Redistricting - Middle School

October 2020

• Redistricting committee selected. Public information Town Hall session held Oct. 26 virtually.

November 2020

• Redistricting committee begins meeting weekly. Meetings paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2021

• Committee resumes its weekly meetings.

July 2021

• Redistricting committee completes work.

August 2021

• Board to receive a report on committee’s recommendations on Aug. 10.
• Public hearings are set for Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., virtually, and Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at La Plata High School.

September 2021

• Additional public hearing set for Tuesday, Sept.. 7, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., virtually through Zoom. meeting access
• Superintendent presents recommendation to the Board at its Sept. 14 meeting.
• Public hearings on recommendation set for Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Westlake High School, and Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, 6 to 8 p.m. virtually.

October 2021

• Board takes action. Redistricting decision takes effect at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Redistricting is necessary to relieve overcrowding at the middle-school level, and to more evenly distribute student enrollment among schools. The renovation and expansion of Benjamin Stoddert Middle School increases the school’s square footage from 105,800 to 148,317 feet. The current state-rated capacity (SRC) for Stoddert is 711 students; the completed project increases the state-rated capacity (SRC) to 975, allowing for additional students to attend Stoddert.

Redistricting could impact attendance zones for all eight middle schools. Affected students entering Grades 6-8 will change schools at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Redistricting will take effect at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. The Board begins the redistricting process two years in advance to provide ample research time and opportunity for public input and notification. The middle school redistricting process started in Oct. 2020 with the selection of the committee and a public hearing for input. The committee paused its meetings in the fall after the Board moved its meetings to a virtual setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The redistricting committee’s task is to develop and evaluate potential middle school attendance zones for consideration by the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education. The middle school redistricting committee was selected at random at the Oct. 13, 2020, Board of Education meeting; however, the process was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and guidance from the Charles County Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The committee reconvened on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, and met weekly to develop its proposals. The committee is divided into two groups to develop two different proposals. Redistricting policy and rules require the committee to submit two proposals.

The redistricting committee will present its two proposals for consideration to the Board at its Aug. 10, 2021, meeting.

Last fall, CCPS invited parents and community members to apply for membership on the redistricting committee. The Board at its Oct. 13, 2020, meeting selected 11 parents through a random drawing to serve on the committee – two elementary, one high school and eight from the middle schools. The Board of Education also selected three community members at large and four school principals for the committee. Additionally, three local government planners and CCPS staff support the committee.

Using input from Board of Education policy, administration, staff, local government officials and community members, the redistricting committee will develop two proposals. The options will be developed based on criteria established by the Board of Education from a review of data. Input includes, but is not limited to, transportation costs, increasing populations of schools under capacity and decreasing student enrollment in schools over capacity. The redistricting committee will review data including middle school enrollments, growth projections, resale of homes, new home construction, geographic maps and other information. The committee will present its two proposals to the Board of Education at its Aug. 10, 2021, meeting. CCPS will make the proposals available to the public. The Board will hold public hearings after receiving the recommendations from the committee.  

On Sept. 14, 2021, Superintendent Maria Navarro will make her recommendation to the Board. The Board will hold two additional public hearings after receiving the superintendent’s recommendation. The Board is tentatively scheduled to make a decision at its Oct. 12, 2021, meeting.

There are several ways for community members to share ideas about the middle school redistricting:

• Email ideas and comments to redistrict@ccboe.com. All correspondence will be shared with Board members and staff.
• Participate in public hearings.

Public comments and suggestions are shared with the Board of Education.

The Board of Education believes community input is essential to a successful redistricting.

Parents and students will be notified of school zone changes after the Board votes on its redistricting decision in Oct. 2021. The school system will notify parents about the chosen proposal. Additionally, CCPS posts all redistricting information on this webpage.

CCPS continuously posts information on the school system website, including time lines, meeting notices, publications and parent notifications, maps, fact sheets and more. All parents will receive four fact sheets – an introduction to the redistricting, committee proposals, the Superintendent’s recommendation to the Board, and the approved redistricting plan. Board meetings include updated on the process and air live at ccboe.com.

