PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION: The Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) seeks public feedback on the Crestwood Area Redistricting Study options presented to the community, including the Superintendent’s initial recommendation and the three alternatives developed after community feedback on the original recommendation.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The public hearing is being held on November 1, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Frederick County Public Schools Central Office. The Central Office building is located at 191 S. East St., Frederick, MD 21701.
Staff presented the Superintendent’s Recommendation for the Crestwood Area Redistricting Study to the BOE at the May 3, 2023, Board meeting. Four community meetings were then held so staff could present the initial recommendation, gather community comment, and respond to questions. Information about the scope of work, study area, community engagement, frequently asked questions, the initial Superintendent’s Recommendation and an interactive map can be found on the project web page at https://www.fcps.org/capital-program/crestwood. Community comments and questions have been accepted at the project email, CrestwoodRedistricting@fcps.org.
Following the community meetings in May, the BOE directed staff to prepare alternative options to the study area attendance boundaries, while considering community feedback. Staff prepared three alternatives that address a collection of community comments, while at the same time addressing factors of Board Policy 200. A description of the alternatives, and an analysis of how each address Policy 200, can be found on the project web page: https://www.fcps.org/capital-program/files/documents/crestwood/AddendumSuptRecommendation_eng.pdf. Staff notes that there are several neighborhoods in the study area that are impacted in one or more of the alternatives that were not impacted in the initial Superintendent’s Recommendation.
Three community meetings were held in early September in which staff presented the alternatives, responded to questions and accepted comments. Comments and questions continue to be received by email. A work session was held on September 27, 2023, with the BOE directing staff to continue the discussion of the redistricting study options. A survey was prepared in which community members can provide their feedback on the initial recommendation and alternatives. The survey remained open until October 5, 2023. Responses to the survey, and comments received at the community meetings, were summarized and provided to the BOE.
The BOE will make the final decision on December 6, 2023.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
The redistricting study was led by FCPS Facilities Planning staff and included Transportation, Fiscal Services, CII, SASA, and Public Affairs staff. FCPS staff was assisted by the consulting firm, CropperGIS, in preparing revised attendance boundary maps and compiling/evaluating data.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S): N/A
SUBMITTED BY:
Paul A. Lebo, DSL, Chief Operating Officer
The Board views public comment as an opportunity to hear concerns of the public, with the understanding and expectation that it is not considered a question-and-answer platform with Board members. Consequently, the Board will not provide a response to public comment presented during the public hearing, although it may follow-up with the individual as may be appropriate.
The Board of Education of Frederick County (BOE) seeks public feedback on the Crestwood Area Redistricting Study Options presented to the community, including the Superintendent’s initial recommendation and the three alternatives developed after community feedback on the original recommendation.
Allocated Public Comment Time:
In order to have an orderly presentation of comments by the public and to maximize the opportunity for public comment, students, individuals and organization representatives shall be limited to three (3) minutes for their public comment.
Same-Day/Walk-In Registration:
For those persons wishing to speak, the Board will provide the opportunity to sign-up in person for public comment thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. There will not be an opportunity to pre-register for public comment for this public hearing.