Washington County Board of Education MD: Calendar & Meetings

🏫 Washington County Public Schools • Hagerstown, Maryland

Washington County MD Board Meetings, Calendar, Enrollment & Parent Help

Washington County Board of Education searches can surface several legitimate school systems in different states. This guide covers the Board governing Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) in Hagerstown, Maryland and separates local Board business from everyday student and family services.

Use this page to check 2026–27 calendar dates, current Board members, public comment, agendas and policies, enrollment documents, ParentVUE, Pre-K, Special Permission, school assignments, meal costs, bus changes, Special Education, transcripts, public records and the right escalation route for a school concern.

📍 Hagerstown, Maryland ☎ 301-766-2800 👥 7 elected + student member 🎓 Superintendent: Dr. Gary Willow ✓ Verified Aug. 14, 2026
Fast orientation

Washington County Board of Education Maryland at a glance

🏫

School system

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), Maryland.

📍

Center for Education Services

10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

☎️

Main phone

301-766-2800

🎓

Superintendent

Dr. Gary W. Willow.

👥

Board structure

Seven elected members plus a Student Member.

🎒

Students

WCPS currently reports 22,722 students enrolled.

👩‍🏫

Employees

WCPS currently reports 3,766 employees.

🏢

Facilities

WCPS currently reports 49 facilities.

Entity check: for this article, look for Hagerstown, Maryland • wcpsmd.com • 10435 Downsville Pike • 301-766-2800. Washington County school districts in Tennessee, Utah, Kentucky, Georgia and other states are separate entities.

Need to confirm you have the correct district?

Use the official district website before entering student information, relying on a calendar or attending a Board meeting.

Verify Washington County Public Schools Maryland →
Governance

What does the Washington County Board of Education handle?

📘

Policy

The Board develops and reviews policies governing the school system.

💰

Budget

The Board develops, approves and manages the WCPS budget.

🎓

Superintendent

The Board hires the superintendent, negotiates the contract and evaluates the superintendent.

📅

Calendar

The Board adopts the school calendar.

⚖️

Appeals

The Board conducts certain student and employee appeals.

📊

Accountability

The Board provides public accountability concerning student achievement and district strategy.

Board issue or school issue? A private concern involving a teacher, attendance, discipline, a bus, grades or a student’s IEP normally starts with school/district staff. Public Board comment is not a substitute for the normal student-service process.

Current leadership

Washington County Board of Education members

Darrell Evans

President
Term expires 2026

Dr. April Zentmeyer

Vice-President
Term expires 2028

Michael Guessford

Board Member
Term expires 2026

Victoria Beachley

Board Member
Term expires 2028

Charles Burkett

Board Member
Term expires 2028

Ashley McCusker

Board Member
Term expires 2028

Linda Murray

Board Member
Term expires 2026

Torin Malott

Student Member
Term expires 2027

2026 transition year: Darrell Evans, Michael Guessford and Linda Murray are listed with terms expiring in 2026. Recheck Board membership after the November 2026 election and subsequent Board organization.

Need a current member email?

The live WCPS page provides individual profiles and district email addresses.

Verify current Board members and contact information →
2026 election snapshot

Washington County Board of Education election in 2026

The Washington County Board race is nonpartisan. Maryland’s official 2026 primary results listed voters as choosing up to three candidates.

Candidate Primary result status
Pieter Bickford Marked “Winner Selected” on official primary results
Alina Chester Marked “Winner Selected”
Darrell E. Evans Marked “Winner Selected”
Mike Guessford Marked “Winner Selected”
Robin A. Merchant-Spickler Marked “Winner Selected”
Linda Murray Marked “Winner Selected”
General Election Day November 3, 2026
General early voting October 22–29, 2026
Contest Nonpartisan Washington County Board of Education

Election information changes the future Board—not today’s Board. Until terms officially change, use the current WCPS Board Members page for present officeholders and Maryland election sources for candidate/election information.

Need official 2026 election results or dates?

Use Maryland’s election authority rather than a campaign page or social-media graphic.

