Board approves trainings, nonpublic tuition payments, bus replacements and 2026–27 calendar

The Queen Anne's County Board of Education on March 4 approved multiple operational and budget items during its regular meeting, including professional development purchases, nonpublic tuition payments, bus replacements and the capital improvement plan.

Darren Guido, supervisor of instruction for social studies, world languages and multilingual learners, asked the board to approve three SIOP workshops — for educators, administrators and trainers — to expand sheltered instruction supports for English learners. "SIOP is an acronym that stands for sheltered instruction observation protocol," Guido said. The board approved the purchase at a fiscal impact of $61,644, funded from the FY26 Title 3 immigrant grant.

The board approved two nonpublic tuition payments as presented by Jolene Smith, supervisor of special education: $129,971 for a placement at the Strawbridge (Everstand) program and a half‑year payment of $69,771.31 for the Benedictine School, both to be funded from FY26 restricted and unrestricted operating budgets.

Transportation staff requested authorization for two bus replacements because both vehicles reached a 15‑year lifecycle limit that prohibits transporting students. Sid Pinder, chief operating officer, said the estimated fiscal impact per bus is approximately $34,000 and the purchases will come from the FY27 operating budget; the board approved the requests.

The board also approved the FY27 county capital improvement plan (CIP) as presented and voted to adopt Calendar B for the 2026–27 school year, adding President's Day as a designated weather‑contingent snow day if needed. Darryl Bariclo led a third read and approval of Policy 260 (selection of architects and engineers) subject to final formatting edits.

Votes on these items were taken by voice; roll‑call tallies were not specified in the transcript. Staff said design funding for projects and purchase sources are specified in-motion language and budget notes and that construction and operating requests will proceed through the county budget process.