The Garrett County Board of Education (BOE), at its September 11, 2018, meeting, discussed possible scenarios regarding school configuration options as part of the RISE Strategic Plan.
After an examination of the strategic issues and the overarching goals and values of the Board of Education, the following options have been identified as a next step in the strategic process.
Those options are:
- Option A: Revise the current grade band arrangement in most schools to two grade bands – PreKindergarten-6 and 7-12.
- Option B: Revise the current grade band arrangement in most schools to three grade bands – PreKindergarten-2, 3-6, and 7-12.
- Option C: Make no changes to grade band alignment – Three grade bands (PreKindergarten-5, 6-8, and 9-12).
- Option Alternate 1: Create regional grade bands based on enrollment and capacity.
- Option Alternate 2: Create a consolidated, comprehensive high school.
Each subcommittee (Educational Services and Administrative Services) will analyze each of the grade band options to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities and will prepare a list of advantages, challenges, and barriers to each, and will also identify other potential considerations of each grade band alignment.
The Board is seeking feedback from the public on the proposed three grade band alignment options and the alternate options. You may submit your comments by noon on Friday, October 5, 2018, to the Public Information Office at public.info@garrettcountyschools.org or in writing to:
Garrett County Public Schools
c/o Public Information Office
40 S. Second Street
Oakland, MD 21550
There will be other opportunities for the public to provide input into the RISE plan throughout the strategic planning process. The Board will then review all comments and discuss the options at each of the remaining stages of plan development.
