Taylor's Feb Rec for Crown Boundary Study

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is BOE not exploring the use of Wootton as the holding facility while the current walkers remain there? Essentially moving Magruder there and integrating with Lakewood and Fallsmead, the current walkers who do not want to bus. The North Potomac feeders could go to Crown with Fields Road and Rosemont and whatever other schools need relief. Almost everyone, except Magruder, wins here. Very curious why this has yet to be explored or suggested.

It would split Wootton cluster even more. Why would they do that? Just to placate Parkway parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is BOE not exploring the use of Wootton as the holding facility while the current walkers remain there? Essentially moving Magruder there and integrating with Lakewood and Fallsmead, the current walkers who do not want to bus. The North Potomac feeders could go to Crown with Fields Road and Rosemont and whatever other schools need relief. Almost everyone, except Magruder, wins here. Very curious why this has yet to be explored or suggested.

It would split Wootton cluster even more. Why would they do that? Just to placate Parkway parents?

Yep, because the boundary decision revolves around the parkway walkers and no one else. This wouldn’t fly though because then those parents would be so concerned about their kids mixing with kids from (gasp) other parts of the county, and even farms kids. We know how those parkway parents feel about them. receipts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what should happen? Magruder goes over to the Wootton building as a holding school and the Wootton walkers can ALSO go there, in their own little hybrid school (reverse option G if you will) and they can see how much they like that set up.

Then just stay at QO and Gaithersburg. This whole crazy situation is happening because Crown wants to leave Gaithersburg, even though it’s an almost brand-new facility and only 10 minutes away

where are you getting this information from? all of the historical documents are online, you should read them. MCPS did not initiate an ENTIRE boundary study because of a tiny island assignment of Rosemont that has been going to GHS forever.

The boundary study was initiated for alleviating overcrowding but now it ends up to be not operating 27th high school. Wootton is being closed because crown wants a walkable school and be split from gathersburg. But Wootton kids being walkable never matters to MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is BOE not exploring the use of Wootton as the holding facility while the current walkers remain there? Essentially moving Magruder there and integrating with Lakewood and Fallsmead, the current walkers who do not want to bus. The North Potomac feeders could go to Crown with Fields Road and Rosemont and whatever other schools need relief. Almost everyone, except Magruder, wins here. Very curious why this has yet to be explored or suggested.

It would split Wootton cluster even more. Why would they do that? Just to placate Parkway parents?

Yep, because the boundary decision revolves around the parkway walkers and no one else. This wouldn’t fly though because then those parents would be so concerned about their kids mixing with kids from (gasp) other parts of the county, and even farms kids. We know how those parkway parents feel about them. receipts.

Genuinely, I think that these are the options they should present to Wootton families--either go to crown with 5 of your current feeders and 2 new schools or split and allow those closest to the current building to remain on the parkway with Magruder as their school is renovated at some point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what should happen? Magruder goes over to the Wootton building as a holding school and the Wootton walkers can ALSO go there, in their own little hybrid school (reverse option G if you will) and they can see how much they like that set up.

Then just stay at QO and Gaithersburg. This whole crazy situation is happening because Crown wants to leave Gaithersburg, even though it’s an almost brand-new facility and only 10 minutes away

where are you getting this information from? all of the historical documents are online, you should read them. MCPS did not initiate an ENTIRE boundary study because of a tiny island assignment of Rosemont that has been going to GHS forever.

The boundary study was initiated for alleviating overcrowding but now it ends up to be not operating 27th high school. Wootton is being closed because crown wants a walkable school and be split from gathersburg. But Wootton kids being walkable never matters to MCPS.

Wootton at Crown would have walkers from Fallsmead. Just a different set of walkers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That testimony makes a great point. Why rush to close Wootton and move its kids to Crown? Is it to avoid the embarrassment of using it as a holding school for Magritte kids? Don’t want those kids using the shiny new building? Seems like the Magruder families want Crown and the Wootton families don’t. If it’s a question of money, wouldn’t it make sense to do this - unless MCPS has no intention of renovating Magruder in the next 5-10 years. And if it does, then there is money to remediate Wootton where it is AND move Magruder kids to Crown for a few years. Everybody wins.

No, everyone does not win.

If you are from the Magruder community, I empathize with your frustration, and I am fine with you advocating for your own community and fighting to get what you want. But please, for the love of G-d, let's have these Rockville folks (the city council, Wootton et. al) STOP acting like they are being gracious by saying that, "In addition to Wootton and Magruder students being held at Crown, we'll allow local kids (FRES and Rosemont Island 8) to attend the holding school too XD XD XD". I hope you all realize how ridiculous that statement is. So my children from the Fields Road cluster should start off for two years as a teeny tiny minority at "Magruder @ Crown", then two years later as the same teeny tiny minority at "Wootton @ Crown" and have no home school of their own? It's a completely ridiculous suggestion. You need to level and accept that when you fly signs stating "CROWN = HOLDING SCHOOL" you are NOT being equitable; you are advoacting AGAINST the interests of the local population for whom Crown was designed and by whom impact taxes were paid. Again, if that is what you want to do for your community. By all means, go ahead. But don't act as though this does not affect others. I believe most of us from FRES and Crown would prefer to stay at QO and/or GHS than to become a tiny minority for years on end in an indefinite holding school.

