New Elementary School to be Named Downsville Pike Elementary, Board Approves AI Policy and Six-Year Capital Plan

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) has officially named its new elementary school Downsville Pike Elementary, which is slated to open for the 2027-2028 academic year and will consolidate Fountain Rock and Hickory elementary schools. This decision, announced following a public business meeting of the Board of Education, comes after an advisory committee comprising students, parents, and WCPS staff reviewed several name suggestions. The committee favored Downsville Pike Elementary for its reflection of the school’s geographic location and its adherence to the established practice of naming Washington County schools after the communities they serve.

In addition to facility updates, the Board of Education has also adopted a new policy governing the use of artificial intelligence within the district. Policy ACB, titled “Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching, Learning, and School Operations,” establishes a framework for the district-wide implementation of AI. This policy follows a public review period and a first reading in August. Feedback from the public, which included considerations for AI oversight, approved tools, data protection, and AI literacy, was reviewed by the Board’s Policy Committee. The committee determined that many of the more detailed recommendations would be addressed through administrative regulations and implementation guidance.

A comprehensive six-year plan for building improvements, the FY2028–FY2033 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), was also approved. This plan outlines WCPS’ priorities for significant construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects. For the fiscal year 2028, the district is seeking approximately $27.8 million in state and local funding. Key priorities within this plan include the final funding of $2.8 million for Downsville Pike Elementary, ongoing financial support for the Jonathan Hager Elementary addition, and upgrades to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at North Hagerstown and South Hagerstown high schools. While inclusion in the six-year plan signifies a project’s priority status within WCPS, it does not guarantee that funding will be secured.

The Board’s meeting also provided a recap of the 2026 summer learning programs, which collectively served over 1,300 students from elementary and high school age groups. Elementary summer school saw 704 students attend across 13 locations, with programs focused on literacy and mathematics. These elementary programs reported an average attendance rate of nearly 80%, and approximately 69% of participating students demonstrated growth in math, with an average improvement of about 17%. High school summer programs engaged around 631 students in credit recovery, original credit acquisition, and freshman transition initiatives. Students in these programs successfully completed 88% of original credits and 83% of repeat credits attempted. Notably, 22 students earned the necessary credits to fulfill their graduation requirements through these summer offerings.

Further actions taken by the Board included approving the next stages for the expansion of Jonathan Hager Elementary. This involves the preparation of temporary classroom facilities and the establishment of a distinct construction entrance and staging area to ensure the continuity of normal school traffic and the maintenance of emergency exit routes. Additionally, the Board sanctioned the purchase and installation of new playground equipment for students in the Enhanced Programs at Funkstown Elementary. This new equipment is intended to meet the specific needs of the students attending the school, with a significant portion of the funding for this acquisition sourced from donations to Landon’s Project, totaling $150,000.

The meeting also served as a platform to celebrate the achievements of WCPS students. The Board recognized the Spring 2026 Student Athlete State Champions, including Williamsport High and South Hagerstown High for their Division 2 and Division 3 State Unified Track Championships, respectively. Smithsburg High was honored as the State 1A Boys Track & Field Champions, and North Hagerstown High received recognition for the State 3A Girls Track & Field Championship. Individual track and field champions were also acknowledged, including Sidney Turner of Boonsboro High for the 1A Girls Discus, Daniel Apiou of Clear Spring High for the 1A Boys Triple Jump, and Katelyn Moffitt of Clear Spring High for the 1A Girls Shot Put. Boonsboro High School was also celebrated for being named a “Best Community in Music Education.” The Board also acknowledged Avallon Crampton, a 5th grader at Paramount Elementary, for her role as student Pledge leader.

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

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