Emergency Legal Filing Seeks to Halt MCPS Plan to Close Wootton High School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

Of course it would still exist because fundamentally Parkway families are upset about the outcome, not the process.

No I’m genuinely upset about the process. I’m not thrilled with the outcome but if MCPS had done it the right way, I wouldn’t be this pissed. Instead, they chose to lie and gaslit the whole community

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

MCPS was going to be sued either way because the Wootton boundaries were changing and the Wootton parents are some of the most engaged parents in the county and they have the resources to hire lawyers. If it wasn't the Parkway parents, it'd be the DuFief dads. The only way to avoid a lawsuit was to keep the status quo, which wasn't possible because they built an entirely new school and need to fill it with kids.

I'm here mostly to see if someone can actually point to a process deficiency, because MCPS will be doing another boundary study immediately and maybe we can save the next angry school group some money on lawyer fees.

This is exactly why process matters. Option H may not affect you now but rest assured MCPS will be happy to do another sh*t of boundary process round 2 unless they are put in their place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the chance that this claim win? Will crown HS move back to zone 5 and regional programs in zone 5 in each HS changed as well?

Not a lawyer, but my read on it is not great chances. State BoE defers to local BoE on decisions unless the decision was illegal, arbitrary, or unreasonable.

For the regional programs, the only BoE action so far has been to dissolve the DCC and NEC; everything else is still up in the air and up to MCPS / Superintendent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

Of course it would still exist because fundamentally Parkway families are upset about the outcome, not the process.

No I’m genuinely upset about the process. I’m not thrilled with the outcome but if MCPS had done it the right way, I wouldn’t be this pissed. Instead, they chose to lie and gaslit the whole community

Taylor and Essie McGuire did it again yesterday at the Council worksession. The gaslighting of the Council was on full display.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

MCPS was going to be sued either way because the Wootton boundaries were changing and the Wootton parents are some of the most engaged parents in the county and they have the resources to hire lawyers. If it wasn't the Parkway parents, it'd be the DuFief dads. The only way to avoid a lawsuit was to keep the status quo, which wasn't possible because they built an entirely new school and need to fill it with kids.

I'm here mostly to see if someone can actually point to a process deficiency, because MCPS will be doing another boundary study immediately and maybe we can save the next angry school group some money on lawyer fees.

All high schools are having boundary changes, not just your school.

[Anonymous]

Seems like some are legitimately concerned about the process (is it closing Wootton or just moving everyone and combining them with others to form a new school - Crown), especially as we look ahead to the ES boundary study. Seems likely that will have school closures and we should all hope that will be done following the proper process.

If it weren’t for the ES boundary study coming up, I might agree that the parkway parents are just being over the top. But I think we need to sort out the process now, or MCPS could take shortcuts with ES school closures countywide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

MCPS was going to be sued either way because the Wootton boundaries were changing and the Wootton parents are some of the most engaged parents in the county and they have the resources to hire lawyers. If it wasn't the Parkway parents, it'd be the DuFief dads. The only way to avoid a lawsuit was to keep the status quo, which wasn't possible because they built an entirely new school and need to fill it with kids.

I'm here mostly to see if someone can actually point to a process deficiency, because MCPS will be doing another boundary study immediately and maybe we can save the next angry school group some money on lawyer fees.

This is exactly why process matters. Option H may not affect you now but rest assured MCPS will be happy to do another sh*t of boundary process round 2 unless they are put in their place.

First they came for Wootton, and I did not speak out — for it was not my school, but a “W” with rich parents.

Then they deferred Magruder, and I did not speak out — for delay is quiet, and quiet is easy to ignore.

Then they moved the boundaries, and I did not speak out— for lines on paper are always redrawn somewhere else.

Then they closed my school, and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

MCPS was going to be sued either way because the Wootton boundaries were changing and the Wootton parents are some of the most engaged parents in the county and they have the resources to hire lawyers. If it wasn't the Parkway parents, it'd be the DuFief dads. The only way to avoid a lawsuit was to keep the status quo, which wasn't possible because they built an entirely new school and need to fill it with kids.

