Option H is permanent and the old Wootton HS campus will be closed for good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep it’s overtly racist. Some even use scare quotes for the word “bussing.” Do people in our well-educated cluster really not know the history of post-Brown v Board? TL/DR: the racists didn’t want their kids bussed for integration. They didn’t want their white kids going to school with black kids. They wanted to remain segregated. School boundaries in the decades that followed were purposefully drawn so as NOT to only include geographically close neighborhoods. The whole point of integration was to intentionally create school boundaries that fostered diversity by including dissimilar and incongruous neighborhoods. And here we are in 2026 with the walkers saying Wootton should not only not expand to include more students at the new Crown, but also that some feeders should be removed from the cluster as too far away. This is all for their selfish goals - not what is best for our kids.

If you are so passionate about this why aren’t you pushing for This to happen at Whitman, which is way less diverse than Wootton. Or do you only care about it happening at Wootton and nowhere else? Why do you think that is?

I’m confused - can you be direct? I think it’s pretty clear they care about Wootton because they are probably in that cluster. What are you insinuating is the reason they don’t care about anywhere else?

Because pp gave a whole history of segregation lesson focusing on Wootton being the biggest problem with this. Yet, There are other schools within the cluster that are far less diverse. Not sure how that wasn’t clear or direct.

The issue about Crown is that they don’t want other students entering the school that they perceive as less. They use high scores as a reason but that’s not it or they would remove all the low preforming students at the school.

DP. If this is truly a move of Wootton, then no students not zoned for Wootton as the boundaries are today should attend Crown. But that isn’t what is happening. MCPS is moving the boundaries at the same time, essentially closing Wootton as it is today.

MCPS took years to perform a series of Wootton boundary studies, received significant community input, held numerous hearings over time, etc. Again, that isn’t what is happening. MCPS is trying to ramp through Option H, despite significant opposition. One has to ask - what’s the hurry?

The hurry seems to be that MCPS wants to move the Wootton students into Crown by the time it opens in the fall of 2027. That way, Crown is filled with high performing students (i.e., transplant, not organic growth) and MCPS avoids the embarrassment in using yet another brand new school building as a holding school.

MCPS had to build a school or lose the Crown land, but one has to wonder why the Crown developers offered such a valuable piece of property for free. It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to determine that both MCPS and those developers were eyeing Wootton for transplant. Why else was Wootton removed from the CIP multiple times over the past several years?

MCPS can change boundaries and build new schools, but it cannot use Wootton kids as mere trading cards to cover up its incompetence and possible corruption.

This post is another level of crazy...

Nope it's very on point.

I have been on cluster committees for Wootton for years. This is exactly what has happened and going to happen.

MCPS has failed as usual.

Crown should not be Wootton nor should it be a holding school for Damascus that is stupid

You think that 20 years ago they secretly expected decreasing enrollment, maintaining a conspiracy for two decades, across several sets of county, city, and MCPS leaders, to hijack the Wootton site?

Crazy, obviously.

Nice strawman you built there. Sounds like you need to visit the Wizard of Oz before posting again.

Wootton was on the CIP multiple times in the past 20 years. It was removed from the CIP every time. Is it a coincidence that the timeframes match the Crown land grant? Are you saying no one within MCPS or the BOE ever discussed moving Wootton to the new Crown High School during that time? Is it also a coincidence that Wootton was removed from the CIP in November, and then Option H magically appeared in December? December is often when governments release future plans in the hope that citizens are so busy with the holidays to notice until its too late.

This is right on the money.
On November 20, the removed Wootton from the CIP.
Days later, on November 24, Taylor had behind the scenes conversations with elected officials, saying there’s a proposal on the table so don’t worry about Wootton’s removal.

Then in December, right after Thanksgiving break, option H was announced.

I find it very very hard to believe Taylor dreamed up and drafted options E-H within 4 days.

The more realistic timeline is A-D was off the table (due to Churchill lawsuits). At some point, Taylor dreamed up E-H. He then removes Wootton from CIP. To make it look like the new options came out as a reaction to CIP—not as the reason for CIP removal—he announces the new options publicly in December.

Ultimately lawsuits via discovery will show whether or not option H came before and was the reason for CIP removal. If it is, MCPS is completely screwed and the neither decision will stand. They’ll have to start the boundary study all over again.

