2026 April BoardNotes

Caroline County Board of Education meetings are livestreamed and may also be viewed after the meeting has concluded. For information about the Board of Education, including agendas and meeting schedules, please visit the Leadership page of our website.

Greensboro Elementary School's Honey Bees and Young Gentlemen's Clubs opened the meeting by leading the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

The Board approved the agenda.

At the start of each meeting, the board of education president reads the Mission Statement, "In partnership with families and community, we prepare all students to achieve college, career, and life readiness through a challenging and progressive educational experience."

The following students were renewed as Carson Scholars for 2026:

• Christian Lahneman, 12th grade, North Caroline High School (7 times)
• Abby Beauchemin, 9th grade, North Caroline High School (5 times)
• Lucy Howard, 10th grade, North Caroline High School (2 times)

Carson Scholars Fund scholarship program awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities. Students must attend an accredited K-12 school in the United States and be nominated by an educator at their school to be able to compete for a Carson Scholarship. In order for a student to be eligible for the award, they must have a GPA of 3.75 or higher and participate in community service activities.

These three students received a scholarship this year:

• Rilyn Breeding, 8th grade Colonel Richardson Middle School
• Ava Collins, 11th grade, Colonel Richardson High School
• Emma Hansley, 11th grade, North Caroline High School

Christine Baiers, parent of a NCHS student athlete, expressed her disappointment in the board and staff response to her concerns regarding the lacrosse playing field and Public Information Act (PIA) requests, and the reception to public comment at board meetings. She also questioned NCHS athletic account details.

Jeffrey Lin from Colonel Richardson High School was unable to attend. North Caroline High School Representative Kadeen Belle reported on activities from North Caroline High School and the feeder schools.

Student Report

In the Consent Agenda, the Board approved:

• Personnel items as presented by Dr. Robert Willoughby, Director of Administrative Services
• The minutes from the most recent board of education meetings

The Board approved the bridge agreement that allows CCPS to piggyback Kent County Public Schools' (KCPS) existing contract with UHY LLP for Auditing Services. KCPS has renewed their contract to extend through 6/30/29 to account for the auditing for FY26, FY27, and FY28. In accordance with the verbiage in the contract, UHY LLP is extending the same pricing (amended only to allow for the higher amount of revenues, expenditures, schools, & Federal awards at CCPS). All other terms and conditions remain the same.

The KCPS original bid was conducted using state-approved methods of competitive and formalized bid procedures, and it therefore makes sense for CCPS to utilize this Cooperative County Contract for the full three-year term remaining. CCPS already has a working relationship with UHY LLP.

Analysis CCPS to KCPS

The Board approved the Food Services Department's switching Major Foods suppliers.

Director of Operations Bill Mengel explained the current contract is due for one last year of renewal, effective July 1, 2026. The department intends to give 60-day notice to the current contract holder, Sysco, to terminate the current contract. The department is struggling with Sysco’s ability to service CCPS consistently. Purchasing common and re-occurring food products, originally approved by Sysco, are becoming increasingly difficult to purchase. Also, Sysco’s pricing has spiked above and beyond acceptable ranges that are stipulated within the current contract. Funding for this project comes from the Food Services Department with no costs to the local general fund.

Competitive, formal bidding is not needed for this switch in major food suppliers. Gordon Food Services is part of an intergovernmental procurement cooperative under HPS School Food Purchasing Program – Mid Atlantic #546. The HPS School Food Purchasing Program (Mid-Atlantic) RFP was conducted in accordance with Program and Government-wide regulations, the federal rules governing the management of grant funds from the USDA, including Buy America, cost reimbursable required contract provisions, and using government-wide approved procurement methods in June 2022.

As a current member of HPS, Caroline County Public Schools is allowed to utilize the HPS School Food Purchasing Program that allows Gordon Food Services to serve as the major foods company in replacement of Sysco. Gordon Food Service is the largest school food service provider in the country. They have proven to provide abundant food products while offering low cost of goods for school food service programs. Carroll, Cecil, Kent and St. Mary’s counties are currently using Gordon Food Services through the HPS School Food Purchasing Program.

Also in the Consent Agenda, the Board approved:

• Personnel items as presented by Dr. Robert Willoughby, Director of Administrative Services
• The minutes from the most recent board of education meetings

The Board approved the appointment of Dr. Nicole VonDenBosch as Chief Academic Officer. New release below.