I'm here mostly to see if someone can actually point to a process deficiency, because MCPS will be doing another boundary study immediately and maybe we can save the next angry school group some money on lawyer fees.

This is exactly why process matters. Option H may not affect you now but rest assured MCPS will be happy to do another sh*t of boundary process round 2 unless they are put in their place.

First they came for Wootton, and I did not speak out — for it was not my school, but a “W” with rich parents.

Then they deferred Magruder, and I did not speak out — for delay is quiet, and quiet is easy to ignore.

Then they moved the boundaries, and I did not speak out— for lines on paper are always redrawn somewhere else.

Then they closed my school, and there was no one left to speak for me.

A bit dramatic, but ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like some are legitimately concerned about the process (is it closing Wootton or just moving everyone and combining them with others to form a new school - Crown), especially as we look ahead to the ES boundary study. Seems likely that will have school closures and we should all hope that will be done following the proper process.

If it weren’t for the ES boundary study coming up, I might agree that the parkway parents are just being over the top. But I think we need to sort out the process now, or MCPS could take shortcuts with ES school closures countywide.

Is this an area where the BOE could step in and adopt new policies that make process clear?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

MCPS was going to be sued either way because the Wootton boundaries were changing and the Wootton parents are some of the most engaged parents in the county and they have the resources to hire lawyers. If it wasn't the Parkway parents, it'd be the DuFief dads. The only way to avoid a lawsuit was to keep the status quo, which wasn't possible because they built an entirely new school and need to fill it with kids.

I'm here mostly to see if someone can actually point to a process deficiency, because MCPS will be doing another boundary study immediately and maybe we can save the next angry school group some money on lawyer fees.

This is exactly why process matters. Option H may not affect you now but rest assured MCPS will be happy to do another sh*t of boundary process round 2 unless they are put in their place.

First they came for Wootton, and I did not speak out — for it was not my school, but a “W” with rich parents.

Then they deferred Magruder, and I did not speak out — for delay is quiet, and quiet is easy to ignore.

Then they moved the boundaries, and I did not speak out— for lines on paper are always redrawn somewhere else.

Then they closed my school, and there was no one left to speak for me.

so you're comparing the boe to ww2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

MCPS was going to be sued either way because the Wootton boundaries were changing and the Wootton parents are some of the most engaged parents in the county and they have the resources to hire lawyers. If it wasn't the Parkway parents, it'd be the DuFief dads. The only way to avoid a lawsuit was to keep the status quo, which wasn't possible because they built an entirely new school and need to fill it with kids.

I'm here mostly to see if someone can actually point to a process deficiency, because MCPS will be doing another boundary study immediately and maybe we can save the next angry school group some money on lawyer fees.

This is exactly why process matters. Option H may not affect you now but rest assured MCPS will be happy to do another sh*t of boundary process round 2 unless they are put in their place.

First they came for Wootton, and I did not speak out — for it was not my school, but a “W” with rich parents.

Then they deferred Magruder, and I did not speak out — for delay is quiet, and quiet is easy to ignore.

Then they moved the boundaries, and I did not speak out— for lines on paper are always redrawn somewhere else.

Then they closed my school, and there was no one left to speak for me.

so you're comparing the boe to ww2?

It’s law vs authoritarianism. To which do you ascribe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like some are legitimately concerned about the process (is it closing Wootton or just moving everyone and combining them with others to form a new school - Crown), especially as we look ahead to the ES boundary study. Seems likely that will have school closures and we should all hope that will be done following the proper process.

If it weren’t for the ES boundary study coming up, I might agree that the parkway parents are just being over the top. But I think we need to sort out the process now, or MCPS could take shortcuts with ES school closures countywide.

COMAR (Maryland Law) has specific requirements about school closures. That's both why "Save Wootton" is trying to argue that it's a "de facto closure" and why the next boundary study already has verbiage about the possibility of school closures and following the policies to do so.

Hilariously, one of the major requirements of COMAR 13.02.09.01 is that a notification needs to be placed in two newspapers 2 weeks before the public meeting.

