2026 June BoardNotes

Meeting Agenda

Preston Elementary School students opened the meeting by leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Board approved the agenda for the meeting.

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."

In the Consent Agenda, the Board approved:

• Personnel items as presented by Dr. Robert Willoughby, Director of Administrative Services:

1 leave of absence, 5 resignations, and 1 retirement

• The minutes from the most recent board of education meetings:

• Regular Board Meeting: May 05 2026

• Board Work Session: May 19 2026

• Remodeling and updating the CRMS and CRHS Cafeterias, as presented by Director of Operations Bill Mengel:

2027-05 Remodeling and Updating Colonel Middle and High Cafeterias

• The purchase and build of an exterior walk-in /freezer storage unit from the Electrical Motor Repair Company (EMR) for CRMS, as presented by Director of Operations Bill Mengel:

Purchase of Exterior Walk-In Freezer/Storage for Colonel Richardson Middle

The Board approved the Special Education staffing plan.

The Special Education department is required to present and seek approval annually for the Special Education staffing plan. This plan was provided and presented at the board work session on May 19, 2026.

Sped Ed Staffing Action Item

FY27 Special Education Staffing Plan

The Board voted to sunset the Advanced Manufacturing Program (AMP) and begin Facility Management as a new CTE program of study.

The current AMP is a Local CTE program of study which is no longer approved by MSDE. The Manufacturing program that is approved for use is aligned to Metal manufacturing. After research and discussion with focus groups, some topics of AMP will be in the new Engineering Program. The Facility Management Program would allow CCPS students to master the eleven core competencies established by the International Facility Management Association.

Facility Management Approval

CTE Board Presentation 6_2_26

The Board approved the 2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP). The EFMP is an annual required document for the State of Maryland. The rules, regulations, and procedures for the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) require each LEA to annually submit or amend its school system’s Educational Facilities Master Plan.

FY 26 Educational Facilities Master Plan

FY26 EFMP Action Item

2026 EFMP PP

The Board approved the end of year purchases for FY26 as presented on the list below.

Dr. Simmons shared that he anticipates FY28 and FY29 will be fiscally challenging years given the State’s financial outlook. With that in mind, items that could be purchased, replenished, or refreshed now, as well as recurring expenses that can be paid ahead through end‑of‑year purchasing, were recommended. Dr. Simmons reviewed each item on the list.

FY26 Year End Purchases and Documentation

The Board adopted a meeting calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.

26-27 Board Meeting Dates

Dr. Simmons reviewed the FY27 Budget Summary which details the categories of Unrestricted Local and State Revenue, Reductions, Cost of Doing Business, Budget to Actual Adjustments, and Proposed Additions.

FY27 Budget Update

Chief Financial Officer Jill Hignutt reviewed the Finance Report for the period ending May 31, 2026.

Finance Report - May 31, 2026

Dr. Simmons discussed the recent CRHS and NCHS graduation ceremonies, and applauded the hard work of both schools in putting together the events. He also reviewed data for the graduating class, including the fact that seniors were awarded a combined total of almost $5 million dollars in scholarship money.

Superintendent's Report

Mr. Plutschak noted that both graduations were excellent events and thanked staff for their work. He also commented on the large number of NCHS graduates, as evidenced by the processional's extremely long line.

Ms. Johnson also noted that graduations were wonderful events. In addition, she appreciated her school visit with Dr. Simmons and the fun of Career Day.

Mr. Jones noted that graduations were exciting events, and thanked the Board for allowing him to speak at NCHS's ceremony.

Ms. Wayman said the graduations were wonderful. She also enjoyed a visit to PES and seeing the awards for multiplication mastery being given out; a luncheon that she and Mr. Plutschak attended for the Caroline Retired School Personnel Association; and participating in a Junior Achievement BizTown trip with Lockerman students.

Dr. Simmons advised the Board and he and Dr. VonDenBosch were working on a draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy to bring forward at an upcoming meeting.

Meeting Agenda

The Board approved amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Board and the Administrators and Supervisors Association of Caroline County (ASACC); amendments to the Negotiated Agreement between the Board and the Caroline County Educators' Association (Teachers); and the Negotiated Agreement between the Board and the Caroline County Educators' Association (Support Personnel).

• FY27 Memorandum of Understanding Between the Caroline County Board of Education and the Administrators and Supervisors Association of Caroline County (ASACC)
• FY27 Amendments to the Negotiated Agreement between the Caroline County Board of Education and the Caroline County Educators’ Association (Teachers)
• FY27 Negotiated Agreement between the Caroline County Board of Education and the Caroline County Educators’ Association (Educational Support Personnel)

The Board approved JBK Contracting as the subcontractor for implementing the CRMS full entranceway canopy replacement project.

Director of Operations Mr. Mengel explained that this project encompasses a full entranceway canopy replacement transitioning from the white, opaque canopy with a red metal canopy. This project would complement and match the exterior building color schemes to CRHS. This project would occur this summer and would be scheduled around the Colonel campus’s paving/resurfacing project.

Bid Approval for CRMS entranceway canopy replacement – Proposal

The Board approved the FY27 Operating Budget as presented by Chief Financial Officer Jill Hignutt.

FY27 Operating Budget