Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

MCPS had a $300M+ parcel with a 20-year deadline and no comparable land available—but not the data to justify a new high school. Now, instead of rethinking that decision, they’re proposing to close a 55-year-old school to make Crown work. That’s not planning—that’s backfilling a decision that was already made.

PP here. So they are trying to make the best decision today, given poor decisions in the past?

I'm OK with that. That is not a conspiracy or wrongdoing.

I'm not making the argument that H is the objectively best option (though I do think it likely is). I'm trying to get at the view that there is conspiracy/collusion, rather than a difference of opinion...

So you’re okay with what MCPS did in the past, and you’re okay with all of MCPS’ failures in pushing Option H.

I guess you’re okay with what the guy in the White House is doing - he thinks it’s the right thing to do as well.

Fortunately, courts don’t look at things that way.

100% agreement. MCPS doubled down on this school needing to be built due to overcrowding, right up until a 180 turnaround, citing data that has ALWAYS been available.

On Thursday, Taylor told Bethesda Today that the decision about revising high school programming was a “critical inflection point for our community, for us to decide whether or not we want to espouse values and not live by them or espouse values and live by them.”

Make no mistake, the decisions to close Crown and close the merit-based magnet system are ideologically driven. If MCPS decide to override the community in a misguided pursuit of equity, it will justify the guy in the White House, radicalize some fraction of the community, drive private school admissions, lower our overall performance, and end the legacy of the county. If you support these kinds of decisions, you don't get to complain about who's running the government. You are creating the resentment that makes this happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it'll be no, but abstentions - they'll say there wasn't enough time to study or enough community feedback.

Also, going on the record that the Wootton community fighting for one school was a huge distraction - had the entire county come together (looking at you MCCPTA, where were you?) against the six region program model, there could have been changes. Instead, Taylor gets his bomb, blowing up the entire school system, and decimating the handful of excellent schools that remained of a once great school system

MCCPTA criticized the regional model last fall, and the board didn't care.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/10/31/mccpta-slow-programming-changes/

They need to say it again and so does MCEA. The boundary battle has let MCPS hide the fact that the regional model is based on assumptions and not backed by any data.

I am not thrilled with the regional model, nor do I have any confidence the implementation will go well. I feel especially terrible for the current 7th and 6th graders that will be the guinea pigs for all of this.

I am not sure what more data they can reasonably collect. It is very hard to gauge interest for programs that will be used by kids that aren't even in middle school yet. As far as evaluating current programs, that would take years and probably not offer too many actionable insights. That particular proposal really does ring like a delay tactic.

I think at this point opponents need to articulate what specifically we don't like about the regional model and what we would like to see changed. I think the Black and Brown Coalition's recommendation to focus implementation on programs in high poverty schools makes a lot of sense and it has been completely ignored.

They have collected almost no data at all, so I think there is plenty more information they could reasonably provide...

They could survey 6th and 7th grade parents/students to see if there is interest in the current proposal. They promised to do this several times but never followed through.

They could make estimates on how many kids will leave each high school based on previous data instead of assumptions. For example, MCPS is suggesting 100+ students will leave Whitman for regional programs each year. Currently, an average of 10 kids per year leave Whitman and there were another 24 on some wait list or another last year. What data do they have suggesting so many more students will leave? The only answer I have been given is "we believe they will."

MCPS said students turn down programs because of long commutes but are offering buses from high schools only which will make the commute impossible for some students. They could provide data on how much commute times will improve.

MCPS could be honest about the budget. The boundary study says new bus routes cost $125,000 each, but the regional model budget claims it is only $50,000 for a new bus route. Which is it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

MCPS had a $300M+ parcel with a 20-year deadline and no comparable land available—but not the data to justify a new high school. Now, instead of rethinking that decision, they’re proposing to close a 55-year-old school to make Crown work. That’s not planning—that’s backfilling a decision that was already made.

PP here. So they are trying to make the best decision today, given poor decisions in the past?

I'm OK with that. That is not a conspiracy or wrongdoing.

I'm not making the argument that H is the objectively best option (though I do think it likely is). I'm trying to get at the view that there is conspiracy/collusion, rather than a difference of opinion...

