School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – BCPS – July 29, 2026

Source briefing based on the attached extracted meeting packet.

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Baltimore County Public Schools
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING - VIRTUAL
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-29
• City: Towson
• County: Baltimore
• State: maryland
• Meeting Source URL: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/bcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DVZL6T551230
• Meeting Listing URL: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/bcps/Board.nsf/Public
• Public Body Website: https://www.bcps.org/board_of_education
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/@BCPSTV/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/@BCPSTV

What Community Members Should Know

The July 29, 2026 Baltimore County Public Schools Curriculum Committee meeting is narrowly focused on one major item: review of Contract JBO-715-21, which supports Tier II and Tier III phonics-based literacy interventions using the Wilson Reading System. Rather than introducing multiple curriculum initiatives, the committee packet concentrates on whether to extend an existing contract for one additional year.

According to the presentation materials, BCPS staff are requesting a one-year extension of the existing contract from August 2026 through August 2027. The original contract was awarded in 2021 with a total value of $234,000. Importantly, the extension does not request additional spending authority. Instead, it would allow continued use of the existing contract while maintaining access to instructional materials and educator professional learning.

The packet explains that Wilson is designed for students experiencing persistent difficulties with decoding, spelling, and reading fluency. The intervention is used across elementary, middle, and high schools for students requiring intensive Tier III structured literacy support. The presentation also outlines the professional learning pathway required for educators, including introductory training and multi-month certification programs.

For families, educators, and taxpayers, the principal issue is continuity. The committee is considering whether to maintain an established intervention program and associated teacher training without increasing the contract's authorized spending. The meeting also includes a tentative announcement that the next Curriculum Committee meeting is scheduled for August 26, 2026.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Contract JBO-715-21 One-Year Extension

The committee's primary business is reviewing Contract JBO-715-21, which covers Tier II and Tier III phonics-based intervention materials and professional learning. Staff are requesting a one-year extension of the existing agreement through August 2027.

The packet indicates that the contract originally ran from August 2021 through August 2026. Rather than replacing the contract immediately, staff propose extending its term while keeping the previously authorized spending level unchanged.

Committee discussion is expected to focus on whether extending the contract continues to support district literacy goals and whether maintaining the current vendor provides instructional continuity for students receiving intervention services.

Wilson Structured Literacy Intervention

Presentation materials describe Wilson as an intensive structured literacy intervention intended for students with persistent challenges in decoding, spelling, and reading fluency.

The intervention is characterized as explicit, systematic, and cumulative. These instructional characteristics are intended to support students who require more intensive reading instruction than can be provided through core classroom literacy programs.

Students receiving Tier III intervention across multiple grade levels are identified as the primary beneficiaries of the program.

Districtwide Use Across Schools

The packet states that the intervention is used in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Baltimore County Public Schools.

Rather than serving a single grade level or school, the contract supports districtwide implementation for students needing intensive decoding intervention. This broad deployment means decisions regarding the contract affect multiple schools and instructional staff throughout the system.

Professional Learning for Educators

A substantial portion of the presentation explains educator training requirements.

Wilson Training includes approximately three days (16.5 hours) of instruction or a 30-day asynchronous learning option. Participants complete coursework, assessments, lesson planning practice, and course evaluations before receiving an Acknowledgement of Completion.

Educators seeking Wilson Certification Level I complete an approximately 12-month process including online coursework covering Steps 1 through 6, 65 practicum lessons, classroom observations, teacher portfolio development, pre- and post-testing, and a final report.

Wilson Certification Level II requires approximately 15 additional months and offers tracks focused on either Small Group Implementation or Advanced Word Study covering Steps 7 through 12, together with associated practicum work.

Curriculum Committee Oversight

The meeting illustrates the committee's oversight role in reviewing curriculum-related contracts before additional board consideration.

Rather than introducing a new literacy initiative, the committee is examining continuation of an existing instructional resource and ensuring the district maintains support for intervention programming and educator development.

Financial Matters

The packet contains limited financial information.

The principal financial item is Contract JBO-715-21.

• Original contract value: $234,000
• Original contract term: August 2021 through August 2026
• Proposed action: One-year extension through August 2027
• Additional spending authority requested: None

The presentation specifically notes that the extension does not seek additional authorized funding. Instead, it extends the contract term while continuing existing services, including intervention materials and professional learning.

No additional grants, capital projects, transfers, reimbursements, or budget amendments are described in the extracted packet.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The packet does not describe proposed Board policies, policy revisions, ordinances, or governance changes.

