New Elementary School Approved, Williamsport High Moves to Virtual Learning

The Board of Education of Washington County Public Schools (WCBOE) recently approved significant developments, including the construction of a new elementary school and a temporary shift to virtual learning for Williamsport High School. These decisions, outlined in a recent public business meeting summary, aim to address student needs and educational continuity within the county.

A new elementary school, currently referred to as Downsville Pike Elementary, will be constructed following the approval of a contract awarded to San Jose Construction Group, Inc. for $37.4 million. This project is projected to be completed in time for the 2027-2028 school year and will consolidate students from Fountain Rock Elementary School and Hickory Elementary School. The construction cost came in notably below the initial estimate of $42.5 million, a figure attributed by WCPS project teams to meticulous planning and design oversight. Funding for this endeavor is a collaborative effort, drawing from the Built to Learn Act, as well as state and county government resources. The final name for the school will be determined through a community engagement process.

In a separate but related matter, Williamsport High School will commence the upcoming school year with virtual instruction. This temporary measure is necessary to allow for abatement work within the school building, which was prompted by the discovery of asbestos during summer construction. The virtual learning plan encompasses comprehensive arrangements for instructional schedules, staffing, student support services, transportation, and technology to ensure a seamless transition. While acknowledging that virtual learning is not the preferred mode of education, WCPS is committed to facilitating a prompt return to in-person learning while maintaining academic consistency for students. Specialized support for students with special education needs, multilingual learners, and those with 504 plans will be provided in-person at a dedicated facility in partnership with the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown. Community organizations, churches, and higher education institutions have offered support to students transitioning to virtual learning. Extracurricular activities, including athletics and performing arts, will continue at designated locations to ensure student engagement outside the classroom. Families seeking further information are encouraged to visit the Williamsport High School website.

The board also received an update on the success of the Washington County Public Schools Reading Tutor Apprenticeship Program, designed to cultivate future educators by pairing high school students with elementary students needing reading assistance. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 334 apprentices worked with 665 elementary students, resulting in significant progress for 187 students and the removal of intervention requirements for 124. The program has also led to the hiring of 23 WCPS graduates as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers. For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, 64 tutor apprentices have been hired, with 57 returning from the previous year, and 25 will be focusing on math skills development.

Furthermore, WCPS shared the impact of nearly $1.5 million in grants awarded by the Maryland Opioid Recovery Trust. These three grants, each up to $500,000 over three years, are being utilized to support students and families affected by the opioid crisis. The grants are funding professional development, crisis prevention and resilience training, a birth-to-kindergarten addiction social worker position, behavior consultation services, early learner curriculum support, and enhanced classroom programs. These initiatives are a direct response to local data indicating a significant impact of the opioid epidemic in Washington County, including rising overdose deaths and an increasing number of students requiring specialized support.

In other administrative actions, the board approved an adjustment to the Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund Operating Budget, reducing it by $194,408 due to a change in how private pre-kindergarten providers receive state funding. Additionally, the board approved Memoranda of Understanding with the Washington County Teachers Association that will provide annual stipends of $5,000 for educators with National Board Certification and $13,000 for in-person Speech Language Pathologists. A contract renewal for agencies providing mental and behavioral health services for students, funded by federal grants, was also approved, including partnerships with Advanced Behavioral Health Inc., Brooke Lane Behavioral Services, Inc., San Mar Children’s Home, Inc., and The Mental Health Center of Western Maryland, Inc.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Public Schools

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