[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6488501,"mediaKeyId","5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b","parentId",5545765,"title","Cecil County Board of Education approves Aetna stop‑loss contract, $2.29 million budget amendment and revision to graduation policy","audioSeconds",456,"startMs",2384000,"endMs",2840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b&start=2384&end=2840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b/thumbnail_2384000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488501/Maryland/Cecil-County-Board-of-Education-approves-Aetna-stoploss-contract-229-million-budget-amendment-and-revision-to-graduation-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488501-7dd8a7186f733372146f706416914629/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395152&Signature=VcGP71mgn370O4aaiUaTo5SoBk3n5ZMBuFZajPYJ1qb5ScswNewzmfSjRhq95SjYwm1-AtxPho60dWOY97OeiFqNe7sDnx4gTV30csx5HBLGuJ1O4t67Tv9IAWljQRDBaOV88a9E2s1rXJkRs8VwnikGysGRrXYYO0UBPodMy9wSyXUT9DvZvagjN08Crjwiwql65VytidzNNBVcFqcNV~Zou1HbTzyJ94jxetjGT6P2WPyk0wULx8jL4nR2heBaCvBgF7yS~jJI2aI6CNw~-MV~tEMvlQ352k8HUK9BLlXP4vK4RBg5gsIXBmPXJvzUU-xWJuK5Kvk~I17RZyZedw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cecil County Public Schools","date","2025-08-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Board of Education of Cecil County voted on Aug. 6, 2025, to approve three formal items: a stop‑loss insurance contract with Aetna effective Sept. 1, 2025; an operating budget amendment for $2,293,223 to close fiscal year 2025; and revised graduation requirements under Policy IKF that add a personal financial‑literacy component. The board also adopted its consent agenda, which included the Northeast High School replacement project 32B landscaping rebid, and noted the landscaping design can be adjusted later if needed.

Board President Holly presided. Superintendent Dr. Lawson recommended the Aetna stop‑loss contract and the board heard a brief presentation from Ms. Sopa on the FY25 budget amendment before voting. Each measure passed with all members present voting in favor; the board recorded the Policy IKF motion as carrying \"4 to nothing.\" No roll‑call dissent was recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: the stop‑loss contract shifts financial exposure on unusually large medical or prescription claims for the district's self‑insured employee plans to an insurer; the budget amendment adjusts revenue and expense recognition for fiscal year 2025 and recognizes student activity funds; and the Policy IKF update adds a graduation requirement that the board discussed at a prior meeting and that drew public comment in this session.

Stop‑loss insurance (Aetna)
- Superintendent recommendation: enter into a contract with Aetna to continue stop‑loss coverage for the district's self‑insured medical and prescription plans, effective Sept. 1, 2025.
- Action: board motion and second recorded; all present voted aye and the motion carried.
- Outcome: approved. (Transcript references: Dr. Lawson recommended the action; motion and vote recorded at the Aug. 6 meeting.)

FY25 operating budget amendment
- Presenter: Ms. Sopa (budget/finance presentation). The amendment reflected a number of close‑out adjustments, including reclassification of medical‑assistance billing and a GASB 84 entry to recognize student activities funds totaling $1.9 million.
- Amount: $2,293,223 (operating budget amendment for fiscal year 2025).
- Action: superintendent recommended approval; board moved, seconded and voted aye.
- Outcome: approved.

Graduation policy update (Policy IKF)
- Item: proposed changes to Policy IKF (graduation requirements) that include a personal financial‑literacy curriculum requirement introduced at a prior meeting and presented again on Aug. 6.
- Public comment: one speaker (Sean Brim) referenced support for a personal financial literacy requirement during public participation.
- Action: motion, second; vote recorded as 4–0 in favor.
- Outcome: approved.

Consent agenda note
- The board adopted the consent agenda unanimously. The consent package included item 4.03, described in the agenda as the Northeast High School replacement project, 32B landscaping rebid. Board members noted that landscaping details can be adjusted later if the district decides not to include ornamental plantings that would require ongoing custodial/maintenance effort.

What the board did not do: no member moved to remove any consent item for separate discussion; no items were tabled or failed at this meeting.