I don’t care if you are a Wootton hater or supporter—no matter who you are, you should be concerned about a corrupt non-transparent BOE and superintendent.

Are you people reading this? The above is an explosive allegation. If true—this is crazy!

It really isn't. There was no plausible path for rebuilding Wootton without using the building in Crown. And if we need to use that building, current enrollment projections don't support rushing another building.

Entirely sensible and legal. Changing facilities and changing boundaries are not the same things as closing a school under Maryland law.

As an outsider looking in, I have a genuine question that goes back to what I think is the purpose of this whole thread.

What happens to Wootton long term under option H?

Suppose it is chosen, suppose Woottoners go to Crown, suppose Wootton the building gets some emergency renovations that brings it up to code for it to be a holding school. Suppose Damascus and Magruder are done using it after their respective schools have been rebuilt/renovated, then what?

Do they rebuild Wootton and shuffle the Woottoners back into the original location only with a newer building? If that’s the case, do they do another boundary study to figure out who fills up Crown once the Woottoners go back to their original location?

Or: Do they condemn the building and demolish Wootton? If that’s the case, wouldn’t Crown be super overcrowded by then?

Do we know the answer? Has MCPS told us? Has anyone asked?

I’m genuinely trying to understand and form an opinion on this matter. But I don’t see how anyone—anti H group or pro H group—can be against or for H without knowing the answers to these questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

This is an anonymous forum. They’re pro-H non Wootton families pretending to be Wootton families. Most Wootton families even pro-H do not have the energy to debate here for pages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

Shout out to you! I am the Cold Spring, Cabin John, Wootton parent that has been accused of being a troll so I went back to read the beginning of this thread and wanted to point out a few things.

See pages 3-6 where I participated in the beginning of this thread.

Pages 8 - 10 are not me but other Pro Option H Wootton parents that make amazing points.

I come back again on Page 69.

So whether you believe it or not ... Pro Option H Wootton parents exist and we are also being heard.

Even if you’re not trolling, you’re soon going to be RM parent. Welcome to RM!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep it’s overtly racist. Some even use scare quotes for the word “bussing.” Do people in our well-educated cluster really not know the history of post-Brown v Board? TL/DR: the racists didn’t want their kids bussed for integration. They didn’t want their white kids going to school with black kids. They wanted to remain segregated. School boundaries in the decades that followed were purposefully drawn so as NOT to only include geographically close neighborhoods. The whole point of integration was to intentionally create school boundaries that fostered diversity by including dissimilar and incongruous neighborhoods. And here we are in 2026 with the walkers saying Wootton should not only not expand to include more students at the new Crown, but also that some feeders should be removed from the cluster as too far away. This is all for their selfish goals - not what is best for our kids.

If you are so passionate about this why aren’t you pushing for This to happen at Whitman, which is way less diverse than Wootton. Or do you only care about it happening at Wootton and nowhere else? Why do you think that is?

I’m confused - can you be direct? I think it’s pretty clear they care about Wootton because they are probably in that cluster. What are you insinuating is the reason they don’t care about anywhere else?

Because pp gave a whole history of segregation lesson focusing on Wootton being the biggest problem with this. Yet, There are other schools within the cluster that are far less diverse. Not sure how that wasn’t clear or direct.

The issue about Crown is that they don’t want other students entering the school that they perceive as less. They use high scores as a reason but that’s not it or they would remove all the low preforming students at the school.

DP. If this is truly a move of Wootton, then no students not zoned for Wootton as the boundaries are today should attend Crown. But that isn’t what is happening. MCPS is moving the boundaries at the same time, essentially closing Wootton as it is today.

MCPS took years to perform a series of Wootton boundary studies, received significant community input, held numerous hearings over time, etc. Again, that isn’t what is happening. MCPS is trying to ramp through Option H, despite significant opposition. One has to ask - what’s the hurry?

The hurry seems to be that MCPS wants to move the Wootton students into Crown by the time it opens in the fall of 2027. That way, Crown is filled with high performing students (i.e., transplant, not organic growth) and MCPS avoids the embarrassment in using yet another brand new school building as a holding school.

