Meeting details have not been determined yet, as level of interest is a major factor. It is anticipated many meetings will be held virtually. Focus group meetings are not subject to the Maryland Open Meetings Act, however meeting notes and summary results will be posted online.
The Superintendent is responsible for making a boundary recommendation to the Board, and may collect feedback in a variety of ways, one of which is the AAC. This year, the Superintendent is utilizing virtual Feasibility Study Focus Groups to engage more community members in the process. Community members have many other ways to get involved as well.
Update: June 16, 2022
Community members may express interest in participating in virtual focus groups by completing the interest form at the end of the Feasibility Study survey by 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 23. Focus groups will be composed of no more than 15 people each. If the level of interest exceeds the focus group meeting capacity, participants may be selected at random to participate. Individuals selected to participate will receive an email by Friday, June 24.
Once a decision is made, there are many things that must occur in preparation for the following school year – some of which need to happen before the end of the current school year.
Board of Education Policy 6010 School Attendance Areas lists criteria that are to be considered when evaluating boundary adjustment options. Costs associated with any of those criteria may be presented, where applicable, upon request of the Superintendent or Board members.
The HCPSS Office of School Planning is comprised of three employees who have other responsibilities beyond reviewing school boundaries. In order to provide the Howard County community and the Superintendent with the support required, the services of a consultant were pursued.
On Dec. 19, 2021, the Board of Education accepted a bid from Cooperative Strategies, Inc., not to exceed $395,000, to lead the boundary review process.
There are limits to the amount of capacity that can be added to our buildings. Some have structural limits, others would require core improvements that may end up approaching the cost of a new school. In many cases, there is enough enrollment growth in an area causing excessive crowding in existing schools, to justify a new school. When appropriate and possible, additions and renovations are planned, such as the one currently under construction at Hammond High School.
Transportation costs are one of the many factors considered when evaluating boundary adjustment scenarios. Board of Education Policy 6010 School Attendance Areas does not prescribe a priority for these factors. Due to the current arrangement and location of existing schools, not every student can attend the closest school. Effort is made to avoid reassigning students who can walk to their current school to a school where they would become bus riders.
There are 15 factors listed in Board of Education Policy 6010 School Attendance Areas that are considered when attendance area adjustments are proposed. These factors are categorized in the following groupings:
