Washington County School Board Approves Budget Support, Elementary Expansion, and Policy Changes

A recent public business meeting of the Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) has yielded significant decisions regarding the district’s financial future, school infrastructure, and educational policies. The board received support for its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget from the Budget Advocacy and Review Committee, which emphasized a focus on student needs, safety, and staff support. The committee’s endorsement came after multiple reviews of the draft budget, highlighting planned investments in staff compensation, special education, and early learning initiatives. Rising costs are primarily attributed to the maintenance of current services, though the committee recommended seeking additional funding from Washington County Commissioners for potential enhancements in staffing, school safety, and transportation. The board also conducted a public hearing to gather community input on the FY27 budget, with five individuals presenting their feedback. The final approval of the FY27 budget is scheduled for the board’s public business meeting on April 21, 2026.

In addition to budgetary matters, the WCBOE has greenlit the expansion of Jonathan Hager Elementary School. The board approved a contract for architectural and engineering design services to facilitate this project, which will add two classrooms per grade level for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, along with five new pre-kindergarten classrooms. Bushey Feight Morin, the firm responsible for the school’s original design and construction, was selected for this expansion due to their prior experience with K-12 school projects in Maryland and a competitive proposal that offered the lowest cost. The design services will be funded through the Capital Improvement Plan, with a total cost of $858,220.

The meeting also saw the first reading of several proposed policy updates. Changes to the elementary grading policy (Policy IKAB) aim to introduce letter grades for students in grades 3-5 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Younger students in kindergarten through second grade will continue to use a performance scale designed to track progress and skill development. These revisions, supported by the WCBOE’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee, also include clearer language and expanded definitions. The board acknowledged the developmental focus of early elementary grades, emphasizing the value of descriptive feedback from teachers over traditional letter grades to ensure families can effectively understand their student’s academic progress.

A proposed update to the Agenda Format Policy (Policy BDDA) was also approved for its first reading. This change seeks to grant the agenda planning committee greater flexibility by making the agenda format a guide rather than a strict requirement, allowing for adjustments to accommodate student recognitions or special topics more effectively within each meeting. The board’s Policy Committee is currently seeking community feedback on these proposed policy changes. Residents can submit comments via email to boe@wcps.k12.md.us or by mail to the Washington County Board of Education, 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740, until April 6, 2026. Final approval for these policies is anticipated at the April 21, 2026, meeting.

The WCBOE also provided an update on the current legislative session in Maryland. The district has supported several state-level priorities, including funding for National Board Certified teachers, a pilot program to reduce truancy, contract improvements, and increased funding for school construction. Several bills are expected to pass, including amendments to the Open Meetings Act that would mandate live streaming of portions of meetings and a measure empowering the State Superintendent to declare emergencies upon request from local school systems. The district is also monitoring other legislative proposals that could affect local policies, such as those related to ethics, student attendance, school safety, and the use of therapy animals. While the state budget process continues, some initiatives, like expanded pre-kindergarten access, may face delays. The legislative session is slated to conclude in mid-April.

In other actions, the board approved a three-year contract totaling $1,587,612 for ongoing support of the WCPS firewall system, which is crucial for network security and preventing external threats. A portion of this cost is eligible for federal E-Rate funding, which helps offset internet and network service expenses for schools. Additionally, a one-year renewal of software designed to identify and address potential network security risks across the WCPS network was approved at a cost of $101,995. The purchase of new Advanced Placement U.S. Government and U.S. History textbooks was also approved, with an investment of $114,154.18 covering print and digital materials, as well as teacher resources and training, following a teacher review process. Finally, the board approved kitchen upgrades and equipment replacements at multiple schools, including Boonsboro High, Hancock Middle Senior High, Western Heights Middle, and several elementary schools. These improvements will involve reconfiguring refrigeration and freezer units and enhancing kitchen layouts.

The meeting also recognized the achievements of WCPS students and staff. Nearly 30 students were selected for all-state band, orchestra, and chorus ensembles, representing Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and various other high and middle schools. Artwork from Neil Rezvani, Kelly Nguyen, and Rory Curry of Barbara Ingram School for the Arts received top honors at the National Scholastic Art Awards, achieving Gold Key status. Michael Smith was honored as the 2026 ESP of the Year, alongside other finalists. In recognition of their contributions, Micah Socks received the Corwin Taylor Music Education Leadership Award, and Michelle Rafter was inducted into the Maryland Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.

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

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