Check official Washington County 2026 primary results →
Public meetings

Washington County Board meeting schedule, agendas and livestream

Work Session pattern Typically the first Tuesday of each month.
Business Meeting pattern Typically the third Tuesday of each month.
Usual meeting site Center for Education Services, 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown.
Current pattern Recent 2026 listings show Work Sessions around 1:00 p.m. and Business Meetings around 6:00 p.m.; exact times can change.
Meeting records BoardDocs provides agendas, minutes, supporting material, policies and historical Board records.
Watch WCPS identifies Facebook, YouTube and Channel 99 for public meeting viewing.
1

Open the live meeting calendar

Check whether the listing is a Work Session, Business Meeting, Closed Session or committee meeting.

2

Confirm time and room

WCPS explicitly says meeting start times can change.

3

Open BoardDocs

Read the agenda and supporting documents before attending or commenting.

4

Check public-comment availability

WCPS includes its regular public-comment period during Business Meetings, not Work Sessions.

Need a specific upcoming meeting?

The current Board Meetings page controls date, time, location and viewing details.

Check the current WCPS Board meeting calendar →
Public participation

How to speak during a Washington County Board Business Meeting

⏱️

Time limit

Up to 4 minutes per speaker.

☎️

Phone signup

301-766-2971

✉️

Email

publicfeedback@wcps.k12.md.us

🏛️

Meeting type

Regular public comment is included during Business Meetings, not Work Sessions.

Safest signup workflow

1

Choose the Business Meeting date

Use the live Board calendar to confirm the meeting.

2

Register before Monday’s 4 p.m. target

WCPS publishes 4:00 p.m. on the Monday before a Business Meeting in its signup instructions. Registering by that point is the safest approach.

3

Provide your topic

WCPS asks speakers to identify the topic they intend to address.

4

Prepare a four-minute version

Lead with the problem, evidence and requested Board-level action rather than a long history.

WCPS wording note: the page emphasizes advance signup and the Monday 4 p.m. timing, while also explaining that a person who did not sign up in advance must sign the auditorium log before public comment. To avoid uncertainty, register in advance whenever possible.

Do not publicly identify private personnel or student matters. WCPS says public-comment topics may concern the school system except personnel or student matters that clearly identify an individual or individuals.

Ready to sign up?

The WCPS Public Comment page contains the current online form and Policy KD information.

Open WCPS public-comment signup →
Board research tools

Agenda, minutes, Board Briefs, policies or community feedback?

Resource Best use
BoardDocs — Featured Recent meetings and supporting materials.
BoardDocs — Meetings Current and historical agendas and minutes.
BoardDocs — Policies Active Board policies, procedures, regulations and exhibits.
BoardDocs — Library Search the broader Board document archive.
Board Briefs Quick summary of key public Business Meeting highlights.
Community Feedback Participate when the Board requests feedback on active policies, plans or initiatives.

For exact wording, use BoardDocs. A Board Brief is useful for quick understanding but should not replace the adopted policy, minutes or agenda material when the precise record matters.

Looking for a policy, agenda or minutes?

The WCPS policy page routes users to the district’s BoardDocs library.

Open WCPS policies and BoardDocs resources →
2026–2027 academic year

WCPS 2026–27 calendar: key dates, marking periods and weather risk

Date Official calendar item
Aug. 25, 2026 School begins for students.
Sept. 4, 2026 2-hour early dismissal.
Sept. 7, 2026 Labor Day — schools and CES closed.
Sept. 28, 2026 2-hour early dismissal.
Oct. 16, 2026 Association Day — schools and CES closed.
Oct. 23, 2026 2-hour early dismissal.
Nov. 2, 2026 2-hour early dismissal; end of first marking period (48 days).
Nov. 3, 2026 Professional Learning Day for teachers; no students.
Nov. 25–27, 2026 Thanksgiving break — schools and CES closed.
Dec. 18, 2026 2-hour early dismissal.
Dec. 24, 2026–Jan. 1, 2027 Winter-break closures shown across the applicable weekdays.
Jan. 15, 2027 2-hour early dismissal; end of second marking period (43 days).
Jan. 18, 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. birthday — schools and CES closed.
Jan. 19, 2027 Professional Learning Day for teachers; no students.
Feb. 12, 2027 2-hour early dismissal.
Feb. 15, 2027 Presidents’ Day / identified ESP non-work, non-paid day; schools and CES closed.
Mar. 24, 2027 2-hour early dismissal; end of third marking period (45 days).
Mar. 25, 2027 Professional Learning Day for teachers; no students.
Mar. 26 & Mar. 29, 2027 Spring-break closures on the published calendar.
May 31, 2027 Memorial Day — schools and CES closed.
June 8, 2027* Last day for students assuming six inclement-weather days; 2½-hour early dismissal; end of fourth marking period.
June 9, 2027* Last day for teachers assuming six inclement-weather days.