In addition to these super valid concerns, there are also real costs associated with this plan. Assuming the cost of Magruder is the same in all options, the superintendent’s recommendation carries a cost of $600 million to get to the point of having an operational holding school and both high schools up and running in safe spaces ($200 million for Crown and $100 million to get Wootton in shape as a holding school). This alternate plan would require between $400-500 million ($200 million for the Crown and $100-200 million for Wootton), a different of $100-200 million depending on the Wootton costs (and anyone who has tracked school renovations knows they rarely come in at the lower estimate). There are dozens of schools across the county that are in desperate need of repair that would have access to considerably fewer resources if the county goes with the Crown holding school approach. Which is another clear reason why the district cannot just reduce this argument to Wootton vs. Magruder, and it can’t be seen as a win-win.

Check your math or your description of the factors -- $200+$100 <= $200+between $100 & $200. I do not quibble with the thoughts that followed.

That post must have been made by central office because it made absolutely zero sense

Not CO. Not MCPS, even.

The prior poster was claiming $600M under a scenario of $200M for Crown completion and $100M for remediating Wootton condition to base needs. Last I looked, $200M + $100M = $300M, not $600M, which is less than or equal to the $300M to $400M (not $400M to $500M) that would be the combination of completing Crown and bringing Wootton up to somewhere between that base standard and something more.

Maybe that poster meant something different (e.g., in referring to Magruder costs being held the same, though that still doesn't compute accordingly), but I suggested clarifying ("or your description of factors") to account for that. Again, I don't argue with the rest of the post, just the math, as presented.

Yup. You’re right - I think the intent based on the numbers available is “$300 million to get to the point of having an operational holding school and both high schools up and running in safe spaces ($200 million for Crown and $100 million to get Wootton in shape as a holding school) under the current plan. This alternate plan would require between $400-500 million ($200 million for the Crown and $200-300 million for Wootton), a difference of $100-200 million depending on the Wootton costs”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is BOE not exploring the use of Wootton as the holding facility while the current walkers remain there? Essentially moving Magruder there and integrating with Lakewood and Fallsmead, the current walkers who do not want to bus. The North Potomac feeders could go to Crown with Fields Road and Rosemont and whatever other schools need relief. Almost everyone, except Magruder, wins here. Very curious why this has yet to be explored or suggested.

It would split Wootton cluster even more. Why would they do that? Just to placate Parkway parents?

Yep, because the boundary decision revolves around the parkway walkers and no one else. This wouldn’t fly though because then those parents would be so concerned about their kids mixing with kids from (gasp) other parts of the county, and even farms kids. We know how those parkway parents feel about them. receipts.

Genuinely, I think that these are the options they should present to Wootton families--either go to crown with 5 of your current feeders and 2 new schools or split and allow those closest to the current building to remain on the parkway with Magruder as their school is renovated at some point.

Do it. I prefer this option than going to school with Dufief

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what should happen? Magruder goes over to the Wootton building as a holding school and the Wootton walkers can ALSO go there, in their own little hybrid school (reverse option G if you will) and they can see how much they like that set up.

Then just stay at QO and Gaithersburg. This whole crazy situation is happening because Crown wants to leave Gaithersburg, even though it’s an almost brand-new facility and only 10 minutes away

where are you getting this information from? all of the historical documents are online, you should read them. MCPS did not initiate an ENTIRE boundary study because of a tiny island assignment of Rosemont that has been going to GHS forever.

The boundary study was initiated for alleviating overcrowding but now it ends up to be not operating 27th high school. Wootton is being closed because crown wants a walkable school and be split from gathersburg. But Wootton kids being walkable never matters to MCPS.

Wootton is being transfered to Crown as parents complained about the conditions at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what should happen? Magruder goes over to the Wootton building as a holding school and the Wootton walkers can ALSO go there, in their own little hybrid school (reverse option G if you will) and they can see how much they like that set up.

Then just stay at QO and Gaithersburg. This whole crazy situation is happening because Crown wants to leave Gaithersburg, even though it’s an almost brand-new facility and only 10 minutes away

where are you getting this information from? all of the historical documents are online, you should read them. MCPS did not initiate an ENTIRE boundary study because of a tiny island assignment of Rosemont that has been going to GHS forever.

The boundary study was initiated for alleviating overcrowding but now it ends up to be not operating 27th high school. Wootton is being closed because crown wants a walkable school and be split from gathersburg. But Wootton kids being walkable never matters to MCPS.

