Round 1 options for Somerset/Westbrook boundary changes

[Anonymous]

Here is a link for those interested in taking a look.

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/boundarystudypdfs/SomersetWestbrook_OptionsPresentation.pdf


I didn’t analyze all the demographic data, but the number differences between the options are so small that I’m not sure the differences are significant. I was most interested in the first column, the % utilization after the change. I wish there was a 4th option that combines option #2 and option #3. That would bring the % utilization between the two buildings more on par. Full disclosure, I live in the Somerset walk zone and have three preschool age kids, so my biggest concerns are overcrowding and class size going forward. Somerset can’t get any bigger and there is still building and generational flipping going on that is increasing the school age population, so I hope they prioritize creating space at Somerset for future growth. This change is the only time that it can be done since the site cannot take an addition in the future like Westbrook can.

[Anonymous]

I think they're leaving extra room at Westbrook so they can rezone the new development at Westbard there.

[Anonymous]

I suspect that you are not seeing something like a combined Option 2/3 because MCPS has moving the Westbard development from Wood Acres to Westbrook in its back pocket. Wood Acres has some additional capacity, but nothing like Westbrook. Separately, those on either side of the XYZ boundary study debate should find these options, and the county's final decision, instructive.

[Anonymous]

Given that the projections have historically been underestimates, Option 3 is a farce. Somerset will be overcapacity again within no time. The amount of new families I know who have moved to Somerset/Drummond/West CC is quite high...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect that you are not seeing something like a combined Option 2/3 because MCPS has moving the Westbard development from Wood Acres to Westbrook in its back pocket. Wood Acres has some additional capacity, but nothing like Westbrook. Separately, those on either side of the XYZ boundary study debate should find these options, and the county's final decision, instructive.

Sorry - WXY boundary analysis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect that you are not seeing something like a combined Option 2/3 because MCPS has moving the Westbard development from Wood Acres to Westbrook in its back pocket. Wood Acres has some additional capacity, but nothing like Westbrook. Separately, those on either side of the XYZ boundary study debate should find these options, and the county's final decision, instructive.

I'm not sure how much we'll be able to learn from this study, where all of the options have low FARMS rates and generally similar demographics. This is pretty uncontroversial, compared to what will be coming up with Woodward and Crown.

[Anonymous]

I think option 1 is not a good idea. Chevy Chase Village is a fairly compact neighborhood that is already split between two schools, Chevy Chase Elementary and Somerset. This would spit the neighborhood between three different schools. I don’t live there, but I can imagine that the people who live there would not want so much subdividing between immediate neighbors.

[Anonymous]

If only MCPS could look at this more broadly and move boundaries so that the neighborhoods around Westland went to Westbrook and Westland, and Westland wouldn't be this little island in the middle of an area zoned for Pyle.

(Back to reality: Given the electrified fence that is the Wood Acres boundary, Option 2 makes the most sense in keeping the Westland boundary somewhat cohesive, taking into account that Westbard will go to Westbrook. What none of these maps show is that Option 3 would move a neighborhood to Westbrook when it is closer to Somerset ES AND Chevy Chase ES.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If only MCPS could look at this more broadly and move boundaries so that the neighborhoods around Westland went to Westbrook and Westland, and Westland wouldn't be this little island in the middle of an area zoned for Pyle.

(Back to reality: Given the electrified fence that is the Wood Acres boundary, Option 2 makes the most sense in keeping the Westland boundary somewhat cohesive, taking into account that Westbard will go to Westbrook. What none of these maps show is that Option 3 would move a neighborhood to Westbrook when it is closer to Somerset ES AND Chevy Chase ES.)

Actually, that neighborhood (called S5 here) is not that close to Somerset or CCES. Unfortunately, its walking distance to Bethesda Elementary, which is so oversubscribed that it can’t be moved there. Those kids are already on a bus and the bus to Westbrook might be quicker that to Somerset because you can cut through Kenwood and avoid the busy roads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If only MCPS could look at this more broadly and move boundaries so that the neighborhoods around Westland went to Westbrook and Westland, and Westland wouldn't be this little island in the middle of an area zoned for Pyle.

(Back to reality: Given the electrified fence that is the Wood Acres boundary, Option 2 makes the most sense in keeping the Westland boundary somewhat cohesive, taking into account that Westbard will go to Westbrook. What none of these maps show is that Option 3 would move a neighborhood to Westbrook when it is closer to Somerset ES AND Chevy Chase ES.)

Actually, that neighborhood (called S5 here) is not that close to Somerset or CCES. Unfortunately, its walking distance to Bethesda Elementary, which is so oversubscribed that it can’t be moved there. Those kids are already on a bus and the bus to Westbrook might be quicker that to Somerset because you can cut through Kenwood and avoid the busy roads.

Fair point. It's closer to 3 other ESs v. Westbrook. Getting to Westbrook, however, is not a straight shot through Green Acres. The buses have to take as somewhat indirect route.

[Anonymous]

As someone who went through the Upcounty boundary study, this is overwhelmingly uneventful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they're leaving extra room at Westbrook so they can rezone the new development at Westbard there.

I wish MCPS would just come out and say this then. Otherwise it makes no sense that one of the options leaves Somerset’s utilization at 94% and Westbrook’s at 70%. Even the option that gets them closest is still 87% and 75%. People are always speculating about Westbard, but if it’s a factor here, it should be acknowledged in the process.