Washington County Board of Education briefs

Hartings wishes everyone a safe summer

County school board member Justin Hartings wished everyone a safe summer, especially school system graduates, at the end of a Washington County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

“Be safe, especially all of our graduates, be safe,” Hartings said after expressing his hope that everyone enjoy the summer.

Board member Paul Bailey added: “How about no texting during driving?” — a sentiment Hartings echoed.

The school system’s high schools are holding graduations this week with the bulk of them tonight and Friday.

Four high school seniors died in recent months.

Washington County Technical High School senior Quinn Hoover was taken off life support on March 20, two days after he was in an early morning traffic accident near Clear Spring. His home school was Clear Spring High.

Mitchell Ronald Akers, a Smithsburg High School senior, died April 11 after being involved in an accident the previous day while working at Municipal Stadium.

Williamsport High seniors Samantha Rae Kelly and Brendon Edward Colliflower were killed on Rench Road on May 5 after they were returning from a high school prom in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Director of elementary education to retire

Another Washington County Public Schools administrator is retiring this summer.

Jill Burkhart, who has served most recently as director of elementary education, will retire effective July 1, according to school system spokesman Richard Wright and a list of personnel moves approved by a 4-3 vote during a Washington County Board of Education meeting Tuesday.

Burkhart has worked for the school system for 36 years, according to the personnel list.

Under Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox’s restructuring of administrative positions, Burkhart was to become assistant director for elementary specialized programs and Title 1 this July.

Steven P. Wernick, who has been supervisor of elementary reading, social studies and early learning, will become director for elementary and middle school education this July.

 

Board OKs $20,000 loan to Boonsboro Athletic Boosters

The Washington County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a $20,000, interest-free, five-year loan for the Boonsboro Athletic Boosters to buy a scoreboard and sound system for the high school stadium.

Only one loan application was received this year, according to a school system document.

The fund had $223,700 available before the Boonsboro loan was approved, the document said.