Instead, the committee is reviewing an existing instructional services contract as part of its curriculum oversight responsibilities. The materials do not indicate that formal policy amendments accompany the contract extension.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The primary presentation is delivered by Dr. Jennifer Craft, Executive Director, and Ms. Jodi Wicks, Director, within the Division of Curriculum & Instruction.

The presentation explains:

• the purpose of the Wilson intervention;
• the student populations it serves;
• the requested one-year contract extension;
• districtwide implementation across elementary, middle, and high schools; and
• educator professional learning and certification expectations.

The materials emphasize instructional continuity and staff preparation rather than introducing a new literacy framework.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The packet contains no personnel appointments, resignations, retirements, employment agreements, or board appointments.

However, the presentation highlights educator professional development through Wilson training and certification. Teachers participating in the intervention complete progressively more advanced training and practicum requirements to deliver structured literacy instruction.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

No construction projects, facilities initiatives, transportation matters, technology procurements, or capital improvement projects are included in the extracted packet.

Operationally, the contract supports continued availability of literacy intervention materials and educator training across the school system. Extending the agreement would help maintain uninterrupted instructional support for students requiring intensive reading intervention.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The packet does not identify a formal public hearing related to Contract JBO-715-21.

Community members may observe the Curriculum Committee meeting through the district's public meeting process. The only future meeting identified in the packet is the tentative Curriculum Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

No additional public comment periods, surveys, hearings, or application deadlines are described.

Community Impact

Students with persistent reading difficulties are the group most directly affected. Continued access to structured literacy intervention may help maintain instructional support without interruption if the contract extension is approved.

Families of students receiving intervention services may benefit from continuity in instructional materials and educator preparation rather than transitioning to a different intervention during the upcoming school year.

Teachers delivering Wilson instruction benefit from ongoing professional learning opportunities, including structured certification pathways that build instructional expertise over time.

Taxpayers may note that the proposed extension does not request additional spending authority beyond the previously approved contract value. The proposal therefore emphasizes continuation of services rather than expanded expenditures.

School administrators may benefit from maintaining an established intervention framework already implemented across multiple grade levels and schools.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• Why is a one-year extension recommended instead of issuing a new competitive contract?
• How many BCPS students currently receive Wilson intervention services?
• What evidence has the district collected regarding student reading outcomes under this contract?
• How many teachers have completed Wilson Certification Level I and Level II?
• Are there enough trained intervention teachers to meet current student needs?
• What measures will be used during the extension year to evaluate program effectiveness?
• How does Wilson fit within the district's broader literacy strategy?
• What alternatives were considered before recommending the extension?
• Will additional schools begin using the intervention during the extension period?
• What plans exist after the proposed August 2027 contract expiration?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 29, 2026: Curriculum Committee reviews Contract JBO-715-21 and associated presentation.
• August 2026: Original contract term concludes.
• August 2027: Proposed new contract expiration if the one-year extension is approved.
• August 26, 2026, 4:00 p.m.: Tentative next Curriculum Committee meeting.

Key Takeaways

• The meeting focuses primarily on one curriculum contract.
• BCPS seeks a one-year extension of Contract JBO-715-21.
• The extension would run through August 2027.
• No additional spending authority is requested.
• The original contract value is $234,000.
• Wilson provides intensive structured literacy intervention.
• The intervention supports students with persistent decoding, spelling, and fluency needs.
• The program serves elementary, middle, and high schools.
• Teacher professional learning and certification are major components of the contract.
• The proposal emphasizes continuity of literacy intervention services.
• The next tentative Curriculum Committee meeting is scheduled for August 26, 2026.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/bcps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DVZL6T551230
• Meeting listing: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/bcps/Board.nsf/Public
• Public body website: https://www.bcps.org/board_of_education
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/@BCPSTV/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BCPSTV

About the Public Body

• Name: Baltimore County Public Schools
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Towson, maryland
• County: Baltimore
• Provider: boarddocs

Keywords

Baltimore County Public Schools, BCPS, Curriculum Committee, Curriculum Committee Meeting, Towson, Maryland, JBO-715-21, Wilson Reading System, Wilson intervention, structured literacy, phonics, Tier II intervention, Tier III intervention, literacy instruction, decoding, spelling, reading fluency, professional learning, teacher certification, Wilson Certification Level I, Wilson Certification Level II, Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Jennifer Craft, Jodi Wicks, literacy materials, contract extension, August 2027, school board, reading intervention