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Anonymous wrote:The basic point that seems to be lost here is that Wootton has been a too performing school that improves the prestige of the MCPS system. Why would anyone want a school like that closed? The name at least should be preserved, which would carry the prestige forward. However there in lie the issue. One of the agendas here is to get rid of the name, even if that means erasing the prestige. Why have top, Nationally recognized schools when we can have mediocrity?

MCPS is being run by people who neither understand nor value the role prestige plays. Their leadership is shortsighted, dismissive of long term consequences, and singularly focused on equity for its own sake, without regard for excellence or outcomes. They are also undermining programs that took decades to build like the Blair magnet, a nationally recognized and highly respected program on track to be dismantled, sacrificing proven success and reputation in the name of equity.

There is nothing equitable about our schools and saying only wealth and prestige matters speaks volumes. All our kids deserve the same strong programming in high school. What are you worried about? Other kids surpassing yours?

Sure we need all schools to be strong but taking down the strong one is not the solution. Instead of making all schools strong, they’re on the way to make all schools weak.

No one is talking about taking down your so called strong school. They are offering to move it to a new location - nothing else changes. They only offered because parents like you had a tantrum over the condiditon despite it getting regular updates.

Anonymous wrote:Why do people think Option H makes sense when Gaithersburg thinks Option H means Wootton “steals their school”.

Gaithersburg made a whole music video about it: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1aJravei21/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This music video was played yesterday to the BoE.

The funniest thing is Gaithersburg believes Wootton is “stealing” Crown and Wootton families don’t even want it!

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Anonymous wrote:The basic point that seems to be lost here is that Wootton has been a too performing school that improves the prestige of the MCPS system. Why would anyone want a school like that closed? The name at least should be preserved, which would carry the prestige forward. However there in lie the issue. One of the agendas here is to get rid of the name, even if that means erasing the prestige. Why have top, Nationally recognized schools when we can have mediocrity?

MCPS is being run by people who neither understand nor value the role prestige plays. Their leadership is shortsighted, dismissive of long term consequences, and singularly focused on equity for its own sake, without regard for excellence or outcomes. They are also undermining programs that took decades to build like the Blair magnet, a nationally recognized and highly respected program on track to be dismantled, sacrificing proven success and reputation in the name of equity.

There is nothing equitable about our schools and saying only wealth and prestige matters speaks volumes. All our kids deserve the same strong programming in high school. What are you worried about? Other kids surpassing yours?

Sure we need all schools to be strong but taking down the strong one is not the solution. Instead of making all schools strong, they’re on the way to make all schools weak.

Anonymous wrote:at least everyone now seems to be acknowledging that if H passes,the Wootton name will disappear permanently. There will also be one less top school. I do feel sorry for those who bought in neighborhoods in walking distance to Wootton. For those who live there, the next concern will be what happens to the building and the property. perhaps a holding school, but will it be deemed adequately safe for that? Certainly won't last long, and then what?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The basic point that seems to be lost here is that Wootton has been a too performing school that improves the prestige of the MCPS system. Why would anyone want a school like that closed? The name at least should be preserved, which would carry the prestige forward. However there in lie the issue. One of the agendas here is to get rid of the name, even if that means erasing the prestige. Why have top, Nationally recognized schools when we can have mediocrity?

Not a single person on the BOE or County Council ever once advocated for changing the name of Wootton. Not one. And saying that it is an agenda today, is unfounded speculation.

And I think you wildly exaggerate the "prestige" of the name. Any prestige comes from the fact that it is a school, and any good school would generate the same "prestige."

Wrong on both counts. Thomas Wootton was a slave owner. Do you honestly think MCPS is going to keep the name for a new school that isn’t even going to be comprised of the same student body? Likewise, the Wootton name carries a lot of prestige and is widely recognized outside of the DC area. If your logic made any sense, then no school would have any reputation - but reality says they do. A school’s prestige is self perpetuating because parents who want a great education for their kids buy in areas with great schools. Those parents value education and will make sure their kids perform to their best. That prestige is undermined by actions like Option H.

Anonymous wrote:at least everyone now seems to be acknowledging that if H passes,the Wootton name will disappear permanently. There will also be one less top school. I do feel sorry for those who bought in neighborhoods in walking distance to Wootton. For those who live there, the next concern will be what happens to the building and the property. perhaps a holding school, but will it be deemed adequately safe for that? Certainly won't last long, and then what?

Anonymous wrote:The basic point that seems to be lost here is that Wootton has been a too performing school that improves the prestige of the MCPS system. Why would anyone want a school like that closed? The name at least should be preserved, which would carry the prestige forward. However there in lie the issue. One of the agendas here is to get rid of the name, even if that means erasing the prestige. Why have top, Nationally recognized schools when we can have mediocrity?

Anonymous wrote:
Not a single person on the BOE or County Council ever once advocated for changing the name of Wootton. Not one. And saying that it is an agenda today, is unfounded speculation.

And I think you wildly exaggerate the "prestige" of the name. Any prestige comes from the fact that it is a school, and any good school would generate the same "prestige."

