Initial boundary options for Crown/Damascus study

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the recently approved budget did fund the Woodward and Crown auditoriums.

That’s for later. Not the first year.

The Woodward auditorium is scheduled for completion in summer 2027, before Woodward opens as its own school.

Comment was about Northwood students who will spend 3 years. They don't have that.

Crown isn't opening as a holding school, though. Not the same situation.

Woodward was built for 3 years with another 3 years to add auditorium. Crown will be the same. MCPS already announced funding for crown auditorium for later addition after opening. It’s a done deal. There is nothing to argue about.

Basically when crown opens in 2027, it only finishes phase 1 construction. Phase 2 construction will happen after opening with unknown timeline. So the first classes will just be there with bare minimum and inadequate infrastructure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the recently approved budget did fund the Woodward and Crown auditoriums.

That’s for later. Not the first year.

The Woodward auditorium is scheduled for completion in summer 2027, before Woodward opens as its own school.

Comment was about Northwood students who will spend 3 years. They don't have that.

Crown isn't opening as a holding school, though. Not the same situation.

Woodward was built for 3 years with another 3 years to add auditorium. Crown will be the same. MCPS already announced funding for crown auditorium for later addition after opening. It’s a done deal. There is nothing to argue about.

That was announced last year, but your information is out of date. Last month, the funding for the auditorium was restored.

"The Council funded nearly all of MCPS’ amendment requests, including: $20 million added to the new Crown High School Project to complete the interior of the auditorium and build the stadium as originally designed"

https://mocoshow.com/2025/05/22/montgomery-county-council-approves-7-6b-fy26-budget-and-6b-capital-plan/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the recently approved budget did fund the Woodward and Crown auditoriums.

That’s for later. Not the first year.

The Woodward auditorium is scheduled for completion in summer 2027, before Woodward opens as its own school.

Comment was about Northwood students who will spend 3 years. They don't have that.

Crown isn't opening as a holding school, though. Not the same situation.

Woodward was built for 3 years with another 3 years to add auditorium. Crown will be the same. MCPS already announced funding for crown auditorium for later addition after opening. It’s a done deal. There is nothing to argue about.

That was announced last year, but your information is out of date. Last month, the funding for the auditorium was restored.

"The Council funded nearly all of MCPS’ amendment requests, including: $20 million added to the new Crown High School Project to complete the interior of the auditorium and build the stadium as originally designed"

https://mocoshow.com/2025/05/22/montgomery-county-council-approves-7-6b-fy26-budget-and-6b-capital-plan/

I don’t think you know how to read. The CIP is for 2025-2030. Funding for phase 2 doesn’t mean phase 2 will be completed by 2027.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this is how it looks for some students being rezoned to Crown:

-they'll be among a small group of students from their elementary school split off to the new school. Honestly I'm only counting 3 or 4 students in my kid's grade in our neighborhood

-it will be a 40 minute walk to and from school. Where previously they had bus service to the school and had the option of public transportation. For the posters saying it's only a five minute ride for them, the roads around schools during bell times are jam packed and will never be just five minutes. It's nice that you think those families can afford the inconvenient times more than other families

-there will potentially not be the same amount AP courses offered at the new school. And not the same number or cohort that families were expecting when they chose to live where they did

-there will be regional magnet programs that will draw more of the top performing students from the area schools. Meaning it would potentially bring down the level of the local schools even more. And if it's regional, how will they make the regions? The W schools all in one region and the east county schools in the other region? Guess we will have to wait and see what they propose

-The Wootton music program tried to foster the spirit and connection of their music program from elementary school. Where Frost students and teachers attend and participate in the elementary school music performances. Then Frost students have their performances at Wootton with the Frost and Wootton staff collaborating and talking about what a great experience the music experience at Wootton is. Is Crown the school where the auditorium will be built later? I might have it confused with another new school being/recently built. Meaning no large performances in the meantime? So they spent all the time having kids looking forward to joining the program, only to tell them that they're going somewhere else and possibly to a school with a program that doesn't have the same spirit?