During redistricting, why does the Board allow the movement of students who are entering their last year of school at a school, such as students in Grade 5 and Grade 8? These students should be allowed to promote along with their friends.

There are no Board of Education polices or rules that prohibit moving certain student grade levels when redistricting decisions are made. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) conducts redistricting to balance student enrollment with the State Rated Capacity (SRC) at schools so all grade levels are considered when proposing changes.

Where can we type in our address to determine the middle school zoned for the next school year? When will the information be available?

CCPS has interactive maps on the redistricting website that parents or the community can use to see school zones assigned by a home address. 

Are there target transportation times for travel routes, or cut offs for students to ride on a bus one way?

When planning bus routes and looking at redistricting proposals, CCPS transportation staff attempt to create routes with travel times less than 45 minutes.

Is there a limit to the times a student can be redistricted throughout their academic career? My child was moved during elementary school, and will be moved again as a result of the redistricting. How do we know our child won’t be redistricted again during high school?

1. Board Policy 1910 states “the desirability of minimizing the redistricting for an elementary or middle school to once every three years.”
2. Based on current high school enrollment numbers there is no plan for building another high school within the next five years. 

Why is the enrollment smaller at some middle schools, but not others? For example, my child attends Matthew Henson Middle School but enrollment is smaller at General Smallwood Middle School. Can I request for my child to attend a school outside of our school zone?

1. The enrollment targets used by the redistricting committee were the State Rated Capacities (SRC) of each school. SRC’s are based on the number of classrooms/teaching stations, which is directly related to the size of the building and the time when it was constructed or last renovated/expanded.
2. The process is to request a school change through the CCPS Department of Student Services.

If the intent of redistricting is to not split a neighborhood, why do the proposals split Quailwood? This was also done in the Hughesville area.

The recommended proposal does not split the Quailwood neighborhood. The adjoining neighborhoods of Jamestown and Hawthorne Greene are recommended to be split from Quailwood neighborhood. The three neighborhoods were developed/built at different times and are linked by common streets.

Why was the redistricting process not postponed until things returned to normal? Students are dealing with enough right now.

The goal of the redistricting is to populate Benjamin Stoddert Middle School based on the expansion that will be complete in Fall 2022 and to balance the enrollment at all middle schools. Several of the existing middle schools are overcrowded and need to be redistricted. Delaying the decision could lead to additional overcrowding as enrollment growth occurs. Larger class sizes and higher student to teacher ratios can have negative impacts on the quality of instruction that can be delivered. 

What is the total number of students moved in Plan A and Plan B?

1. Plan A moves 992 existing students.
2. Plan B moves 1041 existing students.

What is the determination for choosing between Plan A and Plan B for redistricting?

The Superintendent considered public comments expressed during three town halls and selected the plan that best balances enrollment across the eight existing middle schools. The plan provides for a better balance of growth with the two growth areas (St. Charles and Heritage Green) between Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and Milton M. Somers Middle School. The plan adequately utilizes the additional capacity at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.  Plan A moves less students.  Enrollment at schools within the development district is at or near State Rated Capacity (SRC). The Board is expected to make a final decision in October after two additional town hall meetings are held.  

What about the safety of students? There will now be more students traveling down 301 early in the morning when we know there is already a traffic concern down 301 with speeding and accidents down in the southern section of 301.

Buses travel on busy roads every day including highways such as Route 301, Route 5, Route 228 and Route 210.

Are there plans to redistrict the high schools?

Based on current high school enrollment numbers there is no plan for building another high school within the next five years. 

Has there ever been consideration to just move incoming sixth graders and allow the rising seventh and eighth graders to stay?

This practice does not provide enough relief to the overcrowding issues and creates issues with transportation that require double bussing within a neighborhood. The current driver shortage makes double bussing impossible.

What is the criteria for the Superintendent to choose one plan over the over?

