Save WoottonHigh School
Transparency & FAQ
This page was created by Kimberly and Ryan Miner, parents of two Thomas S. Wootton High School graduates. We care deeply about preserving Wootton's 55-year legacy in Rockville.
- ✓ We are not affiliated with Thomas S. Wootton High School, MCPS, the Board of Education, or any official school organization.
- ✓ We are not lobbyists. We are private citizens exercising our First Amendment rights.
- ✓ We are asking for no money. This page accepts no donations and has no financial interest in the outcome.
- ✓ The opinions expressed here are ours alone. We do not speak for the Save Wootton committee or any other organization.
- ✓ All information is sourced. Every claim is based on official MCPS documents, public statements, or news coverage.
- ✓ We are NOT collecting your data. No cookies, tracking pixels, or analytics. Your visit is completely private.
We built this page as one more tool in a growing community effort to ensure the Montgomery County Board of Education honors the Wootton High School community and keeps Wootton at Wootton. #SaveWootton
As parents of Wootton graduates, we watched this issue unfold and saw a need for a single, comprehensive resource that explains what's happening, who to contact, and how to take action. We believe an informed community is an empowered community.
We are advocating for a position we believe is right. Advocacy is a fundamental part of civic participation. We encourage everyone to review the facts, form their own opinions, and make their voices heard to their elected and appointed representatives.
No. We are not leading the opposition. We are simply advocates for keeping Wootton at Wootton. The Save Wootton committee, Wootton PTSA, and thousands of community members are the true grassroots force behind this movement. We created this resource page to help inform the community and provide tools for civic engagement. We do not organize rallies, coordinate testimony, or direct strategy. We are two parents who believe this decision is wrong and wanted to help.
We have made every effort to verify information using official sources. Where we express opinions, we identify them as such. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at SaveWootton@AMinerDetail.com and we will promptly review and correct any errors.
Save Wootton is a community-driven resource created by concerned parents, alumni, and residents dedicated to keeping Thomas S. Wootton High School at its Rockville location. This page was built in partnership with A Miner Detail, an independent Maryland news platform covering local government and community issues.
Share your Wootton story, photos, or written perspectives. We are collecting community voices to share with elected officials and media. Submit content to SaveWootton@AMinerDetail.com or use the submission form below.
Questions or concerns about this page? Contact us directly:
SaveWootton@AMinerDetail.comWhat Is Happening to Wootton? #SaveWootton
The Proposal
Superintendent Thomas Taylor wants to permanently relocate all Wootton students to the brand-new Crown High School building at 9410 Fields Road in Gaithersburg, roughly 3 miles from Wootton's current campus. The Wootton building would become a "holding school" for other schools during construction.
Modified Option HThe Justification
MCPS projects up to $273.8 million in savings from this approach, claims it would shorten the construction pipeline by approximately 7 years, and get Wootton students out of a building where the facility assessment uses "poor condition" over 40 times. Taylor frames it as "not a closure, but a move to a new building."
$273.8M projected savingsThe Problem
Wootton has been the heart of its Rockville community for 55 years. MCPS removed Wootton from the Capital Improvements Program twice over 20 years, allowed the building to deteriorate, and is now using that deterioration as justification to relocate the school. Critics call it rewarding MCPS's own failure to maintain the building.
Removed from CIP twiceWhat's At Stake
Option H eliminates a permanent high school from the Rockville/Wootton cluster region. Community members argue this creates long-term instability: fewer seats for future students, unpredictable boundaries, and the destruction of a tight-knit community that took 55 years to build. This is not just about a building. It's about erasing an institution, severing generational ties, and telling families their community doesn't matter.
55 years of legacy⚙ The Logic: Why Option H Fails
A clear-eyed analysis of why this proposal doesn't add up. Click each section to expand.
MCPS claims $273.8 million in savings. But this number is based on projections, not guarantees. Here's what they're not telling you:
- Deferred maintenance created this crisis. MCPS removed Wootton from the Capital Improvements Program in 2005 and again in 2017. They let the building deteriorate for 20 years and are now using that deterioration to justify closure.
- The holding school model is unproven at this scale. Converting Wootton to a holding school assumes seamless rotation of displaced student populations. Any delays, budget overruns, or construction issues will cascade through the entire system.
- One-time savings vs. permanent loss. The $273.8M is a one-time efficiency gain. The loss of a permanent high school serving Rockville is forever. When enrollment rebounds, there will be no Wootton to absorb growth.
