Meet Our Board Members

Darrell Evans taught Math and Special Education in Anne Arundel County for 10 years before moving to Hagerstown. Darrell now works as a financial advisor and also volunteers with Valley Little League.

Dr. April Zentmeyer’s life's passion is teaching students to love learning and supporting the people who make this happen.

She retired from WCPS after serving as Assistant Principal at North High and Williamsport, following fifteen years of teaching English and Yearbook, serving as Student Achievement Specialist, and advising the junior class at Boonsboro High School. She is a National Board Certified teacher. Dr. Zentmeyer is a fifth-generation Washington County resident and graduate of South High who went on to earn her Bachelors and Masters from Towson University, and doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. With a varied background of work experience ranging from communications, nursing (R.N. from HCC), and President/CEO of an electronics company and air courier service, she ran for School Board with the desire to invest back into the county and assure that all students have the same opportunities she and her family have had. As a member of the Women’s Club Board, she organizes service projects to support St. Mark’s Food Bank, the Red Cross, CASA, Hospice, and REACH. She also volunteers at Doey’s House through Crossroads Garden Club, serving as co-president of Crossroads.

Proud mother of two daughters, both Boonsboro graduates, and grandmother of five, she is personally invested in promoting a curriculum that prepares all students for post graduate success and purposeful lives, keeping schools safe and civil, and hiring and retaining highly-qualified staff.

Mike Guessford is in his third term as an elected member of the Washington County Board of Education. He is a graduate of WCPS and has lived in Washington County his entire life. He was motivated to join the Board when his grandchildren entered the school system. Mike has raised one child through WCPS and has served on several community boards.

Victoria Beachley is a resident of Hagerstown and the mother of two young children.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina State University as well as a graduate certificate in supply chain management from the University of Pennsylvania Global Campus. She worked several years for JLG Industries, Inc. where she gained experience in finance and supply chain operations management. She and her husband, Ryan, own custom cabinetry and millwork businesses together.  She is also active in community service and serves as the chair of a local non-profit foundation board.

Charles (Charlie) Burkett is a lifelong resident of Washington County who lives in the Hagerstown area with his wife, Wendy Burkett. Together, they have raised four children and have opened their home to foster many others.  An entrepreneur by nature, Charlie built and operated three successful businesses in Washington County over 25 years. He currently serves as Ministry Support at Calvary Chapel Cumberland Valley in Hagerstown and has also worked as a substitute teacher in various schools across Washington County. With over 15 years of experience teaching youth, Charlie’s passion for helping young people succeed inspired him to run for the Board of Education.

Ashley McCusker is the proud parent of two Washington County Public Schools students, bringing both a parent’s perspective and a passion for education to her position on the Board of Education.  A longtime Hancock resident, Ashley lives with her husband and their children, two dogs, and two cats. She understands the value of hard work and community service, having volunteered with WCPS in recent years. She is motivated to create positive change, as her service on the Board marks a transition from advocating at Board meetings to earning the community’s trust as an elected official. Ashley is a Registered Dental Hygienist and enjoys Washington County’s rich history, exploring its national parks, the Antietam Battlefield, and the community favorite – Krumpe's Do-nuts.

Linda J. Murray is a graduate of Washington County Public Schools and Hagerstown Community College, graduating with honors in 1998. She is the mother of two grown children and has three grandsons. She has been active in our public schools for many years as a parent volunteer, PTA President, a tutor of students at risk and serving on Citizens Advisory Councils.  Linda worked as a Paraprofessional in Special Education at Salem Avenue Elementary School for 26 years, retiring in 2016. After retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher and volunteered as a reading tutor.  She resides in Hagerstown's Oak Ridge area and is the Church Administrator for Washington Square United Methodist Church. 

Nora Murthy (she/her) is a senior at Boyd J. Michael III Technical High School under the CISCO/AI Program. She has spent her entire academic career within the WCPS School System, making her dedicated to enacting change within schools. She has been involved in Student Council at the local, county, and state level throughout high school -- particularly through involvement in Washington County Association of Student Councils (WCASC) in both the Vice President and High School Member At-Large roles. Outside of Student Council, she has served as Drum Major of North Hagerstown High School, co-founded the Junior Women’s Giving Circle of Washington County, helped reinvigorate the North High International Club, and participates actively in the BJMTHS Quiz Bowl Team. Her goals for her term on the board are to advocate for students despite adversity, inspire student involvement at the county level, and effectively communicate with the student body on dealings of the board. She hopes to gain as many perspectives on issues affecting students as possible through community involvement, the creation of a SMOB advisory council, and open communication channels on issues affecting students.