Purpose of Petition

We, the undersigned residents, parents, guardians, and community members, respectfully request that Garrett County Public Schools, Allegany County Public Schools, and Maryland state officials review the current school enrollment options available to families living in Bloomington, Maryland.

Background

Bloomington is a community located within Garrett County; however, many families living in Bloomington experience unique geographic challenges because they are located closer to schools in Allegany County than to their assigned Garrett County schools.

For many families, the current school assignment creates challenges related to:

Longer daily travel distances and commute times
Traveling mountain roads, including concerns during winter weather conditions
Transportation difficulties for families
Challenges balancing school attendance, medical appointments, work responsibilities, and family obligations
The impact that distance and transportation barriers can have on student attendance, consistency, and educational success
We recognize and appreciate the dedication of educators, administrators, and staff in both Garrett County Public Schools and Allegany County Public Schools. This petition is not intended to criticize either school system. Instead, it is a request to recognize the unique circumstances of the Bloomington community and explore solutions that place students and families at the center of decision-making.

Requested Action

We respectfully request that the Garrett County Board of Education and Allegany County Board of Education:

Review the current school boundary and enrollment policies affecting Bloomington families.
Explore the possibility of creating a cooperative agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two school systems that would allow eligible Bloomington families to request consideration for enrollment in Allegany County schools when geographic circumstances create significant hardship.
Consider factors such as:
Distance from a student’s home to available schools
Transportation challenges
Safety concerns related to travel conditions
Student attendance and educational needs
Individual family circumstances
Work collaboratively with families, school officials, and state representatives to identify a fair and practical solution that supports the best interests of students.
Our Request

We believe that every child deserves access to an education that is safe, consistent, and supportive. Geographic boundaries are important, but we also believe there should be a process to consider communities where those boundaries create unique hardships.

We respectfully ask our education leaders to listen to the voices of Bloomington families and begin a conversation about possible solutions.

We are requesting a review, an open discussion, and a commitment to exploring options that prioritize student success and family needs.