The overcrowding of the classrooms and safety and security of our children is our concern and priority. Laurel Woods Elementary School's capacity is 540. Currently our enrollment is 634 (117.4%). Since the 2006-2007 LWES has grown on average by 4% each school year.

The Howard County Public School Board of Education has reviewed and taken recommendations for the 2012 Redistricting Plan to begin next school year (2012-2013). As you’ve read, the plan will move 69 students from Laurel Woods to Forrest Ridge Elementary School. That will decrease our enrollment to a projected 565 (104%).

This is a substandard answer to Laurel Woods’ overcrowding by HCPSS. And their solution is to build a portable city on the perimeter of the school's property which is adjacent to an apartment complex. Safety and security flags are raised! Our kindergarten through fifth grade children move from building to portables at times unescorted, easy access to school campus/portables by strangers.

Already this year there was an incident when a child was approached by a stranger on their way to school. This perpetrator has not been identified or caught. What must happen to one of our precious jewels for HCPSS to take notice?

Dr. Sidney Cousins we ask that you decrease the enrollment at Laurel Woods to 90%. This will allow for continued and expected growth within our school community.

Let’s get our community school back to what it was built for!

BOE 3 REDISTRICTING PLAN
Laurel Woods ES Proj. Capacity: 540 Before Redistricting:Proj. Enrollment: 634 Proj. Util.:117.4%
Plan ID Gain Loss
To Forest Ridge ES 1 ( 33)
To Forest Ridge ES 12 ( 16)
To Forest Ridge ES 1001 ( 20)
Total To Forest Ridge ES ( 69)
Totals for Laurel Woods ES 0 ( 69) Net change: ( 69)
After Redistricting: Proj. Enrollment: 565 Proj. Util.:104.6%