MCPS had to build a school or lose the Crown land, but one has to wonder why the Crown developers offered such a valuable piece of property for free. It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to determine that both MCPS and those developers were eyeing Wootton for transplant. Why else was Wootton removed from the CIP multiple times over the past several years?

MCPS can change boundaries and build new schools, but it cannot use Wootton kids as mere trading cards to cover up its incompetence and possible corruption.

This post is another level of crazy...

Nope it's very on point.

I have been on cluster committees for Wootton for years. This is exactly what has happened and going to happen.

MCPS has failed as usual.

Crown should not be Wootton nor should it be a holding school for Damascus that is stupid

You think that 20 years ago they secretly expected decreasing enrollment, maintaining a conspiracy for two decades, across several sets of county, city, and MCPS leaders, to hijack the Wootton site?

Crazy, obviously.

Nice strawman you built there. Sounds like you need to visit the Wizard of Oz before posting again.

Wootton was on the CIP multiple times in the past 20 years. It was removed from the CIP every time. Is it a coincidence that the timeframes match the Crown land grant? Are you saying no one within MCPS or the BOE ever discussed moving Wootton to the new Crown High School during that time? Is it also a coincidence that Wootton was removed from the CIP in November, and then Option H magically appeared in December? December is often when governments release future plans in the hope that citizens are so busy with the holidays to notice until its too late.

This is right on the money.
On November 20, the removed Wootton from the CIP.
Days later, on November 24, Taylor had behind the scenes conversations with elected officials, saying there’s a proposal on the table so don’t worry about Wootton’s removal.

Then in December, right after Thanksgiving break, option H was announced.

I find it very very hard to believe Taylor dreamed up and drafted options E-H within 4 days.

The more realistic timeline is A-D was off the table (due to Churchill lawsuits). At some point, Taylor dreamed up E-H. He then removes Wootton from CIP. To make it look like the new options came out as a reaction to CIP—not as the reason for CIP removal—he announces the new options publicly in December.

Ultimately lawsuits via discovery will show whether or not option H came before and was the reason for CIP removal. If it is, MCPS is completely screwed and the neither decision will stand. They’ll have to start the boundary study all over again.

I don’t care if you are a Wootton hater or supporter—no matter who you are, you should be concerned about a corrupt non-transparent BOE and superintendent.

Are you people reading this? The above is an explosive allegation. If true—this is crazy!

It really isn't. There was no plausible path for rebuilding Wootton without using the building in Crown. And if we need to use that building, current enrollment projections don't support rushing another building.

Entirely sensible and legal. Changing facilities and changing boundaries are not the same things as closing a school under Maryland law.

As an outsider looking in, I have a genuine question that goes back to what I think is the purpose of this whole thread.

What happens to Wootton long term under option H?

Suppose it is chosen, suppose Woottoners go to Crown, suppose Wootton the building gets some emergency renovations that brings it up to code for it to be a holding school. Suppose Damascus and Magruder are done using it after their respective schools have been rebuilt/renovated, then what?

Do they rebuild Wootton and shuffle the Woottoners back into the original location only with a newer building? If that’s the case, do they do another boundary study to figure out who fills up Crown once the Woottoners go back to their original location?

Or: Do they condemn the building and demolish Wootton? If that’s the case, wouldn’t Crown be super overcrowded by then?

Do we know the answer? Has MCPS told us? Has anyone asked?

I’m genuinely trying to understand and form an opinion on this matter. But I don’t see how anyone—anti H group or pro H group—can be against or for H without knowing the answers to these questions.

Exactly on point. It brings so much uncertainty without answers in this rushed process. As anti-H, I am just tired and afraid of keeping fighting for the uncertainties in the next decade. Can we just live our lives in Montgomery county happily ever after?

[Anonymous]

It is hard to believe that very many Cold Spring people want H. That said if H goes through, I think many would find RM would be preferable to Crown. Then again, many will go private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

Shout out to you! I am the Cold Spring, Cabin John, Wootton parent that has been accused of being a troll so I went back to read the beginning of this thread and wanted to point out a few things.

See pages 3-6 where I participated in the beginning of this thread.

Pages 8 - 10 are not me but other Pro Option H Wootton parents that make amazing points.

I come back again on Page 69.

So whether you believe it or not ... Pro Option H Wootton parents exist and we are also being heard.

Even if you’re not trolling, you’re soon going to be RM parent. Welcome to RM!

