The Board of Education today announced a change in its schedule of public hearings regarding Phase 2 of its comprehensive redistricting process. The changes will allow the Board to receive new additional information from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell that may be helpful in the Board’s decision-making process.
Dr. Bedell told the Board he will present preliminary 2025-2026 student enrollment information at the Board’s next regularly scheduled business meeting, set for October 15, 2025. As a result, the Board has postponed the first of its two public hearings, scheduled for October 13, 2025.
“Dr. Bedell and his team have been examining the data and believe they have some significant points to share with our Board and the public,” Board President Robert Silkworth said. “This has been a transparent process from the outset, so providing this information at a public meeting – the Board’s next scheduled meeting – continues that effort and will best inform the public prior to the first public redistricting hearing.”
Enrollment numbers are calculated by school districts across Maryland on September 30 of each school year. The Maryland State Department of Education then reviews each school district’s data before certifying the figures, usually in late November or December.
“I am grateful to the Board for being willing to change the hearing schedule in order to have more information at its disposal in this process,” Dr. Bedell said. “While we have not historically made preliminary annual enrollment figures public because they have yet to be certified by the Maryland State Department of Education, the process in which we are engaged does not typically occur each year. I simply believe that this information will be useful to me, the Board and the public as this process moves forward and critical decisions are made.”
Should the information lead the Board to include an additional plan or plans at public hearing, Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff would need to hold a briefing prior to the Board’s hearings. An updated schedule will be made public after the Board discusses the matter.
To see information about Phase 2 of the redistricting process, go to www.aacps.org/phase2redistricting.