What elementary schools will Taylor be closing?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Move Dufief to a QO cluster es for shits & giggles

That would actually be funny. Considering Dufief is the only community supporting the super’s recommendation, it would be rather hilarious if Wootton gets sent to Crown, then everyone goes except for Dufief which is closed and sent to QO.

The currently proposed ES boundary study would not be changing any HS boundaries.

There is definitely a possibility of Dufief being moved to QO to adjust boundaries at Rosemont so more Gaithersburg kids can go to Crown.

To the people saying no MCPS won’t do that because they said they won’t change HS during ES boundaries…yall are either stupid or naive or both. Are you really trusting the same MCPS who flip flops non stop?

Remember when they said the intent of Crown boundary study was to alleviate overcrowding at QO, Gaithersburg, RM? Then they passed a whole resolution on 10/30, expanding the boundary scope and I’m quoting here:

Resolved, That additional boundary options be developed for the Crown/Damascus study area
reflecting the option to use of Crown High School as a temporary holding center, with the understanding that it will not be considered for use as a holding center unless aligned with State funding requirements; and be it further

Resolved, That there be no other changes to the high schools and middle schools included in the existing scope;

MCPS own boundary scope never even contemplates using Wootton as a holding school, yet that’s still what they end up recommending.

So you can sit there and pretend that Dufief ending up at QO is not an option all you want but we all know MCPS won’t keep its word.

If Dufief closes it would end up most likely at Stone Mill or Travilah. Both of which feed to Wootton. You’re right though- at some point they will likely end up doing another broader boundary study and Dufief could end up at QO. Not going to worry about that today and honestly it would still make more sense to send Dufief there than what they were doing in options a-d.

I would 100% prefer taking rosemont kids over Dufief simply because Dufief have shown to be backstabbing hypocrites. So 😂 at the Dufief poster telling me I’m a racist elitist.

I hope Dufief ends up at QO. As “realists” that Dufief folks claim they are, they do realize many in the Dufief neighborhood live less than 2 miles from QO, making them walkers to QO. This makes the most practical sense.

Sooner or later, there will be more growth in the area (Grove) and Dufief will be pushed out. But, again, I’m sure they’ll be totally rational about it. They are realists after all.

Yes we realize the distance from QO. Thank you. I hope you don’t totally spiral after the final vote. You clearly need help.

Cool, so when Dufief is called and yall get redistricted to QO one day, I’m sure you’ll won’t say a single negative word.

Not spiraling, but lawyering up!

Over the last few years with the boundary rumors we basically assumed we’d be moved to QO 🤷‍♀️. think you’re projecting your feelings on DuFief. Not to mention, if that does eventually happen probably most on these posts won’t have kids in the system anymore so we’d probably leave the fight to those impacted (if they even care). Sorry for you, that wasn’t a “gotcha” moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move Dufief to a QO cluster es for shits & giggles

That would actually be funny. Considering Dufief is the only community supporting the super’s recommendation, it would be rather hilarious if Wootton gets sent to Crown, then everyone goes except for Dufief which is closed and sent to QO.

The currently proposed ES boundary study would not be changing any HS boundaries.

There is definitely a possibility of Dufief being moved to QO to adjust boundaries at Rosemont so more Gaithersburg kids can go to Crown.

To the people saying no MCPS won’t do that because they said they won’t change HS during ES boundaries…yall are either stupid or naive or both. Are you really trusting the same MCPS who flip flops non stop?

Remember when they said the intent of Crown boundary study was to alleviate overcrowding at QO, Gaithersburg, RM? Then they passed a whole resolution on 10/30, expanding the boundary scope and I’m quoting here:

Resolved, That additional boundary options be developed for the Crown/Damascus study area
reflecting the option to use of Crown High School as a temporary holding center, with the understanding that it will not be considered for use as a holding center unless aligned with State funding requirements; and be it further

Resolved, That there be no other changes to the high schools and middle schools included in the existing scope;

MCPS own boundary scope never even contemplates using Wootton as a holding school, yet that’s still what they end up recommending.

So you can sit there and pretend that Dufief ending up at QO is not an option all you want but we all know MCPS won’t keep its word.

If Dufief closes it would end up most likely at Stone Mill or Travilah. Both of which feed to Wootton. You’re right though- at some point they will likely end up doing another broader boundary study and Dufief could end up at QO. Not going to worry about that today and honestly it would still make more sense to send Dufief there than what they were doing in options a-d.

I would 100% prefer taking rosemont kids over Dufief simply because Dufief have shown to be backstabbing hypocrites. So 😂 at the Dufief poster telling me I’m a racist elitist.

I hope Dufief ends up at QO. As “realists” that Dufief folks claim they are, they do realize many in the Dufief neighborhood live less than 2 miles from QO, making them walkers to QO. This makes the most practical sense.