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Anonymous wrote:It is not people commenting on here who will close a "W" school. It will be elected officials. And people who want to keep Wootton and the other "W" schools open probably voted for these officials. These same officials wanted to change the name of the school a couple years back. This might also be a factor. Closing the school certainly eliminates the name. Bussing was also proposed at one point. Think before you vote for these officials

There are no elected officials on the school board or county council who ever expressed wanting to change the name of Wootton. Stop making things up.

There are only two elected officials who were even in office at the time when they approved initiating a review TO SEE IF THERE WAS COMMUNITY INTEREST in changing the name of any school. There was none, so nothing happened. No elected official advocated in support of changing the name of Wootton.

Additionally, no elected official (other than one Gaithersburg city councilmember) has advocated in support of Option H. Stop making things up.

Laura Stewart has been pushing for bussing for years. She hates the W schools and would to see one of them closed because they are an affront to equity.

I'm kind of picking on her because people are saying that she's anti W schools. But I'm trying to figure out what Laura Stewart did to lead her into her current role:

https://laurastewart.org/about-laura

I know she has greatly advocated and worked for what she believes is the betterment of Montgomery County and provides time and effort in a role that many are not willing to do.

But careerwise it says she earned a degree as a paralegal from a community college, vague reference to ten years in telecommunications, then taught music for a bit until COVID 19 when she transitioned to a fulltime volunteer.

So essentially she's a bored housewife. A lot of us know these types where they put a lot of their time, effort and energy into the PTA and are appreciated.

But I think these types of people kind of have an idealistic view of things and don't really understand the reality of things or how some things work.

For example, let's say she does hate W schools, why does she hate people wanting to live in the W school areas and have their kids strive to go to the colleges that students from those areas normally go to? The parents likely has been there and done that and knows what it takes. Then when their kids succeed they actually help and benefit society. They're not just making a living and possibly using resources without really adding to it.

It's like how it's really easy for kids to spend their parent's money. Once it's their own money, they kind of know and appreciate the value of it and are not so quick to waste it. Or how a lot of us, or we knew people, who were strong activists in our younger days but then once we grew up we had to kind of learn to work in the real world and try to benefit it in other ways. If she's not sheltered, she doesn't really know much about the world that some other people live in.

I'm not necessarily looking down on her. But I'm just curious on her background to see why she would have such an anti W school stance if she does. (someone correct me if she doesn't)

And I'm a big fan of Grace Rivera-Oven, and am happy she's the president of the board, and Brenda Wolff because they both seem to be active members of the community that they advocate for. Natalie Zimmerman is a teacher and can give firsthand experience of what's it like in the classroom and school. So am not trying to beat up the members of the BOE.

But it's that type of idealism but not grounded in reality that is leading to the decline in MCPS and Montgomery County.

So far I feel Grace has been the best BOE member. She listens and she cares. But Zimmerman doesn’t seem to be very active. Maybe she’s behind the scene but I don’t really feel her presence. Laura is just so bad at speaking and lacks in many ways.

Grace lies and tells you what you want to hear and then votes differently. Laura has lots of PTA and MCCPTA experience so slamming her makes no sense when she's very qualified. Public speaking doesn't make someone qualified and she'd done far more for students than most people here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The basic point that seems to be lost here is that Wootton has been a too performing school that improves the prestige of the MCPS system. Why would anyone want a school like that closed? The name at least should be preserved, which would carry the prestige forward. However there in lie the issue. One of the agendas here is to get rid of the name, even if that means erasing the prestige. Why have top, Nationally recognized schools when we can have mediocrity?

MCPS is being run by people who neither understand nor value the role prestige plays. Their leadership is shortsighted, dismissive of long term consequences, and singularly focused on equity for its own sake, without regard for excellence or outcomes. They are also undermining programs that took decades to build like the Blair magnet, a nationally recognized and highly respected program on track to be dismantled, sacrificing proven success and reputation in the name of equity.

There is nothing equitable about our schools and saying only wealth and prestige matters speaks volumes. All our kids deserve the same strong programming in high school. What are you worried about? Other kids surpassing yours?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The basic point that seems to be lost here is that Wootton has been a too performing school that improves the prestige of the MCPS system. Why would anyone want a school like that closed? The name at least should be preserved, which would carry the prestige forward. However there in lie the issue. One of the agendas here is to get rid of the name, even if that means erasing the prestige. Why have top, Nationally recognized schools when we can have mediocrity?

MCPS is being run by people who neither understand nor value the role prestige plays. Their leadership is shortsighted, dismissive of long term consequences, and singularly focused on equity for its own sake, without regard for excellence or outcomes. They are also undermining programs that took decades to build like the Blair magnet, a nationally recognized and highly respected program on track to be dismantled, sacrificing proven success and reputation in the name of equity.

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Anonymous wrote:No they don't listen and won't listen in the future. Look at the regional program roll-out. How many threads and posts you've seen here expressing concerns or oppositions? Even if only 50% of them actually wrote emails or filled the survey (i.e., the tiny little orange button saying "having a question?"), they should have received thousands of negative feedbacks. Look at the MCCPTA and MCEA opposition on this. Look at the study team's shout on the opinion article....

