Situation at Wootton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About 10 years ago, Wootton was on the CIP (as was Cold Spring ES). But memory recalls that the BOE decided to add a new core value called "equity," which then dropped Wootton from the CIP. Don't think Wootton has ever made it back on.

That was when a kiddo was in elementary school. That kiddo is now college student.

When I see heavy equipment on the grounds of Wootton, then I'll believe that it will be renovated.

And they really wanted to do county wide redistricting for the sake of equity. Opening Woodward and crown together gives such rare opportunity. County council got onboard with the idea.

[Anonymous]

They should just shut Wootton down and move it to Crown. It has 1800-1900 students currently and Crown will have room for 2200 and could be built out further if needed. You would need to change Wootton's boundaries but I think it could work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought this question was going to be more of a "how did it get this bad?" I remember several years ago, Wootton students speaking at BOE meetings regarding the conditions. How has MCPS simply let the building just keep declining?

If someone has a brief synopsis they could provide, that would be great. Please not the "Crown vs. Wootton" debate.

My youngest graduated in 2022 so I have not been reading as much about MCPS as I should have. I am in a cluster that was supposed to benefit from Crown, but I am not in Gaithersburg. I thought Wootton was in the CIP at some point, but maybe I was confused -- or maybe they got removed?

Honestly it has to do with crown, as MCPS used the money to renovate Damascus and wootton to build crown (in order to conduct the county wide redistricting). Now they have no money to renovate these schools.

I'm the person who asked the question about "what happened?"

So I decided to do a deep dive into MCPS CIPs over the years. In the FY 2026 CIP Superintendent's recommendation, it states that in May 2024, the County Council's final vote on the MCPS CIP removed funding for Wootton & Magruder, including other items. So, as I understand it, it wasn't BOE that failed Wootton -- it was the County Council. In addition, Damascus HS construction was "delayed", but not removed, in that 2024 county council vote.

Wootton was delayed multiple times and meanwhile crown was suddenly approved in CIP. 2024 wasn’t the only time. They just don’t have to money to renovate now.

Crown was delayed several times, too. However, Wootton's funding was removed by County Council. When my RM '22 kid was at JW, there was at least one PTSA meeting devoted to discussing Crown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought this question was going to be more of a "how did it get this bad?" I remember several years ago, Wootton students speaking at BOE meetings regarding the conditions. How has MCPS simply let the building just keep declining?

If someone has a brief synopsis they could provide, that would be great. Please not the "Crown vs. Wootton" debate.

My youngest graduated in 2022 so I have not been reading as much about MCPS as I should have. I am in a cluster that was supposed to benefit from Crown, but I am not in Gaithersburg. I thought Wootton was in the CIP at some point, but maybe I was confused -- or maybe they got removed?

Honestly it has to do with crown, as MCPS used the money to renovate Damascus and wootton to build crown (in order to conduct the county wide redistricting). Now they have no money to renovate these schools.

I'm the person who asked the question about "what happened?"

So I decided to do a deep dive into MCPS CIPs over the years. In the FY 2026 CIP Superintendent's recommendation, it states that in May 2024, the County Council's final vote on the MCPS CIP removed funding for Wootton & Magruder, including other items. So, as I understand it, it wasn't BOE that failed Wootton -- it was the County Council. In addition, Damascus HS construction was "delayed", but not removed, in that 2024 county council vote.

Wootton was delayed multiple times and meanwhile crown was suddenly approved in CIP. 2024 wasn’t the only time. They just don’t have to money to renovate now.

Crown was delayed several times, too. However, Wootton's funding was removed by County Council. When my RM '22 kid was at JW, there was at least one PTSA meeting devoted to discussing Crown.

There is really no need for crown. Instead of proper maintenance of existing schools, MCPS chose to build new schools and waste taxpayers money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought this question was going to be more of a "how did it get this bad?" I remember several years ago, Wootton students speaking at BOE meetings regarding the conditions. How has MCPS simply let the building just keep declining?

If someone has a brief synopsis they could provide, that would be great. Please not the "Crown vs. Wootton" debate.

My youngest graduated in 2022 so I have not been reading as much about MCPS as I should have. I am in a cluster that was supposed to benefit from Crown, but I am not in Gaithersburg. I thought Wootton was in the CIP at some point, but maybe I was confused -- or maybe they got removed?

Honestly it has to do with crown, as MCPS used the money to renovate Damascus and wootton to build crown (in order to conduct the county wide redistricting). Now they have no money to renovate these schools.

I'm the person who asked the question about "what happened?"

So I decided to do a deep dive into MCPS CIPs over the years. In the FY 2026 CIP Superintendent's recommendation, it states that in May 2024, the County Council's final vote on the MCPS CIP removed funding for Wootton & Magruder, including other items. So, as I understand it, it wasn't BOE that failed Wootton -- it was the County Council. In addition, Damascus HS construction was "delayed", but not removed, in that 2024 county council vote.

