2026 Feb. 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 students opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Following that, the board of education president read 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," and the board approved the agenda.

The Board voted unanimously to reappoint Dr. Simmons to a second term as Caroline County Public Schools. Complete details in the news post below:

The Board recognized three teachers, Danielle Dennis, Kristi Hall, and Nathalie Meunier, for achieving National Board Certification. These teachers were unable to attend the January meeting where most new NBCs were recognized.

Four speakers signed up for public comment. Sherri Bisesi, Melissa McHenry, Christine Baiers, and Kevin Sullivan, parents of NCHS Girls Lacrosse players, each shared their concerns regarding the condition and safety of the field lacrosse will be played on this spring.

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 Representative 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

• R.L. Ewing
  • Cooperative County Contract – Caroline County Public Works
  • $897,621.00
• Terra Firma
  • Authorized Piggyback Contract from WCPS
  • $10,675.00
• Russell Paving
  • Submitted a winning quoted cost for the Central Office Annex building
  • A Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) company
  • Previously used vendor
  • $8,605.00

A review of the attached 26-011 Paving Price Grid shows the impacted school properties and those paving resurfacing service. Due to the good conditions of both the Greensboro ES & Preston ES parking lots and driveways, they will not receive any paving resurfacing services.

This bid was conducted using various state approved methods of competitive and formalized bid procedures to include Cooperative County Contracts and Piggybacking Contracts from a local county school system. This multi-awarded bid has met all procedures complying with Board policy and applicable state laws and regulations.

Attachment

The Board approved recommended adjustments to the 2025-26 school year calendar.

The Board approved a calendar for the 2026-27 school year.

Calendar Survey Presentation

The Board approved revision of all three policies as proposed by Director of Administrative Services Rob Willoughby. He explained the revisions are minor and are limited to dates, positions, and entities referencing current titles. No revision changes the implementation or spirit of the policy, and the policies still reflect the current practice of CCPS.

Integrated Pest Management

Long Range Facility Planning

Selection of Architectural Engineering Services

Director of Administrative Services Dr. Rob Willoughby presented the 2026 schedule for recruiting.

February 9 - Lebanon Valley College SLP Job Fair

February 12 - Washington College

February 18 - University of Maryland College Park

February 20 - James Madison University

February 23 - Frostburg State University

February 27 - Temple University

March 10 - Liberty University

March 10 - Millersville University

March 12 - Salisbury University/University of Maryland Eastern Shore

March 16 - Kutztown University

March 16 - Penn State University

March 20 - Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

March 25 - PERC Regional Job Fair (Pittsburgh)

April 1 - McDaniel College

April 13 - Rider University

April 14 - Kean University

April 16 - Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Simmons and board members discussed the current Maryland General Assembly legislative session and the specifics of several proposed bills.

Dr. Simmons presented FY27 Budget Update. He reviewed the budget development timeline, provided a revenue update as it relates to Governor Moore's budget, reviewed increases in current items (the 'cost of doing business'), and forecasted FY27 system needs.

presentation

Chief Financial Officer Jill Hignutt will review the most recent finance report as of January 31, 2026.

presentation

Dr. Simmons praised the hard work of maintenance, custodial and administrative staff, along with contracted services and the county and town road crews, in working to prepare schools to reopen following the snow and ice storm.

• Ms. Johnson thanked the people who participated in the Public Comment portion of the meeting, and stressed this was a productive way to make sure their voices are heard.
• Mr. Plutschak and Mr. Jones thanked staff for their hard work during the snow and ice storm, preparing for school to open again.
• Ms. Bartz thanked everyone involved in communication, and praised them for making hard decisions about closures as early as possible.
• Ms. Wayman shared her participation in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event at Lockerman Middle School. She praised the fact that there was participation from every school, and thanked the LMS music department for a wonderful performance.

Vice President Mark Jones opened the meeting by welcoming the commissioners and thanking them for their continued partnership and support in meeting the educational needs of Caroline County students.

Dr. Simmons presented FY27 Budget Update. He reviewed the budget development timeline, provided a revenue update as it relates to Governor Moore's budget, reviewed increases in current items (the 'cost of doing business'), and forecasted FY27 system needs.

presentation

Director of Operations Bill Mengel provided an overview of the new Lockerman Middle School project which included the timeline from beginning to projected finish. He shared that it was anticipated shovels would be "in the ground" in July 2027 and the building finished by August 2029.

presentation

Email: communications@ccpsstaff.org

Website: carolineschools.org
Location: Caroline County, Maryland
District Office: 410.479.1460

Mobile App: Caroline Schools, MD
Facebook: facebook.com/carolineschools.org

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