I am writing as a deeply concerned parent in Washington County who has watched our schools become increasingly overcrowded, understaffed, and unfairly zoned. These issues are not abstract—they affect our children every single day, and the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore.

 

Our Schools Are at a Breaking Point

Classrooms across the county are so overcrowded that students are not receiving the attention, support, or individualized instruction they need. Some elementary classes now have 28–30 students per teacher, nearly double the national average of 16. I ask you honestly: how is a young child supposed to learn, focus, or feel supported in a room with nearly thirty classmates?

 

This becomes even more challenging when a classroom includes students who struggle with behavior or need additional support. Teachers are left trying to manage disruptions while still attempting to teach, protect, and nurture nearly thirty other children. It is not fair to the teacher, and it is certainly not fair to the students who are trying to learn.

 

Our teachers are exhausted. They are overworked, overwhelmed, and stretched far beyond what is reasonable. Smaller class sizes are not a luxury—they are a necessity, and they are needed now.

 

 Population Growth Without School Growth

 

Washington County has grown by more than 5% in the last decade, yet we have not built the new schools needed to keep up. Families are paying the price through packed classrooms, stressed educators, and declining learning environments. Even worse, outdated zoning laws make the problem uneven—some schools are bursting at the seams while others remain underutilized.

 

This isn’t just a numbers problem. Every student deserves a real chance to learn in a healthy, balanced classroom. That requires investment, planning, and action—not delay.

 

A Growing Safety Issue: Middle Schoolers Using Marijuana at School

 

Parents are also witnessing a troubling rise in marijuana use among middle school students—happening inside the schools themselves. This is not a problem we can ignore, and it is directly tied to the same systemic issues already affecting our classrooms.

 

Why is this happening?

 

- Overcrowded classrooms make supervision more difficult.  

- Staff shortages mean fewer adults in hallways, bathrooms, and common areas.  

- THC vapes are small, discreet, and easy to hide.  

- School policies have not kept up with the differences between nicotine and THC vapes.  

 

When students can use marijuana during the school day without being noticed, it is a sign that the system is stretched far beyond its limits. This is a safety issue, a health issue, and an educational issue all at once.

 

 Unfair and Illogical Redistricting

 

Another major concern is the current school zoning, which is inconsistent and socially disruptive. Students from the same elementary school are being split between multiple middle schools—most going to one school, while a small group is sent to another.

 

This division harms children in several ways:

 

- It breaks apart established friendships at a critical developmental age.  

- It creates social isolation for the smaller group sent to Springfield.  

- It leads to unequal class sizes and resource distribution.  

- It adds unnecessary stress during an already challenging transition.  

 

There is no clear or fair justification for separating children from their peers in this way. Redistricting should prioritize stability, community, and balanced enrollment—not arbitrary lines that divide students.

 

Our Children Deserve Better

 

Washington County is growing, and our school system must grow with it. We need:

 

- Smaller class sizes across all grade levels  

- Additional teachers and support staff  

- Updated safety and supervision policies  

- Clear, modern rules regarding THC vapes  

- A reevaluation of current zoning boundaries  

- Redistricting that keeps elementary cohorts together  

- Transparent communication with parents about long‑term planning  

- New schools built to meet the needs of a growing county  

 

Our children only get one chance at their education. They deserve classrooms where they can learn, teachers who can actually teach, and school communities that are not fractured by unfair zoning or overwhelmed by preventable safety issues.

 

A Call to Action

 

If you care about the future of Washington County’s children, please support efforts to build new schools, reduce overcrowding, and fix outdated zoning. Families should not have to fight this hard for basic educational conditions. What would you want someone to do if this was your child’s classroom?

 

I urge you to take these concerns seriously and act quickly. Parents are paying attention, and we are advocating for the well‑being of every child in this county.

 

Sincerely,  

A Concerned Parent in Washington County MD