New School Naming Committee Formed, Legislative Priorities Set for Washington County Schools

The Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) has taken several significant steps aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and advocating for improved resources. At its recent public business meeting, the board approved the formation of a committee tasked with recommending a name for the county’s new elementary school, currently known as Downsville Pike Elementary. This committee will comprise parents, school staff, administrators, and community members, working in collaboration with the Historical Society of Washington County to ensure the chosen name reflects the community’s heritage and spirit. The announcement comes on the heels of the school’s groundbreaking ceremony.

In an update from the Facilities Department, the board received insights into the department’s performance and future objectives. A primary focus remains on ensuring continuous school operations, with only 1.5 school days lost during the past academic year due to facility issues. Over 14,000 work orders were processed, with a substantial 76% completed within a 30-day timeframe. The department is enhancing its tracking of maintenance trends to proactively address future needs rather than solely responding to emergencies. Despite ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled technicians due to competition with private sector wages, the team is prioritizing critical repairs to maintain safe and functional learning environments, with a particular emphasis on addressing aging HVAC systems. The board was informed that the recommended annual maintenance expenditure for school systems is approximately 3% of their total building replacement value, which for WCPS amounts to around $56 million. However, current funding, even with capital projects included, covers only about 60% of this recommended amount.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Maryland legislative session, the WCBOE has outlined key priorities. The board will advocate for the annual recalculation of Blueprint funding formulas to account for inflation, ensuring adequate resources to meet state educational standards. They are also opposing any reductions in Blueprint funding that are not accompanied by corresponding decreases in state mandates. Furthermore, the WCBOE seeks increased state financial support for School Resource Officer (SRO) positions, as Washington County Public Schools currently bears a significant portion of the program’s cost. Legislation supporting enhanced discipline policies to foster productive learning environments and provide access to alternative settings and behavioral health supports for students removed from classrooms is also a priority. Additionally, the board supports measures to address habitual truancy by requiring student and parental participation in supportive services and is backing the establishment of a Truancy Reduction Pilot Program in Washington County.

The board also celebrated significant community support, approving three substantial donations. Boonsboro High School will receive $21,000 from the Nora Roberts Foundation to benefit its music and theater programs. Smithsburg High School has been gifted $75,000 from an anonymous donor for auditorium improvements. North Hagerstown High School will benefit from an $18,012 donation from SAT Fundraising (Leading Edge Fundraising) to support its football program.

Other actions taken by the Board of Education include the approval of a measure providing an $8,000 annual salary supplement to National Board Certified Teachers who completed their first Maintenance of Certification between 2016 and 2020. This aligns their compensation with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, ensuring equitable treatment following changes in the national certification renewal process. The board also approved end-of-year budget adjustments for the FY2025 operating budget, resulting in an increase of $4,840,559 in the General Fund balance. The board also announced adjustments to its meeting schedule, with one business meeting to be held in both November and December.

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

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