Anonymous
04/12/2012 12:27
Subject: Re:BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Anonymous wrote:I haven't followed the site selection debate closely (though my kids attended a BCC Cluster ES, we moved them to private school after that, and they're now in HS and college) but there doesn't seem to have been much discussion about expanding Westland. Perhaps I've missed this? If not, however, I wonder whether that might offer an option that would allow the project to go forward without running into controversy over re-drawing school boundaries as well as n-hood protests over losing parkland. With re to the latter, while there's always a NIMBY element to those arguments, I have to say that when our children were very little we lived in EBeth., and Lynbrook Park was what pulled that n-hood together into a real community. I imagine the same is probably true of Rock Creek Hills Park. (I don't know the Lyttonsville site at all, so I can't comment on that).
Adjacent to Westland are rarely-used (and poorly-maintained) tennis courts already owned by the County and a sparsely used parking lot owned by a private interest (presumably by the owner of Westbard shopping center). Could this be the site for an expansion of Westland? I know one argument against this might be that the student body would be too large, but there are solutions to that -- perhaps a separate building for the 6th-graders? or for the 8th-graders? a house system to create smaller learning communities within a larger school? It just seems like this project is getting bogged down in an endless repeat of site identification followed by n-hood protest, followed by selection of another site . . . . and in the meantime the kids' need are not being served.
As you may or may not know, the parking lot adjacent to Westland is one of the private sites that is being considered and was rejected I believe because MCPS really does not want to pursue the Westland option. The path of least resistance continues to be Lynnbrook, because it is BOE owned property, it is big enough contrary to what some folks on this forum have said. The staff from Parks showed exactly how the school would fit on the BOE property without taking any of the adjacent park for building.
Anonymous
04/12/2012 11:48
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Expand Westland and make it into a new HS, move BCC there, and move Westland tothe former BCC.
Anonymous
04/12/2012 11:08
Subject: Re:BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
I haven't followed the site selection debate closely (though my kids attended a BCC Cluster ES, we moved them to private school after that, and they're now in HS and college) but there doesn't seem to have been much discussion about expanding Westland. Perhaps I've missed this? If not, however, I wonder whether that might offer an option that would allow the project to go forward without running into controversy over re-drawing school boundaries as well as n-hood protests over losing parkland. With re to the latter, while there's always a NIMBY element to those arguments, I have to say that when our children were very little we lived in EBeth., and Lynbrook Park was what pulled that n-hood together into a real community. I imagine the same is probably true of Rock Creek Hills Park. (I don't know the Lyttonsville site at all, so I can't comment on that).
Adjacent to Westland are rarely-used (and poorly-maintained) tennis courts already owned by the County and a sparsely used parking lot owned by a private interest (presumably by the owner of Westbard shopping center). Could this be the site for an expansion of Westland? I know one argument against this might be that the student body would be too large, but there are solutions to that -- perhaps a separate building for the 6th-graders? or for the 8th-graders? a house system to create smaller learning communities within a larger school? It just seems like this project is getting bogged down in an endless repeat of site identification followed by n-hood protest, followed by selection of another site . . . . and in the meantime the kids' need are not being served.
Adjacent to Westland are rarely-used (and poorly-maintained) tennis courts already owned by the County and a sparsely used parking lot owned by a private interest (presumably by the owner of Westbard shopping center). Could this be the site for an expansion of Westland? I know one argument against this might be that the student body would be too large, but there are solutions to that -- perhaps a separate building for the 6th-graders? or for the 8th-graders? a house system to create smaller learning communities within a larger school? It just seems like this project is getting bogged down in an endless repeat of site identification followed by n-hood protest, followed by selection of another site . . . . and in the meantime the kids' need are not being served.
Anonymous
04/12/2012 09:22
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
No, it's not, which is why the committee rejected it. It is too small.
Anonymous
04/12/2012 08:19
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Anonymous wrote: Glad to see folks are talking about this action by the Planning Board. It MIGHT be a taste of future collaboration beteen Parks and MCPS. I applaud the action of the planning board to request real discussion between these two. With more schools coming down the pike- second highschool? another middle school?- they have to establish a real working realtionship. That starts with each bringing what they own to the table now for this current need...and then planning for the future. MCPS has other leased properties that can meet future needs. That is long range planning.
