Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Redistricting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students and parents urge BOE to phase redistricting or grandfather affected students
Summary
Students and parents from Leonardtown and surrounding communities asked the board to phase implementation of any redistricting or to grandfather currently enrolled students and households to avoid academic, social and athletic disruptions.
Public-comment testimony shifted to proposed redistricting plans, with numerous students and parents describing concrete harms if reassignments occur mid-high-school career.
Balen Derby, a sophomore at Leonardtown High School, told the board that proposed plans would move him and many peers to Chopticon, disrupting academic networks and Advanced Placement opportunities he credited with his 4.33 GPA. He and other students asked for a grandfather clause to keep currently enrolled students at their school if they can provide transportation.
Piper Tarleton, another Leonardtown sophomore, described recent ACL surgery and said switching schools during recovery would ‘‘jeopardize’’ her rehabilitation and athletic opportunities. Several student speakers and parents urged a phased implementation at natural transition points (entering middle or high school) or an exceptions process for households with unique circumstances.
Parents and speakers proposed mitigation measures including a household unity policy (grandfathering), phased rollouts at natural transition points, and an exceptions process to address transportation and other logistical challenges. They warned of a ‘‘reset’’ effect that could result in a rebuilding year, lost extracurricular leadership and diminished college and recruiting opportunities for athletes.
The board heard the comments during the public-comment period; no board decision on redistricting implementation was recorded during this meeting.