*June dates are weather dependent. WCPS explicitly reserves the right to extend or modify the calendar if make-up days are insufficient to meet student and teacher requirements.

Potential additional make-up days: the official calendar specifically says additional make-up days could include November 25, March 25 and March 29. Do not book nonrefundable travel around those dates without rechecking the calendar.

The published 2026–27 calendar states that it was approved October 15, 2024. WCPS can still modify operational dates when weather or other circumstances require changes.

Need the current calendar rather than this snapshot?

The live WCPS calendar also includes school-specific events and downloadable English/Spanish district calendars.

Open the current WCPS district calendar →
K–12 registration

How to enroll a student in Washington County Public Schools

WCPS organizes enrollment into five steps. Gathering documents before starting is especially helpful because identity, residency, health and custody requirements are handled separately.

1

Confirm age and Washington County residency

A child generally must be at least five by September 1 and under 21 on the first day of school. The child must live in Washington County with a parent/legal guardian.

2

Prepare health records

Gather immunization information and physical-examination documentation. Pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade enrollment also requires the applicable blood-lead testing certificate.

3

Verify parent identity and custody

The enrolling custodial parent/legal guardian must provide valid photo identification. Court custody documentation is required when applicable.

4

Gather the complete packet

Prepare birth verification, residency documentation, health records, parent/legal guardian photo ID and custody documents if applicable.

5

Start registration

Contact the assigned school for an enrollment appointment, or use online registration if the K–12 student has never attended WCPS.

Residency documents

Lease / mortgage

Listed by WCPS as acceptable residency evidence.

Utility bill

Water, sewer, gas, electric or oil bill.

Real-estate bill

Accepted as residency evidence.

Deed / title

Also listed as an acceptable document.

Residency freshness: applicable documents must be dated within three months of enrollment and show the parent/legal guardian’s name, address and date.

Special living situations

🏠 Shared housing

WCPS uses a notarized Parent Residency Affidavit Multi-Family Disclosure Form plus current residency proof from the primary resident/property owner. The verification must be updated annually.

🧭 Homelessness

Families experiencing homelessness use the Student in Transition Enrollment Form and WCPS Homeless Education support.

👪 Foster care

Court-ordered foster placements use the WCPS Foster Care Form plus the applicable court order.

Custody mistake to avoid: WCPS says a notarized statement that simply transfers custody is not accepted as legal custody documentation.

Need current forms or school-assignment help?

The official enrollment page links the map, health forms and special-situation resources.

Open WCPS Registration & Enrollment →
Family portal

ParentVUE setup, online registration and login troubleshooting

📊

What ParentVUE shows

Grades, assignments, attendance, schedules, report-card information, messages and student information.

🔑

Activation key

WCPS says parents should request an activation key from the school where their youngest child is enrolled.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Multiple children

A single ParentVUE login can allow a parent/legal guardian to switch between linked WCPS students.

Common ParentVUE problems

Problem WCPS-guided fix
Activation key fails Enter your first/last name exactly as shown, consider whether an account was already activated, and contact the school if needed.
Lost activation letter Contact the school for a replacement activation-key letter.
Forgot password Use “I’m a parent” → “Forgot Password,” enter the account email and follow the reset email promptly.
Child missing Contact the child’s school so students can be correctly linked in the student information system.
Two legal guardians WCPS says separate legal parents/guardians can receive separate logins linked to the same eligible student records.
Attendance question Contact the school’s main office rather than assuming the portal itself can correct the attendance record.