So you’re okay with what MCPS did in the past, and you’re okay with all of MCPS’ failures in pushing Option H.

I guess you’re okay with what the guy in the White House is doing - he thinks it’s the right thing to do as well.

Fortunately, courts don’t look at things that way.

100% agreement. MCPS doubled down on this school needing to be built due to overcrowding, right up until a 180 turnaround, citing data that has ALWAYS been available.

On Thursday, Taylor told Bethesda Today that the decision about revising high school programming was a “critical inflection point for our community, for us to decide whether or not we want to espouse values and not live by them or espouse values and live by them.”

Make no mistake, the decisions to close Crown and close the merit-based magnet system are ideologically driven. If MCPS decide to override the community in a misguided pursuit of equity, it will justify the guy in the White House, radicalize some fraction of the community, drive private school admissions, lower our overall performance, and end the legacy of the county. If you support these kinds of decisions, you don't get to complain about who's running the government. You are creating the resentment that makes this happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

MCPS had a $300M+ parcel with a 20-year deadline and no comparable land available—but not the data to justify a new high school. Now, instead of rethinking that decision, they’re proposing to close a 55-year-old school to make Crown work. That’s not planning—that’s backfilling a decision that was already made.

PP here. So they are trying to make the best decision today, given poor decisions in the past?

I'm OK with that. That is not a conspiracy or wrongdoing.

I'm not making the argument that H is the objectively best option (though I do think it likely is). I'm trying to get at the view that there is conspiracy/collusion, rather than a difference of opinion...

So you’re okay with what MCPS did in the past, and you’re okay with all of MCPS’ failures in pushing Option H.

I guess you’re okay with what the guy in the White House is doing - he thinks it’s the right thing to do as well.

Fortunately, courts don’t look at things that way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

MCPS had a $300M+ parcel with a 20-year deadline and no comparable land available—but not the data to justify a new high school. Now, instead of rethinking that decision, they’re proposing to close a 55-year-old school to make Crown work. That’s not planning—that’s backfilling a decision that was already made.

PP here. So they are trying to make the best decision today, given poor decisions in the past?

I'm OK with that. That is not a conspiracy or wrongdoing.

I'm not making the argument that H is the objectively best option (though I do think it likely is). I'm trying to get at the view that there is conspiracy/collusion, rather than a difference of opinion...

So you’re okay with what MCPS did in the past, and you’re okay with all of MCPS’ failures in pushing Option H.

I guess you’re okay with what the guy in the White House is doing - he thinks it’s the right thing to do as well.

Fortunately, courts don’t look at things that way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

MCPS had a $300M+ parcel with a 20-year deadline and no comparable land available—but not the data to justify a new high school. Now, instead of rethinking that decision, they’re proposing to close a 55-year-old school to make Crown work. That’s not planning—that’s backfilling a decision that was already made.

PP here. So they are trying to make the best decision today, given poor decisions in the past?

I'm OK with that. That is not a conspiracy or wrongdoing.

I'm not making the argument that H is the objectively best option (though I do think it likely is). I'm trying to get at the view that there is conspiracy/collusion, rather than a difference of opinion...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it'll be no, but abstentions - they'll say there wasn't enough time to study or enough community feedback.

Also, going on the record that the Wootton community fighting for one school was a huge distraction - had the entire county come together (looking at you MCCPTA, where were you?) against the six region program model, there could have been changes. Instead, Taylor gets his bomb, blowing up the entire school system, and decimating the handful of excellent schools that remained of a once great school system

MCCPTA criticized the regional model last fall, and the board didn't care.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/10/31/mccpta-slow-programming-changes/

They need to say it again and so does MCEA. The boundary battle has let MCPS hide the fact that the regional model is based on assumptions and not backed by any data.

I am not thrilled with the regional model, nor do I have any confidence the implementation will go well. I feel especially terrible for the current 7th and 6th graders that will be the guinea pigs for all of this.

I am not sure what more data they can reasonably collect. It is very hard to gauge interest for programs that will be used by kids that aren't even in middle school yet. As far as evaluating current programs, that would take years and probably not offer too many actionable insights. That particular proposal really does ring like a delay tactic.

