A new Gambrills elementary school should relieve overcrowding at Four Seasons Elementary School, but Piney Orchard Elementary School will still be overcapacity.
“Questions are being raised about leaving Piney Orchard Elementary School overcrowded when there is room at Four Seasons Elementary,” said Crofton resident Claire Louder, chairwoman of the residents? committee, which is helping with the redistricting at the new, unnamed school on Nantucket Road.
One of the committee?s proposals as students shift to attend the new school is:
» Four Seasons Elementary would see enrollment go from 697 to 451, around 200 below state capacity.
» Piney Orchard Elementary?s enrollment would go from 710 to 572, which would still be 13 students over state capacity.
The new school has a capacity for 712 students.
“We want [Four Seasons] to be as fully utilized as it can be,” said Four Seasons PTA President Gail Burky.
“If it?s not, we don?t think that?s a good use of county taxpayer dollars.”
Piney Orchard PTA President Heather Luke said she andBurky would work together to ensure the transition is smooth for the students.
“Any time you have a new school, [by law] we?re required to do redistricting in the area, and that can cause some heartburn,” said Anne Arundel Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-District 4, where the unnamed school is.
He was referring to frustrations families experience when students move to another school.
Superintendent Kevin Maxwell will consider the committee?s finding, including recommended feeder schools, and make his recommendation to the school board in December.
Public hearings on the plan selected by the board will then be held. The final plan will be established by the board in April.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Committee vote on recommended redistricting plan for new Gambrills-area elementary school
WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday
WHERE: Odenton Elementary School, 1290 Odenton Road, Odenton
