Reply to Why isn't MCPS redistricting Rachel Carlson

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

There are several schools in my area (lower DCC) and throughout the county that have over 120% capacity. However, as far as I know, there is not halt to new development, unless the cluster as whole has elementary capacity over 120%.  I would suggest that the county looks at capacity in the catchment area for each individual elementary school to make these decisions, since families moving to new developments won't have a choice to attend other schools in the cluster. [/quote]

I was wondering about specific schools. There are certainly elementary schools that are over 120% capacity. For example, Rachel Carson ES is at 144% of capacity, and Matsunaga ES is at 147% of capacity. However, as far as I know, there are no new residential plans awaiting approval that would affect either school.[/quote]

Wood Acres ES is currently at about 143% capacity, but will close for 18 months this December to undergo an expansion that will take it down to about 107% capacity.  A concern in the community is that there is a current plan to redevelop Westbard (which feeds into Wood Acres) that could include a few thousand new residential units and potentially add hundreds of new students.  I suppose a moratorium doesn't technically apply if an expansion is already in the works, and redevelopment plans are still at a nascent stage, but the prospect of blowing past 120% again in short order is troubling.[/quote]

It would be nice if the county looked proactively at redistricting if there are neighboring schools that are undercapacity or that could be expanded (since Wood Acres will be overcapacity even after the expansion) instead of waiting for new development to create a crisis.  But I don't see any leadership on that front.[/quote]

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