I completely agree with what you say. It's about time that these two agencies collaborate and cooperate! The Lynnbrook location seems ideally suited.
Anonymous
04/11/2012 21:33
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Glad to see folks are talking about this action by the Planning Board. It MIGHT be a taste of future collaboration beteen Parks and MCPS. I applaud the action of the planning board to request real discussion between these two. With more schools coming down the pike- second highschool? another middle school?- they have to establish a real working realtionship. That starts with each bringing what they own to the table now for this current need...and then planning for the future. MCPS has other leased properties that can meet future needs. That is long range planning.
Anonymous
04/11/2012 15:51
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Anonymous wrote:PP - Lynnbrook, not Lyttonsville.
Oops yes Lynnbrook sorry
Anonymous
04/11/2012 15:11
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Curious and confused here... is this a pro forma protest by the Parks department? Does the Planning Board have the ultimate say so? What role does the Board of Education have here?
Anonymous
04/11/2012 15:06
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Anonymous wrote:PP - Lynnbrook, not Lyttonsville.
Correct, Lynnbrook not Lyttonsville. Lynnbrook is a former still standing elementary school on BOE property adjacent (collocated) with a park.
Anonymous
04/11/2012 13:50
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
PP - Lynnbrook, not Lyttonsville.
Anonymous
04/11/2012 13:44
Subject: Re:BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
http://www.gazette.net/article/20120404/NEWS/704049314&template=gazette
The online version has last week's date but I just saw this in the print copy this morning. The planning board did reject Starr's recommendation to use Rock Creek Hills, so looks like they'll be meeting on siting the MS at Lyttonsville.
The online version has last week's date but I just saw this in the print copy this morning. The planning board did reject Starr's recommendation to use Rock Creek Hills, so looks like they'll be meeting on siting the MS at Lyttonsville.
Anonymous
04/11/2012 12:41
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:One point scored against ECBA's mafia style lobbying, 'bout time.
Sounds like you were not able to afford a house in the neighborhood a bit bitter?
Never even looked there...but if you were to put in that pool...
Anonymous
04/11/2012 12:36
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Yep, I guess the obvious solution that MCPS (and EBCA Mafia) did not want you to see....Pay no attention to that centrally located, walkable school site large enough and school owned property that will be falling down soon, Ooops, you've seen it, well, we will eventually, maybe need it for a middle school (ha ha or a POOL).
This is the best least damaging solution which will take away recreational resources from the least people. I know, I know, EBCA folks are very concerned about where will all those BCC athletes go play (how about Rock Creek Hills and North Chevy Chase Parks, where they already go). Though BCC students are NO obstacle when many folks want to buy it from the county and turn it into their own little pool.
Methinks hypocricy and rampant NIMBYism is afoot.
This is the best least damaging solution which will take away recreational resources from the least people. I know, I know, EBCA folks are very concerned about where will all those BCC athletes go play (how about Rock Creek Hills and North Chevy Chase Parks, where they already go). Though BCC students are NO obstacle when many folks want to buy it from the county and turn it into their own little pool.
Methinks hypocricy and rampant NIMBYism is afoot.
Anonymous
04/11/2012 12:36
Subject: BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
Anonymous wrote:One point scored against ECBA's mafia style lobbying, 'bout time.
Sounds like you were not able to afford a house in the neighborhood a bit bitter?
Anonymous
04/11/2012 12:33
Subject: Re:BCC Middle School Site Selction number 2 - 2012 version -
The pool idea was by one guy who has no idea what he is talking about.
I live in the area and have no problem with the middle school going there but this is exactly what got the school system in this pickle to begin with. They have been using band aids to fix the problems for too long instead of fixing it properly.
I live in the area and have no problem with the middle school going there but this is exactly what got the school system in this pickle to begin with. They have been using band aids to fix the problems for too long instead of fixing it properly.