-With some new schools not having an auditorium completed, it's reasonable to wonder if they'll have fields and enough players to fill competitive and desired teams. Same thing with orchestra/band, some players have been working and hoping to play for their local high school team.

While understanding that the new school needs to be filled, it's reasonable to see how these students are getting the short end of the stick for their high school experience and why families are unhappy.

Agree. I hope they come back in September with options that at the very least put the small neighborhoods back with their elementary school blocks. I think moving kids in larger blocks (entire elementary schools) would ease the transition somewhat, though it still won’t be easy for the reasons you mention.

Agree. If they don't want to include ES boundary changes in scope, then keep the ES neighborhoods together. Move the entire ES, not just sections of it.

All the slicing and dicing of elementary school zones makes sense only theoretically, if you are focused only on achieving certain statistical targets and ignoring the practical effects of what you are doing. It seems really out of touch with reality to me.

[Anonymous]

Who are these people:

https://flo-analytics.com/about/our-people

None of the area codes listed on the website appear to be from the area and looking at the map of their locations, their closest is Tennessee?

At least as much as Howard County might reanalyze boundaries, I'm fairly certain that it's all done in house.

Local people would know some of the ins and outs of the communities. Such as natural dividing lines, what roadways and routes are realistically walkable, transit options, school programs at different schools, the price range of homes in specific areas, etc

You know how in some negotiation tactics, the first offer is just ridiculous so the next one won't look as bad. Or they're just trying to come up with something to justify their worth? This is what this first round of options looks like.

Not to mention at the places that I've seen, you'd be in a lot of trouble, most likely dismissed if you put out anything public facing that had the mistakes they did. Such as copying and pasting a map for one option under another area, have their tables not correspond with the maps, etc.

Hopefully their second round of options and work will be better than this first round.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who are these people:

https://flo-analytics.com/about/our-people

None of the area codes listed on the website appear to be from the area and looking at the map of their locations, their closest is Tennessee?

At least as much as Howard County might reanalyze boundaries, I'm fairly certain that it's all done in house.

Local people would know some of the ins and outs of the communities. Such as natural dividing lines, what roadways and routes are realistically walkable, transit options, school programs at different schools, the price range of homes in specific areas, etc

You know how in some negotiation tactics, the first offer is just ridiculous so the next one won't look as bad. Or they're just trying to come up with something to justify their worth? This is what this first round of options looks like.

Not to mention at the places that I've seen, you'd be in a lot of trouble, most likely dismissed if you put out anything public facing that had the mistakes they did. Such as copying and pasting a map for one option under another area, have their tables not correspond with the maps, etc.

Hopefully their second round of options and work will be better than this first round.

It’s really shocking MCPS paid 1.3 millions for this crap full of mistakes. Total lack of competency.

[Anonymous]

I found this article about the contract with Flo Analytics:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/12/05/school-board-approves-boundary-study-contract/

Apparently they were the only vendor to submit a proposal.

And there was a decision to purposely exclude programs analysis on their side of things and that part would be done by MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the recently approved budget did fund the Woodward and Crown auditoriums.

That’s for later. Not the first year.

The Woodward auditorium is scheduled for completion in summer 2027, before Woodward opens as its own school.

Comment was about Northwood students who will spend 3 years. They don't have that.

Crown isn't opening as a holding school, though. Not the same situation.

Woodward was built for 3 years with another 3 years to add auditorium. Crown will be the same. MCPS already announced funding for crown auditorium for later addition after opening. It’s a done deal. There is nothing to argue about.

That was announced last year, but your information is out of date. Last month, the funding for the auditorium was restored.

"The Council funded nearly all of MCPS’ amendment requests, including: $20 million added to the new Crown High School Project to complete the interior of the auditorium and build the stadium as originally designed"

https://mocoshow.com/2025/05/22/montgomery-county-council-approves-7-6b-fy26-budget-and-6b-capital-plan/

I don’t think you know how to read. The CIP is for 2025-2030. Funding for phase 2 doesn’t mean phase 2 will be completed by 2027.

The Crown project's anticipated completion date is 04/15/27 according to the construction report at last week's board meeting. Have you seen anything showing a later date?

