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DENTON – The Caroline County Board of Education began wrapping up the 2024-2025 school year by celebrating achievements of students, faculty and programs Tuesday, June 3, at the central office in Denton.
Wrapping up the fiscal year, however, is a matter of waiting for the Maryland State Department of Education to come up with revenue numbers to plug into the fiscal year 2026 budget.
The school board will meet 8 a.m. June 27 to finalize it because the budget is due by June 30, the end of FY2025. The increase in revenue over from state, county and other sources above FY2025 is expected to be over $5.1 million.
“A significant amount of our funding comes from the state,” Superintendent Dr. Derek Simmons said. “There have been times in the last decade, probably more often than not, where the final is not what we thought was the final. So, we're just not comfortable bringing a document to the board to approve, to call it a final budget when we've seen swings before that may only be $10,000 but we've seen swings that are hundreds of 1,000s (of dollars) at times.”
“We just really want to make sure that we account for everything in the proper category of Blueprint before we bring something to you to approve that then goes to the county commissioners,” he said. “I know we will get there. We're ready. We just need that final number.”
Beyond the budget
The five members of the school board approved the renovation of North Caroline High School’s cafeteria and kitchen, which was last renovated nearly 25 years ago. Gordian, an OMNIA Partner, is the contractor that will begin the 7,486 square foot project June 23, with anticipated completion by Aug. 22. Funding for the $202,057 project comes from the Food Services Department with no cost to the local general fund.
A special education staffing plan for fiscal year 2026 presented to the board May 20 by Special Education Supervisor Erica McDonald was approved.
A list of one-time, end-of-year purchases presented by Chief Finance Officer Jill Hignutt was approved. Among the items were two leases that, with early payoffs will save the board over $607,307 in interest payments. One of the leases is an energy performance contract payoff of $626,013 and the other the support services center lease at $1,311,167.
“I think that’s wise budgeting,” Board President Michele Wayman said.
Achievements celebrated
Caroline Career & Technology Center Cosmetology Program student Ella Beales won a gold medal at the SkillsUSA Competition in March in the category of Cosmetology – Hair, Esthetics, and Nails, held in Westminster, Maryland. Ella will compete at the National SkillsUSA competition in June in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jeffrey Lin, a rising senior at Colonel Richardson High School is the newest student school board member. He is a Project Lead the Way biomedical student and an accomplished musician and athlete who plans to become a physician.
Colonel Richardson High School Guidance Counselor Jennifer Reed is the first and currently only Caroline County Public Schools counselor to earn National Board for Certified Counselors credentials.
Thomas Jefferson, current assistant principal at North Caroline High School was introduced as the new assistant principal at Colonel Richardson High School.
Yondr hailed a success
While Director of Student Services Kirk Howie said the “Yondr” cell phone pouch pilot program at the county’s two middle schools was a success, he recommended another year for the project to gather more data and ensure the first year’s result is repeatable.
As a result of the pilot project, total disciplinary referrals dropped 30% from the previous school year. Student and parent feedback included students’ communicating more with each other and teachers’ focusing on instruction rather than cell phones.
Howie shared statements from the two middle schools principals. CRMS Principal Dr. Yolanda Holloway said, “There's now a culture of the phones not being appropriate to have in school. There is an increase in socialization, and students talk with each other. We have seen very few instances of non-compliance and damage.”
Lockerman Middle School Principal Jeannine Necessary reported, “The pouches seem to be a deterrent overall to distractions. There have been no safety concerns – students who need to contact home during the school day are permitted to come to the office to call. Teachers are extremely appreciative of the pouches. I've even had a couple of parents tell me they have had their kids keep their phone locked at home at night too.”
Agendas, documents and videos of the meetings of the Caroline County Board of Education are available at www.carolineschools.org.
