Phase 2 Redistricting Plan Adopted

A final redistricting plan for the Annapolis, Arundel, Broadneck, Crofton, Severna Park, South River and Southern clusters was adopted by the board during its November 19 meeting. I will attempt to explain what this plan means for District 5 residents.

Students residing in the Cypress Creek area of Severna Park have been redistricted from Folger McKinsey Elementary School to Severna Park Elementary School. Students residing in College Station, Allenville, Creston Park, Harting Estates, Magothy Estates, Twin Harbors, Divinity Cove, Campus Green, as well as all neighborhoods on Dividing Creek Road and Jones Station Road will be redistricted from Belvedere Elementary School to Arnold Elementary School.

No other areas within District 5 were impacted by this redistricting exercise. All redistricting will occur starting with the 2026-2027 school year and will include bus transportation.

I understand that the above changes will impact District 5 students and families differently depending on individual circumstances. All four schools involved are among the best that AACPS offers, and after a period of adjustment, students will feel that they belong in their new environment. I am also aware that change is very difficult, and I both sympathize and empathize with your situation.

Regulation JAB-RA, which can be found under the Board of Education portion of the AACPS website under “Policies & Regulations,” outlines the out-of-area transfer process. Item number 10, Special Circumstances, states in part that, “When a student who has completed grades four, seven or 11 changes residence to another AACPS school attendance area, said student may continue in the original elementary, middle, or high school until completion of the terminal grade of that school level, subject to the terms and conditions of redistricting by the board or the superintendent’s transfer of groups of students to other school facilities.”

Practically, this means that in addition to the other acceptable criteria for seeking an out-of-area transfer, rising fifth- and eighth-grade students and families may seek potential relief via the out-of-area transfer process.

Phase 2 of the comprehensive redistricting process was my fourth redistricting exercise and is the least favorite part of my job. I have heard from hundreds of families over the past nine months and thank each one of you for reaching out, sharing your concerns, and advocating for what you believe is right. I am especially grateful to the students who have written to me or have provided in-person testimony during this process.

Ultimately, I voted “no” because I disagreed with parts of the plan, specifically around the split articulation and not providing a legacy provision for fifth-, eighth- and 11th-grade students. Now that the board has acted, I am bound by board policy to support all actions the board takes, and I will do so.

As always, I can be reached at 443-534-2660 and dschallheim@aacps.org, or hit me up on the socials. Happy holidays to you and your family!