Two Baltimore County lawmakers are proposing new legislation aiming to combat overcrowded schools by sending students from new homes to schools outside their district.
This year, 10 elementary schools and five high schools are over 115 percent of the state-rated capacity and cannot accept any more students, according to county records.
Under existing law, developers can still build new homes, and students can still attend the overcrowded schools by “borrowing” capacity from nonfull schools in adjacent districts.
Students that live closest to the district line are supposed to switch schools to make room for the new students, but that doesn?t happen, officials said.
“We never do that,” said Council Member Sam Moxley, D-District 1. “We just cram them in.”
Moxley and Council Member Vince Gardina, D-District 5, are sponsoring a bill that would require students from new developments to attend schools in more distant districts and would require developers? to figure out which school its potential customers will use before building.
The bill would prevent students from switching schools that have become family tradition and from separating friends, Moxley said.
“We?re saying, “Mr. Homebuilder, if you?re going to borrow Westchester Elementary?s capacity, let?s send these kids to Westchester,? ” Moxley said. “And you?re going to know that before your building plan is approved.”
Moxley said the proposal has received opposition from homebuilders as well as the county?s superintendent. Officials from the school system could not be reached for comment by press time.
The bill is the most recently suggested remedy in a long struggle with overcrowded schools. Earlier this month, County Executive Jim Smith announced funding for the new Vincent Farms Elementary Schools, which officials said they hope will provide relief in the county?s northeast.
The county also has authorized an audit to make sure every student in county schools lives in the county.
Gardina is pushing for redistricting of the most overcrowded schools, such as Perry Hall High School, which is 146 students over capacity.
