HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The number of homeless students in a Maryland county is expected to hit an all-time high by the end of the school year.
The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports the number of homeless students in Washington County Public Schools has doubled over the past six years and is expected to hit nearly 900 this summer. Homeless refers to students without a permanent home and includes those living in area motels and shelters.
The district’s homeless coordinator, Dana Pentoney, says the issue spans the entire county. Supervisor of Student Services Carol Costello says recent economic recovery post-recession hasn’t impacted “those living on the edge.”
The district began tracking homeless students in 2006 and found about 116 students were homeless. Last school year, the district found the number had grown to 875.
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