointed staff applications for the St. Mary's Association of Student Councils were due May 2 and described the fourth annual Superintendent Student Leadership Council General Assembly that met earlier that day.

Her report combined student perspective on district finances with an outline of student activities and events the board and community can expect in coming weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Mary's County Public Schools Board of Education Meeting - 04/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","Student board member Hannah Heisler reported on student leadership activities, student council conventions, and flagged budget concerns raised by students, including declines in per-pupil allocation and a falling county share for education.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14203,"location","Maryland","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6261655,"Three St. Mary’s schools earn Maryland Purple Star recognition; board proclaims April as Month of the Military Child",439,1423000,1862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72&start=1423&end=1862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72/thumbnail_1423000.jpg","/articles/6261655/Maryland/Three-St-Marys-schools-earn-Maryland-Purple-Star-recognition-board-proclaims-April-as-Month-of-the-Military-Child","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261655-96d8735ff34381fc9974582ec47ddfa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157566&Signature=PmY9osTs~C6Owmb40nJByVFG-J0~f~F-vj55bWgPN8w9-SM9ZeF4S3zlY5I4w2NCdsfEP83hykux6x4WqplMZGePHE-5VIq7H5PIcKyA7J1HnNkfqGRxla8~cOvMqaIKtwQ5vz0DeD~H22BzRITjsJZRBoMHbO0AqOm-S0TwJJTgIFhL0p1xSqW-SgAYNY14Im4~aGDiZEN649vrElV3tcNiudMw2ySMh66Kmrg8I9mNFasPb-2lKA7Z8e1DHEFpGLEC0A9QALxD2jaaGIVsPAhobGloSZvbzyRYd4IPGmqgTJiMl9TNlF3--E5Vp2BcwRWJjn0lS2MEH8FBYtzknQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education on April 23 recognized three schools in St. Mary’s County as Maryland Purple Star Schools and proclaimed April as the Month of the Military Child.

The Board read a proclamation noting “more than 5,000 military connected children and youth who attend St. Mary’s County Public Schools” and formally declared April as the month to honor the contributions and sacrifices of military families. “Be it resolved that the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County does hereby proclaim April as the month of the military child,” the proclamation read.

Maryland Purple Star Schools: the district announced Hollywood Elementary School, Leonardtown Elementary School and Leonardtown High School received the Purple Star designation from the Maryland State Department of Education. The board noted these three join Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary, which was recognized last year, bringing the district total to four Purple Star Schools.

Representatives from NAS Patuxent River joined the remarks. Captain Mark Zemadez, identified as an executive officer representing NAS Patuxent River, thanked the schools and emphasized programs that support military families, including school liaison services and mentoring. “We’re thankful to programs, like Anchored for Life, the student to student mentoring programs, you know, that allow our children to go in, you know, and quickly adapt,” he said.

Principals and school staff accepted the recognition and highlighted student contributions. The board acknowledged work by school liaisons, including Dawn Simpson, and said the designations reflect district efforts to support transitions and social-emotional needs of military-connected students.

No vote was required to issue the proclamation and recognitions were presented as awards and ceremonial actions at the meeting.","The Board recognized Hollywood Elementary, Leonardtown Elementary and Leonardtown High as Maryland Purple Star Schools and proclaimed April as the Month of the Military Child; presenters and NAS Patuxent River representatives highlighted services for military-connected students.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6261660,"Board discusses countywide redistricting, consultant estimated at $250K–$300K and multi-phase timeline",0,2294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72&start=2294&end=2294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72/thumbnail_2294000.jpg","/articles/6261660/Maryland/Board-discusses-countywide-redistricting-consultant-estimated-at-250K300K-and-multi-phase-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261660-3971ed711060fa9d43a94edcbce5a3a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157566&Signature=lUOtjj5KvrlWwKCRyNfnuC1eu9nop7oRkQCnO4mTlwZRD~uOwrW5kEVXjcx~gWNCcybw9Klb-ENxNPuqsbhZlrMtDY8IAw4nPF5o-EdnPjFIybVYZ~dvipKvv8egG~BFpP50JUxfQD8t3Apd3~M2xM1CLGERhyA5xBHzdy07sDUb9387pZapCmTErlaHLVcyy8L1UP2jPgZXJv1kOldNMqe0NMwarrzos0H51eKZXOInNxT-punm~aI~~HeO3kBlNd2N3HInbD-tTmW1fz34MVUcTXnXEYjm3Um7vvI1HxdKKFmFTUsDkK6cfuzi65zrnOHXFOvqkFbbC9p74NQzpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary’s County Public Schools officials presented a plan on April 23 to begin a countywide facility utilization study and possible redistricting under updated Policy JCAA.

Assistant Superintendent Miss Howe and facilities staff described flat enrollment forecasts through FY30, four elementary schools with enrollment below 300, and multiple “islands” where elementary feeders split across middle and high schools. “Our enrollment is static. Forecast is that it will remain static at least through FY30,” Miss Howe said, adding that “we have 4 schools, elementary, that are below 300 in capacity.”

Facilities staff and Mr. Watson outlined the goals: analyze functional space in every facility, review state standards for classroom space, examine operating and capital costs, and develop community engagement and implementation steps. The presenters cautioned that a comprehensive process would be complex and lengthy and would examine impacts on class sizes, administrative staffing, transportation, and program offerings such as academies.

Cost and timeline: staff estimated the consultant work to run “probably in the $250,000 to $300,000 range” to cover GIS mapping, detailed facility analysis and extensive community engagement. The board was told the policy update (Policy JCAA) will come for first reading at the board’s first May meeting; staff would then engage a consultant, complete analyses over the summer and fall, socialize draft boundary proposals in community meetings around October, and seek public hearing and board action winter–spring with notification to parents in April so changes could be implemented for FY27 if approved.

