MEDIA RELEASE

The Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) will be hosting a public hearing on its Draft FY27 Budget on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Center for Education Services located 10435 Downsville Pike in Hagerstown. The hearing, which will occur during the Board's public business meeting, will provide community members with the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft budget.

The WCBOE's draft budget was initially developed by Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Sovine to address the FY27 budget priorities adopted by the Board on September 16, 2025. The priorities, which align with the four priorities of WCPS's strategic plan, Your Journey, Our Commitment, include:

• Culture, Safety, and Wellness
  

• Student Success
  

• Access And Opportunity
  

• Community Engagement

The Board adopted the Superintendent's Recommended Budget as its draft budget on February 17, 2026. It includes operating expenditures of $384,670,162 for the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the adoption of the FY27 Approved Budget during its public business meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Individuals who plan to provide comments at the public hearing are encouraged, but not required, to register through the Superintendent’s office prior to the start of the meeting or register at the meeting up to one-half hour in advance of the commencement of the hearing. Individuals wishing to address the Board who do not sign up prior to the start of the meeting will be required to sign the log located at the speaker’s table for the purpose of the meeting minutes.

Persons speaking as individuals will be allotted three (3) minutes; those representing an organization will be allotted five (5) minutes. No presenter may waive all or a portion of his or her allotted time to permit someone who has not properly registered to speak.

Individuals can sign up to speak at the budget public hearing by:

• Emailing: publicfeedback@wcps.k12.md.us
  Please include your name and indicate that you would like to speak during the budget public hearing.
  
  

• Calling: 301-766-2971
  Callers should leave a message with their name and a callback phone number if needed. Please indicate that you would like to speak during the budget public hearing.

The WCBOE encourages members of our learning community to share input and feedback regarding the budget. Individuals can email boe@wcps.k12.md.us, and comments will be shared with all members of the WCBOE.

Written correspondence should be mailed to:

Washington County Board of Education

10435 Downsville Pike

Hagerstown, MD 21740

The WCBOE’s public business meeting and public hearing will be streamed live on WCPS’ Facebook page and YouTube channel. It will also be broadcast live on channel 99 for Antietam Broadband cable subscribers.