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Increased Fuel Costs Emerge as Budget “Wild Card” for CCPS
DENTON – The effects of rising fuel costs may pose a concern for Caroline County Public Schools’ fiscal year 2027 budget, as highlighted during a conversation at the Caroline County Board of Education’s April 7 meeting. Superintendent Dr. Derek Simmons said that in just one month, CCPS shelled out about $13,000 over their usual average cost for fuel. The spike, largely due to diesel prices climbing, was not something Simmons had anticipated when initial budget projections were made.
While CCPS is “not in crisis mode,” as Dr. Simmons put it, he said gas prices have become a “wild card,” for the FY27 budget, forcing the district to consider how much to allocate for transportation moving forward. Even with a projected $5.7 million increase in state funding and lower-than-expected health insurance increases, the added pressure from fuel costs will need to be absorbed. Dr. Simmons noted that district leaders are now discussing how to “pad” that portion of the budget in case gas prices remain higher than usual.
CommonLit360 Approved as New English Curriculum
After nearly a year of review and classroom piloting, the Caroline County Board of Education approved the adoption of CommonLit360 as the official English curriculum for grades 6 through 12 at their April 7 meeting. The recommendation, presented by Supervisor of Instruction Renee Hesson, followed extensive input from teachers, parents, administrators, and support staff across CCPS. Hesson described the process as a “group effort,” noting that every secondary English teacher participated in evaluating the resource, and every one of them supported its adoption.
Hessen highlighted that data from the pilot program showed measurable student growth, including improvements on state assessments and gains of 18 to 35 points on evaluations at the high school level. Sixth grade students also saw an 8 percent increase in those meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations.
Hessen said teachers who participated in the pilot reported that they liked the platform’s accessibility, balance of print and digital materials, and its detailed student data. CommonLit360 also includes built-in accommodations like translation and read-aloud features, as well as a focus on vocabulary development and diverse texts.
In addition to its instructional impact, cost played a role in the decision. As an open educational resource, CommonLit360 was described as “very fiscally responsible,” especially compared to previous curriculum adoptions that exceeded $100,000. With a professional development plan already in place, Hessen said they are prepared for full implementation of CommonLit360 next school year. “The impact is going to be significant,” Hessen said.
NCHS Lacrosse Parent Comments on Ongoing Concerns Over Athletic Fields
Local parent Christine Baiers addressed the Caroline County Board of Education about conditions for girls lacrosse players at North Caroline High School during the public comment period of the April 7 Board of Education meeting. Baiers also spoke at the Board’s February 3 meeting, during which she and other parents criticized the decision to keep teams off the stadium field following the installation of new Bermuda grass, which contractors recommended not be used for play during the 2026 spring sports season. In her April comments, Baiers focused on her quest for information related to CCPS sports funding.
Baiers said she has spent months sending emails and filing public information requests for financial documentation related to CCPS athletics. She expressed frustration with what she described as a lack of transparency, and mentioned that her most recent PIA request to the state of Maryland came with a $1,187 bill. During her comment, she claimed that a disproportionate share - about 70% according to Baiers - of athletic funding in Caroline County supports male sports teams.
“I don't need five minutes up here to tell you how much I am despising the treatment and certain board members for their feckless behavior. Those that are reclined here as if it's a Friday matinee, checking their phones or eating their snacks, as if our comments are boring… this deserves your attention, and I pray that the next person to be appointed will allow you to leave and allow a space for better candidates,” she said.
“Allowing those girls on that field is a necessary need, and I do see a need for safer playing surfaces, as I hope you do too,” she concluded. After Baiers finished, Board member Mark Jones responded, “you can have my seat in two years.”
Update - On April 19, Baier stated in email correspondence to Kennedy Thomason, "The bill of $1,187 for the MPIA (Maryland Public Information Act) did not come from the state but from Caroline County Public School."
