Wootton Announces They Have Formally Retained Silverman & Thompson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, and? If they want to spend their money that way, go for it.

Can’t wait for MCPS to lose. Back to the drawing board!

So a few Wootton families are upset their kids might have to go to school with poors and are taking MCPS to court about it?

I don't think this is the case. I think a few Wootton families are upset they bought old homes near Wootton Parkway for $$$$ and now their kids will go to school with kids whose families paid the same amount for new construction in Crown and they won't be able to justify their financial choices anymore.

[Anonymous]

Oh the humanity
https://redf.in/GwqlBW
https://redf.in/baU4Av

[Anonymous]

If we are spending this much time on Wootoon I demand we look at all the issues with schools in the county? Are Wooton parents okay with that? Nope they just care about their kids. i hope all other parents start raising their voice and protesting too!

[Anonymous]

This is solely about property values and keeping higher performing kids away from other kids. As someone who lives on the other side I feel like other parents are going to organize to fight against you. We cannot stand by and watch a bunch of entitled people demand that their kids get what they want. This is a whole county and your kids should not be the only ones who get what they think they deserve. We will fight against this. This is a PUBLIC school. You are not entitled to anything just because you want it! Just because you have money and just because you sprak the loudest. MCPS will not let you win nor will the REST of the county - yes it is a county with other people involved not just you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's call it for what it is. They don't want the demographics of their school to change. Full stop.

You assume that. You don't know that.

Maybe they want to keep their neighborhood school, just like the community in Silver Spring wants to keep SSIMS and Sligo Creek ES in their neighborhood. Is Silver Spring not "wanting the demographics of their school/s" to change?

Like many on this board, the PP’s knee jerk reaction is to cry r-cism because that immediately discredits the complainer and shuts down the debate. This isn’t about demographics- Wootton already has a student population that is majority minorities (albeit not the “right” minorities according to PP). However, that student population is made up of high achievers, as evidenced by their academic performance and top graduation rate. Wootton families are rightly concerned that the academic performance of Wootton will decline because of a 40% increase I students from lower performing schools.

MCPS is putting money (and covering up its gross mismanagement thereof) over academic achievement, as it always seems to do these days.

Why are they "rightly" concerned about that?

As has been discussed before, the research indicates it is more likely that there will be a slight INCREASE in the aggregate test scores of all students attending Wootton at Crown.

That may be what some research suggests in the aggregate, but it’s not guaranteed here. If additional students are coming from schools with lower average test scores, it’s entirely possible that overall averages could go down, not up. General research trends don’t automatically apply to a specific plan. Outcomes depend on the actual mix of students and how the transition is implemented. So the idea that scores will increase isn’t a given—it could just as easily decline depending on the specifics.

Nothing is guaranteed. Scored aren’t guaranteed to increase nor are they guaranteed to decrease. Meaning it’s a moot point for about 3-5yrs until we see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's call it for what it is. They don't want the demographics of their school to change. Full stop.

You assume that. You don't know that.

Maybe they want to keep their neighborhood school, just like the community in Silver Spring wants to keep SSIMS and Sligo Creek ES in their neighborhood. Is Silver Spring not "wanting the demographics of their school/s" to change?

Like many on this board, the PP’s knee jerk reaction is to cry r-cism because that immediately discredits the complainer and shuts down the debate. This isn’t about demographics- Wootton already has a student population that is majority minorities (albeit not the “right” minorities according to PP). However, that student population is made up of high achievers, as evidenced by their academic performance and top graduation rate. Wootton families are rightly concerned that the academic performance of Wootton will decline because of a 40% increase I students from lower performing schools.

MCPS is putting money (and covering up its gross mismanagement thereof) over academic achievement, as it always seems to do these days.

You’re right. It’s not about “race.” It’s about class.

Class too is a matter of demographics.

And, precisely because of that, your statistic of “40% increase in students from underperforming schools” is completely overstated. Do you really think it’s Downtown Crown kids who are disadvantaged and struggling academically at Rosemont? If you really think that, you have no idea what you’re talking about.

Cutting out the overstated fear-mongering that would be ridiculous to apply to places like Downtown Crown or Washingtonian Woods, your rhetoric is targeted perniciously against families at Fields Road who live north of the Muddy Branch/ Great Seneca intersection.