Online registration decision

✅ Never attended WCPS

A K–12 student new to the system may use online registration. A new ParentVUE account can be created as part of that workflow.

↩️ Returning / internal transfer

If the student previously attended WCPS or is transferring between WCPS schools, contact the enrolling school rather than using the new-student online workflow.

Device: WCPS recommends using a desktop computer for online registration.
Pause and return: an unfinished application can be saved and resumed.
Document upload: families can upload images/scans or choose to hand-deliver hard copies.
After submission: school staff contact the family for an in-person meeting.
Processing: WCPS says online registration may take up to one week to be fully processed.
Need ParentVUE help?

Use WCPS’s dedicated ParentVUE/StudentVUE page and FAQ before relying on a generic Synergy tutorial.

Open WCPS ParentVUE / StudentVUE →
2026–27 early learning

Washington County Pre-K application and documents

WCPS says applications for the 2026–27 Pre-K year are available. Programs operate at every elementary school and at two high schools.

4️⃣

Age requirement

The child must be four years old on or before September 1.

💵

Proof of income

Proof of income is required for every adult in the household. WCPS notes that all income levels are accepted for application review.

🕘

Full-day program

The program includes instruction, play, lunch, recess and rest.

1

Complete the application

Paper applications are available at elementary schools and WCPS provides downloadable English and Spanish applications.

2

Submit application + household income proof

Applications may be mailed to WCPS or hand-delivered at an elementary school or Central Office.

3

Complete school enrollment

Prepare parent photo ID, birth certificate, immunization records, health inventory, current residency evidence and custody documents when applicable.

Review timing: WCPS says the Office of Early Learning reviews the application and generally provides further information/enrollment forms within about two weeks.

Special Permission deadline: the standard May 15 deadline for a 2026–27 Pre-K Special Permission application has already passed as of August 14, 2026. Families with a current need should contact WCPS rather than assuming an old form guarantees consideration.

Need the 2026–27 Pre-K application?

Use the current Early Learning page for English/Spanish applications and submission details.

Open WCPS Pre-K enrollment →
Different attendance area

WCPS Special Permission: deadlines, transportation and appeals

Students normally attend the school assigned to their home address. A custodial parent/legal guardian can request another WCPS attendance area through Special Permission.

Step / deadline WCPS guidance
Normal application window April 1 through May 15 for the following school year.
Where K–12 application goes Submit to the principal of the requested school.
Principal action Approval or referral for further Student Services consideration is normally issued by June 15.
Student Services outcome When forwarded, the applicant receives an outcome in writing by June 30.
Transportation If approved, transportation to the out-of-area school is the parent/legal guardian’s responsibility.
K–12 denial appeal Written appeal within 14 calendar days of the denial letter.
Pre-K denial appeal Written appeal within 10 calendar days of the denial letter.

WCPS says requests can involve circumstances such as childcare, a specific academic program, hardship or another unique situation. Requests are considered individually and school capacity matters.

Applying outside April 1–May 15? WCPS says an application submitted at another time should identify the special or changing circumstances that explain the request.

Need the current 2026–27 form?

The Special Permission page provides K–12 and Pre-K forms plus current contact numbers.

Open WCPS Special Permission →
School directory

Washington County Public Schools by level

School assignment is based on the home address. Use the district map/road-list tools when registering rather than choosing a school only because it appears nearby.

🧒

Elementary / primary

Bester, Boonsboro, Cascade, Clear Spring, Eastern, Emma K. Doub, Fountaindale, Fountain Rock, Greenbrier, Hancock, Hickory, Jonathan Hager, Lincolnshire, Maugansville, Old Forge, Pangborn, Paramount, Pleasant Valley, Potomac Heights, Rockland Woods, Ruth Ann Monroe Primary, Thomas J. Garner Elementary, Sharpsburg, Smithsburg and Williamsport.

📚

Middle-level

Boonsboro Middle, Clear Spring Middle, E. Russell Hicks Middle, Hancock Middle Senior High, Northern Middle, Smithsburg Middle, Springfield Middle and Western Heights Middle.

