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Superintendent leads Phase 2 redistricting process; public input via webtool, three community meetings set
Summary
Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff and consultant WXY have produced three redistricting scenarios; the superintendent will make recommendations to the board this summer and the board will hold public hearings later in the year. Public input is being collected via an online tool through May 15.
President Silkworth and Superintendent Dr. Bedell said the Phase 2 redistricting process for Anne Arundel County Public Schools is being led by the superintendent’s office with a private consultant, WXY, and that the scenarios produced so far are proposals, not recommendations.
The district has posted three consultant scenarios online and is accepting public comment through May 15 via the web tool at www.aacpsredistricting.org; more information is available at www.aacps.org/phase2redistricting. The district will host three community meetings—March 25 at Southern High School, April 9 in the boardroom, and April 29 at Annapolis Middle School—each including a presentation of the scenarios followed by up to 60 minutes of public comment, with a two-minute speaking limit per person.
Why it matters: the scenarios could change school attendance boundaries and affect families, staff and school capacity. Dr. Bedell said the superintendent has not yet made a recommendation to the board and that any recommendation will come after staff reviews community input.
Dr. Bedell said that the scenarios “are just that. They are not recommendations” and reiterated that “I want to emphasize that I have made no recommendation to this board yet.” He said the superintendent’s office will review input from the web tool and the community meetings, and then bring proposals to the board for selection and public hearings later in the process.
Board members and staff stressed that the scenarios may be amended based on feedback. The superintendent said the board will not be directly involved in initial planning; the board’s formal consideration will occur after the superintendent issues recommendations, anticipated in July. The board will then select options for public briefings and hearings, which staff said are scheduled for September and February (dates tied to the review timeline). The superintendent also noted that some proposed changes will affect clusters differently and that not every suggestion can be adopted because the district must balance multiple factors.
Details the district provided include the consultant name (WXY), the online comment deadline (May 15), and scheduled public meetings. Dr. Bedell and President Silkworth urged community members to use the online tool to provide input and noted written comment will be accepted for speakers who cannot secure a speaking slot if more than 30 people sign up at a meeting.
Looking ahead: Dr. Bedell said a superintendent recommendation is expected this summer; the board will consider those recommendations and schedule further public hearings as required by the redistricting timetable.
