Northfield Elementary School PTA released the following statement relating to HCPSS redistricting: (created via OCR image to text – I apologize for an incorrect items below)

Northfield Elementary School Parent Teacher Association Statement on the current HCPSS Redistricting Plan (2019)

The NES-PTA understands that, at times, the HCPSS must address overcrowding in existing school buildings through attendance area adjustments. With respect to the current, November 2019, adjustment process, the NES-PTA holds the following positions:

1. The Northfield Elementary community should not be divided without further consideration of community aspects.

2. The Northfield Elementary community should not be divided without further consideration of the safe walk-to and bike-to school options which foster community spirit and healthy habits.

3. The Northfield Elementary community should not be divided without further consideration of shorter and safer transportation routes.

4. The Northfield Elementary community should not be divided without further consideration of the requirement to provide ample and equal opportunity for public and community input by all.

5. The Northfield Elementary community should not be divided without further consideration of the negative impact of the removal of the majority of affordable housing upon the richness, vibrancy and diversity of the community.

6. The Northfield Elementary community should not be divided without further consideration of the importance of consistency and disruptive impacts upon young children’s lives.

7. The Northfield Elementary Community should not be divided without full consideration of the HCPSS Board of Education Guidelines of Policy 6010, School Attendance Areas.

Here is the image for the text above:

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Northfield Elementary School PTA was not the only organization to release a statement yesterday…Pointers United released the following statement:

Rushed Process Has Resulted in Incomplete Data and Unknown Outcome

According to all available information on BoardDocs, the current Office of School Planning data and spreadsheet do not include all moves the Board has approved. The result is incomplete and confusing data.

There are two documents that list the polygons that have been discussed to move. The “Summary of Board Polygon Reassignment Discussions” indicates that Polygon 130 was split and a portion moved from Clemens Crossing to Swansfield as a result of a Board vote. However, the “Polygons Reassigned — BOE Plan WS8” does not include any move from Polygon 130.

As a result, the Office of School Planning Excel Sheet titled “Comparison Worksession VIII 11 15 2019 with FARM” does not account for additional students from Polygon 130 being moved from Clemens Crossing to Swansfield. This spreadsheet is reporting inaccurate capacity calculations for both Swansfield and Clemens Crossing.

If polygon 130 is correctly accounted for, consistent with the Board’s vote, the Swansfield capacity utilization would be approximately 106% in 2020-21. By 2022-23 that capacity utilization would rise to 115%. This calculation assumes approximately 66 students in the Polygon 130 townhouses would be reassigned to Swansfield in accordance with the Board’s vote. Similarly, the calculations for Clemens Crossing are also incorrect. If 66 students from Polygon 130 are reassigned from Clemens Crossing, the capacity utilization at Clemens Crossing is 115% in 2020-21 and would rise to 123% by 2022-23.

Pointers United is working diligently to understand the complicated moves being made. The rushed decision making is causing confusion and mistakes in the data.

We encourage the Board of Education to consider Vicky Cutroneo’s formal request to “add more work sessions and/or extend the timeline.”

Here is the image that was OCR’d for this post:

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I do not expect that these will be the last statements from organizations before this process is over (currently scheduled for November 21st) so stay tuned.

The big question leading into the Howard County Board of Education meeting today is….will the HoCoBOE consider slowing down or continue to push forward today and end this process on November 21st?

There is at least one board member that thinks more time is needed “HoCoBOE Member Vicky Cutroneo requests adding more work sessions and/or extend the timeline regarding HCPSS redistricting“.

We will find out later today if others agree.

Scott E