- The region is growing. Active housing developments around both Wootton and Crown are adding families. Eliminating capacity now is shortsighted fiscal planning.
Follow the money and the incentives:
- Property values at risk. Homes in the Wootton cluster command premium prices partly because of access to a high-performing, established high school. Relocating the school 3+ miles away to Gaithersburg fundamentally changes the value proposition for Rockville homeowners.
- Taxpayers already paid for Crown. The community was promised a new school to relieve overcrowding, not to replace an existing one. Crown was funded as an addition, not a substitution.
- Transportation costs will increase. Moving the student body 3+ miles creates longer bus routes, more traffic on I-270, and higher operational costs that aren't included in the $273.8M projection.
- Construction cost inflation. Every year MCPS delays other renovations while running the holding school model, construction costs rise 3-5% annually. The "savings" may evaporate.
Schools are more than buildings:
- 55 years of tradition erased. Wootton opened in 1971. Generations of families have graduated together, built relationships, and created a community identity rooted in place. You cannot move that to Gaithersburg.
- The feeder school pipeline breaks. Wootton's elementary and middle schools feed into a cohesive cluster. Relocating the high school fractures peer support systems, splits friend groups, and disrupts the educational continuity families planned for.
- Walkability destroyed. Hundreds of current Wootton students walk or bike to school. Moving to Crown eliminates walkability for the entire Rockville population, increasing car dependence and reducing student independence.
- Community organizations lose their anchor. The PTSA, Booster Club, music programs, and athletic teams are built around place. Relocation doesn't "move" these organizations, it dismantles them and asks them to rebuild from scratch.
- Crown families lose too. Families who moved to the Crown area expecting a new neighborhood school will instead get a displaced Wootton population with no connection to their community.
Who is responsible for this situation?
- MCPS created this crisis through neglect. The Facility Condition Assessment uses "poor condition" over 40 times to describe Wootton. This didn't happen overnight. It happened because MCPS deprioritized maintenance for two decades.
- Option H rewards failure. Instead of holding leadership accountable for letting the building deteriorate, the community is being asked to sacrifice their school to "solve" a problem MCPS created.
- The rushed process raises questions. Options E-H were introduced just one month before the recommendation was due. This gave the community almost no time to respond to what amounts to closing a 55-year-old institution.
- Transparency concerns. Why was Option H, the most disruptive option, introduced so late? Who benefits from this timeline? These questions deserve answers before any vote.
✅ The Bottom Line
Option H is a short-term fix that creates long-term damage. It rewards two decades of MCPS neglect by punishing the Wootton community. It eliminates a permanent high school from a growing region. It breaks up established communities while providing no guarantee that the projected savings will materialize. The math doesn't work. The logic doesn't hold. The community deserves better.
Who's Fighting Against You?
These officials actively support relocating Wootton. Hold them accountable.
Leading proponent against Wootton: Councilmember Hernández is the most vocal elected official actively working to destroy a 55-year-old Rockville institution. While Rockville's Mayor and City Council have united in opposition to Option H, Hernández has publicly championed the relocation as a win for Gaithersburg.
What this means for Wootton: Hernández is prioritizing Gaithersburg's interests over the established community that will be uprooted by this decision. He frames the destruction of Wootton's community as progress.
Background: Chief Business Officer at ExeGi Pharma. U.S. Coast Guard veteran. Lives in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg. MBA from University of Maryland.
