A week away from the Howard County Public School System releasing its redistricting plan, three County Council members are calling on the school system to develop a plan to desegregate its schools.
Council members Christiana Rigby, Opel Jones and Deb Jung released a joint news release late Tuesday afternoon announcing they are introducing a resolution in September for the school system to develop a plan.
“Currently school district boundaries in Howard County are drawn in a manner that concentrate students participating in the Free and Reduced Meals program [FARMS] into certain elementary, middle, and high schools,” the release states.
On Aug. 20, schools Superintendent Michael Martirano is presenting his comprehensive redistricting plan that would take into effect for the 2020-2021 school year.
The council members are asking for the school system to “comprehensively address the socioeconomic and racial segregation in Howard County Public Schools through a meaningful redistricting process.”
The resolution will be introduced at the County Council’s Sept. 3 legislative session.