The Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) will be hosting a public hearing on its Draft FY 2025 Budget on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Center for Education Services located 10435 Downsville Pike in Hagerstown. The hearing will provide community members with the opportunity to provide feedback and input on the draft budget.

The WCBOE's draft budget was initially developed by Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Sovine to address the FY 2025 budget priorities adopted by the Board on September 19, 2023. The priorities are:

• Salary and Compensation to Attract and Retain Staff
• Safety and Security, Mental Health, and Behavioral Supports
• Meeting the Requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future
• Combating Inflation

The Board adopted the Superintendent's Recommended Budget as its own on February 20, 2024. It includes operating expenditures of $357,383,838 for the period from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Individuals who plan to provide comments at the public hearing are encouraged, but not required, to sign up in advance of the hearing by calling Secretary to the WCBOE Debra A. Cechovic at 301-766-2971. Callers may leave a message with their name and a callback phone number. Individuals will be called to speak in the order they signed up.

Each speaker may speak for up to five (5) minutes. They should introduce themselves, identify whether they are speaking as an individual or on behalf of an organization, and may provide a copy of their comments for Board members. Speakers should not discuss personnel or student matters which clearly identify an individual or individuals. Board members will not respond directly to speakers during the public hearing.

Community members may also submit comments via email to [email protected]. Comments submitted via email will be shared with all members of the WCBOE. Written correspondence should be mailed to:

Washington County Board of Education

10435 Downsville Pike

Hagerstown, MD 21740

The WCBOE’s public business meeting and public hearing will be streamed live on WCPS’ Facebook page and YouTube channel. It will also be broadcast live on channel 99 for Antietam Broadband cable subscribers.

The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the adoption of the FY 2025 Approved Budget during its public business meeting on April 16, 2024.