School Board Reviews High School Redistricting Plan Ahead Of March 18 Vote

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Board of Education reviewed the superintendent’s proposed redistricting plan during its March 4 meeting, with some board members raising questions about portions of the proposal ahead of a final vote scheduled for March 18.

The proposal being reviewed, Option 1.1A, would begin phasing in school boundary changes starting in the 2026–27 school year to balance enrollment across the county’s three high schools. 

Under the superintendent’s plan, some current eighth-grade students living in the Leonardtown High School district would be reassigned to Chopticon High School and Great Mills High School as they enter ninth grade. This plan would include grandfathering students in grades 10, 11, and 12 while they complete coursework at their current schools. The proposal is designed to reduce overcrowding at Leonardtown High School, which currently operates above capacity, while increasing utilization at the other two high schools. 

According to the school system’s analysis, the plan would move approximately 352 students over four enrollment years, reducing Leonardtown High School’s utilization from about 123 percent to roughly 102 percent, while increasing Chopticon High School from about 89 percent to approximately 106 percent and positioning Great Mills High School near 104 percent. 

School officials say these adjustments would balance utilization across the county’s three high schools, helping ensure classrooms, programs and public school resources are distributed more evenly among students in St. Mary’s County.

Hollywood Area Likely To Move To Chopticon

During the discussion, board members indicated a general agreement with part of the proposal that would shift students from the Hollywood area along Route 235 and Hollywood Road from Leonardtown High School to Chopticon High School.

That change would ultimately move about 285 students to Chopticon over the next four school years and is intended to better balance enrollment between the northern and southern parts of the county. 

Board members signaled agreement to keep that portion of the plan moving forward as staff prepares the final proposal for the March 18 meeting.

Debate Over Moving Students To Great Mills

Some board members suggested modifying another part of the proposal that would move students from the Indian Bridge Road and Elizabeth Hills areas from Leonardtown High School to Great Mills High School.

Board Chair Karen Bailey raised concerns that future housing developments proposed in the Great Mills area could increase enrollment in that district in the coming years.

“I would suggest an alteration to the superintendent’s plan, and I understand what CannonDesign did, and I understand why we added the rest of Indian Bridge Rd.,” Bailey said. “Maybe what we consider is just go back to moving the students that were identified from the Hollywood area to Chopticon.”

Vice Chair Cathy Allen supported Bailey’s recommendation to not move those Leonardtown High School districted students until future enrollment trends become clearer.

As a result, Bailey and Allen suggested the superintendent remove the Indian Bridge Road and Elizabeth Hills reassignment from the current plan.

Oak Drive Area Likely To Move

Another smaller boundary change affecting the Oak Drive area near Route 4 and Route 235 is expected to remain in the proposal.

School officials said the change is largely driven by transportation and road access issues, since the area’s primary entrance now connects to the Great Mills district following roadway changes.

Elementary And Middle School Boundaries On Hold

The superintendent’s recommendation also calls for no immediate redistricting at the elementary or middle school levels for the 2026–27 school year.

Instead, the school system plans to monitor enrollment trends over the next two years while evaluating the future of White Marsh Elementary School, which may face closure if enrollment continues to decline. 

Final Plan Expected March 18

Superintendent Dr. Scott Smith said the March 4 discussion was intended to provide direction to staff as they prepare a final proposal and did not reflect a consensus of the board.

“You are giving me final direction, so I can prepare materials to come before you on March 18 for your action,” Smith said.

The board of education is scheduled to take formal action on the redistricting plan during its March 18 meeting, after which families affected by any boundary changes would be notified by April 30.

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