So, actually, we do get back to the issue of race. Because in this community, it intersects with class. So let’s name it: you don’t care about the success of lower income Latino students. You see them as a liability. You know, deep down, they’re not going to change the educational experience for your kids with just a 5% increase in FARMS. The SMCS program, honors classes etc. could become a school within a school. And that’s something that’s also known very well by wealthy families at BCC, which has a higher FARMS rate than Wootton @ Crown will have, and whose affluent families are wealthier than Wootton’s and don’t stay up at night worrying that disadvantaged families will affect their kids’ performance.

You’re worried about the ranking sliding overall. You’re worried about the school moving out of your neighborhood and no longer being able to advertise it’s in walking distance.

Ergo, you’re worried about property values. And in the United States of America, to think that property values can be divorced from the question of class and race is absurd. It’s absolutely part of your argument.

To be fair, I don’t think you or others are racist in the sense that you would cuss out or offend others on the basis of race. You are, on the other hand, more than happy to treat a minority of disadvantaged families and their belonging or rejection from your community as primarily a matter of your personal accounting, rather than one with academic merits.

And that is absolutely classist. And it is a form of classism that, at least in this specific case, has a racialized dimension.

Now, to your final point, I agree with you. Raising issues of race or class shouldn’t be used to cut off discussion. But you have to have a better retort to keep the discussion going. So far, implicitly or explicitly, over 50% of commenters I have seen speak on this issue, and near to 100% of them who take issue with the inclusion of Fields Road, seem primarily worried about the issue of home values.

I understand your point about class—and how it often overlaps with race. But I think you’re attributing a single motivation to a much broader set of concerns. Not every objection to this proposal is rooted in viewing lower-income students as a liability. There are multiple issues being raised at once: (1) relocating an entire high school; (2) the timing and rollout of Option H; (3) whether the process felt complete and transparent; (4) community stability; and yes, for some, (5) the impact on home values.

Reducing all of that to classism doesn’t really engage with the full picture.

On Fields Road specifically: It’s reasonable to ask whether this kind of change actually improves outcomes or simply redistributes challenges. That question can be asked without making assumptions about the students themselves.

And on property values: In the U.S., school assignments and housing are closely linked. Acknowledging that reality doesn’t automatically make someone’s concerns discriminatory—it reflects how the system functions.

Decisions of this scale should be clearly justified, improve outcomes, and be implemented through a process people trust. Framing most opposing views as primarily driven by class or race makes that conversation harder, not easier.

Not the PP. Relocating an entire HS means the community has been preserved. The process always yields new ideas and options through the rounds. The timing of Option H, did not stop people from being able to express their thoughts (as is clearly seen) by this thread and others. And the rationale for the option was clearly laid out. Because some people disagree and want other things to happen doesn’t change that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's call it for what it is. They don't want the demographics of their school to change. Full stop.

You assume that. You don't know that.

Maybe they want to keep their neighborhood school, just like the community in Silver Spring wants to keep SSIMS and Sligo Creek ES in their neighborhood. Is Silver Spring not "wanting the demographics of their school/s" to change?

Like many on this board, the PP’s knee jerk reaction is to cry r-cism because that immediately discredits the complainer and shuts down the debate. This isn’t about demographics- Wootton already has a student population that is majority minorities (albeit not the “right” minorities according to PP). However, that student population is made up of high achievers, as evidenced by their academic performance and top graduation rate. Wootton families are rightly concerned that the academic performance of Wootton will decline because of a 40% increase I students from lower performing schools.

MCPS is putting money (and covering up its gross mismanagement thereof) over academic achievement, as it always seems to do these days.

You’re right. It’s not about “race.” It’s about class.

Class too is a matter of demographics.

And, precisely because of that, your statistic of “40% increase in students from underperforming schools” is completely overstated. Do you really think it’s Downtown Crown kids who are disadvantaged and struggling academically at Rosemont? If you really think that, you have no idea what you’re talking about.

Cutting out the overstated fear-mongering that would be ridiculous to apply to places like Downtown Crown or Washingtonian Woods, your rhetoric is targeted perniciously against families at Fields Road who live north of the Muddy Branch/ Great Seneca intersection.