Sooner or later, there will be more growth in the area (Grove) and Dufief will be pushed out. But, again, I’m sure they’ll be totally rational about it. They are realists after all.

Yes we realize the distance from QO. Thank you. I hope you don’t totally spiral after the final vote. You clearly need help.

Cool, so when Dufief is called and yall get redistricted to QO one day, I’m sure you’ll won’t say a single negative word.

Not spiraling, but lawyering up!

Good luck with the lawsuit! Burn that cash 🤣

And MCPS will have burning yours .

Ours. Or do you not pay taxes? Though only one of us would be paying double - your lawyers and the mcps lawyers via taxes. Tee hee so silly

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Truly curious. Why the Dufief hate? We are at another Wootton feeder school and I don’t see why they’re being singled out. The parents there are more down to earth than at the other schools (including ours).

I’m a proponent of Wootton staying on Wootton pkway. I’m an alum and so are my kids. It’s been part of the community for over 50 years. But I’m resigned to the fact the plan will be approved as Taylor proposed and all the drama isn’t going to change the BOE’s mind. All that’s happening now is we are dividing the community and pitting communities against one another.

Agreed. Maybe MCPS will start growing again and they will need Wootton to reopen in its original location. Time will tell.

Which is the funniest thing because this either doesn’t happen as some of the other posters alluded to OR it does happen and Wootton reopens without Dufief.

Either way, 👋 Dufief.

Dufief hate explanation: they are hypocritical. If they truly think the Wootton building is unsafe, they should’ve been happen with option D during the initial round. But no, they was pissed as hell and wanted the entire cluster to get behind them so that they can still at Wootton. But when H came out, all of a sudden, its we absolutely need to leave Wootton.

Let’s just be transparent. It was never about safety, but forcing everyone else in the cluster to move with you when literally more than 90% of the entire cluster is against it.

If end up at Crown, I hope Dufief is closed. In fact, I can promise, there will be people pushing for this. You want Wootton closed? Great, do Dufief next.

Karma!

Dufief mom here: Two things can be true. We wanted BOTH to 1) get out of the moldy building for physical health reasons AND 2) stay with our friends for social/mental health reasons. Just like the Parkway People want BOTH to 1) stay on the Parkway 2) have it spruced up--even minimally--as they have (rightfully) been asking for for the last 15 years.

I think the difference between Dufief and the Parkway People is that we have realized we actually can't have it all and worked to figure out what is most likely and throw our support at that recognizing the limits of our power.

Actually no, they can’t be. Safety trumps all. Nothing comes above my children’s safety.

If you genuinely think the building is unsafe, you would’ve been all too happy with option D instead crying about having to go alone.

The fact that Dufief is not ok with D but ok with H proves that it was never about safety.

Yup! The underlying motivation is “We don’t want to be the only white and Asian kids at the black and brown school!!” 😭😭😭 Please let our “vewy special fwends” come with us so we won’t be new, alllll alone. 😱😱

What? I’m confused - who are you imitating?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a serious question. You all keep posting bad things about Dufief. Did you actually hear from all of Dufief just like you are claiming people have not heard from all of Travilah or Stone Mill? Some people from Dufief like the recommendation, some are ok either way, and others just want this to all be over. Simply saying you hate Dufief or that Dufief is a hypocrite is generalizing an entire group together that you have no clue if everyone agrees. Placing stereotypes and beating people up in anonymous forum is childish and pointless. I hope you aren’t saying to your kids “if you ever meet a Dufief kid, you better not be their friend”. All anybody wanted in this study was for their kids to be happy and go to a good school that is safe. Clearly some people have other interests that they have not been able to convince the greater community that makes any sense. Walking is nice, sure. I can’t figure out myself what would really make the most people happy with any of these options. Attacking your neighbors especially in the current environment makes you just as bad as those people you watch on the news arresting innocent people for no reason. Grow up, read a book, or maybe just maybe find a new friend. I feel sorry for those people on here that just need to be mean for no reason.

Keep this same energy when MCPS closes Dufief and redistrict yall.

Wahhhhh redistricted to one of two elementary schools well under a mile from us. How horrrrrible, how can we go on?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know about yall but during the next cycle of ES/MS closure, I will proudly hold up Close Dufief signs.

And while you’re wasting your angry energy making signs and shirts that the sanctimommies could have done way better, we won’t lose a minute of sleep. May even bring you hot chocolate if you choose to parade in the snow again only this time in front of Dufief. That sure paid off - keep it up!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Dufief always wants to act like they are magnanimous but their initial reaction was to stay with the Asians and whites at all costs. Then when cornered, they championed going to Crown which would be more diverse, but it was just so they could stay in the cluster and as long as their “friends” at the other Asian and white schools were forced to go as well. And the push to join Stone Mill (very predominantly Asian) is also part of this. Dufief, you think we can’t see you but we SEE you. Your actions are so transparent.