Now look at their proposed operating budget and the fact that Mr. O's "promotion" to join the CO? They have decided long time ago and don't every care a penny what you think.

That's fine if they decide to do that.

But they also risk making a less desirable place to live.

That's why maybe just fifteen or twenty years ago, MCPS was head to head with Fairfax County. Fairfax is now at number five in the list of wealthiest counties in the US and Montgomery County is down at twenty now:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-income_counties_in_the_United_States

Same county size, used to be similar populations. But one is able to maintain and improve, while the other declines.

It's been stated before, the middle class of all races are determining there's more for the money and better quality in surrounding areas outside of Montgomery County. Wilde Lake Middle School in Howard County serves it's Black population better than Ridgeview, which have similar size and population, in Montgomery:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/50/1305522.page

Urbana is serving all of it's student groups better than Montgomery County does.

So no, the flight is not just one or two specific families someone might know. It's a lot and we've been seeing it over the last ten years.

Montgomery County still has some pockets that do well. But now they're talking about eliminating those too.

Let's see how that works with attracting and retaining residents in the next ten or fifteen years.

I live in Churchill, and I plan to move to NoVA after my elder one done with MCPS. I've seen enough and disappointed enough. Several of my elder DCs' friends went to NoVA in the past few years and they seemed happy.

I don't think I really participated in the Fairfax vs Montgomery County debates in the past. But people used to post how people who grew up in Montgomery County usually don't go over to Virginia. But in fact we know whole a whole group of friends who graduated from Churchill and moved together into the same neighborhood in Fairfax. Some of these members were investors who seeked to revitalize the Wheaton area, to model the revitalization of Arlington and Alexandria went through several years prior, but met too much opposition from the residents there. So decided that Virginia/Fairfax was the better area. In hindsight, maybe they weren't wrong.

And it's exactly those types of residents who insist on bringing down Montgomery County and MCPS.

They aren’t bringing the county and MCPS down. They were not happy and moved. Nothing wrong with that. The commute to VA is easily 60-120 minutes plus lots of tolls each way.

I'm not saying the people that moved are the people that brought down the county.

I'm saying it's these people who keep shouting and controlling the politics and narrative. They don't make it a very friendly or positive place for people to succeed or even worthwhile to invest in.

It's okay though. They can keep getting their revenue by keeping on building new homes and raising taxes.

Maryland needs to step in and break up MCPS and or Montgomery County. MCPS is one of the largest districts in the country it is too big for its size and is unable to provide a consistent educational experience across the schools it's charged with. EG Why is it such a big deal to move/relocate schools? Well because just a neighborhood over, the schools are not very good. This is not what you see in other counties in Maryland or school districts in other states.

You have not been in other school districts.

Not saying MCPS doesn't have issues, but other districts also have similar issues.

This is purely about income disparity, which is an issue everywhere.

Bottom line is MCPS isn't going to do anything about it and is way out of its league in terms of organization and tools it has to bring to bear. For example, the BOE is run by part time politicians.

again, you have not been part of any other school district.

Why's that relevant you were stupid for mentioning it the first time. Talbot county doesn't have these problems the whole county probably goes to the same school. Their BOE are responsive. They don't have to argue with idiots from other districts.

Largest Maryland School Districts (by enrollment)
District Approx. Student Enrollment Notes / Source
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) ~156,500–160,000 Maryland’s largest district with ~156,541 students (2025‑26) and ~159,671 earlier counts.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) ~131,000–133,000 Second largest in the state.
Baltimore County Public Schools ~107,000 Based on planning estimates for 2024–25.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools ~82,000–85,000 Based on planning estimates.
Howard County Public School System ~56,000 NCES & district reporting.
Frederick County Public Schools ~47,000 NCES / state ranking data.
Harford County Public Schools ~38,000 NCES / ranking data.
Charles County Public Schools ~28,000 NCES / ranking data.
Washington County Public Schools ~22,500 NCES / ranking data.
St. Mary’s County Public Schools ~17,200 NCES / ranking data.
Calvert County Public Schools ~15,200 NCES / ranking data.
Wicomico County Public Schools ~15,000 NCES / ranking data.
Cecil County Public Schools ~15,000 NCES / ranking data.
Allegany County Public Schools ~8,200 NCES / ranking data.
Queen Anne’s County Public Schools ~7,500 NCES / ranking data.
Talbot County Public Schools ~4,500 NCES / ranking data.

you stated: " Well because just a neighborhood over, the schools are not very good. This is not what you see in other counties in Maryland or school districts in other states."

it's relevant because those other PS don't have the wealth disparities that Moco has.

If you look at any large PS that has the type of wealth disparity that MoCo has, you'd see that they have similar issues. This is how I can tell you have never been in another district like MoCo. I have, in a larger district than MoCo.

There are no other districts like MoCo. It's the size of a city but it's a county suburb. School districts like this don't exist elsewhere.

Size isn't the issue. Wealth disparity is. If every nearby HS was rated the same, had similar demographics, it wouldn't be an issue. People would just move clusters. But, because of the wealth disparity, some parents don't want their kids to be moved to a different cluster. I don't blame them, but the issue is wealth disparity, not size.