Woodward boundary study public hearing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh please, the farmland and luxmanor parents came across as classist and racist. The one mom whining that her child wouldn't get his gifted needs met at a 36% FARMS school?

If this was reverse, and WJ was getting more FARMS kids, you know the elementary school parents at Ashburton, Wyngate, and KP would be doing the exact same thing as the Farmland and Luxmanor parents.

Does that make it ok?

What did you find offensive? High FARMS rate has negative impact on students if it crosses certain limit. Why do you expect parents to not talk about it. Be it FARMLAND or any community, they will talk about it if huge jump in FARMS happens in their shcool. Absolutely nothing wrong in talking about it.

This is not true. Nobody can post any academic study regarding this perceived tipping point. You should just go to private school or move.

FARMland about to get used to FARMs kids!
WOODward gonna have some wheatonWOODS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is painful to read the (pretend) outrage toward Woodward families because they are requesting for WJ and Woodward - and every high school ideally! - to have similar utilization rates.

There is something very, very wrong when utilization rates differ so widely among schools. This is the opportunity to even it out and this recommendation absolutely does not do that.

The truth is parents are mostly outraged at the numbers of FARMS kids now attending their kids school. I guarantee they would have said nothing about utilization rates if two wealthier elementary schools were zoned for Woodward. This sentiment about FARMS kids does not just apply to these Farmland and Luxmanor parents, it really applies to all these Bethesda and Potomac parents who would be protesting if this situation happened to them. These families don’t mind financially supporting these FARMS families and schools, but they definitely don’t want them coming to their kids school. Let’s not kid ourselves that it’s anything other than that….

Yes, there is a lot of hypocrisy in criticizing those neighborhoods specifically. And people know that and are just stirring the pot.

I think the Luxmanor and Farmland parents should just embrace Woodward. But the criticism of them has been outsized. They are being asked to go from a solid, high performing school to one that is entirely new and no one knows how good it will be. They have the right to fight for factors - utilization and programs in particular- that may impact the school quality substantially. FARMs and EML they need to let go of.

Every parent should feel free to discuss FARMS rate. It's one fo the 4 major criterion defined by MCPS.

It's hypocritical and hilarious that when the system talks about balancing FARMS rates between clusters or schools, that's acceptable and valuable. But when parents point out that certain boundary configurations result in FARMS rates that are imbalanced, they're racist and hate poor people.

Frankly, the points made by advocates against modified option B that question whether it's wise to open a brand-new school with a 90% utilization rate, and that's before you start funneling in additional students through the regional programs, were sound. Why on earth is MCPS doing that?

I agree and I think it is lazy to just call them all racist for broaching FARMS. What people really want is not the exclusion of minorities or income classes. They want high performing and high quality schools. There is a complex relationship between those factors. Wanting a high performance school is understandable and OK. The conversation goes off the rails is lost when someone’s “high performing school” comes at the expense or exclusion of another community. (This is also why they should have just gone with the original, popular Option B and not pitted people against each other.) Nevertheless, with respect to Woodward it is not a successful or productive conversation to discuss FARMS, whether it impacts the school or not.

WJ/Region 3 did themseleves a major deservice not picking option B from the start. Blame the idiots who are the PTA reps....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is painful to read the (pretend) outrage toward Woodward families because they are requesting for WJ and Woodward - and every high school ideally! - to have similar utilization rates.

There is something very, very wrong when utilization rates differ so widely among schools. This is the opportunity to even it out and this recommendation absolutely does not do that.

The truth is parents are mostly outraged at the numbers of FARMS kids now attending their kids school. I guarantee they would have said nothing about utilization rates if two wealthier elementary schools were zoned for Woodward. This sentiment about FARMS kids does not just apply to these Farmland and Luxmanor parents, it really applies to all these Bethesda and Potomac parents who would be protesting if this situation happened to them. These families don’t mind financially supporting these FARMS families and schools, but they definitely don’t want them coming to their kids school. Let’s not kid ourselves that it’s anything other than that….

Yes, there is a lot of hypocrisy in criticizing those neighborhoods specifically. And people know that and are just stirring the pot.

I think the Luxmanor and Farmland parents should just embrace Woodward. But the criticism of them has been outsized. They are being asked to go from a solid, high performing school to one that is entirely new and no one knows how good it will be. They have the right to fight for factors - utilization and programs in particular- that may impact the school quality substantially. FARMs and EML they need to let go of.

Every parent should feel free to discuss FARMS rate. It's one fo the 4 major criterion defined by MCPS.

It's hypocritical and hilarious that when the system talks about balancing FARMS rates between clusters or schools, that's acceptable and valuable. But when parents point out that certain boundary configurations result in FARMS rates that are imbalanced, they're racist and hate poor people.

Frankly, the points made by advocates against modified option B that question whether it's wise to open a brand-new school with a 90% utilization rate, and that's before you start funneling in additional students through the regional programs, were sound. Why on earth is MCPS doing that?