Wootton is being transfered to Crown as parents complained about the conditions at the school.[/quote

No Wootton is being closed. Its cluster broken up and the rest forcibly sent to Crown because Dufief parents created a false narrative about the school being unsafe when in reality Dufief just didn’t want to go to Crown alone because they fear slumming it with Gaithersburg riffraff, despite living in Gaithersburg themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what should happen? Magruder goes over to the Wootton building as a holding school and the Wootton walkers can ALSO go there, in their own little hybrid school (reverse option G if you will) and they can see how much they like that set up.

Then just stay at QO and Gaithersburg. This whole crazy situation is happening because Crown wants to leave Gaithersburg, even though it’s an almost brand-new facility and only 10 minutes away

where are you getting this information from? all of the historical documents are online, you should read them. MCPS did not initiate an ENTIRE boundary study because of a tiny island assignment of Rosemont that has been going to GHS forever.

The boundary study was initiated for alleviating overcrowding but now it ends up to be not operating 27th high school. Wootton is being closed because crown wants a walkable school and be split from gathersburg. But Wootton kids being walkable never matters to MCPS.

Wootton is being transfered to Crown as parents complained about the conditions at the school.[/quote

No Wootton is being closed. Its cluster broken up and the rest forcibly sent to Crown because Dufief parents created a false narrative about the school being unsafe when in reality Dufief just didn’t want to go to Crown alone because they fear slumming it with Gaithersburg riffraff, despite living in Gaithersburg themselves.

Its unsafe, so why would you want your kids at an unsafe school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what should happen? Magruder goes over to the Wootton building as a holding school and the Wootton walkers can ALSO go there, in their own little hybrid school (reverse option G if you will) and they can see how much they like that set up.

Then just stay at QO and Gaithersburg. This whole crazy situation is happening because Crown wants to leave Gaithersburg, even though it’s an almost brand-new facility and only 10 minutes away

where are you getting this information from? all of the historical documents are online, you should read them. MCPS did not initiate an ENTIRE boundary study because of a tiny island assignment of Rosemont that has been going to GHS forever.

The boundary study was initiated for alleviating overcrowding but now it ends up to be not operating 27th high school. Wootton is being closed because crown wants a walkable school and be split from gathersburg. But Wootton kids being walkable never matters to MCPS.

Wootton is being transfered to Crown as parents complained about the conditions at the school.[/quote

No Wootton is being closed. Its cluster broken up and the rest forcibly sent to Crown because Dufief parents created a false narrative about the school being unsafe when in reality Dufief just didn’t want to go to Crown alone because they fear slumming it with Gaithersburg riffraff, despite living in Gaithersburg themselves.

Its unsafe, so why would you want your kids at an unsafe school?

It’s not unsafe that’s a false narrative.
The only people who say Wootton is unsafe are dufief people who don’t want to go to crown by themselves

Dufief only wants crown if the rest of Wootton goes with them so they will cry about the building being “unsafe”

[Anonymous]

Ultimately you can’t force people to attend a school they don’t want to attend. If H passes, there will be a lawsuit and a mass exodus from the Wootton cluster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ultimately you can’t force people to attend a school they don’t want to attend. If H passes, there will be a lawsuit and a mass exodus from the Wootton cluster.

So weird people wouldnt want to attend a brand new school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ultimately you can’t force people to attend a school they don’t want to attend. If H passes, there will be a lawsuit and a mass exodus from the Wootton cluster.

So weird people wouldnt want to attend a brand new school...

We don’t want to attend a school with traitors

[Anonymous]

Things are shifting quickly since Magruder joined the boundary study this week. I completely sympathize with Magruder’s urgent need for a renovation. But can anyone help me understand what will happen if the BOE decides to place Magruder at the Crown building as Wootton is considered in "too poor condition" to even use as a holding school?

At the CIP meeting after Magruder moves to Crown, as Damascus is already on the CIP, Magruder would be at the new Crown building, and Wootton is officially considered in "poor condition"; who will win the limited funding for renovation? It is highly likely the Wootton community will advocate strongly for this funding.

So, if this scenario plays out, Magruder may be cut from the line again, as they are no longer in a building in poor condition, but a new one. Magruder kids and families may have to accept extended daily commutes for years. Additionally, if enrollment stays flat after 5 years or so, and the county eventually has to close one high school, which one goes? The newly renovated Damascus/Wootton? The long-unmaintained Magruder? Or turning Crown into a permanent holding facility? It is hard to say, but Magruder and Crown seem the most vulnerable.

What does this leave for the Crown community? Crown donated the land to MCPS for a neighborhood school, and homeowners may have directly or indirectly paid school impact taxes for this future school when purchasing their houses (I could be wrong here)? In the end, they might be left with a transitional school facility, regardless of whether Crown kids are allowed to attend Crown or not by other holding communities.

Am I being too pessimistic about the future of the Magruder and Crown communities, or does anyone else see it this way?