BOE Public Business Meeting Brief

The Board of Education adopted the Superintendent’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026, totaling $365,190,798. The Superintendent, in his role of overseeing the daily operations of the school system, presents his recommended budget to the Board each year. The action that was taken during the business meeting now puts budgetary decisions in the hands of the Board of Education.

The WCBOE previously discussed changes and adjustments to the superintendent’s draft FY26 budget during three public work sessions in January and February. Moving forward, the Board will continue to receive public feedback and can make funding changes within the budget up until it is approved in the spring or early summer. Other factors may also continue to affect the school system’s resources, particularly with fluctuations in anticipated State funding.

The Board of Education previously approved aligning the FY26 general fund budget with the four priority areas of WCPS’ strategic plan, Your Journey, Our Commitment.

The WCBOE approved a contract for a new vendor to provide school nursing services at school health rooms across WCPS.

The contract with American Medical Staffing will be in place over three years and is expected to cost nearly $16 million over that time.

The health, safety, and well-being of students is WCPS’ highest priority. Vendors went through a rigorous application, interview, and scoring process. A vendor’s expertise and experience held the most weight in the considerations.

The new contract will begin on July 1, 2025. During this week, there is no student programming planned at any schools.

• Approved the 2025-2026 Middle School Program of Studies, which provides an overview of the courses offered in WCPS middle schools.
  
  

• Approved funding to replace the roof at North Hagerstown High School. Work will begin this summer and is expected to be completed when students return to school in August. The project is estimated to cost over $3 million and is funded by local and state Capital Improvement Plan dollars.
  
  

• Approved continued internet service with Antietam Broadband through the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The school system uses the 10 Gbps level of internet bandwidth but will have the capability to adjust the bandwidth level to meet student population growth and curriculum needs.

Boonsboro High School’s “We the People” team was recognized for earning their 10th consecutive state championship title! “We the People” is a civic education program that teaches the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States. Students compete in simulated congressional hearings where they testify before a panel of judges acting as members of Congress.

WCPS wishes them all the best at the national competition this April!