Wootton was delayed multiple times and meanwhile crown was suddenly approved in CIP. 2024 wasn’t the only time. They just don’t have to money to renovate now.

Crown was delayed several times, too. However, Wootton's funding was removed by County Council. When my RM '22 kid was at JW, there was at least one PTSA meeting devoted to discussing Crown.

There is really no need for crown. Instead of proper maintenance of existing schools, MCPS chose to build new schools and waste taxpayers money

I think this is true. There's a preference for new construction over investing in maintenance.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Wootton cluster should accept instead of protest boundary changes that would increase enrollment in exchange for building a new school. It seems every time there’s a discussion about examining the clusters, Wootton parents get up in arms and keep any changes from even being considered and they are left alone. I agree the school needs an upgrade—it’s long overdue from what I can tell. But convincing the board to leave you alone seems to have consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Wootton cluster should accept instead of protest boundary changes that would increase enrollment in exchange for building a new school. It seems every time there’s a discussion about examining the clusters, Wootton parents get up in arms and keep any changes from even being considered and they are left alone. I agree the school needs an upgrade—it’s long overdue from what I can tell. But convincing the board to leave you alone seems to have consequences.

Are you seriously asking Wootton families to accept rezoning to another school in exchange for a renovated building? How is that reasonable? Wootton families are not bargaining chips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Wooten parents should pay to fix their own school.

This attitude is why Wootton is in the condition it is. I think MCPS calls it "equity," where high performing kids get fewer (or no) resources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Wooten parents should pay to fix their own school.

This attitude is why Wootton is in the condition it is. I think MCPS calls it "equity," where high performing kids get fewer (or no) resources.

Wootton has far more than other schools. It’s often cheaper to tear it down than tear it to its studs to fix the plumbing, electrical and mold. Giving them crown is the best immediate fix.

[Anonymous]

Renovating/rebuilding Wootton is expected to cost almost $300M--of which $0 have been allocated at this time. Using Crown as the new Wootton would mean that MCPS could save that money, minus whatever it would cost to keep it functional and safe for use as a holding school. Further, having a holding school in general would allow Magruder to be rebuilt faster and at a savings of over $100M. That is close to half a BILLION dollars in savings for taxpayers. In the name of fiscal responsibility, how could we choose to do this plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Renovating/rebuilding Wootton is expected to cost almost $300M--of which $0 have been allocated at this time. Using Crown as the new Wootton would mean that MCPS could save that money, minus whatever it would cost to keep it functional and safe for use as a holding school. Further, having a holding school in general would allow Magruder to be rebuilt faster and at a savings of over $100M. That is close to half a BILLION dollars in savings for taxpayers. In the name of fiscal responsibility, how could we choose to do this plan?

*edit: how could we NOT choose this plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Renovating/rebuilding Wootton is expected to cost almost $300M--of which $0 have been allocated at this time. Using Crown as the new Wootton would mean that MCPS could save that money, minus whatever it would cost to keep it functional and safe for use as a holding school. Further, having a holding school in general would allow Magruder to be rebuilt faster and at a savings of over $100M. That is close to half a BILLION dollars in savings for taxpayers. In the name of fiscal responsibility, how could we choose to do this plan?

*edit: how could we NOT choose this plan?

I mean people seem to think that Black and Brown kids are taking money meant for them (actually the opposite happens every year) and the BOE likes to listen to rich people so that's why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Wooten parents should pay to fix their own school.

This attitude is why Wootton is in the condition it is. I think MCPS calls it "equity," where high performing kids get fewer (or no) resources.

That is my take on MCPS' version of equity too. I'm sick of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Renovating/rebuilding Wootton is expected to cost almost $300M--of which $0 have been allocated at this time. Using Crown as the new Wootton would mean that MCPS could save that money, minus whatever it would cost to keep it functional and safe for use as a holding school. Further, having a holding school in general would allow Magruder to be rebuilt faster and at a savings of over $100M. That is close to half a BILLION dollars in savings for taxpayers. In the name of fiscal responsibility, how could we choose to do this plan?

*edit: how could we NOT choose this plan?

I mean people seem to think that Black and Brown kids are taking money meant for them (actually the opposite happens every year) and the BOE likes to listen to rich people so that's why.

Our school is a dumb and far worse, but we know better than to complain and risk the school closing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I mean people seem to think that Black and Brown kids are taking money meant for them (actually the opposite happens every year) and the BOE likes to listen to rich people so that's why.

Not saying you are wrong, but could you provide some examples?

As someone from the Dufief/Frost/Wootton group, I am amazed when I visit other schools and see how modern everything is. I don't really think it affected my kids' education that much - I went to older schools than that, and more or less turned out OK...