The Superintendent considered public comments expressed during three town halls and selected the plan that best balances enrollment across the eight existing middle schools. The plan provides for a better balance of growth with the two growth areas (St. Charles and Heritage Green) between Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and Milton M. Somers Middle School. The plan adequately utilizes the additional capacity at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. Plan A moves less students. Enrollment at schools within the development district is at or near State Rated Capacity (SRC). The Board is expected to make a final decision in October after two additional town hall meetings are held.

If there is a significant possibility of a new school being built in two years then why doesn't the Board table this redistricting until that decision is made?

A new middle school is in the 5-year CIP program with a tentative opening date of school year 2025-26. Students in sixth grade who will be affected by the changes for SY 22/23 will be in ninth grade if a new middle school opens in SY 25/26. Additionally, there are numerous projects that need to be funded ahead of the new middle school and based on the level of state funding, this timeline may shift.

Has there been any consideration or any in the future to develop a feeder pattern for CCPS?

CCPS does not have a feeder pattern and the location of existing schools makes it difficult to consider a feeder system. Charles County has 22 elementary schools that feed into eight middle schools, and the middle schools feed into seven high schools. Each school varies in size so there is no way to stay within or near State Rated Capacities if whole school grade levels were sent to the next level. 

Does this redistricting include the potential of the new construction being planned off Hawthorne Rd which will add 130+ single family homes and >60 townhomes, all with students being sent to Smallwood?

The redistricting committee was provided information from the Charles County Planning and Growth Management Office and the Town of La Plata Planning and Growth Management Office on all active subdivisions that are approved and have the ability to generate students within the next 5 years.

Will this process be done again after the five-year growth? How many times is redistricting done?

CCPS conducts redistricting on an as needed basis as outlined in Board Policies 1900 and 1910.

Where is the new middle school going to be built?

The location is still being coordinated. Currently, CCPS is coordinating with the developers of St. Charles on a potential middle school site. Charles County Government has funded a project for CCPS to purchase land for a future middle school site.

How long has this overcrowding issue been known to the group/board?

Board members receive student enrollment data periodically throughout the school year. CCPS staff analyzes student enrollment annually. CCPS submits the data to county government staff and to staff at various offices at the State level.

Why haven’t we looked at building a middle and high school in the Hughesville area? With the growth in that area, seems like that would help to take the strain off the surrounding schools.

The state will not allow new school facilities to be built outside of a Priority Funding Area (PFA). There is a small PFA in the village of Hughesville, but there is a lack of a public water source and sewer systems to support a school. Additionally, there needs to be a significant enrollment of students in the area to fill a school and that does not currently exist in Hughesville.

After listening to the last public hearing in August, it may be time that an Alternative C is directed to address all the concerns that all of these attendees are arising.

The Superintendent has the ability to modify either Plan A or B based on public comments. The Board has the ability to choose the plan selected by the Superintendent or makes changes or modifications.

Which middle schools will still be over the allotted state allocation after Option A and Option B?

Plan A provides for a better balance of growth with the two growth areas (St. Charles and Heritage Green) between Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and Milton M. Somers Middle School from SY 22/23 through SY 25/26. Please refer to the chart comparing the two proposals on the redistricting webpage.

How do the proposed plans benefit the children academically?

Redistricting will lead to smaller class sizes and a lower student to teacher ratio.

Are members of the community able to be a part of a committee when redistricting is being considered?

Each redistricting committee has three community at large members as part of the working group. These names are randomly drawn by the Board at a Board meeting before redistricting commences.

Is there a waiver that can be signed to put children in a school that is “closer” to their home?

The Office of Student Services processes school change requests.

What will happen with the children in the Soar Programs if they have to switch schools?

Placement of students in regional programs is determined through an IEP meeting.

Why is the community not given a vote in the process?

The community has the opportunity to voice concerns at the public information session prior to the redistricting committee beginning its work. The community also has the opportunity to voice support or concerns through the town hall public hearings that are conducted before the Superintendent makes a recommendation to the Board. The community has a final opportunity to provide input during town hall meetings conducted before the Board makes a final decision.  Community members are selected as members of the committees who then create the proposal for consideration by the Superintendent and the Board.