Schools plan draws reaction
Parents, community give feedback on Martirano's redistricting proposal
Residents and county officials reacted this week to a proposal on the thorny issue of school redistricting, largely supporting Interim Superintendent Michael Martirano’s recommendation to halt high school redistricting until a new school opens in 2022 and limit elementary and middle school moves.
In a presentation to the school board on Tuesday, Martirano said the county’s three most overcrowded high schools — Long Reach, Centennial and Howard — would see relief by expanding the Jump- Start initiative that allows high school students to take community college classes under dual enrollment.
The early college programs would expand Martirano at Oakland Mills and be introduced at River Hill, attracting students to those under-capacity schools.
Under Martirano’s plan, redistricting at the middle school level would be limited to approximately 313 students, while about 1,922 elementary students would move to fill a new elementary school — known as Elementary 42 — bringing 37 elementary schools below or within building capacity.
Board of Education Chairwoman Cindy Vaillancourt said the board will continue reviewing Martirano’s recommendation — as well as feedback and input from the community as they develop plan.
“Everything is on the table, including programming changes and other innovative options,” Vaillancourt said. “Our goal is to balance capacity utilization and provide effective and equitable learning environments for all of our students.
“We are counting on the continued participation and engagement of the community to help us do that,” she said.
According to Martirano’s proposal, 418 elementary school students would move from Ducketts Lane to Elementary 42.
Students at Deep Run and Rockburn elementary schools would also move to help fill the new school.
Other moves among elementary schools include 192 students from Clemens Crossing to Pointers Run; 158 students from Bryant Woods to Longfellow; and 145 students from Manor Woods to Bushy Park.
At the middle school level, Martirano proposed 129 students from Lime Kiln Middle be redistricted to Clarksville Middle, with additional student moves from Harper’s Choice to Wilde Lake; Mount View to Folly Quarter; and Mayfield Woods to Elkridge middle schools.
Noting that decisions on redistricting are made by the school system and school board, County Executive Allan Kittleman See REDISTRICTING, page 6
In a presentation to the school board on Tuesday, Martirano said the county’s three most overcrowded high schools — Long Reach, Centennial and Howard — would see relief by expanding the Jump- Start initiative that allows high school students to take community college classes under dual enrollment.
The early college programs would expand Martirano at Oakland Mills and be introduced at River Hill, attracting students to those under-capacity schools.
Under Martirano’s plan, redistricting at the middle school level would be limited to approximately 313 students, while about 1,922 elementary students would move to fill a new elementary school — known as Elementary 42 — bringing 37 elementary schools below or within building capacity.
Board of Education Chairwoman Cindy Vaillancourt said the board will continue reviewing Martirano’s recommendation — as well as feedback and input from the community as they develop plan.
“Everything is on the table, including programming changes and other innovative options,” Vaillancourt said. “Our goal is to balance capacity utilization and provide effective and equitable learning environments for all of our students.
“We are counting on the continued participation and engagement of the community to help us do that,” she said.
According to Martirano’s proposal, 418 elementary school students would move from Ducketts Lane to Elementary 42.
Students at Deep Run and Rockburn elementary schools would also move to help fill the new school.
Other moves among elementary schools include 192 students from Clemens Crossing to Pointers Run; 158 students from Bryant Woods to Longfellow; and 145 students from Manor Woods to Bushy Park.
At the middle school level, Martirano proposed 129 students from Lime Kiln Middle be redistricted to Clarksville Middle, with additional student moves from Harper’s Choice to Wilde Lake; Mount View to Folly Quarter; and Mayfield Woods to Elkridge middle schools.
Noting that decisions on redistricting are made by the school system and school board, County Executive Allan Kittleman See REDISTRICTING, page 6
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