I am actualy in WJ in all sitaution and I don't think Woodward should open with 90+ % utilization. Very soon, it will be overcrowded. We have been sacing this over crowding for years in WJ. MCPS projections are always wrong for north bethesda/bethesda area. They under count it and then we get school with 140% utilizations.

Fake WJ poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is painful to read the (pretend) outrage toward Woodward families because they are requesting for WJ and Woodward - and every high school ideally! - to have similar utilization rates.

There is something very, very wrong when utilization rates differ so widely among schools. This is the opportunity to even it out and this recommendation absolutely does not do that.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the 'outrage' toward Woodward families expressed on this forum. It is not really representative of anything. 95% of all negative posts are from the same poster who has clogged all Woodward boundary related threads with anti-Farmland rants.

After last night, Farmland deserves the rants. Montoya put baby in the corner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is painful to read the (pretend) outrage toward Woodward families because they are requesting for WJ and Woodward - and every high school ideally! - to have similar utilization rates.

There is something very, very wrong when utilization rates differ so widely among schools. This is the opportunity to even it out and this recommendation absolutely does not do that.

The truth is parents are mostly outraged at the numbers of FARMS kids now attending their kids school. I guarantee they would have said nothing about utilization rates if two wealthier elementary schools were zoned for Woodward. This sentiment about FARMS kids does not just apply to these Farmland and Luxmanor parents, it really applies to all these Bethesda and Potomac parents who would be protesting if this situation happened to them. These families don’t mind financially supporting these FARMS families and schools, but they definitely don’t want them coming to their kids school. Let’s not kid ourselves that it’s anything other than that….

+1

It's simple: Caucasian Farmland and Luxmanor home owners do not want poor, brown Wheaton kids affecting the value of their homes and the perceived quality of the school.

They repeatedly said they were OK with the options presented and pretended as if they thought those were the only menu of options that could be picked (so they are either liars or stupid if they really didn't know the Super couldn't propose something else). But in theory they were OK with up to 32% FARMS and 90% Utilizations. So they get 3% more FARMS kids with the superintendent's recommendation and they cry foul now. Why didn't they comment all year strongly opposed to say Option D and F?

Option A had 27% FARMS for Woodward and 80% Utilization
Option B had 28% FARMS and 73% Utilization
Option C had 27% FARMS and 81% Utilization
Option D had 32% FARMS and 86% Utilization
Option E had 27% FARMS and 80% Utilization
Option F had 30% FARMS and 90% Utilization
Option G had 27% FARMS and 81% Utilization

Or better yet, why didn't all region 3 leadership comment strongly in favor of option B from the start? They knew this boundary study was ongoing. They just sat back and now complain. They would have complained regardless.

I do think the Superintendent's recommendation will pass. It does seem fair and reasonable despite the complaints about paying a $1M consultant, utilization, and FARMS. Taylor/MCPS did they best they could. Not everyone was going to be happy. The losers get a few more weeks to complain and then this saga will be over and they can go complain about who will be the Principal of woodward and what classes it will have in their fashion design magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh please, the farmland and luxmanor parents came across as classist and racist. The one mom whining that her child wouldn't get his gifted needs met at a 36% FARMS school?

If this was reverse, and WJ was getting more FARMS kids, you know the elementary school parents at Ashburton, Wyngate, and KP would be doing the exact same thing as the Farmland and Luxmanor parents.

"Whatabout WJ! Look at them! We are jealous."-Lux Manor realtor sad about her house value

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is painful to read the (pretend) outrage toward Woodward families because they are requesting for WJ and Woodward - and every high school ideally! - to have similar utilization rates.

There is something very, very wrong when utilization rates differ so widely among schools. This is the opportunity to even it out and this recommendation absolutely does not do that.

They don't differ that much! And MCPS/Taylor said that they anticipate the schools with 'extra' capacity to balance out with popularity of magnet. They have justified reasons.

Besides, all the toilets and outlets at woodward have been used at 140% capacity for a long time. The WJ pipes and wires need a bit of a break! We know the county does not maintain facilities...look at Wootton getting closed down bc they don't have skilled maintenance staff or emphasis on maintaining buildings.

[Anonymous]

I was never more excited to be zoned for WJ than I am for new WJ! It won't have the annoying Farmland and Luxmanor community who hate me for being brown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is painful to read the (pretend) outrage toward Woodward families because they are requesting for WJ and Woodward - and every high school ideally! - to have similar utilization rates.

There is something very, very wrong when utilization rates differ so widely among schools. This is the opportunity to even it out and this recommendation absolutely does not do that.

The truth is parents are mostly outraged at the numbers of FARMS kids now attending their kids school. I guarantee they would have said nothing about utilization rates if two wealthier elementary schools were zoned for Woodward. This sentiment about FARMS kids does not just apply to these Farmland and Luxmanor parents, it really applies to all these Bethesda and Potomac parents who would be protesting if this situation happened to them. These families don’t mind financially supporting these FARMS families and schools, but they definitely don’t want them coming to their kids school. Let’s not kid ourselves that it’s anything other than that….