Grade 6 CommonLit MOI.pdf

Grade 7 CommonLit MOI.pdf

Grade 8 CommonLit MOI.pdf

English Curriculum Adoption - April Board Meeting.pptx.pdf

In accordance with CCPS policy, a curriculum resource pilot and curriculum selection process occurred beginning in July of the 2025-2026 school year to inform the curriculum resource review committee’s recommendation to the Board to adopt CommonLit 360 as the approved curriculum resource for use in English 9-12 courses.

These curriculum resources align with the Maryland College and Career Ready standards for English Language Arts and are a key part of a comprehensive literacy program. The series includes significant print and digital literacy components such as unit and lesson plans aligned to standards, grade level texts, writing prompts, speaking and listening activities, instructional videos, language study, and assessments. Additionally, this series includes a robust online teacher and student website to access additional content materials and student supports to meet a range of student needs as part of a Multi-tiered System of Support in English. All content is fully downloadable and printable. This series, CommonLit 360, will serve as a critical support for both teachers and students enrolled in high school English courses.

Grade 9 CommonLit MOI.pdf

Grade 10 CommonLit MOI.pdf

Grade 11 CommonLit MOI.pdf

Grade 12 CommonLit MOI.pdf

English Curriculum Adoption - April Board Meeting.pptx (1).pdf

After review by the Finance Department, the following policies represent current practice and should be continued without the need for revision:

• I.10.70 – Financial Oversight (title change)
• I.11.10 -- Fundraising

These policies will be updated in the policy book to reflect new formatting, but without changing the policy statement or impact.

After review, the following policies are offered for First Reading and potential adoption with revisions that modernize the policy without changing the scope or intent.

• I.10.60 – Records Retention – updated to note that scanning is the preservation method instead of microfilm, HR records added to retention/preservation/destruction schedule.

• I.11.20 – Crowdfunding – renumbered to be a standalone policy (was current I.11.10a) and updated to add SnapRaise as an approved crowdfunding solution.

Crowdfunding.docx.pdf

Records Retention.docx.pdf

The Board approved Wednesday, June 17, as the last day of school for students. News release below.

Dr. Simmons shared that by the April work session, he expects to bring the Board the annual one‑page budget overview. Based on current information, the governor will sign the budget, and the initial funding increase appears to be about 5.7% over last year. In addition, the most recent insurance estimate shows a 6% increase, which is an improvement from what was shared in January. There’s a slight delay in the Time to Care Act. The only remaining area that remains uncertain is fuel. Dr. Simmons stated it appeared we are sitting in a good spot with regard to the budget.

Chief Financial Officer Jill Hignutt reviewed the most recent finance report as of February 28, 2026.

March 2026 Finance Report

2026-04 Legislative Update

Dr. Simmons referenced the recent Lockerman Build article in the Caroline Review which reported the change in Caroline's capital projects funding structure. He said we are currently waiting for more information on how impactful it will be to move into the 100% state funding category. Mr. Mengel is currently in the process of selecting architect and engineering firms, and once that is accomplished, will get into the design phase over the summer.

Ms. Bartz attended the Food Symposium at Chesapeake College and shared how proud she was to see Caroline's Supervisor of Food Services Beth Brewster moderating the forum with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health. She said the presentation highlighted the great work being done in Caroline.

Ms. Johnson attended the Time Capsule event on the Courthouse Green. She also enjoyed attending an LMS Choir event, the AMP Nesting Box presentation and a Music in our Schools event.

Mr. Jones attended the National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony and several sporting events.

Mr. Plutschak attended several sporting events and joined several classroom visits for Teacher and Support Employee of the Year finalists.

Ms. Wayman attended a CRHS baseball game and appreciated the support from the community at the event. She also enjoyed a visit to Lockerman, and share her appreciation for the CCPS app that shares information with staff, families, and the community.

Director of College and Career Readiness Lindsey McCormick provided an update on Career & Technology Education (CTE) as we prepare for newly approved programs to be implemented for the 2027–2028 school year.

Counselors have completed individual planning meetings with all students in grades 8 through 11, using Naviance to map out each student’s remaining high‑school coursework.

Ms. McCormick reviewed the current AMP and Computer Science programs and outlined possible updates to bring them into compliance with new State requirements and better align them with workforce needs.

Ms. McCormick explained that before making any changes to the CCTC and high school schedules, decisions about math programming and CTE pathways need to be finalized. Significant work remains to be done throughout the coming year, and several components of the proposed changes will require future Board approval.

(Presentation)