The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Wicomico County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin and her executive team to present at the 2022 State of the Wicomico County Public Schools luncheon. The pandemic derailed this annual forum since 2020 and this year’s event was held on Tuesday, April 26th at the Wicomico Civic Center rather than at its usual home at Parkside High School.
More than one hundred business and organizational leaders attended the forum which was presented by First Shore Federal Bank and COMCAST.
Wicomico Board of Education President and First Shore Federal Bank Vice-President Gene Malone introduced Superintendent Hanlin to the audience. The Superintendent commented on the challenges the system faced during the pandemic and applauded the efforts of her staff, teachers and school support personnel during that difficult period.
She continued with a look back at progress that has been made in the schools with emphasis on student academic growth and closing the achievement gap. Dr. Hanlin touched on the FY 2023 school system budget noting that the State of Maryland will be increasing its investment by $14 million dollars driven mostly by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Kirwan).
Further, she outlined the FY23 budget priorities which include; improving kindergarten readiness numbers, improving graduation rates, increased efforts to promote a positive school climate, early childhood education, improving students college and career ready status, continue to increase staff retention rates and working toward increasing compensation for teachers and school leaders. In the FY23 budget, a 7% cost of living adjustment and a step have been added and all classified staff will earn a minimum hourly wage of at least $15.00 per hour.
Dr. Hanlin provided a summary of the successes in the system, including local, regional and national awards given to staff and schools. She closed the forum with, “ I want to thank the Board members, my team, all of the educators and staff for their leadership and support during my six years as Superintendent”. She added, “please give that same support to our next superintendent”.
A celebration for Dr. Hanlin, sponsored by the Wicomico Education Foundation, will be held at the Wicomico Yacht Club on the evening of June 25th.
