I am deeply disappointed by the Superintendent’s decision to recommend Option H, and I am extremely concerned that this recommendation does not reflect a path in the best interest of Montgomery County.

Over the past several months, families, students, educators, and community leaders from the Wootton, Magruder, and Richard Montgomery clusters have engaged extensively with the Board and Superintendent. Their message has been remarkably consistent: Option H creates widespread disruption, undermines long-term planning, and does not align with the growth realities facing Montgomery County.

Importantly, I want to sincerely thank everyone who testified today and over the past several months in opposition to Option H. Parents, students, and residents showed up repeatedly to share thoughtful, data-driven concerns. That level of civic engagement reflects the very best of Montgomery County and deserves careful consideration from the Board.

It is also significant that the Maryland Building Industry Association raised substantive concerns about Option H’s long-term planning implications. (https://montgomeryperspective.com/.../builders-oppose.../)  When school communities and an organization focused on housing, growth, and enrollment demand reach the same conclusion, it underscores that this is not a localized issue, but a countywide planning concern with lasting consequences.

From the City of Rockville’s perspective, the proposed closure and relocation of Wootton High School is particularly troubling. Wootton is not just a building; it is a core community institution that anchors neighborhoods, supports nearby schools, and represents decades of public investment. Removing this successful, comprehensive high school from Rockville would weaken the city’s educational infrastructure and disrupt the surrounding community.

More broadly, closing Wootton is not just a Rockville issue. Montgomery County continues to experience significant residential growth, particularly in the Gaithersburg/Rockville corridor. Permanently reducing high school capacity in this part of the county runs counter to long-term enrollment trends and limits future flexibility for the entire system.

It remains clear to me that moving forward with Option H is not in the best interest of Montgomery County or MCPS. Decisions of this magnitude should build public confidence, support stability, and reflect sound, forward-looking planning; today's recommendation does none of these. I urge the Board of Education to carefully weigh the unified concerns raised across multiple clusters and stakeholders and to consider a boundary alternative that better serves students, families, and the county as a whole.