WCBOE Finalizes Key Budget Amendments, Approves Contracts and Celebrates Student Achievements

The Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) has approved multiple budget amendments and financial adjustments for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, following funding shortfalls from the County Commissioners. The board also moved forward on infrastructure projects, approved new contracts, and recognized student and staff accomplishments during its latest meeting.

Facing a shortfall in anticipated capital funding, the WCBOE amended its FY2026 General Fund Operating Budget by allocating $1,281,048 to replace eight school buses originally slated to be funded through the County Commissioners’ Capital Improvement Budget. To offset the increase, the board reduced funding for Other Post-Employment Benefits by $625,000 and cut $656,048 from the Salary Resource Pool. The original $2.24 million requested from the county for bus purchases was ultimately unavailable due to budget constraints.

In addition to changes to the 2026 budget, the board approved a series of internal reallocations within the FY2025 Operating Budget. These adjustments addressed unexpected expenses, such as increased costs for substitute teachers, contracted nursing services, utilities, and vehicle repairs. The reallocations also included updates to student meal account management and adjustments related to decreased state pre-k funding. The board identified budgetary savings in areas like dual enrollment payments, non-public placements, and instructional materials to cover the added costs.

Progress also continues on school infrastructure, as the board approved a Project Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of the new Downsville Pike Elementary School. This agreement, involving the WCBOE, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, and the Maryland Stadium Authority, is essential for securing funding for the school, which is scheduled to open in the 2027–2028 academic year.

The WCBOE also gave the green light to multiple operational contracts. These include agreements to supply and deliver school buses, provide preventative maintenance for automated temperature systems, manage trash and recycling services, and renew digital communication platforms. Further approvals covered the purchase of VMware software licenses, roofing replacement at Emma K. Doub Elementary, and toilet partition replacement at Smithsburg Middle School. A contract was also approved for natural gas supply through June 2030.

Other actions included a land use agreement for a cellular tower at Smithsburg High School expected to generate $300,000 over 10 years, and the transfer of an unused communications tower to the County for emergency services use. A $13,580 donation to North Hagerstown High School’s athletic programs was also accepted.

The board recognized several students and educators for recent achievements. Barbara Ingram School for the Arts students were honored for winning Gold Key awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, while Paramount Elementary’s Annabelle Sellers was celebrated for winning the “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. Northern Middle School teacher Matthew Rinehart was named a finalist for the 2025 PAEMST in Science and Math Teaching. The board also honored Teacher of the Year Marjorie Chapman and finalists, and thanked Student Board Member Daphne Wang for her year of service.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Washington County Board of Education press release

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