The Anne Arundel County Council could abandon the schools capacity chart it approved for what officials hope will be a more accurate calculation.
“The chart needs to reflect reality, and right now it doesn?t,” said Councilman Ronald Dillon Jr., R-District 3, this week.
The council unanimously approved County Executive John R. Leopold?s bill that gives the county government ? not the school board ? authority over the school utilization chart, which planners use to determine if a housing development will affect schools.
The school board supported the move.
But the chart is flawed and needs to be replaced, council members said.
Dillon pointed to Freetown Elementary, which is closed according to the chart, but has nearly 200 open seats. The chart has not been approved for nearly two years, because a developer is challenging the chart?s legality in court.
A better alternative must come soon because the council tacked on an amendment making the chart official March 1. If a new chart or capacity rating system is not completed in time, a moratorium on development expires and houses could pop up next to overcrowded schools, and housing could be denied in areas with open classroom seats.
The bill was passed in hopes a better system would be in place before the moratorium.
“By doing something tonight, hopefully we can get the problem dealt with within 72 days,” said Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-District 4. “I don?t want a school chart, but hopefully we can vote for something that can be more effective.”
Dillon said Tuesday that using the state-rated capacity figures and actual enrollment is a better method. For example, the current and somewhat complicated calculations do not count for transfers.
Several council members said the chart may be linked to efforts to increase impact fees, as school construction money could be funneled toward the buildings that need it the most.
The chart is being challenged in court by Bruce Shapiro, whose development is held up by the chart.
“You will see more Mr. Shapiros in the county if a hasty decision is made,” said Susan Stroud, of the Home Builders Association of Maryland.
