Redistricting public hearings set for April 22, 23

The Board of Education of Charles County is holding two public hearings to gather community input on the high school redistricting proposals, which will create an attendance zone for St. Charles High School and alleviate overcrowding at the county's six high schools. Complete descriptions of the proposals are located at http://www2.ccboe.com/parentscomm/transportation/hsredistricting.cfm.
Public hearings are set for 6:30 to 9 p.m., Monday, April 22 at North Point High School, and 6:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 23 at La Plata High School. The Board is limiting speakers to commenting at one of the two hearings in order to maximize speaking opportunities for the highest number of people.
In order to allow proper time for all interested speakers, the following guidelines have been established for the public hearings:

• Any person wishing to speak during the public hearings must sign the sign-in sheet in advance. The sign-up sheet will be available outside of the school auditorium beginning 45 minutes prior to the start of the hearing. No one arriving after 6:30 p.m. will be allowed to sign in or speak.
• Speakers will be issued a number and will be called to the podium by their assigned number.
• Speakers should limit their comments to the redistricting proposals.
• Comments should be concise and to the point, and speakers will be limited to three minutes. A screen showing the time provides warnings when speakers have one minute and 30 seconds left to speak. The Board chairman will ask the speaker to stop at the three-minute mark in order to provide equal opportunity to all who would like to comment.
• Engaging in active debate with the Board of Education, staff or audience members will not be allowed. All comments must be directed to the Board.
• Note cards will be available for audience members to provide questions for staff. A list of questions received and their answers will be posted on the high school redistricting page of the school system website.
• Board members are there to listen to comments and gather information for use in their decisions on redistricting. Members will not answer questions or comment to speakers during the hearing.
• Remarks must be respectful, courteous, free of name-calling and personal attacks. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.

The Board appreciates the cooperation of community members in honoring these guidelines, and looks forward to hearing from the public.

Following the public hearings, the Superintendent will develop recommendations to the Board for each high school based on review of the plans and public comments. The Superintendent can recommend one of the proposals or modified versions. A separate public hearing on the Superintendent's recommendations will be held 6:30-9 p.m., Monday, May 20, at Westlake High School. The Board will take a final vote on the high school redistricting on June 11 at its regular monthly meeting.Residents may also mail or e-mail comments. E-mail comments to redistrict@ccboe.com or mail to Redistricting, Charles County Public Schools, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646.  For a complete overview of redistricting, fact sheets outlining the proposals for each schools, a redistricting school locator and other information, visit http://www2.ccboe.com/parentscomm/transportation/hsredistricting.cfm.