This is the mentality right here - anything other than going to Wootton is used as derogatory. Like you are getting mad at a nameless faceless person on this board, and then the name you decide to call them is someone who may soon go to RM. So so perfect.

[Anonymous]

After seeing a comment in the other thread about why Weast left ( https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/45/1309623.page ), I was trying to find more articles about it and came across this:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2011/02/25/the-last-lessons-of-jerry-weast-2

And thought some of the things mentioned are still applicable today. Like how he said it can take six or seven years to get a new school.

But also this:

[People] are not coming here because of the good roads or the cheap taxes or the cheap houses. They are coming here for the schools. …And the state is $160 million behind in what they said they would get us.

And that's what I've been trying to say, for a good contingent of people, Montgomery County doesn't really offer much other than good schools.

If at one point MCPS was a high performing school system, surrounding areas have since caught up or surpassed it. Then look at what people say the focus should be now, which is the overall population that is struggling to meet proficiency levels. So they're okay in diluting the countywide programs to provide greater access to higher level classes, but might not be as high. And they're proposing in mixing things up with one of the top ranked schools in the state. I think it is okay to focus on struggling groups but it shouldn't be at the expense of the higher performers.

If MCPS does things right, I think Crown has a potential to be a decent school. Maybe not as top tier as Wootton currently is.

But MCPS and Montgomery County needs to be careful that they don't end up alienating (maybe not the right term) the population that do value the higher standards of education and was the factor in choosing where they did to live. Some of the posters on here can say things like, Fine leave. But see how MCPS and Montgomery County will do as they see that tax base leave or choose elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

Shout out to you! I am the Cold Spring, Cabin John, Wootton parent that has been accused of being a troll so I went back to read the beginning of this thread and wanted to point out a few things.

See pages 3-6 where I participated in the beginning of this thread.

Pages 8 - 10 are not me but other Pro Option H Wootton parents that make amazing points.

I come back again on Page 69.

So whether you believe it or not ... Pro Option H Wootton parents exist and we are also being heard.

Right. How come none of you bothered to show up to the BOE meeting last week?

Just a heads up that there is more than one person responding to you. Also because as was previously stated...it is not that deep for most people.

Yeah our children’s educational future is definitely “not that deep”.

What exactly will change about your child's educational future that would be negative? All I see are positives... new AV equipment, new chem labs, new computers for AOIT, new athletic spaces....new everything!!! What is the downside from an education perspective? All the same classes, teachers etc just in a new location with better materials....genuine question

Seriously, this sounds much better than an old rundown building with mold issues. Mold can cause long term issues in students and staff so most of us would jump and gladly take the new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

Shout out to you! I am the Cold Spring, Cabin John, Wootton parent that has been accused of being a troll so I went back to read the beginning of this thread and wanted to point out a few things.

See pages 3-6 where I participated in the beginning of this thread.

Pages 8 - 10 are not me but other Pro Option H Wootton parents that make amazing points.

I come back again on Page 69.

So whether you believe it or not ... Pro Option H Wootton parents exist and we are also being heard.

Right. How come none of you bothered to show up to the BOE meeting last week?

Just a heads up that there is more than one person responding to you. Also because as was previously stated...it is not that deep for most people.

Yeah our children’s educational future is definitely “not that deep”.

What exactly will change about your child's educational future that would be negative? All I see are positives... new AV equipment, new chem labs, new computers for AOIT, new athletic spaces....new everything!!! What is the downside from an education perspective? All the same classes, teachers etc just in a new location with better materials....genuine question

It’s the people.., their kids will have to be around Gaithersburg people.

North Potomac is Gaithersburg with a fancier name.

[Anonymous]

"see how MCPS and Montgomery County will do as they see that tax base leave or choose elsewhere."

No problem - they will just raise property taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"see how MCPS and Montgomery County will do as they see that tax base leave or choose elsewhere."

No problem - they will just raise property taxes.

So you are ok to pay extra taxes just to achieve this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

Shout out to you! I am the Cold Spring, Cabin John, Wootton parent that has been accused of being a troll so I went back to read the beginning of this thread and wanted to point out a few things.

See pages 3-6 where I participated in the beginning of this thread.

Pages 8 - 10 are not me but other Pro Option H Wootton parents that make amazing points.