Grandfathering and waivers: staff said rising seniors would be “grandfathered” (left at their current schools) while other grades could be redirected under any new boundaries; the presenters said the district would also need to review waiver and staff-request policies that currently allow students to remain at non-home schools for childcare or employment reasons.

Programs and equity: the staff report noted existing specialized programs—STEM, arts, language offerings and academy courses—are offered at some but not all high schools and that decisions will need to address whether to expand programs systemwide or maintain centralized offerings. The report also addressed start-time disparities (elementary start times currently vary widely) and transportation implications of any boundary change.

Public and board reaction: Board members and the student member urged strong community engagement and recommended including teachers, students and PTA representatives in focus groups. “This is the kind of thing that brings [PTAs] back into the fold,” one board member said, and the student member suggested a focus group with teacher and administrator representation to identify school-specific needs.

What was not decided: the board did not vote to close or consolidate any schools on April 23. Staff said any eventual closures would follow state rules for facilities with prior state capital funding and could require prorated repayment to the state if a building were sold.","Officials presented a proposal to begin a countywide facility utilization and redistricting study, citing static enrollment, four elementary schools under 300 students, and the need for community engagement; staff said the process would follow updated Policy JCAA and likely require a $250,000–$300,000 consultant engagement.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6261664,"St. Mary’s schools face $6.3 million shortfall; superintendent warns of potential staffing reductions",598,203000,801000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72&start=203&end=801","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120787-246ee8524c0cea135280f6bf40112c72/thumbnail_203000.jpg","/articles/6261664/Maryland/St-Marys-schools-face-63-million-shortfall-superintendent-warns-of-potential-staffing-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261664-2cb3462ba52fddf0f3838979ede9092d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157566&Signature=fHZbZHLM~ELWTwkzNWZ41kHmWp9OzJkNAiE3MEQEfp33Y9Es8QviZipS0lvj~u2-xWe5ZvpwUJSExvHX~ghS0Y~7RRNH8Wtw2pNgjSxtmdh7J6HlVdlGT6u5c2axpKgFjRRBWU5PH0sJDxtpYyw5mUI~61cfkXUng~56oykYxufQKU6AyvNIrLgAe3vE~pohjFGyXU4HIAjxrp8uEGe8ZgcL0a0kl3WsbVrSwRCM3Z7sd4WovRtdq8m2lyoRT2Wla8~E3qeVJq4f1fHE0yfuYwig9ysPe5oS7zNTWd3WeTGpITrnUNJdyaoamq07ZqY43eMiMcux~v0FGaW-4uBOwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary’s County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Smith told the Board of Education on April 23 that the district is “currently flat funded” by the county and faces a $6,300,000 gap between the system’s proposed budget and projected revenue.

The shortfall, Dr. Smith said, stems from the county’s proposed budget that provides no additional funding to cover negotiated salary agreements for teachers, support staff and administrators. “We ask for an increase of $5,300,000 from the county commissioners to fund our negotiated agreement,” Dr. Smith said. “We are currently flat funded...we are $6,300,000 off of that budget.”

Why it matters: the superintendent said recurring operating shortfalls must be balanced with recurring revenue. Without new funding from the county commissioners, Dr. Smith said the district would face hard choices because “we can only use recurring dollars for recurring costs.” She and staff outlined the arithmetic: at an average salary cost of about $70,000, eliminating 90 positions would cover roughly $6.3 million. “If we were to fully honor the negotiated agreement, we would have to cut an additional 90 positions out of St. Mary’s County Public Schools,” Dr. Smith said.

Board members and staff stressed that personnel reductions would be implemented methodically. “You can't cut 90 positions in May. People depend on us for their livelihood,” Dr. Smith added, and later said the district would “be methodical about rightsizing an organization to the available revenue.”

Next steps and calendar: Dr. Smith outlined the county budget timeline: a county commissioners’ budget work session on May 6 (first review of public hearing comments), a second work session May 13 where commissioners typically decide direction for the school system, county finalization around May 20, and the Board of Education’s adoption of a balanced fiscal year 2026 budget at the board’s May 21 meeting. The superintendent said staff will prepare a revised budget and present options in May.

Student concerns and public comment: Student board member Hannah Heisler said she and peers discussed the budget at a Superintendent Student Leadership Council meeting and reported student worries that lower per-pupil allocations and a declining county share for education “will create a domino effect.” A public speaker that evening thanked residents who attended the county hearing and urged that any tax increase for education be directed to schools.

What was not decided: the board took no formal vote on budget cuts at the April 23 meeting; the shortfall and possible options were presented as discussion and preparation for May decisions. Dr. Smith emphasized the district will not implement abrupt, mass layoffs without a structured process.

Funding details and quantification pulled from the meeting: requested negotiated agreement increase $5,300,000; total shortfall stated by superintendent $6,300,000; approximate average position cost used in staff example $70,000 leading to a 90-position equivalence. The superintendent said state aid projections improved slightly but remained below earlier expectations by about $1,000,000, increasing the county funding gap the district must address.

The board will resume budget work in May when commissioners’ decisions and the district’s response will determine any formal reductions or alternative measures.","Superintendent Dr. Smith told the Board of Education that county funding left St. Mary's County Public Schools $6.3 million short of the system's proposed FY26 budget and that honoring negotiated salary agreements without additional funds would equate to cutting about 90 positions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Student representative highlights budget concerns, events, and student-government activities

Three St. Mary’s schools earn Maryland Purple Star recognition; board proclaims April as Month of the Military Child

Board discusses countywide redistricting, consultant estimated at $250K–$300K and multi-phase timeline

St. Mary’s schools face $6.3 million shortfall; superintendent warns of potential staffing reductions