A series of students and parents addressed the board Nov. 19 about proposed redistricting options that would reassign large groups of Leonardtown High School students to other high schools.

Sophomore Balen Derby told the board that being moved would sever academic supports and extracurricular networks that contributed to his 4.33 GPA and leadership roles, and he asked the board to ‘please don’t make me abandon my family for the last two years of my high school career.’

Piper Tarleton, a sophomore and student-athlete recovering from ACL reconstruction, said shifting schools mid-recovery risks physical setbacks and emotional strain because new coaches may not understand her needs. “If my injury isn't handled properly, there could be serious repercussions setting me back another year,” she said.

Ethan Johnson and Andrew Jaygo described wider social and academic impacts: losing long-established friend networks, student-leadership continuity, and scholarship prospects tied to sustained team performance. Multiple parents — including Adrienne and Chris Derby and other family members — asked the board to consider phased implementation, household continuation policies (grandfathering), or an exceptions process to minimize disruption.

Speakers acknowledged the district’s goal of balancing building utilization and resources but repeatedly asked for mitigation steps: apply redistricting at natural transition points, allow current students to remain if families can provide transportation, and create a process for case-by-case exceptions.

The public comment period concluded without a board vote on redistricting policy; the superintendent had previously announced plans for a December 10 work session to refine consultant recommendations and next steps.