I come back again on Page 69.

So whether you believe it or not ... Pro Option H Wootton parents exist and we are also being heard.

Right. How come none of you bothered to show up to the BOE meeting last week?

Just a heads up that there is more than one person responding to you. Also because as was previously stated...it is not that deep for most people.

Yeah our children’s educational future is definitely “not that deep”.

What exactly will change about your child's educational future that would be negative? All I see are positives... new AV equipment, new chem labs, new computers for AOIT, new athletic spaces....new everything!!! What is the downside from an education perspective? All the same classes, teachers etc just in a new location with better materials....genuine question

Seriously, this sounds much better than an old rundown building with mold issues. Mold can cause long term issues in students and staff so most of us would jump and gladly take the new school.

It’s getting combined with at least one but likely more very low performing schools. Not average-very low performing. That’s the problem. Everything about Wootton will change. So no, not everything will be the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

Shout out to you! I am the Cold Spring, Cabin John, Wootton parent that has been accused of being a troll so I went back to read the beginning of this thread and wanted to point out a few things.

See pages 3-6 where I participated in the beginning of this thread.

Pages 8 - 10 are not me but other Pro Option H Wootton parents that make amazing points.

I come back again on Page 69.

So whether you believe it or not ... Pro Option H Wootton parents exist and we are also being heard.

Right. How come none of you bothered to show up to the BOE meeting last week?

Just a heads up that there is more than one person responding to you. Also because as was previously stated...it is not that deep for most people.

Yeah our children’s educational future is definitely “not that deep”.

What exactly will change about your child's educational future that would be negative? All I see are positives... new AV equipment, new chem labs, new computers for AOIT, new athletic spaces....new everything!!! What is the downside from an education perspective? All the same classes, teachers etc just in a new location with better materials....genuine question

Seriously, this sounds much better than an old rundown building with mold issues. Mold can cause long term issues in students and staff so most of us would jump and gladly take the new school.

It’s getting combined with at least one but likely more very low performing schools. Not average-very low performing. That’s the problem. Everything about Wootton will change. So no, not everything will be the same.

Referring to Rosemount? A 56th percentile school, per MD report card?
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/E/1/15/0555/0

Mixing with those kids is a fate worse for your children than mold?

[Anonymous]

"So you are ok to pay extra taxes just to achieve this?"

I was being sarcastic. but that is tax increases is exactly what the county will do if the tax base dwindles as you suggest. and yes that is a downward spiral. So to summarize, the property values will go down, the quality of the school will go down, and the property taxes will go up. What's not to like? Let's re-elect everyone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to all the Pro-H Wootton families with the courage to voice their rational opinions and who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. We see you, and we believe in you.

Shout out to you! I am the Cold Spring, Cabin John, Wootton parent that has been accused of being a troll so I went back to read the beginning of this thread and wanted to point out a few things.

See pages 3-6 where I participated in the beginning of this thread.

Pages 8 - 10 are not me but other Pro Option H Wootton parents that make amazing points.

I come back again on Page 69.

So whether you believe it or not ... Pro Option H Wootton parents exist and we are also being heard.

Right. How come none of you bothered to show up to the BOE meeting last week?

Just a heads up that there is more than one person responding to you. Also because as was previously stated...it is not that deep for most people.

Yeah our children’s educational future is definitely “not that deep”.

What exactly will change about your child's educational future that would be negative? All I see are positives... new AV equipment, new chem labs, new computers for AOIT, new athletic spaces....new everything!!! What is the downside from an education perspective? All the same classes, teachers etc just in a new location with better materials....genuine question

Seriously, this sounds much better than an old rundown building with mold issues. Mold can cause long term issues in students and staff so most of us would jump and gladly take the new school.

It’s getting combined with at least one but likely more very low performing schools. Not average-very low performing. That’s the problem. Everything about Wootton will change. So no, not everything will be the same.

Referring to Rosemount? A 56th percentile school, per MD report card?
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/E/1/15/0555/0

Mixing with those kids is a fate worse for your children than mold?

Did you actually look at the proficiency breakdown for math and english? I’m going to guess no since you clearly looked up the school and posted this but yet still managed to spell the name of the school wrong. Anyway-the kids in this school didn’t even meet 50% proficiency for either of those. That’s awful.