Photo Illustration

Services at the Ewing School are scheduled to remain as is for the 2025-26 school year. According to Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Tiffany Neill, the board met Wednesday to discuss potential partnerships and funding options to continue supporting their services.

The replacement levy to fund the WCBDD failed with 52.84% of voters who voted against it according to the final results from the Washington County Board of Elections.

The replacement levy proposed the county auditor would collect $7,027,000 annually at a rate not exceeding 3.6 mills for each $1 of taxable value. This amounted to $126 for each $100,000 of the appraised value for a continuing period of time.

The Washington County Commission has vocalized support of the board during commission meetings and acknowledged Neill and her team for their efforts and dedication to the community.

“They provide substantive services in the county that we don’t want to see go away,” said Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling.

Neill provided an update to the families and caregivers who are associated with WCBDD. She said their focus is on the support and growth of the kids and they are exploring partnerships and agencies to work with the operation of the Ewing School.

“We are actively reaching out to other agencies and local school districts to explore possible partnerships that could allow educational services to continue here, even if WCBDD is no longer the direct operator,” said Neill in a formal letter released Wednesday.

Neill said they will continue looking into options and will continue to communicate with the staff and community.

“Please know that every decision we make is guided by care, compassion, and the belief that our children deserve the very best opportunities,” she said in the letter.

Neill attended the commission meeting Nov. 6 which was two days after the election results were released. She said they are planning to be back on the ballot for the election in May.