Looking ahead: the superintendent and staff will implement the approved stop‑loss contract on Sept. 1 and proceed with FY25 closeout accounting; the Policy IKF change will be incorporated into graduation guidance for the upcoming school year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cecil County Public Schools - Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Education of Cecil County voted on Aug. 6, 2025, to approve a stop‑loss insurance contract with Aetna effective Sept. 1, 2025; an operating budget amendment totaling $2,293,223 for fiscal year 2025; and revisions to Policy IKF to add a personal financial‑literacy requirement.","taxTitle","Cecil County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",38256,"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},6488492,"Progress photos show Northeast High replacement taking shape; district discusses Irishtown Road right‑of‑way and landscaping",129,548000,677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b&start=548&end=677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6488492/Maryland/Progress-photos-show-Northeast-High-replacement-taking-shape-district-discusses-Irishtown-Road-rightofway-and-landscaping","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488492-87750f8354b3c1a4fc8c1252082b1364/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395152&Signature=ZilcJAdBc95lu9UDpTEvrtC3NQmqE7H8amM77XtQ2Q4-X4NIbxVdMYfM0oq9Q4u4MVkp-naLAqGzSvjVU0jygI08Ao1~MoJ6Xt3xgIxhMUFs733cK~SXJC9X0vftPtga2h-pGdrO8GtCWm1KLX8TOZH9kWzcqSY41Wx-mStn6oMd95ZtuisM0kSP1NPmbKudoEhXbvfQKJ3GQa0Slq1PGSVcz463pgebIU6YyGt~SKHX6-nGVYTrre4JrA~U9gs5dNeu3CdaBctHnO9obRSgQQSrsEZqbLT1vbVDxOy-odaqFSsTeJK7fGdpuZkWXjFkhlNliSIuhKe55BcUPOa9LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District facilities staff presented updated construction images and details for the Northeast High School replacement project during the Board of Education meeting on Aug. 6, 2025.

Director of Facilities Chuck Simpers and Executive Director Dr. Boyer joined the superintendent in describing the site. The board viewed photos showing the middle school wing, cafeteria, gymnasium, locker rooms, auditorium and a distinct high‑school wing; the presentation also included aerial images showing the football stadium and baseball fields adjacent to the existing Northeast High School.

Traffic and site access
Facilities staff said negotiations with the state are in progress to acquire about 1.7 acres of state‑owned land in front of the new school. The district said the parcel acquisition would allow for acceleration and deceleration lanes on Irishtown Road to improve site access.

Landscaping and geothermal
Board members linked the recently approved landscaping rebid (consent agenda item 4.03) to project courtyards and other exterior areas. Staff noted geothermal infrastructure is located near the courtyard area and that ornamental shrubbery is often installed at project completion but can be removed later if ongoing maintenance cannot be supported; the board discussed reducing scope if custodial capacity is not available to maintain plantings.

Other details
- The presentation showed the roof as substantially complete when driven past the site, and staff thanked on‑site contractors for progress.
- Simpers pointed out stair towers that service the high‑school wing and noted nearby road names seen in aerial views (Irishtown Road, Racine Road).

No formal vote or separate action on the construction project was taken at the meeting; the landscaping rebid itself was part of the consent agenda approved earlier in the session.","Facilities staff presented updated photos showing progress on the Northeast High School replacement project and told the board the district is negotiating to acquire about 1.7 acres of state land on Irishtown Road for turn lanes.",{"_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},6488496,"Student‑led Drug Free Cecil coalition reports outreach to 5,318 youth; Youth Empowerment Source recognized",789,727000,1516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b&start=727&end=1516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b/thumbnail_727000.jpg","/articles/6488496/Maryland/Studentled-Drug-Free-Cecil-coalition-reports-outreach-to-5318-youth-Youth-Empowerment-Source-recognized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488496-348748cf649adbd6e2ce1ba9472363c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395152&Signature=Sk2iUnBJoH2t16j0jR0EiAI4~eGMnfM69eG5Q1LF8NysH3rlJhp1mlQo3emCqk20Jl0Fc-64GPYwzxIpgkP76qB-jfQmRBEgPftjsdfmyX7RAwkRRI9AzU~woQQsx4cbPwH8OSlR~RGgt7DbvsP1UN5wfoMV8q~kbeipvo0BRVs0vHjlKdoU~SDA2bdliT4Ek-Iec9SzZh-dFdwwZqr90d4tP9Yb5OFHNUm2cMGzZGfZf1W~R2nw3NxtHou8GHyZsEJ6Eb~v~wobSbinOm74AYHq9p95hXb7G1o4edZ9o12bomHUbxfbmLNgG-2KluQ7-QytvkiqCmu4R0CnIB5BiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Cecil County recognized Youth Empowerment Source (YES) and heard a presentation from the Drug Free Cecil Youth Coalition on Aug. 6, 2025, highlighting student‑led prevention activities that reached thousands of young people across the county.

Beth Creek, executive director of Youth Empowerment Source, joined student leaders at the board podium and received a certificate of appreciation for partnership work. A Drug Free Cecil presenter told the board the coalition and its partners — which the presenter listed as the Elkton Alliance, the Cecil County Health Department, the Cecil County Sheriff's Office, Youth Empowerment Source and Cecil County Public Schools — collectively reached 5,318 youth last year through peer‑led prevention programming.