Where Do Officials Stand? #NoOptionH
| Official | Office | Position | On the Record | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grace Rivera-Oven BOE President, District 1 |
Board of Education | Votes March 26 | Resident of Germantown. Elected to first four-year term November 2022. Serves on Special Populations Committee. | ✉ Email Grace Graciela_Rivera-oven@mcpsmd.org |
Brenda Wolff BOE Vice President, District 5 |
Board of Education | Votes March 26 | Resident of Silver Spring. Elected to second four-year term November 2022. Policy Management Chair. | ✉ Email Brenda Brenda_Wolff@mcpsmd.org |
Karla Silvestre BOE Member, At-Large |
Board of Education | Votes March 26 | Elected 2018. Served two terms as BOE president. At-large member representing all of Montgomery County. Running for Montgomery County Council at-large. | ✉ Email Karla Karla_Silvestre@mcpsmd.org |
Rita Montoya BOE Member, At-Large |
Board of Education | Votes March 26 | Elected 2022 to first four-year term. At-large member representing all of Montgomery County. | ✉ Email Rita Rita_M_Montoya@mcpsmd.org |
Julie Yang BOE Member, District 3 |
Board of Education | Votes March 26 | District 3 includes Wootton cluster. Elected 2022 to first four-year term. Your most direct representative. Running for Montgomery County Council District 1. | ✉ Email Julie Julie_Yang@mcpsmd.org |
Laura Stewart BOE Member, District 4 |
Board of Education | Votes March 26 | Elected 2024 to first four-year term. Represents District 4. | ✉ Email Laura Laura_M_Stewart@mcpsmd.org |
Natalie Zimmerman BOE Member, District 2 |
Board of Education | Votes March 26 | Elected 2024. Former MCPS teacher at Wheaton Woods Elementary. Endorsed by MCEA teachers union. | ✉ Email Natalie Natalie_Zimmerman@mcpsmd.org |
| Official | Office | Position | On the Record | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monique Ashton Mayor |
City of Rockville | ✓ OPPOSES RELOCATION | City of Rockville has officially opposed Option H. Testified at public hearings against the relocation. | ✉ Thank Monique MAshton@rockvillemd.gov |
Adam Van Grack City Council Member ★ OPPOSITION RELOCATION LEADER |
City of Rockville | ✓ OPPOSES RELOCATION | Testified at BOE meeting December 2024. Strong advocate for keeping Wootton in Rockville. Leading voice against Option H on the Rockville City Council. | ✉ Thank Adam AVanGrack@rockvillemd.gov |
Kate Fulton City Council Member |
City of Rockville | ✓ OPPOSES RELOCATION | As a Rockville councilmember, supports the City's official opposition to Option H. | ✉ Thank Kate KFulton@rockvillemd.gov |
Barry Jackson City Council Member |
City of Rockville | ✓ OPPOSES RELOCATION | As a Rockville councilmember, supports the City's official opposition to Option H. | ✉ Thank Barry BJackson@rockvillemd.gov |
David Myles City Council Member |
City of Rockville | ✓ OPPOSES RELOCATION | As a Rockville councilmember, supports the City's official opposition to Option H. | ✉ Thank David DMyles@rockvillemd.gov |
Izola (Zola) Shaw City Council Member |
City of Rockville | ✓ OPPOSES RELOCATION | As a Rockville councilmember, supports the City's official opposition to Option H. | ✉ Thank Zola IShaw@rockvillemd.gov |
Marissa Valeri City Council Member |
City of Rockville | ✓ OPPOSES RELOCATION | As a Rockville councilmember, supports the City's official opposition to Option H. | ✉ Thank Marissa MValeri@rockvillemd.gov |
| Official | Office | Position | On the Record | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jud Ashman Mayor |
City of Gaithersburg | ✗ SUPPORTS RELOCATION | Signed official city letter endorsing Option H. In a December 9, 2025 letter to the BOE, Ashman wrote that Gaithersburg supports options where Crown opens as a permanent school and that “the communities are coalescing around Option H.” Proposed a “Modified Option H” on city letterhead. | ✗ Email Jud Jud.Ashman@gaithersburgmd.gov |
Yamil Hernández City Council Member ⚠ OFFICIAL OPPOSITION LEADER |
City of Gaithersburg | ✗ SUPPORTS RELOCATION | Key opposition leader. Defended the relocation as giving Wootton students "access to a modern facility now." Reportedly eyeing higher political office. | ✗ Email Yamil Yamil.Hernandez@gaithersburgmd.gov |
Neil Harris Council Vice President |
City of Gaithersburg | Unknown | Council Vice President. Position on Option H not publicly stated. | ✉ Email Neil Neil.Harris@gaithersburgmd.gov |
Lisa Henderson City Council Member |
City of Gaithersburg | Unknown | Council member. Position on Option H not publicly stated. | ✉ Email Lisa Lisa.Henderson@gaithersburgmd.gov |
Jim McNulty City Council Member |
City of Gaithersburg | Unknown | Council member. Position on Option H not publicly stated. | ✉ Email Jim Jim.McNulty@gaithersburgmd.gov |
Robert Wu City Council Member |
City of Gaithersburg | ✗ SUPPORTS RELOCATION | Confirmed supporter of Option H. Stated on Facebook: “I fully stand behind the City’s position” and called Option H “the only new option that meets our two criteria.” Currently running for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 39. Voters should know where he stands on displacing an established Rockville community. | ✗ Email Robert Robert.Wu@gaithersburgmd.gov |
Contact Local Media
The more coverage this story gets, the harder it is for officials to ignore. Send news tips to these outlets and demand they cover the Wootton relocation.