"In addition to any regular means of notification used by a local school system, written notification of all schools that are under consideration for closing shall be advertised in at least two newspapers having general circulation in the geographic attendance area for the school or schools proposed to be closed, and the school or schools to which students will be relocating"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

Of course it would still exist because fundamentally Parkway families are upset about the outcome, not the process.

No I’m genuinely upset about the process. I’m not thrilled with the outcome but if MCPS had done it the right way, I wouldn’t be this pissed. Instead, they chose to lie and gaslit the whole community

Eh I know actual Parkway families and they would definitely still be extremely upset no matter what the process. But of course, your strategy is to challenge the process, so it doesn't surprise me you are claiming that is what you really care about. gmafb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way to go Wooton families. Make MCPs spend a ton of money on legal fees so now all school have less resources, and less staffing and less money to spend on OUR kids. Do you have any idea what long term mold issues look like?? Oh but wait… your property values will MAYBE remain the same so who gives an f about the long term health ramifications.

Legal challenges aren’t about “taking money from kids”—they’re about making sure big decisions are made correctly and transparently, and if the process was sound it should hold up. No one is saying building issues or things like mold should be ignored; the question is whether relocating an entire school is the right fix or whether those problems should be addressed directly. And reducing everything to property values just sidesteps the reality that people can care about building conditions, good planning, and community impact all at the same time.

Based on your logic, no legal challenges to ANY government decisions should ever be made because the government would have to spend tax dollars to defend itself. I guess the indigent shouldn’t get public defenders for criminal cases because those cost tax dollars too.

Of course there should be the option of legal recourse when someone is at risk of losing their freedom or a basic human right. No such thing is occurring in this issue-your right to public education is being upheld.

So the government can break the law as it pleases if you agree with the outcome? MCPS must follow the law. You might believe that it has, but that’s not up to you.

Just because the Parkway parents didn't like the process or the outcome also doesn't mean MCPS didn't follow the law.

The two claims in the emergency filing are weak, but maybe they're saving up the actual good arguments for the lawsuit when this filing is denied?

So let the process play out. Btw, this situation likely wouldn’t exist if MCPS had done things in a more transparent way, so it only has itself to blame.

MCPS was going to be sued either way because the Wootton boundaries were changing and the Wootton parents are some of the most engaged parents in the county and they have the resources to hire lawyers. If it wasn't the Parkway parents, it'd be the DuFief dads. The only way to avoid a lawsuit was to keep the status quo, which wasn't possible because they built an entirely new school and need to fill it with kids.

I'm here mostly to see if someone can actually point to a process deficiency, because MCPS will be doing another boundary study immediately and maybe we can save the next angry school group some money on lawyer fees.

This is exactly why process matters. Option H may not affect you now but rest assured MCPS will be happy to do another sh*t of boundary process round 2 unless they are put in their place.

First they came for Wootton, and I did not speak out — for it was not my school, but a “W” with rich parents.

Then they deferred Magruder, and I did not speak out — for delay is quiet, and quiet is easy to ignore.

Then they moved the boundaries, and I did not speak out— for lines on paper are always redrawn somewhere else.

Then they closed my school, and there was no one left to speak for me.

so you're comparing the boe to ww2?

It’s law vs authoritarianism. To which do you ascribe?

DP omg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like some are legitimately concerned about the process (is it closing Wootton or just moving everyone and combining them with others to form a new school - Crown), especially as we look ahead to the ES boundary study. Seems likely that will have school closures and we should all hope that will be done following the proper process.

If it weren’t for the ES boundary study coming up, I might agree that the parkway parents are just being over the top. But I think we need to sort out the process now, or MCPS could take shortcuts with ES school closures countywide.

Is this an area where the BOE could step in and adopt new policies that make process clear?

Yup, MCPS BoE is the final authority and the ones who approve any changes to Policy FAA. As written, it's pretty vague.

They could also adjust timelines, require the superintendent do another round of feedback etc without having to change the policy at all.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/faa.pdf