Wicomico Co. puts redistricting plans on hold, cancels meetings

The Wicomico County Board of Education released a quick change of heart Wednesday on redistricting plans. School officials have cancelled three additional planned input meetings and placed most of the plans on hold. Below is the full release from the Board of Education:

“Wicomico Schools Announces Redirection of Redistricting Process; Information & Input Meetings Will Not Be Held

Based on input and questions already received from the community, Wicomico County Public Schools will set aside for now any discussion of school boundary changes for the 2015-2016 school year. The Redistricting Information & Input Meetings that had been scheduled for Feb. 12, 17 and 19 will not be held.

Four of the considerations became part of the redistricting conversation but do not involve changing school boundaries. These considerations remain in the plans for next school year. School system officials will meet with the schools involved and with those staff members, families and students to work out details for:

Bennett Middle: The new Bennett Middle School will open with the same student attendance area. In order to transport all BMS students without requiring additional buses, Bennett Middle’s school day is proposed to be 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Middle school ESOL program: The plan is to have one center at Bennett Middle to serve the school’s approximately 50 students, and another center at Wicomico Middle to serve approximately 42 ESOL students from the other four middle schools, 20 of whom are in the Wicomico Middle walking area. This change would reduce transportation time and increase instructional time for most students.

Charles H. Chipman Elementary/Glen Avenue Elementary: Grade 2 would move to Glen Avenue, the school Chipman students currently begin attending in Grade 3, starting with the 2015-2016 school year. Glen Avenue has capacity for the additional students. Chipman would become a prekindergarten-grade 1 school with more room for prekindergarten classes, and the school would begin to transition to the Charles H. Chipman Early Learning School.

School system administrators and the Board of Education read and heard many comments, questions and concerns and concluded that the timing was not right for making boundary changes for the 2015-2016 school year. Many people suggested the school system proceed slowly with any changes. School officials heard the input and have responded.

The school system will continue to work with schools, families, staff members, and others in the community to explore possible solutions to the topics and issues that were part of the redistricting discussion, and to explore ways of balancing enrollment among all of Wicomico’s schools and making effective use of facilities. Both the active participation of the community and the detailed work of the Internal Redistricting Committee were invaluable in this process.

Input is welcome at any time at comments@wcboe.org or 410-677-5251.”