Change in BOE contingency fund policy saves 16 jobs for 1 year
ROCK HALL — Following a policy change and some heated discussion, the Kent County Board of Education in a split vote earlier this month approved spending down its contingency fund as part of the budget process for fiscal year 2026. Option B, which was presented by Superintendent Mary McComas at the May 5 special meeting, […]
Special meeting May 5 for school board’s vote on budget
ROCK HALL — The Kent County Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the superintendent’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 at a special meeting Monday night, May 5. The proposed spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2025 was the only topic of discussion at two separate meetings this week. […]
Superintendent remains optimistic about new middle school construction
ROCK HALL — Even though the bill to help fund a new middle school in Chestertown did not make it to the floor for a vote this legislative session, all is not lost for Kent County Public Schools. At their April 14 meeting, Superintendent Mary McComas told members of the Kent County Board of Education […]
BOE considers eliminating jobs, incentivising retirement to offset budget deficit
ROCK HALL — To “right size” the budget for fiscal year 2026, Kent County Public Schools needs to eliminate 36 positions, Superintendent Mary McComas told the Board of Education at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night, April 14. According to McComas’ draft budget presentation, KCPS is facing an approximately $2 million deficit between revenue and […]
Superintendent, officials, parents testify in favor of adjusting local cost-share for school construction
ANNAPOLIS — The forecast of snow couldn’t keep elected officials and community members from voicing their support for House Bill 0736 last week in the Maryland General Assembly during an Appropriations Committee hearing. The legislation, sponsored by District 36 delegates Jeff Ghrist (R-Caroline), Steve Arentz (R-Queen Anne’s) and Jay Jacobs (R-Kent), would adjust the local […]
Superintendent updates BOE on new middle school project
ROCK HALL — The first meeting of the new year for the Kent County Board of Education opened with the annual board reorganization. In voting by the five-member board on Jan. 13, Trish McGee was selected president and John Queen was selected vice president. The term is one year. Queen and Laura McKenzie, who were […]
Voters to elect 2 to school board on Nov. 5
CHESTERTOWN — Earlier this month The Evening Enterprise reached out to the four candidates in the race for two seats on the Kent County Board of Education, asking them to answer the same questions and to include a short biography. Responses were limited to 500 words. Printed here are the candidates’ responses in their entirety […]
Kent schools improve on state tests; work is ongoing
ROCK HALL — In reviewing Kent County Public Schools’ scores from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for the 2023-24 academic year, Superintendent Mary McComas told the board of education that data can be used as a flashlight to help school systems see where they need to improve. “Our data has shined a light on […]
New KCPS superintendent emphasizes importance of collaboration
ROCK HALL — The value of education is not lost on the new superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, Mary Boswell-McComas Raised in south Baltimore, McComas said she learned at an early age that education is a bridge out of poverty. “I loved school as a child. I grew up very poor and had a […]
School system scales down its ask for county funding
ROCK HALL — After receiving updated funding figures from Superintendent Karen Couch, the Kent County Board of Education on May 6 approved the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget by a 3-1 vote. Board President Joe Goetz, Vice President Francoise Sullivan and board member Trish McGee voted as the majority. Board member Frank Rhodes cast the […]