At the Tuesday, May 19, Business Session of the Washington County Board of Education, WCTA President Carol Mowen urged the Board to seek input from stakeholders, including teachers, students, and parents, in the consideration of how best to revise policies and regulations in accordance with the parameters of the Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act. On Wednesday, May 20, Dr. Gary Willow, current WCPS Deputy Superintendent who has been named Superintendent as of July 1, called Mowen to ask for her collaboration to create a focus group forum with WCTA members for this purpose. The result? A phones-free school forum held on June 4 that has resulted in this report for the WCBOE, WCTA membership, and the community at large: WCPS-WCTA Phone Free Schools Forum Focus Group Report – June 16, 2026.
On Thursday, June 11, Dr. Willow shared an overview of the recommendations and concerns with the WCBOE Policy Committee (Darrell Evans, Dr. April Zentmeyer, and Charlie Burkett). Willow also shared results of a survey that had been provided to staff, students, and the community as well. At that meeting, the committee decided to move the draft revisions of the policy forward to the whole board for the 2nd reading at this evening’s June 16 Business Session at 6 PM. Mowen will be providing copies of the focus group report to the WCBOE members at the meeting to provide further details regarding the disussions, including recommendations and concerns. Following the discussion and vote on the policy during the Board session, CES staff will begin drafting the regulation that will govern the implementation of the policy, if approved. If it moves forward without further revision, Dr. Willow anticipates that the draft regulation will be ready for review and input by mid- to late July, and he has asked Mowen to reconvene the WCTA focus groups to provide additional feedback on Thursday, July 23. Invitations have been sent to the members who participated. If other members would like to join for this second session, please email Mowen to receive an invitation.
WCTA leaders appreciate the opportunity for collaboration on the implementation of regulations and policies such as this one that should support improved teaching and learning conditions throughout our schools.