Delegate Trent Kittleman (District 9A) posted the following public post today regarding HCPSS redistricting:

IMPORTANT: I am incredibly saddened by what happened to Howard County communities last night, and, unfortunately, the redistricting fight isn’t over. The fight is now moving to Annapolis where legislation could continue to split our neighborhoods for years to come.

At the Howard County Delegation’s local hearing this past Tuesday night, my colleagues introduced several bills addressing redistricting. The bill giving me the most heartburn is Howard County 01-20 titled “Board of Education – Redetermination of Geographic Attendance Areas.” If passed, this bill will essentially create annual redistricting. The bill says, “If student enrollment at a permanent school facility is not within Target Utilization [defined in the bill as between 90% and 110%], the County Board shall re-determine the geographic attendance area of the permanent school facility.”

With the Delegation hearing coming when it did – as all eyes were glued to the School Board making its final decisions — very few people were there to testify on that bill. I apologize for not notifying my constituents about the hearing, but I have to admit I thought this particular bill would be withdrawn, in light of the clear messages sent from over 5,000 parents. Apparently, some of my younger colleagues are not yet aware of a fundamental truth: you don’t mess with Howard County parents!

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This probably will not be the last statement from an elected official about the redistricting process or outcome. Stay tuned.

Scott E