Reporter: Kate Ryan covers MoCo schools
Submit tips at nbcwashington.com
Education: Nicole Asbury covers MoCo
Covers all MoCo news
Phone: 301-424-1730
Community submissions welcome
174K+ Instagram followers @TheMoCoShow
MoCo politics deep-dive analysis
Suburban News Network, @BethesdaRow
Copy this master email list and send your tip to all outlets at once:
✉ Email All Media OutletsPublic Pressure Toolkit #SaveWootton
Everything you need to effectively advocate for Wootton. Copy, paste, share, and make your voice heard.
Copy and paste these ready-to-use posts. Customize with your personal story for maximum impact.
Calls are more impactful than emails. Use these scripts when calling Board members or elected officials.
When they answer or you reach voicemail:
"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a [parent/resident/alumni] in the Wootton cluster.
I'm calling to urge [BOARD MEMBER NAME] to vote NO on Option H and reject the permanent relocation of Wootton High School to Crown.
Wootton has served our community for 55 years. We need renovation, not relocation. Please stand with the over 5,000 community members who have signed the petition opposing this plan.
Thank you for your time."
BOE Office Phone: 240-777-0100
When they answer or you reach voicemail:
"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a constituent in [YOUR DISTRICT/AREA].
I'm calling about the MCPS proposal to permanently relocate Wootton High School to Crown. I'm asking the Council to publicly oppose this plan and use your influence with the Board of Education.
This affects our community identity, property values, and the 55-year legacy of Wootton High School. Over 5,000 residents have signed a petition against it.
Will the Councilmember make a public statement opposing Option H?"
The February 23, 2026 public hearing is your chance to speak directly to the Board. Here's how to make it count.
Before the Hearing
- Sign up to testify: Registration opens on the MCPS website. Sign up early because slots fill fast.
- Time limit: Typically 2-3 minutes per speaker. Practice your statement.
- Arrive early: Hearings can be packed. Get there 30-60 minutes before to get a seat.
- Wear red, white, and blue: Wootton colors show unity and fill the room with visual impact.
- Bring a sign: "Save Wootton" signs create a powerful backdrop when cameras scan the room.
Your Testimony (2-3 Minutes)
- Introduce yourself: Name, connection to Wootton (parent, student, alumni, neighbor)
- Make it personal: Why does Wootton matter to YOUR family? Personal stories are powerful.
- State your ask: "I urge you to vote NO on Option H."
- One strong argument: Pick ONE reason: community legacy, fiscal irresponsibility, rushed process, or traffic safety. Don't try to cover everything.
- End with conviction: "Wootton deserves renovation, not eviction."
Sample Testimony Framework
"Good evening. My name is [NAME]. I'm a [parent of a Wootton student / alumni / Rockville resident for X years].
I'm here to urge you to vote NO on Option H.
[PERSONAL STORY: What does Wootton mean to your family? Why did you choose to live here?]
We asked for repairs to our school. We didn't ask to be uprooted. This feels like a bait and switch.
Over 5,000 community members have signed the petition opposing this plan. The City of Rockville officially opposes it. Please listen to your community.
Vote NO on Option H. Wootton deserves renovation, not eviction. Thank you."
Letters to the editor reach thousands of readers and show community momentum. Submit to multiple outlets.
Tips: Keep under 200 words. Include your full name and city. Mention the March 26 vote date. Be factual. Editors fact-check.
Memorize these facts for conversations with neighbors, officials, and media.
Wootton has served Rockville since 1970. Three generations of families have walked those halls.
Parents advocated for HVAC fixes, mold remediation, and building repairs. Closure was never requested.
Overwhelming community opposition documented. The people have spoken.
Mayor and City Council have taken an official position against Option H. Listen to local government.
Moving students to Crown puts hundreds on I-270 during rush hour. Dangerous commute for teens.
Option H was added late. Community feels blindsided. Decisions of this magnitude require proper deliberation.
Calling it a "relocation" when the building becomes a holding school is semantic manipulation.
The Board of Education votes in 48 days. Time to act is NOW.
Person-to-person conversations are the most effective advocacy. Here's how to spread the word locally.