+1

It's simple: Caucasian Farmland and Luxmanor home owners do not want poor, brown Wheaton kids affecting the value of their homes and the perceived quality of the school.

They repeatedly said they were OK with the options presented and pretended as if they thought those were the only menu of options that could be picked (so they are either liars or stupid if they really didn't know the Super couldn't propose something else). But in theory they were OK with up to 32% FARMS and 90% Utilizations. So they get 3% more FARMS kids with the superintendent's recommendation and they cry foul now. Why didn't they comment all year strongly opposed to say Option D and F?

Option A had 27% FARMS for Woodward and 80% Utilization
Option B had 28% FARMS and 73% Utilization
Option C had 27% FARMS and 81% Utilization
Option D had 32% FARMS and 86% Utilization
Option E had 27% FARMS and 80% Utilization
Option F had 30% FARMS and 90% Utilization
Option G had 27% FARMS and 81% Utilization

Or better yet, why didn't all region 3 leadership comment strongly in favor of option B from the start? They knew this boundary study was ongoing. They just sat back and now complain. They would have complained regardless.

I do think the Superintendent's recommendation will pass. It does seem fair and reasonable despite the complaints about paying a $1M consultant, utilization, and FARMS. Taylor/MCPS did they best they could. Not everyone was going to be happy. The losers get a few more weeks to complain and then this saga will be over and they can go complain about who will be the Principal of woodward and what classes it will have in their fashion design magnet.

Of course the superintendent's recommendation will pass, for the simple reason that the BOE is a rubber stamp of what MCPS wants.

[Anonymous]

Last 15 or so posts - all from the same poster. Woke up from his afternoon nap. It is impossible to conduct any meaningful exchange of opinions with this noise going on.

My bet: a WJ zoned geezer trying to perfectly time his property sale before departing for Florida. For WJ property value maximization it is not enough to have strong WJ HS. It also needs weak neighboring schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last 15 or so posts - all from the same poster. Woke up from his afternoon nap. It is impossible to conduct any meaningful exchange of opinions with this noise going on.

My bet: a WJ zoned geezer trying to perfectly time his property sale before departing for Florida. For WJ property value maximization it is not enough to have strong WJ HS. It also needs weak neighboring schools.

Well , a weak neighboring school will surely make WJ stand oiut more and demand will go up. March is announcement so good time to list after that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh please, the farmland and luxmanor parents came across as classist and racist. The one mom whining that her child wouldn't get his gifted needs met at a 36% FARMS school?

If this was reverse, and WJ was getting more FARMS kids, you know the elementary school parents at Ashburton, Wyngate, and KP would be doing the exact same thing as the Farmland and Luxmanor parents.

Does that make it ok?

What did you find offensive? High FARMS rate has negative impact on students if it crosses certain limit. Why do you expect parents to not talk about it. Be it FARMLAND or any community, they will talk about it if huge jump in FARMS happens in their shcool. Absolutely nothing wrong in talking about it.

This is not true. Nobody can post any academic study regarding this perceived tipping point. You should just go to private school or move.

FARMland about to get used to FARMs kids!
WOODward gonna have some wheatonWOODS!

MCPS has their own study. Somer one shared it here. I don't have link handy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is painful to read the (pretend) outrage toward Woodward families because they are requesting for WJ and Woodward - and every high school ideally! - to have similar utilization rates.

There is something very, very wrong when utilization rates differ so widely among schools. This is the opportunity to even it out and this recommendation absolutely does not do that.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the 'outrage' toward Woodward families expressed on this forum. It is not really representative of anything. 95% of all negative posts are from the same poster who has clogged all Woodward boundary related threads with anti-Farmland rants.

After last night, Farmland deserves the rants. Montoya put baby in the corner.

You mean herself in the corner.

[Anonymous]

Tbh the frustration really is with the utilization rate. After having three kids at WJ, the overcrowding has gotten really, really bad. Opening Woodward at 91% puts them right in the same boat VERY quickly. MCPS plays this little game by only looking at actually approved new developments, while ignoring all the development we all know is coming.

In my opinion, MCPS was catering to Wheaton over the utilization issue over Woodward. But that’s not what all the analysis and numbers pointed to - that’s why we hire unbiased consultants.

It will be interesting to see what they bring back to the BOE, if we get to see that.

I also listened to the tape and didn’t hear any parents saying anything bad about FARMs students. They really didn’t deserve the criticism they received and I don’t that is appropriate commentary from a board member. That type of public criticism can dissuade the public from exercising their first amendment rights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh please, the farmland and luxmanor parents came across as classist and racist. The one mom whining that her child wouldn't get his gifted needs met at a 36% FARMS school?

She might be right. Who are you to know or say?