Taylor Meeting at Wootton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be real about what's happening here. The Crown and Rio business owners and nearby homeowners stand to benefit enormously from this move. The foot traffic from high schoolers at lunch and after school is a goldmine. That alone should make people ask harder questions about who this decision truly serves.

The SI's motivation isn't hard to read either. Moving Wootton with its strong academic reputation, high graduation rates, and demographics to Crown is a guaranteed win. The school runs itself. He gets to plant a flag, declare victory, and polish his resume before moving on to the next county. The collateral damage? Watch what happens after the next boundary study for ES, MS, HS when it's conducted properly. Feeder school boundary reshuffling, Fallsgrove families suddenly routing to Crown, Fallsmead heading to RM. Fallsgrove owners are pumped for their potential home values. Fallsmead? Yikes... But this won't be his problem. He'll be long gone.

If the SI and MCPS had simply followed proper protocol, most people probably could have lived with the outcome, even if they didn't love it. That's how trust works. But when the overwhelming majority of a community is this angry, something went wrong in the process. The gaps are real, and they've been documented through YouTube clips, media coverage, and public meetings that have exposed exactly where the wheels came off.

To those calling out the behavior at the meeting or worrying about what the kids will think? Yes, some kids probably think their parents are crazy. But the majority? They're watching adults fight for something they believe in. That's not a bad lesson. And frankly, those of you sitting on the sidelines trying to simplify a situation you're not directly affected by or maybe stand to benefit from should think twice before casting judgment. Dismissing passionate people as embarrassing, when you have no skin in the game, is its own kind of disrespect.

For those who think Magruder would actually benefit more and want Crown more... you're probably right. They have a clearer need and a more compelling case. But there's simply more political and financial upside for everyone involved with the Wootton brand. Someone has to lose in this shuffle, and it's whoever has the least leverage.

On the commute debate, the 20-minute estimate works fine if you're already near Crown. But school buses don't run point-to-point. They run routes with multiple stops, and when you add the full Wootton population to that routing, anyone claiming the math stays the same isn't being honest. Any traffic engineer/planner would tell you the same.

And here's the most underrated point in this entire conversation... why aren't we using data to drive this decision? We're in an era where AI tools can model demographic shifts, commute impact, enrollment projections, and boundary ripple effects. Feed all the relevant data in and see what comes back. Kids are literally taught in school to support their arguments with data and evidence. We should hold these lovely board members and executives making these decisions to the same standard. Instead, we're letting them use their half-witted brains and ulterior motives to drive their decisions.

This might be the dumbest take I’ve read so far. You really thought you did something there.

That last paragraph especially takes the cake. Complaining about not using data because you don’t like what the data said but then wants to use AI to solve this problem. Tell us, what did your favorite AI come up with AND you have to include the whole Crown study, not just Wootton walkers? We’ll wait

Using faulty data by the SI? Sketchy. I’ll tell you what. Give me access to ALL of the CORRECT data and I promise you it will provide a strong decision that is data driven. Keep eating your cake while you forget about all the articles (including the Wash Post) talking about the jobs that are most at risk. Your response alone shows how ignorant you are to what was posted relevant to the use of AI - data. Not walkers. But keep eating your cake for breakfast…

[Anonymous]

One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

That's so disgusting. Blaming Wootton for school shooting when MCPS made all stupid decisions and do nothing to really help students or teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

This is an INSANE take. He was taking accountability and saying that MCPS doesn’t always do a good enough job forming strong adult-student relationships with all kids. I get that you might not have been able to clearly hear it though, as so many of the Wootton Walkers started heckling him to stop talking and get to the boundary study already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

This is an INSANE take. He was taking accountability and saying that MCPS doesn’t always do a good enough job forming strong adult-student relationships with all kids. I get that you might not have been able to clearly hear it though, as so many of the Wootton Walkers started heckling him to stop talking and get to the boundary study already.

No, he said the portfolio of strategies that could work in the future to avert problems include the adult-student relationships, so what MCPS can do moving forward. The earlier quote about Wootton being racist is MCPS's view on what caused the shooting. But we'll know for sure once that report is shared with the public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

This is an INSANE take. He was taking accountability and saying that MCPS doesn’t always do a good enough job forming strong adult-student relationships with all kids. I get that you might not have been able to clearly hear it though, as so many of the Wootton Walkers started heckling him to stop talking and get to the boundary study already.

Yeah…it’s obviously not Wootton parent’s fault that the shooting happened but it 100% is their fault they’re not being given more opportunities to meaningfully engage. They’ve demonstrated time and time again that they’re not open to listening or trying to understand the data that they’re being shown - which would be a needed for any kind of two-way conversation. They only want opportunities to hear from people that will give them whatever they want and to scream at those who won’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be real about what's happening here. The Crown and Rio business owners and nearby homeowners stand to benefit enormously from this move. The foot traffic from high schoolers at lunch and after school is a goldmine. That alone should make people ask harder questions about who this decision truly serves.

