Some history on 2019 HCPSS AAC

A lot of people asked me questions related to Area Attendance Committee(AAC). Here is the link https://www.hcpss.org/school-planning/boundary-review/faq/#aac.

2019 AAC Committee members were: Heidi Abdelhady, Bessie Bordenave, Justin Carguilo (student), Frank Eastham, Willie Flowers, Hector Garcia, Paige Getty, Quiana Holmes, Steven Hunt, Suleman Malik, Leonardo McClarty, Susan Otradovec, Lisa Schlossnagle, Larry Walker.

I originally want to wait until the work session to comment anything related to the redistricting process. As more details of the committee are shared, I would like to provide some historical background to provide some historical background and clarify some issues. Whether I agree with some of their viewpoints or not, I would first like to thank AAC members. They are community volunteers who are devoting their time to help the process.  It is not an easy job.

In 2017, the AAC members were recruited through an application/interview process. I, as a general residents at that time, applied for it and was interviewed. But I was rejected to serve in that year’s AAC. Then the superintendent chose around 10 people from that interviewing process to sit in the committee.

However, during the 2017 AAC session, AAC committee members had the authority to move polygons around and recommend their findings to the superintendent. Unfortunately some AAC committee members were personally attacked for how certain polygons were moved around.

Many board members feel that AAC members are shouldering too much burden for their volunteer work .  So in early 2019, the board changed the rule such that the superintendent will directly appoint AAC members and AAC members will not be able to actually move polygons.  Instead they serve in a policy advisory role only. Under the new policy, the AAC committee is under the superintendent’s direct leadership with the help from school staff. I want to clarify that there was no conspiracy anywhere when the board decided to move into this direction for AAC.

However, I do not think the current AAC is diverse enough to represent the whole school community.

Unfortunately there were some controversy revealed recently. One AAC committee member’s comments are totally unacceptable in my opinion. As a committee tasked to advise the superintendent, the aim should be to help all students to succeed. No kids should suffer. Let’s try our best to ignore those comments and not amplify it.

The policy may be revised if needed, considering we will have another redistricting discussion in 2022 to prepare HS 13 opening in 2023.

 

 

Some HCPSS 2019 AAC Meeting Summaries

There were four Area Attendance Committee meetings. The detailed meeting minutes are here: https://www.hcpss.org/school-planning/boundary-review/#aac-meetings

I am copying some of their meeting presentations here for our readers. The following slides are extracted from https://www.hcpss.org/f/schoolplanning/2019/aac-presentation-07-09-19.pdf

Screen Shot 2019-07-24 at 4.25.48 PMScreen Shot 2019-07-24 at 4.25.58 PMScreen Shot 2019-07-24 at 4.26.05 PMScreen Shot 2019-07-24 at 4.26.14 PM

School Population Change:

hcpss_12_2008_2019

Here is another animation which shows how our school population changes over the last 11 years in Howard County. The red dots highlights higher student populations.

school_population

Public input.

The four public input sessions have concluded; however, you can continue to provide feedback to help inform the Superintendent’s recommendations, by completing the online survey or submitting alternative boundary solutions by August 1.

Superintendent Proposal on August 20

The Superintendent will make his recommendation to the Board of Education on Tuesday, August 20. The Board will gather feedback from the community during public hearings on September 17, 24 and 26, and will hold work sessions on October 10, 24 and 30, and November 5, 12, 14 and 18. Find more details including how you can provide testimony.

BOE Nov. 21 Decision

On Thursday, November 21, the Board will make a decision on redistricting for the 2020-2021 school year.

AAC community input sessions start tonight 2019-7-10

Reminder: Attendance Area Community Input Sessions begin this evening:

Wednesday, July 10, 7–9 p.m. at Oakland Mills High School

Families currently zoned for Centennial HS, Howard HS, Mt. Hebron HS, Oakland Mills HS

Saturday, July 13, 9–11 a.m. at Long Reach High School

Available to any family that is unable to attend their regional meeting.

Tuesday, July 16, 7–9 p.m. at Atholton High School

Families currently zoned for Atholton HS, Hammond HS, Long Reach HS, Wilde Lake HS

Thursday, July 18, 7–9 p.m. at River Hill High School

Families currently zoned for Glenelg HS, Marriotts Ridge HS, Reservoir HS, River Hill HS

While it is not required, community encouraged to RSVP

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYQv-p8CQ0pjb6P1sF6MH-Ne9e1IF4wCwihEvkQP2CUNjC7g/viewform

Boundary Review Updates: Attendance Area Committee Begins Work on 2019 Boundary Review Process

The Attendance Area Committee (AAC) began its work Tuesday, June 18 to review options presented in the 2019 Feasibility Study and make recommendations to the Superintendent. The AAC’s recommendations will help inform Dr. Martirano’s proposal to the Board of Education, scheduled to be presented during the August 20 Board meeting.

Led by Scott Leopold from Cooperative Strategies, LLC, the meeting began with group introductions, followed by an explanation of the role of the committee and legal obligations under the Open Meetings Act, and a review of HCPSS Policy 6010 – School Attendance Areas. The committee then became familiar with the options described in the Feasibility Study. Draft meeting minutes and upcoming meeting agendas can be found online.

Per Board of Education Policy 6010, the Superintendent appointed to the AAC individuals who represent every planning region in the county and have previously served HCPSS in advisory roles, as a member of an advisory committee or partner community organization. Group members include a former HCPSS administrator and a current student. Two individuals were tapped from one of the last three AACs to provide historical perspective.

AAC meetings will not be streamed online but are open to any member of the public who wishes to observe. AAC meetings will be held at Atholton High School at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, Tuesday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 9.

Community Input Sessions
Four community input sessions have been scheduled for community members to receive information related to the boundary review process and provide their input for the Superintendent’s consideration prior to his August 20 recommendation to the Board.

Families are encouraged to attend the session associated with the region in which they live based on School Locator. Those who cannot attend their region’s session should attend the county-wide session at Long Reach High School on Saturday, July 13 or may attend one of the other regional sessions. While RSVP is not required, it is highly encouraged. Online RSVP Form

  • Wednesday, July 10, 7–9 p.m. at Oakland Mills High School
    • Families currently zoned for Centennial HS, Howard HS, Mt. Hebron HS, Oakland Mills HS
  • Saturday, July 13, 9–11 a.m. at Long Reach High School
    • Available to any family that is unable to attend their regional meeting.
  • Tuesday, July 16, 7–9 p.m. at Atholton High School
    • Families currently zoned for Atholton HS, Hammond HS, Long Reach HS, Wilde Lake HS
  • Thursday, July 18, 7–9 p.m. at River Hill High School
    • Families currently zoned for Glenelg HS, Marriotts Ridge HS, Reservoir HS, River Hill HS

Online Input Forms Now Open
Members of the community may provide online feedback on the 2019 Feasibility Study to help inform the Superintendent’s recommendations to the Board of Education or submit alternate boundary options to be considered as part of the boundary review process.

These online input options will remain available until August 1. Following the Superintendent’s presentation to the Board on August 20, the Board will provide additional input and feedback options.

More information on the Boundary Review process can be found at the HCPSS website.