The public page of the Annapolis Education Commission. 2.48.005 - Education Commission. A. There is created an Education Commission. B. C. D.
The Commission shall consist of at least one Alderman or Alderwoman from the City Council and one resident from each of the eight Wards of the City and an additional four at-large members who reside in the Annapolis cluster schools as defined by Anne Arundel County Public Schools and possess a demonstrated interest or expertise in education. Such residents and at-large members shall include public
and private educators at any level of education, active members of parent/student/teacher organizations, student advocates, and active members of organized groups demonstrating a strong interest in education. Additional volunteer (non-sworn) members shall be encouraged to attend and participate in the Commission's meetings. All members, Aldermen and Alderwomen, and residents, of the Education Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The chair shall be appointed by the Mayor. The term of the Alderman/Alderwoman or Aldermen/Alderwomen shall be identical with his or her term of office. Each resident member shall serve for a term of up to three years, or until the member's successor is appointed and qualified, commencing on the first day of July; the Mayor shall set the initial terms so that the term of no more than one-third of the members expires each year. The Commission shall meet monthly and special meetings may be called by the chair. No fewer than two working days' notice shall be given prior to each meeting. A written agenda shall be prepared for each meeting. Revisions may be made only by unanimous consent of the members present. Action of the Commission shall be by majority vote of the members present. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All policy, program, and administrative actions taken by the Commission shall have the concurrence of a majority vote of the membership. The purpose of the Education Commission shall be to make recommendations to the Anne Arundel County Board of Education and the Superintendent and to the State Board of Education concerning the Annapolis School feeder system, serve as the primary liaison between City and the County Board of Education and elected officials, and work with other governmental, private, and non-governmental organizations to obtain educational opportunities, resources and facilities for the citizens of Annapolis. The Education Commission shall hold public hearings and otherwise solicit public input on initiatives being considered by or that should be considered by the County Board of Education. The Commission shall make recommendations to the County Board of Education concerning educational needs of Annapolis. At least semi-annually, or as is necessary to accomplish specific goals, the Commission shall report to the City Council on activities and accomplishments of the Commission and routinely offer for City Council consideration various recommendations for improving education in the City of Annapolis. A liaison chosen by the chair shall routinely attend County Board of Education meetings. At least annually, the Commission shall report to the City Council on activities and accomplishments of the Commission and recommendations for City Council. Current Members
Vacant, Ward 1
Jayme Weaver, Ward 2
Enid Collison-Lee, Ward 3
Kayla Simone Golder, Ward 4
India Ochs, Chair, Ward 5
Cori Mackall, Ward 6
Laura Graham Booth, Vice-Chair, Ward 7
Jessica Pachler, Ward 8
Lillie Odessa Ellis, at large
Kenneth Starkes, at large
Grace Mathews, at large
Janet Norman, at large
Sheila Finlayson, Alderperson
10/23/2025
Public Briefing on Thursday, October 23, 2025
School district staff will present details of the two most recent plans put forward to public hearing – Superintendent’s Recommendation 3 (SR-3) and Board Recommendation 3 (BR-3) – at a public briefing at 5 p.m. in the Board Room of the Parham Building. No public testimony or comment will be accepted at the meeting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeHv5q09brk
At tonight's Annapolis Education Commission meeting, the commissioners discussed the ongoing AACPS redistricting process and passed three motions unanimously. They were:
Motion #1:
The Annapolis Education Commission does not support the board of education proposal in BR-1 or BR-2: move the neighborhoods south of Carrollton Road out of the Georgetown East Elementary School catchment into the Hillsmere Elementary School catchment area; moving the area bounded by Jackson Street out of the Eastport Elementary School catchment area into the Georgetown East Elementary catchment area.
The Annapolis Education Commission has, for many years, advocated for investing in Georgetown East Elementary School by adding dedicated programming and improving the marketing and branding to increase enrollment and improve the perception of Georgetown East Elementary School. We continue to support this and request that the Board of Education, the School System, and the City of Annapolis will put their efforts and budgeting into this instead of disrupting existing neighborhood schools and communities.
Motion #2:
The Annapolis Education Commission does not support moving the Apex Arts magnet program currently located at Annapolis High School away from its current proximity to Studio 39 and Broadneck High School.
The Apex Arts magnet program is a single program divided over three locations (Annapolis High School, Broadneck High School, and Studio 39). Utilizing shared space at Studio 39 for collaborative arts activities is a cornerstone of the program. Moving students at one school away from the other portions of the program will result in an unacceptable loss of Apex instructional time and collaboration opportunities for all students, as well as decreased opportunities for Apex students to participate in clubs or activities outside of Apex at their new school.
Should Superintendent's Recommendation #2 be enacted, we ask that all students who are currently enrolled in Apex at Annapolis High School be given the opportunity to remain at AHS for the remainder of their high school career and be permitted to utilize AHS IB magnet buses for daily transportation.
Motion #3:
In light of the current redistricting efforts, the Annapolis Education Commission requests that Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Anne Arundel County, and the City of Annapolis work together with all deliberate speed to find a solution for replacing the portables at Annapolis High School with a new wing to address the capacity and other issues faced by the school.
NEXT STEPS:
- September 29, 2025: School system staff will conduct a public briefing on the four proposals. No public testimony will be taken at the briefing.
- October 13 and 27, 2025: The Board will conduct the public hearings on the four proposals. Details and format for the hearing will be announced soon. Public testimony will be taken only on the proposals the Board has moved forward. Speakers may only testify at one hearing.
- November 2025: The Board is scheduled to adopt a redistricting plan that will go into effect in August 2026.
10/23/2025
09/25/2025