🎓

High-school level

Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, Boonsboro High, Boyd J. Michael III Technical High, Clear Spring High, Hancock Middle Senior High, North Hagerstown High, Smithsburg High, South Hagerstown High and Williamsport High.

Name update: current WCPS navigation displays Thomas J. Garner Elementary School where older district/navigation references may still show Salem Avenue Elementary.

2026–27 nutrition

WCPS meal prices, CEP schools and MMFA schools

Meal 2026–27 standard price
Elementary breakfast $1.85
Elementary lunch $2.85
Secondary breakfast $1.85
Secondary lunch $3.10
Reduced lunch $0.00
Staff / visitor lunch $6.25
🍽️

CEP

WCPS currently lists 25 CEP-approved schools. At a CEP school, participating students receive breakfast and lunch at no charge without an individual FARM application for those meals.

🍳

MMFA

WCPS currently lists 9 MMFA-approved schools. MMFA provides free breakfast, but free lunch requires appropriate FARM eligibility unless another program applies.

🔄

Student transfers

If a student leaves a CEP school for a non-CEP school, WCPS says the family may need to complete a FARM application to continue receiving free meals.

CEP meals follow the CEP school. WCPS says a student from a CEP school who visits a non-CEP school and purchases a meal there can be charged standard pricing.

Current CEP-approved WCPS schools

Bester Elementary; Cascade Elementary; E. Russell Hicks Middle; Eastern Elementary; Emma K. Doub Elementary; Family Center; Fountain Rock Elementary; Hancock Elementary; Hancock Middle-High; Hickory Elementary; InnovatED Learning Center; Jonathan Hager Elementary; Lincolnshire Elementary; Marshall Street School; Maugansville Elementary; Northern Middle; Pangborn Elementary; Potomac Heights Elementary; Ruth Ann Monroe Primary; Thomas J. Garner/Salem Avenue campus listing; South Hagerstown High; Springfield Middle; Western Heights Middle; Williamsport Elementary; and Williamsport High.

Current MMFA-approved WCPS schools

Clear Spring Elementary, Clear Spring High, Clear Spring Middle, Fountaindale Elementary, North Hagerstown High, Paramount Elementary, Rockland Woods Elementary, Smithsburg Middle and South Hagerstown High.

Need a current menu, price or FARM rule?

Use Food & Nutrition Services because program participation can change by school year.

Check WCPS 2026–27 meal information →
Bus service

WCPS bus routes and Transportation Location Change requests

🚌

Students transported

Approximately 19,000 students twice each day.

🛣️

Daily mileage

More than 17,330 miles each day.

🚍

Fleet

Approximately 110 county-owned and almost 70 contract buses.

☎️

Transportation

301-766-2902

Transportation Location Change (TLC)

A TLC request is used when a student needs consistent transportation to/from an approved location other than the primary residence.

2026–27 forms: English, Spanish and fillable Word versions are currently posted.
Annual request: applicable transportation-location requests need to be renewed according to WCPS procedures.
Approval required: do not assume a note automatically authorizes the student to ride another bus.
Start-of-year deadline: WCPS announced August 11, 2026 for start-of-year TLC processing.

August 11 has already passed. As of August 14, 2026, families who still need a transportation-location change should contact Transportation for current handling rather than submitting an old form and assuming it will be processed before the first day.

Need a route or TLC form?

Use the live Transportation department page for the current school year.

Open WCPS Transportation →
Delays & closures

How WCPS evaluates weather-related schedule changes

🛣️

Road conditions

Transportation evaluates road conditions relative to safe school-bus operations.

🏫

School facilities

Conditions such as facility readiness, heat and cleared lots can affect the decision.

🚏

Student travel

Safety at bus stops and for students walking or being driven to school is considered.

Notification option: WCPS says its free mobile app publishes school-system news and immediate information when schools are delayed, dismissed early or closed.

Need current operating status?

A normal district calendar is not a live weather-status tool.

Check WCPS delays and closures →
Student support

Special Education and early-intervention starting points

📝

School-age concern

Parents can begin by contacting the school and providing concerns to the Special Education case manager/team.

