Public hearings scheduled on student transfer policy

Friday, July 30, 2010

This fall the Calvert County Board of Education will conduct its regular review of the Student Transfer Policy. A press release from Calvert County Public Schools spokeswoman Gail Bennett stated that as part of this review, the board may make changes to the existing policy (including the elimination of certain provisions, such as, but not limited to, daycare transfers), or it may determine no changes are necessary.

The board has established a committee of residents to solicit public input over the course of the fall so the board can have as much input as possible on the policy, the release said.

It continued that the committee established by the board of education is asking parents and community members to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns about student transfers in Calvert public schools. Citizens can send written comments to the committee or they can speak during public hearings this fall.

The release said that currently, parents can request that their child attend a school other than the one they are normally assigned and requests are granted if they meet specific criteria, including course of study, child care needs for elementary and middle school students, and health-related needs.

"After gathering broad community input, the committee will write a report to the board identifying as many issues and perspectives as possible about student transfers. The report will also discuss the impact of student transfers on families, schools and communities," the release said, continuing that, "the board will include the information received from the committee in its review of the student transfer policy. The board believes broad input will help produce a policy that best meets the needs of the Calvert County community as well as the school system," the press release said.

It stated that individuals must sign up at the door prior to the hearing if they wish to speak and may speak for two minutes. If they are speaking for a group, individuals are allotted five minutes and each group may only have one speaker.

The committee will accept written comments at the public hearings, by mail and by e-mail. Comments must be received or postmarked no later than Friday, Oct. 8.

The formation of this committee was decided upon at a March Calvert County Board of Education meeting following some controversy, particularly among parents, on students attending certain schools when others might be closer to their homes.

"I'm happy to see that we're doing it this way," Board of Education Member Rose Crunkleton had said at the meeting, adding that the committee will hopefully make the issue of school transfers less emotional and more methodical, "Because this is an emotional issue."

LAURA BUCK

If you want to go

The committee will hold the following six public hearings:

Sept. 7, 7 p.m. at Northern Middle School in Owings;

Sept. 8, 7 p.m. at Calvert Middle School in Prince Frederick;

Sept. 21, 7 p.m. at Southern Middle School in Lusby;

Sept. 23, 7 p.m. at Plum Point Middle School in Huntingtown;

Oct. 6, 7 p.m. at Windy Hill Middle School in Owings;

Oct. 7, 7 p.m. at Mill Creek Middle School in Lusby.

Submit written comments to:

Ad Hoc Transfer Committee

c/o Gail Bennett

Board of Education

1305 Dares Beach Road

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

bennettg@calvertnet.k12.md.us

For more information, contact Bennett at 410-535-7620.