Dissatisfied with the superintendent?s redistricting proposal to make way for a new elementary school next fall, Piney Orchard parents have unveiled an alternative proposal.
“I was most disappointed that he had followed the redistricting committee?s decision that not only split Piney Orchard in half but split a neighborhood within Piney Orchard ? Settlers View ? in half,” said Heather Luke, one of the authors of an alternative proposal.
“Piney Orchard residents feel strongly that our children are best served by being in one school.”
The alternative proposal would eliminate 10 portable classrooms from both Piney Orchard and Four Seasons elementary schools and leave both schools under capacity levels set by the state, said Piney Orchard parent Jennifer Wiech.
Piney Orchard has 699 students, compared with the 559 capacity; Four Seasons, 697 students, compared with the 638 state-rated capacity, the school system says.
Last week, Superintendent Kevin Maxwell unveiled his redistricting proposal to accommodate a new elementary school in Gambrills next fall.
The plan closely resembled a recommendation of a committee of citizens made earlier this fall.
The superintendent?s plan would ease crowding at both schools, but parents say it would fracture their community.
Some board members say they favor the alternative proposal.
“It?s absolutely a positive for them to take the recommendation from residents,” Wiech said. “It shows an outstanding good will on their part.”
What?s next
A public hearing on the redistricting is set for February, and the board is expected to vote on a plan no later than April 30.
