What happened to the plan to stop Baltimore County school overcrowding?

Baltimore County officials were finally doing something about overcrowded public schools when they passed a bill in 2024 meant to restrict housing development near packed classrooms. But nearly two years later, an advisory group that would help set limits has yet to get started.

The legislation, sponsored by Councilman Izzy Patoka, calls for a nine-member public school capacity committee to submit recommendations on reducing overcrowded school by the end of next month. However, only five committee seats have been filled, and members have yet to meet.

The result, one frustrated committee member said, is that overcrowded schools have been left out of election season conversations, and 21 schools still have far more kids than they were built to hold.

Patoka said it’s disappointing that committee seats remain empty, as reducing overcrowding will produce good learning environments. Schools on the east side of the county are especially cramped, he said.

Overlea High School, for example, is at 145% capacity, according to a recent report, and is slated for redistricting next year to relieve overcrowding. Anything above 110% utilization is considered overcrowded under Patoka’s bill. A school previously had to reach 115% to be considered overcrowded.

The bill originally gave the school capacity committee the power to decide whether developers could build near a crowded school, but opponents said it was too restrictive to developers who want to build affordable housing. The version that passed puts that power in the hands of county staff and elected officials.

County Executive Kathy Klausmeier and the County Council are responsible for picking the committee members. Klausmeier has chosen one of her two picks; her second will be confirmed by the council on July 6, according to Dakarai Turner, a spokesperson for the county executive.

Robin Campbell, who was appointed by recently retired councilman Wade Kach in December, isn’t sure how to get started. A Baltimore County official he asked for guidance simply told him would be would be notified when the committee was fully formed.

According to the legislation, Campbell, 63, and other committee members are supposed to review school capacities, enrollment, projected enrollment and growth trends as they prepare a report to give county leaders, including the council, superintendent and school board. It’s due July 31.

Campbell, who’s advocated for relief from overcrowding at Hampton Elementary School in Timonium, said he’s disappointed in the county executive and councilmen since they “have a responsibility, whether they like it or not, to follow the law.”

“While it was a burden for me to take on a voluntary position, I thought that was the kind of contribution I could make to my community,” the Towson resident said.

After The Banner asked county officials about the committee, Campbell was told the group will have its first meeting July 23 since there are now enough members for a quorum.

Turner said the county’s administration is working with the council to recruit committee applicants. The Department of Planning staff has been preparing onboarding materials and support resources to help the committee finally convene, he said.

“The Committee will establish a timeline for completing its responsibilities at that point,” he wrote in an email.

Councilman Todd Crandell’s committee pick died after being appointed, Patoka said, and he has yet to select a replacement.

Julian Jones, the Democratic nominee for county executive, and Pat Young still need to pick people. Both have been critics of the overcrowding legislation.

Young told WYPR in May that the legislation has no teeth and that it wouldn’t prevent overcrowding.

Young has been “actively looking for an appointment,” he said in a statement through his aide, Amanda Carr. Most of the people he has asked could not make the time commitment. Someone has since shown interest, he said, and he’s hopeful that person will soon apply.

“While he has his critiques on how legislation is written and presented/passed, he takes his job seriously and appointments is an important way for experts and even regular folks who care to be involved,” Carr wrote in a text message.

Back in 2024, Jones said crowded schools aren’t a necessarily bad thing and compared them to Disneyland. “Everyone wants to be there,” he said.

Jones and Crandell did not return a request for comment.

About the Education Hub

This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. Read more.