I think at this point opponents need to articulate what specifically we don't like about the regional model and what we would like to see changed. I think the Black and Brown Coalition's recommendation to focus implementation on programs in high poverty schools makes a lot of sense and it has been completely ignored.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

MCPS had a $300M+ parcel with a 20-year deadline and no comparable land available—but not the data to justify a new high school. Now, instead of rethinking that decision, they’re proposing to close a 55-year-old school to make Crown work. That’s not planning—that’s backfilling a decision that was already made.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

MCPS had a $300M+ parcel with a 20-year deadline and no comparable land available—but not the data to justify a new high school. Now, instead of rethinking that decision, they’re proposing to close a 55-year-old school to make Crown work. That’s not planning—that’s backfilling a decision that was already made.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it'll be no, but abstentions - they'll say there wasn't enough time to study or enough community feedback.

Also, going on the record that the Wootton community fighting for one school was a huge distraction - had the entire county come together (looking at you MCCPTA, where were you?) against the six region program model, there could have been changes. Instead, Taylor gets his bomb, blowing up the entire school system, and decimating the handful of excellent schools that remained of a once great school system

MCCPTA criticized the regional model last fall, and the board didn't care.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/10/31/mccpta-slow-programming-changes/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

None of this tracks, or answers the question.

Why would all of these people collude to do something “wrong.” What is the motivation?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it'll be no, but abstentions - they'll say there wasn't enough time to study or enough community feedback.

Also, going on the record that the Wootton community fighting for one school was a huge distraction - had the entire county come together (looking at you MCCPTA, where were you?) against the six region program model, there could have been changes. Instead, Taylor gets his bomb, blowing up the entire school system, and decimating the handful of excellent schools that remained of a once great school system

MCCPTA criticized the regional model last fall, and the board didn't care.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/10/31/mccpta-slow-programming-changes/

They need to say it again and so does MCEA. The boundary battle has let MCPS hide the fact that the regional model is based on assumptions and not backed by any data.

I am not thrilled with the regional model, nor do I have any confidence the implementation will go well. I feel especially terrible for the current 7th and 6th graders that will be the guinea pigs for all of this.

I am not sure what more data they can reasonably collect. It is very hard to gauge interest for programs that will be used by kids that aren't even in middle school yet. As far as evaluating current programs, that would take years and probably not offer too many actionable insights. That particular proposal really does ring like a delay tactic.

I think at this point opponents need to articulate what specifically we don't like about the regional model and what we would like to see changed. I think the Black and Brown Coalition's recommendation to focus implementation on programs in high poverty schools makes a lot of sense and it has been completely ignored.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

It’s not a conspiracy theory if it turns out to be true. Then again, MCPS will say “oh well, too late now.”

The chronology of events and other evidence appear to show that the decision was made before community engagement.

You are convinced they’re right, so you have a clear bias. I guess the ends justify the means in your mind - laws and regulations don’t matter, and apparently the views of those most affected don’t either.

Sounds rather authoritarian.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without question, it will all pass and all the BOE members will vote for it.

It will pass, but you might get a few BOE members who are nominated to perform and cast a no vote to make the public believe their petitions and protests made a difference.

If they cast unanimous votes it’ll validate the rubber stamping criticism they insist is not reality.

You seem to think there is a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the superintendent and the entire BOE to do...what exactly? What is their motivation to conspire together and make this choice if it is not the one they think is best for the whole county?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These aren’t 2 separate votes. Central office gets to decide whatever they want about regions and programs. BOE votes on boundaries.

So there is no vote on whether or not regional programming passes?

DP

PP is mistaken. There are three separate votes:

8. Discussion/Action Items - Boundary Studies and Secondary Regional Programs - 5:25 p.m.

8.1 Approval of the Superintendent’s Recommendation for the Reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School and
Expansion of Northwood High School

8.2 Approval of the Superintendent’s Recommendation for the Relocation of Thomas S. Wootton High School to the
Crown Farm Site and Expansion of Damascus High School

8.3 Approval of Superintendent’s Recommendation to Establish Secondary Regional Programs

I agree it will be approved. I am rather surprised because MCPS almost never goes against the teacher’s union… and almost every teacher I’ve spoken with are concerned. MCEA also came out against this?