Garrett County schools seek public feedback on virtual learning plan through Oct. 28
Garrett County Public Schools is taking comments on its proposed 2026-27 Virtual Learning Plan until Oct. 28, and the Board of Education is expected to act on it Nov. 10.
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What is Garrett County Public Schools asking the public to review?
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is seeking feedback on its proposed Virtual Learning Plan for the 2026-27 school year. The window for comments runs through Oct. 28, according to the district’s Live Feed. The district will share all responses with the Garrett County Board of Education members and the Superintendent, and will publish them as a public document on the Diligent platform for the board’s November 2026 meeting.
What is new in the plan?
The main addition this year is paper packets for all students in Pre-K3 and Pre-K4.
What are the rules for virtual learning days?
The district lists these rules, carried over from prior years:
- Virtual days may be used only in place of inclement-weather days.
- Virtual days may be used only after make-up inclement-weather days have been used.
- All virtual days must be synchronous. Asynchronous days are not an option.
- A 2- or 3-hour delay may be used on a virtual learning day, to give more flexibility in weather decisions.
- Each local education agency approves its own plan. State approval is no longer required.
The listing does not say how many make-up inclement-weather days are on the 2026-27 calendar.
When will the Board of Education vote on the plan?
GCPS says the board is expected to take action on the plan at its monthly meeting on Nov. 10. The plan has not been approved yet.
How do residents send feedback or ask questions?
Submit comments through the feedback form on the plan page at https://www.gcps.net/o/gcps/page/gcps-virtual-learning-plan. Questions can go to [email protected] or 301-334-8936.
When is the substitute training?
GCPS will hold substitute training Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Dennett Road Education Complex. Applicants must complete an application before the training. The district’s hiring page is at https://www.applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/onlineapp/. Questions go to HR Manager Angela Flanigan at 301-334-8904.
How do I avoid scam calls from people posing as GCPS?
GCPS says scam callers are posing as district representatives and using spoofed phone numbers. The district will not ask for personal information over the phone. Do not share personal, financial or student information with a caller until you have verified who they are, and do not rely on caller ID alone. To report a suspicious call, contact Mike Bittinger, GCPS Manager of Safety & Security, at 301-334-7986, or the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) at 301-334-1911.
Questions and answers
- When is the deadline to comment on the Garrett County virtual learning plan?
- GCPS is accepting feedback on the proposed 2026-27 Virtual Learning Plan through Oct. 28, according to the district's Live Feed. Comments can be submitted through the feedback form on the plan page.
- When will the Garrett County Board of Education vote on virtual learning?
- GCPS says the board is expected to take action on the plan at its monthly meeting on Nov. 10. The plan has not been approved yet.
- Can Garrett County schools hold virtual learning on snow days?
- Under the plan, virtual learning days may replace only inclement-weather days, and only after make-up inclement-weather days have been used. All virtual days must be synchronous, according to the district's listing.