So, actually, we do get back to the issue of race. Because in this community, it intersects with class. So let’s name it: you don’t care about the success of lower income Latino students. You see them as a liability. You know, deep down, they’re not going to change the educational experience for your kids with just a 5% increase in FARMS. The SMCS program, honors classes etc. could become a school within a school. And that’s something that’s also known very well by wealthy families at BCC, which has a higher FARMS rate than Wootton @ Crown will have, and whose affluent families are wealthier than Wootton’s and don’t stay up at night worrying that disadvantaged families will affect their kids’ performance.

You’re worried about the ranking sliding overall. You’re worried about the school moving out of your neighborhood and no longer being able to advertise it’s in walking distance.

Ergo, you’re worried about property values. And in the United States of America, to think that property values can be divorced from the question of class and race is absurd. It’s absolutely part of your argument.

To be fair, I don’t think you or others are racist in the sense that you would cuss out or offend others on the basis of race. You are, on the other hand, more than happy to treat a minority of disadvantaged families and their belonging or rejection from your community as primarily a matter of your personal accounting, rather than one with academic merits.

And that is absolutely classist. And it is a form of classism that, at least in this specific case, has a racialized dimension.

Now, to your final point, I agree with you. Raising issues of race or class shouldn’t be used to cut off discussion. But you have to have a better retort to keep the discussion going. So far, implicitly or explicitly, over 50% of commenters I have seen speak on this issue, and near to 100% of them who take issue with the inclusion of Fields Road, seem primarily worried about the issue of home values.

I understand your point about class—and how it often overlaps with race. But I think you’re attributing a single motivation to a much broader set of concerns. Not every objection to this proposal is rooted in viewing lower-income students as a liability. There are multiple issues being raised at once: (1) relocating an entire high school; (2) the timing and rollout of Option H; (3) whether the process felt complete and transparent; (4) community stability; and yes, for some, (5) the impact on home values.

Reducing all of that to classism doesn’t really engage with the full picture.

On Fields Road specifically: It’s reasonable to ask whether this kind of change actually improves outcomes or simply redistributes challenges. That question can be asked without making assumptions about the students themselves.

And on property values: In the U.S., school assignments and housing are closely linked. Acknowledging that reality doesn’t automatically make someone’s concerns discriminatory—it reflects how the system functions.

Decisions of this scale should be clearly justified, improve outcomes, and be implemented through a process people trust. Framing most opposing views as primarily driven by class or race makes that conversation harder, not easier.

Not the PP. Relocating an entire HS means the community has been preserved. The process always yields new ideas and options through the rounds. The timing of Option H, did not stop people from being able to express their thoughts (as is clearly seen) by this thread and others. And the rationale for the option was clearly laid out. Because some people disagree and want other things to happen doesn’t change that.

You presume much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is solely about property values and keeping higher performing kids away from other kids. As someone who lives on the other side I feel like other parents are going to organize to fight against you. We cannot stand by and watch a bunch of entitled people demand that their kids get what they want. This is a whole county and your kids should not be the only ones who get what they think they deserve. We will fight against this. This is a PUBLIC school. You are not entitled to anything just because you want it! Just because you have money and just because you sprak the loudest. MCPS will not let you win nor will the REST of the county - yes it is a county with other people involved not just you!

Meanwhile the Whitman and Churchill HS communities quietly get everything they want/need without having to speak up. Funny how that works. Huh. Notice how untouched these two schools were by regional programming. Wootton is a W school, but it is a lower-case w school, so yeah, they have to organize. If people in the Wootton community want to organize and protest, what is it to you? Just move on to another thread in DCUM. No need for you to worry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is solely about property values and keeping higher performing kids away from other kids. As someone who lives on the other side I feel like other parents are going to organize to fight against you. We cannot stand by and watch a bunch of entitled people demand that their kids get what they want. This is a whole county and your kids should not be the only ones who get what they think they deserve. We will fight against this. This is a PUBLIC school. You are not entitled to anything just because you want it! Just because you have money and just because you sprak the loudest. MCPS will not let you win nor will the REST of the county - yes it is a county with other people involved not just you!

Meanwhile the Whitman and Churchill HS communities quietly get everything they want/need without having to speak up. Funny how that works. Huh. Notice how untouched these two schools were by regional programming. Wootton is a W school, but it is a lower-case w school, so yeah, they have to organize. If people in the Wootton community want to organize and protest, what is it to you? Just move on to another thread in DCUM. No need for you to worry.