Jumping to conclusions. Dufief did speak up in the first two rounds. Why? In the first round they were being split east and west, with their middle school in one direction and high school in another direction. All they asked was don't mess with the cluster and dont split articulate.

The next round they were the only North Potomac school sent to Gaithersburg region in the regional program. The concern was that Gaithersburg doesn't see that community as part of Gaithersburg. They are charged a non resident fee for all services. All they asked for was staying within North Potomac community. They welcomed FRES and Rosemont communities with open arms, as long as they got to be with at least a few other neighborhood schools like SMES or Travilah. Would honestly even be happy with Marshall, or Carson or Jones Lane, as long as it's the kids that they play soccer, basketball, swimming, karate etc. with.

How entitled! You welcomed WHO into a high school that was never built for you and your cluster in the first place??? And how insane and entitled that you’re fine moving provided you can be with the same white and Asian dominated populations you’ve always been with all along. And you want us to believe the sole reason is because of a City of Gaithersburg fee? Do you think we are dumb and can’t see through you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Close Dufief!

Feel better? Now let’s list the other dozen elementary schools that Thomas Taylor has decided to close.

[Anonymous]

Cold Spring is 100% closing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dufief always wants to act like they are magnanimous but their initial reaction was to stay with the Asians and whites at all costs. Then when cornered, they championed going to Crown which would be more diverse, but it was just so they could stay in the cluster and as long as their “friends” at the other Asian and white schools were forced to go as well. And the push to join Stone Mill (very predominantly Asian) is also part of this. Dufief, you think we can’t see you but we SEE you. Your actions are so transparent.

Jumping to conclusions. Dufief did speak up in the first two rounds. Why? In the first round they were being split east and west, with their middle school in one direction and high school in another direction. All they asked was don't mess with the cluster and dont split articulate.

The next round they were the only North Potomac school sent to Gaithersburg region in the regional program. The concern was that Gaithersburg doesn't see that community as part of Gaithersburg. They are charged a non resident fee for all services. All they asked for was staying within North Potomac community. They welcomed FRES and Rosemont communities with open arms, as long as they got to be with at least a few other neighborhood schools like SMES or Travilah. Would honestly even be happy with Marshall, or Carson or Jones Lane, as long as it's the kids that they play soccer, basketball, swimming, karate etc. with.

How entitled! You welcomed WHO into a high school that was never built for you and your cluster in the first place??? And how insane and entitled that you’re fine moving provided you can be with the same white and Asian dominated populations you’ve always been with all along. And you want us to believe the sole reason is because of a City of Gaithersburg fee? Do you think we are dumb and can’t see through you?

This is giving classic witch hunt. Not a Dufief parent but, either Dufief is powerful enough to have shaped the whole boundary study and they will never be closed. Or they will be closed during the elementary school study, and it will prove they’re not that powerful and your animus is directed in the wrong place. Either way it’s completely wasted energy, on both the anger and the future signs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cold Spring is 100% closing

makes sense. Needs renovation and enrollment is declining. They keep asking for the Horizon Hill neighborhood to go to CS. Plus that open concept must suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be so for real right now... Wootton, with yard signs, campaigns, tons of people at their rally, more testimony slots than any other speakers plus a politician (maybe more than one), plus some building organization, plus their PTA prez, think that DuFief, a tiny ass elementary school within the same Wootton cluster with a few parents, was so powerful that DuFief is the reason that the Superintendent's recommendation is going through? And you continue to attack one school, when in fact, there are some people at other schools within the cluster (Stone Mill, Travilah, probably parents at other schools too afraid to say a damn thing) and other schools not within the cluster (Crown), besides DuFief, that feel the same? And now Wootton teachers (some, not all) are coming out and saying the same - that they want to move?

Wootton - you've done everything you can do to advocate - and MCPS still isn't going to cave to you. They literally can't. But if we put ourselves in MCPS shoes for one second and guess what they are thinking, it might be something like this... Wootton has been advocating for over a decade that their school is in disrepair and even though this new school was meant for other things (overcrowding at other schools?), things have changed (no money, declining enrollment) and we need to address this hazardous situation (current Wootton) so here is a BRAND NEW SCHOOL and we are doing our best to serve the community it was originally meant for (Crown) at the same time. And we still need money to do more for other schools because we aren't doing enough. It's not perfect.

It's not over and they could vote against the recommendation but I guess we will see. But it's not a school within your own cluster that's the problem - they were just the only ones willing to speak up. You are giving way too much credit where credit is not due.

THIS. Dufief is not that powerful to shape this study. Really. The board's gonna do what THE BOARD wants to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cold Spring is 100% closing

makes sense. Needs renovation and enrollment is declining. They keep asking for the Horizon Hill neighborhood to go to CS. Plus that open concept must suck.