[Anonymous]

I take it that you've never worked in a field involving large construction projects?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who are these people:

https://flo-analytics.com/about/our-people

None of the area codes listed on the website appear to be from the area and looking at the map of their locations, their closest is Tennessee?

At least as much as Howard County might reanalyze boundaries, I'm fairly certain that it's all done in house.

Local people would know some of the ins and outs of the communities. Such as natural dividing lines, what roadways and routes are realistically walkable, transit options, school programs at different schools, the price range of homes in specific areas, etc

You know how in some negotiation tactics, the first offer is just ridiculous so the next one won't look as bad. Or they're just trying to come up with something to justify their worth? This is what this first round of options looks like.

Not to mention at the places that I've seen, you'd be in a lot of trouble, most likely dismissed if you put out anything public facing that had the mistakes they did. Such as copying and pasting a map for one option under another area, have their tables not correspond with the maps, etc.

Hopefully their second round of options and work will be better than this first round.

It’s really shocking MCPS paid 1.3 millions for this crap full of mistakes. Total lack of competency.

I think it might be worse for the Woodward study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the recently approved budget did fund the Woodward and Crown auditoriums.

That’s for later. Not the first year.

The Woodward auditorium is scheduled for completion in summer 2027, before Woodward opens as its own school.

Comment was about Northwood students who will spend 3 years. They don't have that.

Crown isn't opening as a holding school, though. Not the same situation.

Woodward was built for 3 years with another 3 years to add auditorium. Crown will be the same. MCPS already announced funding for crown auditorium for later addition after opening. It’s a done deal. There is nothing to argue about.

That was announced last year, but your information is out of date. Last month, the funding for the auditorium was restored.

"The Council funded nearly all of MCPS’ amendment requests, including: $20 million added to the new Crown High School Project to complete the interior of the auditorium and build the stadium as originally designed"

https://mocoshow.com/2025/05/22/montgomery-county-council-approves-7-6b-fy26-budget-and-6b-capital-plan/

I don’t think you know how to read. The CIP is for 2025-2030. Funding for phase 2 doesn’t mean phase 2 will be completed by 2027.

The Crown project's anticipated completion date is 04/15/27 according to the construction report at last week's board meeting. Have you seen anything showing a later date?

Look at the recently approved CIP closely. 2027 is for phase 1 completion. The construction funding lasts beyond 2027 for phase 2.
This was discussed before.

[Anonymous]

What is the FARMS rate in Crown in all options?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the FARMS rate in Crown in all options?

It's listed in the effects tables:

Option 1: 35.1
Option 2: 38.7
Option 3: 41.6
Option 4: 45.6

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found this article about the contract with Flo Analytics:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/12/05/school-board-approves-boundary-study-contract/

Apparently they were the only vendor to submit a proposal.

And there was a decision to purposely exclude programs analysis on their side of things and that part would be done by MCPS.

It's interesting how their price went up another 300k even though they took out some items, the programs, out of their scope.

Maybe there weren't many vendors submitting proposals because they realize this kind of thing can't really be done by outside parties who don't know the full ins and outs of the school system and county.

MCPS is listed as the 14th largest school system in the US (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_largest_school_districts_in_the_United_States_by_enrollment )

So you would think vendors would jump at the opportunity to have it listed as one of their clients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found this article about the contract with Flo Analytics:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/12/05/school-board-approves-boundary-study-contract/

Apparently they were the only vendor to submit a proposal.

And there was a decision to purposely exclude programs analysis on their side of things and that part would be done by MCPS.

It's interesting how their price went up another 300k even though they took out some items, the programs, out of their scope.

Maybe there weren't many vendors submitting proposals because they realize this kind of thing can't really be done by outside parties who don't know the full ins and outs of the school system and county.

MCPS is listed as the 14th largest school system in the US (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_largest_school_districts_in_the_United_States_by_enrollment )

So you would think vendors would jump at the opportunity to have it listed as one of their clients.

Also it's like a previous poster said, with having an outside party looking at just the numbers or something works okay in theory and might have some benefits to it.

But in reality doesn't really work in application.

It just makes MCPS a great case study, experiement or something in trying to apply some principles.