An official whose agency advocates public policy affecting people with disabilities says Baltimore County needs to pull back on its proposal to add 400 students to Ridge Ruxton School.

“We know it’s a difficult decision that the school board is engaged in, but they need to consider policies for special education,” Brian Cox, director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, said last week.

Cox’s comments were in response to the county’s plans to alleviate overcrowding at four Towson elementary schools by tacking on a wing to the special-needs Ridge Ruxton facility.

Cox added that Maryland is one of the worst states for least restrictive special education settings and that the county ranks fifth in that category.

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“The county certainly should be doing more to educate children in less restrictive settings ... and should full consider the ramifications of any decision it makes concerning overcrowding,” Cox said.

Cox added that it’s critical for county officials to engage with the state and federal government on the long-term effect on special education policy and practices.

Residents opposed to expanding the 127-student school say it’s difficult to understand how a 400-seat addition of general education students would be deemed legal in accordance with the school’s Individualized Education Programs.

“These programs are issued by the Maryland State Department of Education, and the students at Ridge Ruxton are guaranteed in their IEPs the right to be educated in a separate public day school,” said Cathi Forbes, president of Towson Families United.

Consequently, Ridge Ruxton’s PTA president and another parent filed a complaint with the state Office of Civil Rights.

The school board also questioned the proposal’s legality and tabled it to allow for public input.

Schools spokesman Charles Herndon, who acknowledged a complaint was filed, said things are at a standstill.

Meanwhile, Ellen Kobler, spokeswoman for County Executive Jim Smith, said the county has the backing of parents and community activists.

“We support it as a solution to overcrowding at Towson elementary schools,” Kobler said last week. “There are some parents who have children at the school also in favor, and at this point, there’s been lots of healthy discussion.”