Key figures and programs presented
- Student leaders: 37 \"AT YES\" student leaders were selected from all five county high schools to lead prevention activities and clubs.
- Pledge program: 1,486 people signed a year‑long pledge to remain substance‑free (under‑21 pledge includes alcohol, tobacco and marijuana); many pledges were collected at the county fair and the group planted trees and placed a bench as a physical reminder of the pledge work.
- Events: Teen Summer Sendoff (53 attendees); an annual trunk‑or‑treat and drug take‑back event (about 1,600 attendees reported for the year); a youth prevention rally (143 community members); and an eighth annual Youth Leadership Summit (82 high‑school students trained, followed by prevention instruction delivered to 115 middle‑school students).
- Outreach materials: student‑created media campaigns produced billboards, posters and PSAs (the presenter noted many billboards are posted along Route 40) and posters were distributed to all public schools in the county.
- Training trips: 32 student leaders attended CADCA mid‑year training and the national forum (CADCA is described by the presenter as a national prevention organization).

Student presenters and adult staff emphasized the peer‑to‑peer model. The coalition’s content and engagement specialist, Emily Bell, translates student artwork into printed posters after student approval, the presentation said. Board members praised the students’ work; one board member said the program is “going to make a difference.”

The recognition and report concluded with the board thanking Youth Empowerment Source, Drug Free Cecil and the student leaders for the coalition’s countywide prevention work.","Drug Free Cecil presented program activities and outcomes to the Board of Education of Cecil County, reporting 5,318 youth reached countywide last year, 37 student leaders, and large outreach events including a 1,486‑person pledge drive and multiple billboard campaigns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6488487,"Upper Chesapeake Summer Center for the Arts reports 159 students attended; nearly $20,000 in scholarships awarded",258,1671000,1929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b&start=1671&end=1929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545765-abb25dad333f9f701a5eda7358579a4b/thumbnail_1671000.jpg","/articles/6488487/Maryland/Upper-Chesapeake-Summer-Center-for-the-Arts-reports-159-students-attended-nearly-20000-in-scholarships-awarded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488487-d5cfe7469266f8e151bea173645ba68e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395152&Signature=AV5ZVO81gtnqjNyoCTLiLN2qDbgUWKyug~k0VFN4Tz0-R5Yy1YRSQcC9m1UxETBNdDBGCZN6F6xwnLiR~DCtKldW2goYvwL7vWwwudv7S~k-GmateSWTf7cqqOsaELwnm4pRueTM7~1UV53SPA1z7j2TS3fhQjHVgoZzyKPxV~Wo-k98wjvS3qVcIgYdMHmGW8yvzLvi2qKQodl0T~sxUCXDK-Z6VhAyQQP9FuHNjSYpeY5KTLb2aNpGiAlFS3Lvk5pfGvpRMGzbtjqOmWFZSYLh5toezRuGZrS5DbzAWiVNq5Gd7KQc~-53Q6c4PEUGRgI3HTvz2Epsf~VW-XL-Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board heard an overview of the Upper Chesapeake Summer Center for the Arts (UCSCA) during the Aug. 6 meeting. Program coordinator Dr. Hastings told the Board of Education that the 25th annual UCSCA served 159 students in grades 7–12 and offered concentrated instruction in visual arts, literary arts, choir, band, dance, theater and orchestra.

Scholarships and staffing
Dr. Hastings said the program awarded nearly $20,000 in scholarships to students in need this year, benefitting roughly half of the camp’s attendees. The staff for the camp included eight teachers, 11 counselors, one full‑time nurse and two directors; students lived in dorms on the Washington College campus for the week‑long program and received daily discipline‑specific instruction.

Funding and oversight
Dr. Hastings said the program used multiple funding sources and grants to reduce costs, including an initiative grant for staffing and scholarships, a Title‑grant referenced for staffing, an arts and education scholarship from the Cecil County Arts Council and donations from local organizations including the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast VFW, the Rising Sun American Legion and the Department of Social Services through the Donaldson Brown fund. Dr. Hastings also described required background checks and health/safety inspections by CCPS and state agencies for staff and facilities.

The board thanked Dr. Hastings for the program’s work and noted the camp is a substantial extracurricular opportunity for middle‑ and high‑school students.","Program coordinator Dr. Hastings reported the 25th year of the Upper Chesapeake Summer Center for the Arts served 159 students in grades 7–12, delivered intensive daily instruction across arts disciplines, distributed nearly $20,000 in scholarships and relied on several grants and community donations to keep costs down.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cecil County Board of Education approves Aetna stop‑loss contract, $2.29 million budget amendment and revision to graduation policy

Progress photos show Northeast High replacement taking shape; district discusses Irishtown Road right‑of‑way and landscaping

Student‑led Drug Free Cecil coalition reports outreach to 5,318 youth; Youth Empowerment Source recognized

Upper Chesapeake Summer Center for the Arts reports 159 students attended; nearly $20,000 in scholarships awarded