The SI's motivation isn't hard to read either. Moving Wootton with its strong academic reputation, high graduation rates, and demographics to Crown is a guaranteed win. The school runs itself. He gets to plant a flag, declare victory, and polish his resume before moving on to the next county. The collateral damage? Watch what happens after the next boundary study for ES, MS, HS when it's conducted properly. Feeder school boundary reshuffling, Fallsgrove families suddenly routing to Crown, Fallsmead heading to RM. Fallsgrove owners are pumped for their potential home values. Fallsmead? Yikes... But this won't be his problem. He'll be long gone.

If the SI and MCPS had simply followed proper protocol, most people probably could have lived with the outcome, even if they didn't love it. That's how trust works. But when the overwhelming majority of a community is this angry, something went wrong in the process. The gaps are real, and they've been documented through YouTube clips, media coverage, and public meetings that have exposed exactly where the wheels came off.

To those calling out the behavior at the meeting or worrying about what the kids will think? Yes, some kids probably think their parents are crazy. But the majority? They're watching adults fight for something they believe in. That's not a bad lesson. And frankly, those of you sitting on the sidelines trying to simplify a situation you're not directly affected by or maybe stand to benefit from should think twice before casting judgment. Dismissing passionate people as embarrassing, when you have no skin in the game, is its own kind of disrespect.

For those who think Magruder would actually benefit more and want Crown more... you're probably right. They have a clearer need and a more compelling case. But there's simply more political and financial upside for everyone involved with the Wootton brand. Someone has to lose in this shuffle, and it's whoever has the least leverage.

On the commute debate, the 20-minute estimate works fine if you're already near Crown. But school buses don't run point-to-point. They run routes with multiple stops, and when you add the full Wootton population to that routing, anyone claiming the math stays the same isn't being honest. Any traffic engineer/planner would tell you the same.

And here's the most underrated point in this entire conversation... why aren't we using data to drive this decision? We're in an era where AI tools can model demographic shifts, commute impact, enrollment projections, and boundary ripple effects. Feed all the relevant data in and see what comes back. Kids are literally taught in school to support their arguments with data and evidence. We should hold these lovely board members and executives making these decisions to the same standard. Instead, we're letting them use their half-witted brains and ulterior motives to drive their decisions.

Wow. Sounds like an amazing SI! We had more logical and methodical people back in the day. People made decisions by engaging with the community and colleagues alike before making decisions. I remember how things went down with Woodward as well and it was a shame. Seems like this decision is a bit hasty. Thank goodness my kids are grown and out of here. This is a mess. I never would imagine Wootton would ever leave the building. I feel sorry for all communities involved to see how divided this has made everyone from the looks of it. There will be ripple effects that none of us know for years. Good luck to all. Maybe they will tear Wootton down and build a community center out of it or simply build affordable housing for the community.

LOL the word “affordable housing” is going to trigger an aneurysm in most people who live on the Parkway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

This is an INSANE take. He was taking accountability and saying that MCPS doesn’t always do a good enough job forming strong adult-student relationships with all kids. I get that you might not have been able to clearly hear it though, as so many of the Wootton Walkers started heckling him to stop talking and get to the boundary study already.

Yeah…it’s obviously not Wootton parent’s fault that the shooting happened but it 100% is their fault they’re not being given more opportunities to meaningfully engage. They’ve demonstrated time and time again that they’re not open to listening or trying to understand the data that they’re being shown - which would be a needed for any kind of two-way conversation. They only want opportunities to hear from people that will give them whatever they want and to scream at those who won’t.

You have described Taylor perfectly. The things he has hidden from the BOE and parents are extensive. The natural reaction of people is to speak out when they are confronted with a tyrant. You know, the same way people are speaking out about Trump. Taylor and Trump have a lot in common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

This is an INSANE take. He was taking accountability and saying that MCPS doesn’t always do a good enough job forming strong adult-student relationships with all kids. I get that you might not have been able to clearly hear it though, as so many of the Wootton Walkers started heckling him to stop talking and get to the boundary study already.

Yeah…it’s obviously not Wootton parent’s fault that the shooting happened but it 100% is their fault they’re not being given more opportunities to meaningfully engage. They’ve demonstrated time and time again that they’re not open to listening or trying to understand the data that they’re being shown - which would be a needed for any kind of two-way conversation. They only want opportunities to hear from people that will give them whatever they want and to scream at those who won’t.

You have described Taylor perfectly. The things he has hidden from the BOE and parents are extensive. The natural reaction of people is to speak out when they are confronted with a tyrant. You know, the same way people are speaking out about Trump. Taylor and Trump have a lot in common.

Except Anti-H group has aligned with all MAGA mouthpieces and the losing Republicans all latching dearly for a shot at their votes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

This is an INSANE take. He was taking accountability and saying that MCPS doesn’t always do a good enough job forming strong adult-student relationships with all kids. I get that you might not have been able to clearly hear it though, as so many of the Wootton Walkers started heckling him to stop talking and get to the boundary study already.

