During the latest school board meeting, parents and students from various schools in Montgomery County gathered to voice their concerns regarding the urgent need for repairs and renovations to their aging educational facilities.
The primary purpose of their presence was to hear the school board’s anticipated decision on which schools would be prioritized for renovation, replacement, or repair under the six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Interestingly, the attendees found themselves advocating for different priorities. For instance, 13-year-old Rose Kahn, a seventh grader at Forest Oak Middle School, expressed her desire for the new Crown High School, expected to open in 2027, to serve its designated community in Gaithersburg rather than being utilized as a temporary “holding facility” for students from other schools, such as Damascus High School, while renovations are undertaken at that location.
“We’ve learned that the brand new school promised to the children of Gaithersburg could potentially be repurposed for students from other areas. This feels incredibly unfair, especially since the students in Gaithersburg have been waiting patiently for this new school that is urgently needed,” Kahn shared with the school board.
Contrastingly, Rachel Fitzpatrick, a parent of students in the Damascus area, conveyed her perspective that the old building required immediate replacement. She noted, “The thought of Crown High School being used as a temporary school during the construction at Damascus is quite encouraging.”
Fitzpatrick described a multitude of issues plaguing the dilapidated structure, including safety concerns. “During a recent fire drill, when the alarm was activated, nothing happened,” she explained, revealing that the fire safety system has been patched together so many times that many alarms no longer function properly.
Members from the Wootton High School community also expressed their disappointment over their school’s exclusion from the nearly $3 billion CIP. Brian Rabin, president of the Wootton PTSA, remarked, “Anyone who walks through Wootton High School instantly notices the building’s deteriorating state. It’s not just disappointing; it’s alarming.”
Senior Charlie Rollins highlighted further issues, stating that the school’s HVAC system is outdated, with components that require custom orders for repairs. “Mold is spreading across classrooms, hallways, and locker rooms. We’ve even found dead rodents between our lockers, and students have become so accustomed to the mold on the ceilings that it hardly raises eyebrows anymore,” he added.
Superintendent Thomas Taylor’s plan also suggests converting Silver Spring International Middle School into another temporary facility, though Board member Laura Stewart stated that this decision isn’t final.
As the meeting commenced, School Board President Julie Yang reassured attendees that the board’s decisions aren’t about favoring some schools over others. “Every school community is significant to us. Our common goal is to do right by our children, and that’s what we aim to accomplish,” Yang affirmed.
Ultimately, the school board voted in favor of adopting Superintendent Taylor’s proposed capital priorities. However, Board member Karla Silvestre emphasized that this vote is just a step in the process, noting that the decision regarding Crown High School’s role will not be finalized until March.
Silvestre expressed her understanding of parents’ concerns, stating, “We appreciate your advocacy and dedication at every stage, so thank you for being present today.”
The next phase involves the school board submitting the plan to County Executive Marc Elrich and the county council as part of their budget discussions. As the financial picture becomes clearer, adjustments to the proposed priorities may still occur.
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