The Board of Education at its Nov. 9 meeting approved the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) middle school redistricting plan, which takes effect next school year. In a vote of 4 to 2, the Board approved Superintendent Maria V. Navarro’s recommendation of a modified version of Proposal A which balances state-rated capacity and includes movement of students among all eight CCPS middle school zones.
The redistricting measures address the anticipated growth in student enrollment while adhering closely to each school’s state rated capacity guidelines. The approved plan moves a smaller number of current CCPS students and better balances growth in neighborhoods zoned for Benjamin Stoddert and Milton M. Somers middle schools.
An interactive map is available online that shows each new school zone, effective at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Residents can input an address into the search bar in the top left corner. The school zone correlates with the color key on the left side of the site. To view the map, click here.
Overview of redistricting
A Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) redistricting committee is tasked to develop two different proposals to change middle school attendance zones. The redistricting will be comprehensive and could affect students at all eight CCPS middle schools. Middle school redistricting may revise attendance zones and reduce overcrowding at some schools. It will take effect in August 2022 once a renovation and expansion are complete at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.
The redistricting committee’s task is to develop and evaluate potential middle school attendance zones for consideration by the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education. The middle school redistricting committee was selected at random at the Oct. 13, 2020, Board of Education meeting; however, the process was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and guidance from the Charles County Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The committee reconvened on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, and met weekly to develop its proposals. The committee is divided into two groups to develop two different proposals. Redistricting policy and rules require the committee to submit two proposals.
The redistricting committee will present its two proposals for consideration to the Board at its Aug. 10, 2021, meeting.
Why do we need to redistrict?
Redistricting is necessary to relieve overcrowding at the middle-school level, and to more evenly distribute student enrollment among schools. The renovation and expansion of Benjamin Stoddert Middle School increases the school’s square footage from 105,800 to 148,317 feet. The current state-rated capacity (SRC) for Stoddert is 711 students; the completed project increases the state-rated capacity (SRC) to 975, allowing for additional students to attend Stoddert.
Which middle schools and students will be affected?
Redistricting could impact attendance zones for all eight middle schools. Affected students entering Grades 6-8 will change schools at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
When will redistricting take effect?
Redistricting will take effect at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. The Board begins the redistricting process two years in advance to provide ample research time and opportunity for public input and notification. The middle school redistricting process started in Oct. 2020 with the selection of the committee and a public hearing for input. The committee paused its meetings in the fall after the Board moved its meetings to a virtual setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who is involved in redistricting?
Last fall, CCPS invited parents and community members to apply for membership on the redistricting committee. The Board at its Oct. 13, 2020, meeting selected 11 parents through a random drawing to serve on the committee – two elementary, one high school and eight from the middle schools. The Board of Education also selected three community members at large and four school principals for the committee. Additionally, three local government planners and CCPS staff support the committee.
How will the committee develop proposals?
Using input from Board of Education policy, administration, staff, local government officials and community members, the redistricting committee will develop two proposals. The options will be developed based on criteria established by the Board of Education from a review of data. Input includes, but is not limited to, transportation costs, increasing populations of schools under capacity and decreasing student enrollment in schools over capacity. The redistricting committee will review data including middle school enrollments, growth projections, resale of homes, new home construction, geographic maps and other information. The committee will present its two proposals to the Board of Education at its Aug. 10, 2021, meeting. CCPS will make the proposals available to the public. The Board will hold public hearings after receiving the recommendations from the committee.
On Sept. 14, 2021, Superintendent Maria Navarro will make her recommendation to the Board. The Board will hold two additional public hearings after receiving the superintendent’s recommendation. The Board is tentatively scheduled to make a decision at its Oct. 12, 2021, meeting.
How will public comments be received?
The Board of Education believes community input is essential to a successful redistricting.
There are several ways for community members to share ideas about the middle school redistricting:
- Email ideas and comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All correspondence will be shared with Board members and staff.
- Participate in public hearings. For more information about the redistricting time line, visit the CCPS website at https://www.ccboe.com/index.php/redistricting-middle-school-ql.
Public comments and suggestions are shared with the Board of Education.
When will parents and students be notified about the redistricting?
Parents and students will be notified of school zone changes after the Board votes on its redistricting decision in Oct. 2021. The school system will notify parents about the chosen proposal. Additionally, CCPS posts all redistricting information on its website at https://www.ccboe.com/index.php/redistricting-middle-school-ql.
Where can I find up-to-date redistricting information?
CCPS continuously posts information on the school system website at https://www.ccboe.com/index.php/redistricting-middle-school-ql, including time lines, meeting notices, publications and parent notifications, maps, fact sheets and more. All parents will receive four fact sheets – an introduction to the redistricting, committee proposals, the Superintendent’s recommendation to the Board, and the approved redistricting plan. Board meetings include updated on the process and air live at ccboe.com.
Superintendent's
Amended Recommendation
Superintendent's Recommendation
Alternative A Planning Map
Alternative B Planning Map
Fact Sheet 1 — August 2021
Aug. 10 Redistricting Presentation
Oct. 26 Redistricting Presentation
Redistricting Timeline
October 2020
- Redistricting committee selected. Public information Town Hall session held Oct. 26 virtually.
November 2020
- Redistricting committee begins meeting weekly. Meetings paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2021
- Committee resumes its weekly meetings.
July 2021
- Redistricting committee completes work.
August 2021
- Board to receive a report on committee’s recommendations on Aug. 10.
- Public hearings are set for Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., virtually, and Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at La Plata High School.
September 2021
- Additional public hearing set for Tuesday, Sept.. 7, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., virtually through Zoom. Click here for meeting access.
- Superintendent presents recommendation to the Board at its Sept. 14 meeting.
- Public hearings on recommendation set for Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Westlake High School, and Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, 6 to 8 p.m. virtually.
October 2021
- Board takes action. Redistricting decision takes effect at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
In the News
- Superintendent recommends middle school redistricting Proposal A
- Board to hold middle school redistricting information meeting
- Board seeks middle school redistricting committee members
- Middle school redistricting moves forward, hearings planned
- Board seeks additional midde school redistricting community feedback
- Board approves middle school redistricting, starts next school yearmiddle school redistricting, starts next school year
