Comprehensive elementary and high school redistricting appears to be needed in 2010, according tothe school system?s planning office.
Redistricting is needed to manage available capacity in the western part of the county and for continued growth in the Centennial and Elkridge areas.
Some parents are upset about a feasibility study that suggested sending about 85 students in the Elkridge/Hanover area from Howard High School to Long Reach High School.
How can schools best balance fairness to families and practicality for the school system?
» Diane Butler: “All schools should have a permanent feeder area, so you know what you are getting when you buy a house in Howard County. The redistricting policy is inane.”
» Faenita Dilworth: “The best way to balance fairness to families is to hear their concerns and to create open communication so all families involved have the most up-to-date information.”
» Allen Dyer: “Our students should advance from elementary through high school with their peer group. A feeder system is the only practical solution. Fragmented, small feeds of students are unacceptable.”
» Ellen Flynn Giles: “Policy requires community participation in evaluating area adjustment proposals for impact countywide, on sending/receiving schools, and on students, including consideration of geographic fit, capacity utilization, feeder patterns and long-term sustainability.”
» Betsy Grater: “The school system should plan redistricting as far in the future as can reasonably be projected with all available data, so parents will know where their children will probably attend school.”
» Janet Siddiqui: “Feedback and involvement of community members in the redistricting process will help to make an equitable decision that is fair, focusing on the children?s needs and with minimal disruptions to families.”
» Di Zou: “If a feeder system for elementary to middle to high schools is set up, it could balance the fairness for families and the practicality for the school system.”
