Boundary Changes Loom For PGCPS, Public Comments Accepted At Thursday Meeting

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Proposed school boundary recommendations for Prince George's County Public Schools will create boundaries for middle schools under construction, allow the school system to increase prekindergarten openings and align the sixth grade with middle schools.

The final round of public hearings will be held virtually Thursday and Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.

“Knowing the impact of school boundary changes on students and families, I will be thoughtful and equitable in making final determinations,” PGCPS Superintendent Monica Goldson said. “Every child deserves to learn, work and play in the best environment possible. This work will ultimately create a stronger PGCPS by expanding program offerings, balancing enrollment and offering more students access to modernized facilities.”

The Comprehensive School Boundary Initiative aims to provide an impartial analysis of current school boundaries, feeder patterns and program locations to develop potential adjustments for new and expanded school facilities, and balance facility utilization system-wide. This is the school system’s first boundary analysis since 2008.

In 2019, the Prince George’s County Board of Education requested an impartial analysis of strategies to reduce overcrowding and expand seats through the Blueprint Schools Program. Consultants WXY and Public Engagement Associates were hired to facilitate the analysis and community input alongside the PGCPS Boundary Advisory Committee.

During the 10 community meetings held since 2021, three key themes emerged, school officials said: aging and substandard school facilities, impacts of overcrowding/overutilization and specialty programs access and equity. As a result, the recommendations prioritize addressing overutilization to help reduce the number of temporary classrooms across the school system and consolidating a small number of schools as needed.

Most changes would impact severe overcrowding in the northern part of the county. The Comprehensive School Boundary Initiative included 165 neighborhood schools. Specialty schools, regional schools, charter schools and special education centers were excluded; high school boundary changes were not in the consultant’s recommendations, the school district noted.

The Boundary Initiative will conclude with the CEO’s recommendation to the board of education at its Nov. 10 meeting.