LA PLATA, Md. (April 13, 2012)—The Board of Education on Tuesday approved the Superintendent’s recommendation for redistricting for Theodore G. Davis Middle School, William A. Diggs Elementary School and Mary B. Neal Elementary School with one amendment. The Board agreed to allow students who would be redistricted a second time in elementary school to stay at their current school if parents provide transportation. For example, if a child attended Mary H. Matula Elementary School, and was redistricted to Mary B. Neal in 2009, that child may stay at Mary B. Neal despite the redistricting decision as long as parents transport the student to and from school.
The Board approved the redistricting, which also affects students from Matthew Henson Middle School, Milton M. Somers Middle School, J.C. Parks Elementary School and Berry Elementary School, in a 6-1 decision at its monthly Board meeting.
The Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation, with amendment, for Neal. The amendment does not include siblings. The plan moves 245 students from Neal to nearby elementary schools. The plan rezones 142 children to Eva Turner Elementary School, 49 students to J.P. Ryon Elementary School, 25 students to Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School and 29 students to Mary H. Matula Elementary School. The change will reduce the student enrollment at Neal to 609, eliminating the need to add relocatable classrooms and leaving room for expected growth.
The Board accepted the Superintendent’s recommendation, with amendment, for Diggs. The amendment does not include siblings. The redistricting moves 265 students from Diggs, with 169 transferring to J.C. Parks Elementary School and 96 moving to Berry. As a result, 60 J.C. Parks students are being rezoned to Indian Head Elementary School and 63 children are moving from Berry to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School. The redistricting reduces the enrollment at Diggs to 774.
The Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation for Davis. The redistricting moves 183 students from Davis to Matthew Henson Middle School. It also moves 15 students from Milton Somers Middle School to Davis. The alternative then moves 72 students from Henson to General Smallwood Middle School. The redistricting reduces the student population at Davis to 996.
Redistricting takes effect in August for the 2012-13 school year.
For more information on the redistricting, visit the Charles County Public Schools website at http://www2.ccboe.com/parentscomm/transportation/redistricting.cfm.
Source: Charles County Public Schools