Neither Churchill or Whitman is close to the Crown building. Wootton was always going to be one of the most affected schools simply because of its proximity to the location.

Whitman is not overcrowded and is not part of the downcounty growth area so of course it’s not going to get shaken up in this city.

Churchill got everything they want…for now. But the 112% utilization with the boundary study coming up absolutely points to shakeups to happen there soon. I’m quite confident they have Stone Mill and Wayside articulating to Hoover together and Potomac and Travilah articulating to Cabin John together because they are strongly considering redistricting art of Wayside to Stone Mill and Potomac to Travilah in the next study. Having Julie Yang probably helped things not get so chaotic at the moment but it’s not like they are protected forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is solely about property values and keeping higher performing kids away from other kids. As someone who lives on the other side I feel like other parents are going to organize to fight against you. We cannot stand by and watch a bunch of entitled people demand that their kids get what they want. This is a whole county and your kids should not be the only ones who get what they think they deserve. We will fight against this. This is a PUBLIC school. You are not entitled to anything just because you want it! Just because you have money and just because you sprak the loudest. MCPS will not let you win nor will the REST of the county - yes it is a county with other people involved not just you!

Meanwhile the Whitman and Churchill HS communities quietly get everything they want/need without having to speak up. Funny how that works. Huh. Notice how untouched these two schools were by regional programming. Wootton is a W school, but it is a lower-case w school, so yeah, they have to organize. If people in the Wootton community want to organize and protest, what is it to you? Just move on to another thread in DCUM. No need for you to worry.

They did better advocating. Many are being redistricted and losing the DCC is huge. We’ll deal with the changes and make do, or go private or move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is solely about property values and keeping higher performing kids away from other kids. As someone who lives on the other side I feel like other parents are going to organize to fight against you. We cannot stand by and watch a bunch of entitled people demand that their kids get what they want. This is a whole county and your kids should not be the only ones who get what they think they deserve. We will fight against this. This is a PUBLIC school. You are not entitled to anything just because you want it! Just because you have money and just because you sprak the loudest. MCPS will not let you win nor will the REST of the county - yes it is a county with other people involved not just you!

Meanwhile the Whitman and Churchill HS communities quietly get everything they want/need without having to speak up. Funny how that works. Huh. Notice how untouched these two schools were by regional programming. Wootton is a W school, but it is a lower-case w school, so yeah, they have to organize. If people in the Wootton community want to organize and protest, what is it to you? Just move on to another thread in DCUM. No need for you to worry.

Neither Churchill or Whitman is close to the Crown building. Wootton was always going to be one of the most affected schools simply because of its proximity to the location.

Whitman is not overcrowded and is not part of the downcounty growth area so of course it’s not going to get shaken up in this city.

Churchill got everything they want…for now. But the 112% utilization with the boundary study coming up absolutely points to shakeups to happen there soon. I’m quite confident they have Stone Mill and Wayside articulating to Hoover together and Potomac and Travilah articulating to Cabin John together because they are strongly considering redistricting art of Wayside to Stone Mill and Potomac to Travilah in the next study. Having Julie Yang probably helped things not get so chaotic at the moment but it’s not like they are protected forever.

Yang has a lot of power in the BOE and protected her own interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back from spring break and disappointed to see no lawsuit still. Did it ripen?! Oh wait, there is no basis for a suit. And no money to manage the legal fees, just like there is no money for a 27th HS and a Wootton reno.

How stupid and out of the loop you are

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back from spring break and disappointed to see no lawsuit still. Did it ripen?! Oh wait, there is no basis for a suit. And no money to manage the legal fees, just like there is no money for a 27th HS and a Wootton reno.

How stupid and out of the loop you are

I must be out of the loop, too, since I'm not aware of a lawsuit being filed, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back from spring break and disappointed to see no lawsuit still. Did it ripen?! Oh wait, there is no basis for a suit. And no money to manage the legal fees, just like there is no money for a 27th HS and a Wootton reno.

How stupid and out of the loop you are

You make Wootton parents look bad. Where is the lawsuit?

[Anonymous]

1. It is not the school board's job to care or even consider property values. Their job is to oversee those educating children. Full stop.

2. The Wootton families are forcing MCPS to spend our tax dollars defending this frivolous lawsuit. I hope sanctions are placed on the plaintiffs, including ordering them to pay the other side's attorney's fees and legal cost