Who is asking for that? HH wants to stay in the RM district. They have been very clear on that.

[Anonymous]

I'll take a stab at this. I'm focusing on Whitman, Churchill, WJ, Wootton, QO and RM clusters given I have more familiarity with these. However I've taken a stab at some other clusters too:

WHITMAN CLUSTER:
Maybe-Less likely:
- Burning Tree ES: yes it's on CIP and has a high FCI, but the entire Whitman cluster has 340 seats available at the five elementary schools. Bradley Hills (193), Carderock (80) and Wood Acres (162) could almost fully absorb all of Burning Tree (469), however of course geography would need to be majorly changed. I'd also think it could need to involve creating a split articulation or redistricting kids from Burning Tree to a WJ ES or Seven Locks ES

CHURCHILL CLUSTER: NONE

WOOTTON CLUSTER:
This cluster is interesting given there are six elementary schools and all except one were last renovated/built prior to 2000. Cold Spring (1972), Dufief (1975), Fallsmead (1974), Stone Mill (1988), Travilah (1960 major reno in 1992), and Lakewood (1968 major reno 2003). Every school has excess capacity. Seems foolish to renovate the three oldest schools given that.
Very Likely:
- Cold Spring: I'd consider this almost 80-100%, I was shocked it was on the CIP given this, it's resident population is super tiny, the CES can be relocated to a diff Churchill or Wootton ES. I'd expect the resident students to be rezoned to one or more of either Beverly Farms - 181 seats available or Wayside - 170 seats available (both in Churchill cluster) or Ritchie Park - 66 seats available (RM cluster)
- Dufief ES: I think odds of this are lower than Cold Spring, but it too has a high FCI (.58), has a small enrollment (~260 students) and can be easily absorbed by two nearby schools (Stone Mill - 157 seats available and Travilah ES - 157 seats available

WJ CLUSTER: NONE
QO CLUSTER: NONE
RM CLUSTER: NONE - however Beall and College Gardens could each absorb 150-200 students, geographically not sure from where since Ritchie Park is too far away. Twinbrook ES was removed from CIP, but has .55 FCI, just not sure where they are absorbed

DAMASCUS AND CLARKSBURG CLUSTERS:
Maybes:
- Clarksburg ES - built 1952 major improvement in 1993 - FCI ~.5, small school could be absorbed by Snowden Farm and Wims ES
- Woodfield ES - built 1962 last reno 1985, small school - could be absorbed by Cedar Grove & Lois P Rockwell with shifts
Less Likely but possible:
- Fox Chapel ES - built 1974 ~.5 FCI, not sure if these students could be absorbed elsewhere or not.
- Damascus ES - built 1934 last renovated in 1980 - removed from CIP ~.5 FCI

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cold Spring is 100% closing

makes sense. Needs renovation and enrollment is declining. They keep asking for the Horizon Hill neighborhood to go to CS. Plus that open concept must suck.

Who is asking for that? HH wants to stay in the RM district. They have been very clear on that.

Since when? I’ve lived in both communities. While some might prefer RM, plenty want to move to Cold Spring/Wootton. Many of the kids in HH can walk to Cold Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be so for real right now... Wootton, with yard signs, campaigns, tons of people at their rally, more testimony slots than any other speakers plus a politician (maybe more than one), plus some building organization, plus their PTA prez, think that DuFief, a tiny ass elementary school within the same Wootton cluster with a few parents, was so powerful that DuFief is the reason that the Superintendent's recommendation is going through? And you continue to attack one school, when in fact, there are some people at other schools within the cluster (Stone Mill, Travilah, probably parents at other schools too afraid to say a damn thing) and other schools not within the cluster (Crown), besides DuFief, that feel the same? And now Wootton teachers (some, not all) are coming out and saying the same - that they want to move?

Wootton - you've done everything you can do to advocate - and MCPS still isn't going to cave to you. They literally can't. But if we put ourselves in MCPS shoes for one second and guess what they are thinking, it might be something like this... Wootton has been advocating for over a decade that their school is in disrepair and even though this new school was meant for other things (overcrowding at other schools?), things have changed (no money, declining enrollment) and we need to address this hazardous situation (current Wootton) so here is a BRAND NEW SCHOOL and we are doing our best to serve the community it was originally meant for (Crown) at the same time. And we still need money to do more for other schools because we aren't doing enough. It's not perfect.

It's not over and they could vote against the recommendation but I guess we will see. But it's not a school within your own cluster that's the problem - they were just the only ones willing to speak up. You are giving way too much credit where credit is not due.

THIS. Dufief is not that powerful to shape this study. Really. The board's gonna do what THE BOARD wants to do.

[phone]