No, he said the portfolio of strategies that could work in the future to avert problems include the adult-student relationships, so what MCPS can do moving forward. The earlier quote about Wootton being racist is MCPS's view on what caused the shooting. But we'll know for sure once that report is shared with the public.

Please provide the quote. You saying he effectively said Wootton is racist is an interpretation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"So move students there who are geographically close not the ones who will need to spend 40 minutes on a bus each way. It’s nonsensical to move Cold Springs to Churchill and make Churchill at 112% capacity and move the rest of Wootton to Crown. Does not help with overcrowding at RM or Churchill, in fact it makes it worse. The purpose of the boundary study was to prioritize geography not make it worse .Why should I pay for their idiotic mistake and lack of foresight?"

It's about 3.6-4 miles from Wootton to Crown. 10-15 minute drive. With bus, 25-30 minutes max, just like many other Wootton kids currently take to get to Wootton. I can't believe we're debating whether taking a bus is some hardship. It's the way kids get to school. Only a tiny group ever have the privilege to walk. It used to be you. Now it's someone else's turn. Life moves on. Your kids won't have health issues from riding a school bus for 25 minutes. I promise.

What tiny group? Wootton has 29% walkers. We are not some tiny group, it’s 541 students. Our students don’t have to cross any major streets to get to school. FRES students will need to cross Sam Eig to get to Crown. That’s a student fatality in the making.

Wait, but its ok DCC kids cross Georgia, Conn, Randolph, Viers Mill, Colesville Road, etc.? I'd be thrilled for a bus, as we have to drive as the walk isn't safe.

Which one of these has a speed limit of 50 and entrances to 270 and 200 right by the school?

You think those roads are safe to cross? Several people have been killed on them in the past few years.

Hope the SI is going to hire more crossing guards like the one we have near current Wootton! Otherwise, enjoy watching the game of Frogger each morning. Will only be a matter of time before someone is hit by a car, a new driver getting in a wreck with beltway traffic.

Wootton has a crossing guard? Wow, just keep talking. Its amazing the inequities between the schools. We don't have crossing guards. And, we've had multiple people killed in our area.

Yes they do, as the walkers are both middle schoolers and high schoolers since Frost and Wootton are right next to each other. Not a bad idea. Sorry for the people getting killed in your area. The county should do the same for you if you had the same setup of MS and ES.

They get out at different times so that doesn't make sense. Please, keep sharing with us all the things Wootton has that our schools don't have, and yet, you want us to pay $300 million to renovate your school, while to pay for that cuts need to be made in other areas so what cuts would you like from our schools when there is pretty much nothing to cut?

MS and HS walkers intersect their times. Some kids have to walk a long way to get to Frost. Something you would only know if you lived here vs your simple response of school start times...

Where to make cuts to pay for renovations? That's the job we entrust smart people to figure out. No different than you having to replace something in your house or when planning a trip - you plan in advance. Hard to imagine that we didn't plan for the last 20+ years and just let the school fall apart. It's not my problem that someone made a decision to build a big school in Crown with inadequate plans to populate it. They gambled is the answer and now have to save face. Funding renovations in ANY school in the county comes from somewhere. Elrich apparently wants to pump all of our taxes to pay for other things. Have you questioned that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are "parkway people"?

The Wootton people who can walk to the building, who value the ability to walk to school above all else. Including their children’s health.

They are the members of the wootton community who are adamantly against the superintendents recommendation. Many others in the community are for the move to crown.

Maybe we don’t want our children to spend 40 minutes each way on the bus daily because it will negatively impact their health. We are going to be the farthest community from Crown. Our kids will be getting on those buses before 7 am. We bought our tiny townhouse to be able to walk to all 3 schools.

are u f*n kidding me. Did you know that thousands of kids ride the bus to school for more than 40min. Do you think their health has suffered. FFS. And what's this about 40min "each way". Where are you getting that.

[Anonymous]

I just looked it up on google maps. 12 min drive from Wootton to Crown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing from the meeting - the upcoming "after action review" from the shooting that is about to be distributed. Taylor started talking about the need for behavior change. As I was listening to his word fluff salad, I realized that he is blaming Wootton, effectively calling Wootton racist. So it's Wootton's fault that a shooting happened.

Just awful to hear that. I'm so sorry to all of you. My kids are grown up, but I attended last night and have been watching the news and posts. I see both perspectives of things for the communities of all Wootton families, but feel that there is a lack of sincerity or empathy from the Superintendent which seems to have driven a wedge with everyone. Transparency and accuracy are things that are very important in every aspect of life. Without those two, you lose trust in people and ultimately the system. Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets. Hearing how the kids and staff had to go back to school after a long night and horrific experience shows a lack of empathy for the community impacted. I hope nobody has to go through that ever again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just looked it up on google maps. 12 min drive from Wootton to Crown.

It doesn't matter. What matters is that the communities around the current site of Wootton HS bought their homes under the assumption their kids (or other people's kids who bought their home) could walk to school, and they feel entitled to have that continue to be the case in perpetuity, taxpayers be damned