Montgomery County Public Schools has received two proposals from consultants to examine school attendance boundaries.
In a brief presentation to the Board of Education on Monday, the MCPS staff said several companies are collaborating for each proposal, but did not disclose what companies or organizations are involved.
MCPS spokesman Derek Turner said there are no current plans to restart the process to solicit additional proposals.
The school board was expected to award a contract Monday, but delayed the vote to August 29 to further vet the proposals and address “lingering questions” both to and from bidders.
In January, the Board of Education passed a resolution to hire a consultant to evaluate school boundaries, which determine which area schools students will attend based on where they live. Elementary and middle schools “feed” high schools near them, creating school clusters.
The consultant’s report is expected to be presented to the board June 1, 2020.
The boundary analysis is the school system’s first comprehensive look at school boundaries in at least 20 years. It has pitted a contingent of students lobbying for more diverse schools against parents who fear long bus rides for their children or decreased home values if boundaries shift.
Superintendent Jack Smith on Monday reiterated that the analysis will not result directly in any boundary changes, but rather provide data and information for board members to use during future studies.
“Neither the analysis nor the report can authorize a boundary study,” Smith said. “What it can do is help us be more informed to understand how to best use our facilities and use attendance zones around schools.”
Along with a handful of community forums conducted since January to solicit feedback on the analysis, MCPS received 681 comments from community members through an online form, according to Chief Operating Officer Andy Zuckerman.
He said the major themes commenters expressed include an emphasis on equitable resources for all students, increasing diversity and easing overcrowding problems.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@moco360.media
