The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County will receive Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell’s recommendation for Phase 2 of the Anne Arundel redistricting process at its meeting on July 23, 2025, at noon in the Parham Building, Annapolis. This step follows extensive community engagement and aims to address overcrowding in schools across the county’s southern clusters, with the plan set to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year.
Community Input Shapes Anne Arundel Redistricting
The Anne Arundel redistricting process began in February 2024, focusing on the Annapolis, Arundel, Broadneck, Crofton, Severna Park, South River, and Southern clusters. Dr. Bedell’s recommendation, informed by months of public meetings, community feedback, and consultant scenarios from WXY, addresses enrollment imbalances. Over 9,000 online comments and survey results have shaped the proposal, which seeks to optimize school capacity while considering community concerns. The recommendation will be posted online post-meeting at www.aacps.org/phase2redistricting.
Public Engagement and Board Meeting Details
The July 23 meeting, held at 2644 Riva Road, is open to the public, subject to space limitations. It begins with a 10 a.m. vote to enter a closed session for confidential matters, including legal advice and personnel, as permitted by the Maryland Open Meetings Act. The public session starts at noon, broadcast live on AACPS-TV and the AACPS YouTube channel. A complete agenda is available at www.aacps.org in the Board Docs section. Public comment is limited to 10 speakers per agenda item, with registration opening at 3 p.m. on July 18. No public comment will be taken on Anne Arundel redistricting during this meeting due to planned future hearings.
New Student Board Member Joins Discussion
The meeting marks the debut of Brayden Morgan, the 52nd Student Member of the Board from Glen Burnie High School. Morgan is the only student in the nation on a local board with full voting rights, bringing a unique perspective to the Anne Arundel redistricting discussion. His role underscores the district’s commitment to inclusive decision-making.
Next Steps in Anne Arundel Redistricting
Following Dr. Bedell’s presentation, the Anne Arundel redistricting process will continue with public hearings in September and October 2025, allowing further community input. The Board is scheduled to adopt a final plan in November 2025, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. This phase follows the successful Phase 1 redistricting, implemented in 2024, which balanced enrollments in the county’s northern clusters, affecting 6,400 students and establishing boundaries for Old Mill West High School and West County Elementary School.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Maryland’s fourth-largest district with 83,000 students across 126 schools, faces growing enrollment, particularly in its northern clusters, projected to increase from 41,000 to over 47,000 students by 2031. The Anne Arundel redistricting effort aims to alleviate overcrowding, promote equity, and optimize facility use, as emphasized by Dr. Bedell and Board President Joanna Bache Tobin. The process reflects a commitment to transparency, with tools like the online redistricting portal enabling families to explore proposed changes.