👶

Birth–33 months

Early-intervention referral phone: 301-766-8217.

🧸

34 months–Kindergarten

Early Intervention phone: 301-766-8509.

Evaluation is not automatic eligibility. Referral, review, assessment/consent and eligibility steps may occur before an IEP or IFSP is created for a qualifying child.

Protect educational and medical privacy. Do not upload an IEP, evaluation, diagnosis or student record to an unofficial Board-information website.

Need official Special Education resources?

Use WCPS Special Education for current procedures and program contacts.

Open WCPS Special Education →
Resolve problems faster

Who should you contact before escalating to the Board?

Concern WCPS recommended order
Academics / curriculum Teacher → Principal → Supervisor of School Management
Student discipline Teacher → Assistant Principal → Principal → Supervisor of School Management
Athletics Coach/Advisor → Athletic Director → Principal → Supervisor of School Management
Food service Cafeteria Manager → Assistant Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services
Student health School Nurse → Principal → Supervisor of School Health
Special Education Teacher → Special Education Case Manager → Principal → Director of Special Education
Transportation Assistant Principal → Principal → Assistant Supervisor of Transportation

Simple phone script: “My child attends [school]. I am trying to resolve [specific issue]. I already contacted [person/role]. Who is the correct next contact under the WCPS escalation process?”

Immediate school-safety issue: WCPS says school-safety concerns should be reported to staff promptly; outside school hours, serious safety matters may require local law enforcement rather than waiting for a Board meeting.

Not sure who owns your problem?

The WCPS Questions & Concerns page gives topic-specific contact ladders.

Find the correct WCPS contact route →
Student vs public records

Transcript, diploma or Maryland Public Information Act request?

📄

Transcript

Contact the high school and ask for the registrar or Counseling office.

🎓

Actual diploma

Contact Student Services at 301-766-2960. WCPS says a fee applies and the wait can be several weeks.

🏛️

MPIA public records

Use the Maryland Public Information Act process for eligible WCPS public records rather than student transcripts.

What an MPIA request needs

Written request
Applicant’s full name, mailing address and telephone number
Applicant signature
Reasonable description of the public records requested
MPIA issue WCPS current guidance
Initial response In most cases, within 10 business days.
Approved records Generally produced no later than 30 days unless an exemption applies or an extension is agreed.
First two staff hours No staff-time fee assessed.
More than two hours WCPS can estimate cost and requires a 75% deposit before work begins.
10 pages or fewer WCPS says those documents are copied without charge.
Media WCPS lists $5 for a CD/DVD and $10 for a USB flash drive.

Photocopy fee wording needs confirmation: the current WCPS webpage literally displays “.25 cents per page.” Because that wording is ambiguous, confirm the intended per-page fee with Public Information before ordering a large number of paper copies rather than silently assuming whether WCPS means $0.25 or $0.0025.

Submission timing: WCPS says an email or fax sent after 4:30 p.m. on a business day, on a weekend or on a school-system holiday is not considered received until the next business day.

Need eligible WCPS public records?

Use the official MPIA page for the current custodian contact, mailing/email/fax route and fee terms.

Open WCPS Public Information Act Requests →
Avoid entity confusion

Washington County Maryland is not Washington County Tennessee, Utah or Georgia

Entity Identity clue
Washington County, Maryland Washington County Public Schools • Hagerstown • wcpsmd.com • 301-766-2800
Washington County, Tennessee Separate Tennessee school system and Board
Washington County, Utah Washington County School District • St. George, Utah
Washington County, Georgia Separate public school district in Sandersville, Georgia

Why this matters: meeting schedules, calendars, enrollment portals, Board members, bus systems and meal programs can all look legitimate while belonging to a completely different Washington County.

Quick fixes

Common Washington County school problems and next actions

❌ Search opened another state

Fix: confirm Hagerstown, Maryland and wcpsmd.com.

🗓️ You need the next Board meeting

Fix: use the live Board calendar. First/third Tuesday is a typical pattern, not a substitute for the current notice.

🎙️ You want to speak at a Work Session

Fix: the regular public-comment period is included during Business Meetings, not Work Sessions.

