Shape the Future: West Towson Elementary School Boundary Hearing
We are launching the Shape the Future series to highlight activities where West Towson neighbors have the opportunity to influence our neighborhood and amenities serving it. This is built on the work of the first West Towson Pulse Survey which highlighted areas of focus for our neighborhood and the West Towson Neighborhood Association.
An example map of Elementary School Boundaries being evaluated.
We know that for West Towson families with children at home that public school options are a top priority for the neighborhood. When asked to rank their most important neighborhood characteristics 78% West Towson parents with children ranked ‘Top Public School Options’ in their top 3. This same group of 52 Pulse Survey respondents also ranked ‘Openness, Diversity, and Inclusion’ as a top priority for the neighborhood over 30% of the time.
That’s why it’s so important for West Towson parents to share their voice as part of Baltimore County Public School’s Central Area Elementary School Capacity Relief Boundary Study. The purpose of the study to relieve schools projected to be overcrowded and to maximize use of available space at elementary schools in the region. West Towson Elementary School is currently at 78% capacity while other surrounding schools are above 110% capacity.
So far, the boundary study has developed 12 maps, then narrowed the number of options down to 4 maps which are lettered Options A-D.
A Southland Hills resident and West Towson Elementary School parent who joined the boundary study board explains “the Boundary Committee Board has raised concerns with several maps which would remove neighborhoods around Lake Roland. Aside from the disruption to large numbers of children, these maps also remove families that have been an integral part of mine and many children’s West Towson Elementary experience.”
The remaining map Options of B, C, and D maintain stability for the most students that currently attend West Towson Elementary School. These options meet the boundary study’s goal of balancing capacity and avoiding overly homogenous student bodies. The Board points to one major drawback of Option A which is that ~40 students would have to pass by West Towson as part of their longer commute to a new school. This seemed unfair to impacted children.
West Towson parents are encouraged learn more about the options and to share their voice at the Public information sessions being held on:
November 15th from 7-8pm at Cockeysville Middle School
November 16th from 7-8pm at Loch Raven High School
Attending these sessions and sharing your voice while highlighting how much we appreciate the Open, Inclusive, and Diverse community that the West Towson Elementary School has fostered is the best way to shape the public school options available to us. There is also an option to leave a public comment using this form from Baltimore County Public Schools. With whichever map ultimately wins out, we know that we’ll rely on our Openness and Welcoming spirit that sets us apart as a neighborhood.
