Phase II Comprehensive Redistricting Has Begun

Phase II of our system-wide redistricting kicked off January 27, when the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County was briefed on the redistricting policy and procedures timeline, followed by the release of the interactive web tool and survey on February 1.

Current enrollment — as well as long-range and annual planning documents that provide an inventory and evaluation of school facilities and projected enrollment — guide the need for periodic redistricting. By 2033, total Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) enrollment is projected to be over 91,000 students with the total available seats decreasing 37% over the next eight years.

Redistricting occurs for a limited set of reasons including the creation of boundaries for new schools, to alleviate overcrowding or underutilization of school facilities, or to meet programmatic changes such as the establishment of a magnet program. State funding for additions or renovations in areas where growth is high may be jeopardized if the school system doesn’t first balance enrollment, utilizing as many existing seats as possible. In general, school facilities must be at least 60% utilized for the school system to continue to receive state funding for capital projects.

Board policy and regulation JAA/JAA-RA-Redistricting & Attendance Areas establishes an equitable process for the determination of geographic school attendance areas. The criteria, considered during the development of various scenarios, includes efficient use of space, maximization of walkable access to school, impact on bus transportation and traffic, and grandfathering considerations.

The second phase will include the Annapolis, Arundel, Broadneck, Crofton, Severna Park, South River and Southern clusters, and will complete system-wide redistricting that began in 2023 with the redistricting of Chesapeake, Glen Burnie, Meade, North County, Northeast, Old Mill and Severn Run clusters. Similar to phase II redistricting, consultants WXY Studio were hired to process current data and develop various scenarios as well as the interactive web tool.

The interactive web tool, found at www.aacps.org/redistricting, will collect public feedback through May 1 on each of the three scenarios. I ask anyone with an opinion about the existing scenarios to please make use of the survey and comment features within the interactive tool to submit their feedback in addition to reaching out to me and other members of the Board of Education. Only feedback submitted through the interactive tool will be considered by the superintendent and staff in the development of the superintendent’s recommendation.

It should be noted that public feedback was effective during phase I and did result in a final redistricting plan that differed from the scenarios originally presented. The same is likely true for the second phase.

The superintendent will present his recommendation to the board during its July 2025 meeting. From there, the board will select one or more plans to bring to the public for both briefings and hearings before final adoption by the board in November 2025 for implementation during the 2026-2027 school year. The plan or plans moved forward for public briefings and hearings may include the superintendent’s recommendation or a plan developed by the board.

Yes, redistricting is an emotional and stressful process. Please make use of the online survey and comment features on the interactive tool in addition to contacting me to ensure your voice is heard. As always, I can be reached at dschallheim@aacps.org, 443-535-2660, or via social media (Facebook and Instagram).