📋 You need exact Board language

Fix: use BoardDocs rather than relying only on Board Briefs or a news summary.

📝 Student attended WCPS before

Fix: contact the enrolling school rather than using the never-attended-WCPS online-registration route.

🔑 ParentVUE activation key is missing

Fix: request an activation key from the school where your youngest child is enrolled.

🏫 Special Permission deadline passed

Fix: explain the special or changed circumstances on the request and contact Student Services about current handling.

🍎 Someone says all meals are free

Fix: determine whether the child’s school is CEP, MMFA or using standard/FARM meal rules.

🚌 You missed the August 11 TLC deadline

Fix: call Transportation at 301-766-2902 for current processing guidance.

📄 You need a transcript

Fix: call the high-school registrar/Counseling office; do not file an MPIA request for a student transcript.

💵 MPIA copy price looks unclear

Fix: ask Public Information to confirm the per-page amount before authorizing a large copy order.

📅 Spring-break travel is being booked

Fix: remember March 25 and March 29 are specifically identified as potential additional make-up dates.

Frequently asked questions

Washington County Board of Education Maryland FAQs

What is the official Washington County Board of Education website in Maryland?

The local school system is Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) in Hagerstown, Maryland. Its official district website is wcpsmd.com.

What is the Washington County Public Schools phone number and address?

WCPS lists the Center for Education Services at 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The main district phone is 301-766-2800.

When does the Washington County Board of Education meet?

The Board typically holds a Work Session on the first Tuesday and a Business Meeting on the third Tuesday of each month. Meeting times can change, so confirm the specific listing on the current Board meeting calendar.

How do I speak during public comment?

WCPS provides public comment during Business Meetings. Speakers may have up to four minutes. The safest process is to register in advance through the WCPS form, by phone at 301-766-2971 or by the public-feedback email and follow the current Policy KD instructions.

When does school start in Washington County Maryland in 2026?

The current WCPS 2026–27 calendar lists August 25, 2026 as the first day of school for students.

When is the last day of school in 2027?

The published calendar identifies June 8, 2027 as the last student day assuming six inclement-weather days, with a 2½-hour early dismissal. The Board can extend or otherwise modify the calendar if weather make-up requirements are not satisfied.

How do I get a WCPS ParentVUE activation key?

WCPS tells parents to contact the school where their youngest child is enrolled to request an activation key. Once the account is established, eligible linked children can be accessed through the same parent account.

Are school meals free in Washington County Public Schools?

It depends on the school and program. WCPS publishes standard 2026–27 prices but currently has 25 CEP schools where qualifying CEP meals are available to all students at that school without individual FARM applications. Nine schools are also approved for MMFA, which provides free breakfast but does not by itself make lunch free.

Can my child attend a different WCPS school?

A custodial parent/legal guardian may request Special Permission. The normal application window for the following school year is April 1 through May 15. Approval depends on the individual request and capacity, and transportation to an approved out-of-area school is generally the parent’s responsibility.

How do I request WCPS public records?

Use the Maryland Public Information Act process for eligible school-system public records. WCPS requires a written, signed request with the applicant’s contact information and a reasonable description of the records. Student transcripts use the school records process instead.

Before you act

Final WCPS verification checklist

Correct Washington County?

Confirm Hagerstown, Maryland and wcpsmd.com.

🔄

Changing information?

Recheck meetings, weather, calendar modifications, Board membership, bus routes and election information.

🔐

Private student data?

Only submit documents and login information through a WCPS-approved system or staff-directed process.

Verification scope — August 14, 2026: this refresh reviewed current WCPS Board, Board Members, Board Meetings, Public Comment, policies/BoardDocs, Superintendent, 2026–27 calendar and calendar PDF, Registration & Enrollment, Online Registration, ParentVUE/StudentVUE, Pre-K, Special Permission, Food & Nutrition, Transportation, Special Education, Questions & Concerns and Public Information Act resources, plus official Maryland 2026 Board-election results.

Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an independent informational guide and is not Washington County Public Schools, the Washington County Board of Education, the Maryland State Department of Education or the Maryland State Board of Elections. Current official records and decisions take priority.