More than 300 people attended tonight’s public input session to help the school system decide where the boundary lines for the new West Towson Elementary School should be drawn.  The decision could affect students currently attending Rodgers Forge, Hampton and Riderwood elementary schools.

A committee composed of parents, teachers, administrators and community representatives presented four possible boundary scenarios tonight. After an overview by Central Area Assistant Superintendent Barbara Walker, the audience at the Loch Raven High School meeting was randomly split into small groups.

The groups were asked to rank the factors that were important to them in making a boundary decision, and ultimately each group member was asked to express a preference for one of the four plans.  The data collected tonight is being sent to an independent research facility to be tabulated and analyzed.  The boundary committee will then reconvene and make a recommendation to the area superintendent, based on the input provided tonight.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, school system officials will make a formal recommendation to the Board of Education at its regularly scheduled meeting at the Greenwood Campus on Charles Street.

The public will be invited to comment on the recommendation at a second public hearing, at Loch Raven High School, on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m.

The Board will announce its final decision on Tuesday, March 9th, at 7 p.m.