Redistricting Process: Redistricting Task Force to Begin Meeting Nov. 16
The Redistricting Task Force for Wicomico County Public Schools will begin meeting Monday, Nov. 16.

Over the past three weeks, the school system was contacted by a number of volunteers willing to serve on the Redistricting Task Force. That Task Force is now ready to begin meeting and will meet approximately twice a week through early January.

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, approved the use of a task force comprised of approximately 1/3 staff, 1/2 parents/guardians, and 1/6 community members to assist the school system with redistricting.

The task force includes parents/guardians and community members from throughout the county. (Staff members who serve on the task force will serve only as staff members, not as parents.)

“It’s very critical that we have the input from our entire community on this task force,” Board President Mark S. Thompson said.

Redistricting is necessary because in the more than 10 years since Wicomico last changed school boundaries, some Wicomico schools have become overcrowded while others are underutilized, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said at the October Board of Education meeting.

The Redistricting Task Force, starting from Targets for Establishing Student Attendance Areas, will examine enrollment numbers and other data to develop a redistricting proposal. There will be many opportunities for public input before the Task Force presents a final proposal to the Board in January.

“This process has built-in times for people to get involved and share their thoughts,” said L. Michelle Wright, Board vice president.

Throughout the redistricting process, the Board will keep the community up to date with a redistricting page on its web site at www.wcboe.org/redistricting, and public input may be made at any time by calling 410-677-5251 and leaving a message, or e-mailing to comments@wcboe.org.

A final vote on the redistricting plan is anticipated for the February 2010 Board meeting.
October 27, 2009