💬 Conversation Starters
- "Did you hear about the Wootton proposal?"
- "Do you know the Board votes in March?"
- "Have you signed the petition yet?"
- "Are you planning to attend the February 23 hearing?"
📧 Neighborhood Email
Send to your HOA listserv, neighborhood email list, or community group:
"Neighbors, I wanted to make sure everyone knows about the proposal to relocate Wootton High School. This affects our entire community. The Board votes March 26. Please sign the petition and consider attending the Feb 23 hearing. [LINK]"
📍 Community Boards
Post flyers at:
- Community centers
- Libraries
- Coffee shops
- Grocery store bulletin boards
- Religious institutions
- Local businesses
🚘 Parent Networks
Share in:
- School email lists
- PTA/PTSA groups
- Sports team parent chats
- Carpool groups
- After-school activity networks
The Save Wootton committee is raising funds for potential legal action to stop the relocation.
Robert Roudik of the Save Wootton committee stated the group is "raising money to pursue legal action in hopes of stopping the move."
Contact the Save Wootton committee to learn how to contribute.
Legal challenges may include procedural violations, inadequate community engagement, or failure to follow proper public input processes.
Support the Wootton Community #KeepWoottonAtWootton
These organizations represent 55 years of tradition, excellence, and community.
Show them your support.
Wootton Common Sense
The award-winning student newspaper of Thomas S. Wootton High School, published since 1970. Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown and Gold Medal winner. Read the voices of Wootton students directly.
🔗 Save Wootton Resources
Other community efforts fighting for Wootton's future:
Wootton PTSA
Parents, Teachers, Students Association. The backbone of Wootton community engagement and advocacy.
Visit PTSA →Wootton Booster Club
Supporting Wootton athletics and spirit organizations. Join to help fund equipment, facilities, and programs.
Visit Boosters →Music Department
Award-winning marching band, orchestras, jazz band, and The Acatonics a cappella group. 2018 National Champions.
Visit Music →Wootton Patriots Athletics
Official home of Wootton sports. Schedules, rosters, scores, and highlights for all varsity and JV teams.
Visit Athletics →Common Sense Newspaper
Award-winning student journalism. Read coverage of school events, student perspectives, and community news.
Read Common Sense →Extracurricular Activities
Over 130 clubs and student organizations. From STEM to arts to service. Find your passion.
Explore Clubs →Patriot Players Theater
Wootton's renowned drama program producing multiple shows each year. Building performers since 1970.
View Activities →Official School Website
Thomas S. Wootton High School official MCPS page. Announcements, calendars, and administrative information.
Visit School Site →Media Coverage #SaveWootton
What journalists are reporting about the Wootton relocation proposal.
February 2026
WJLA ABC 7 Wootton High parents criticize plan to move their school miles away to Gaithersburg February 6, 2026 Bethesda Magazine MCPS chief recommends permanently moving Rockville's Wootton High to upcoming Crown High in Gaithersburg February 5, 2026 Baltimore Banner MCPS boundary study: Wootton High students would move to Gaithersburg campus February 5, 2026 The MoCo Show Superintendent Recommends Moving Wootton High School to Upcoming Crown High School Location February 5, 2026 MoCo Feed Superintendent Releases MCPS Boundary Recommendations and Model for Regional Secondary Programs February 5, 2026January 2026
WTOP 'Over my dead body': Montgomery Co. education meeting gets tense over Wootton closure proposal January 8, 2026 Montgomery Community Media Parents, students speak out to keep Wootton at Wootton January 9, 2026December 2025
Bethesda Magazine In heated PTSA meeting, Wootton High community debates possible move to Gaithersburg's Crown High December 17, 2025 The Sentinel / Wootton Common Sense New boundary study option H moves Wootton to Crown December 16, 2025 Bethesda Magazine Wootton High PTSA meeting to focus on proposed move to upcoming Crown High December 16, 2025 Bethesda Magazine Wootton High could permanently move to upcoming Crown High under MCPS boundary option 'H' December 11, 2025 WTOP Wootton High could permanently move to Crown High under MCPS boundary option 'H' December 11, 2025Know of coverage we missed? Email us at SaveWootton@AMinerDetail.com
Submit Your Voice #SaveWootton
We're collecting community perspectives to share with elected officials and media. Share your photos, memories, op-eds, and letters.
What We're Looking For
Historic photos, graduation memories, game day moments, performances, classroom shots. Help us document 55 years of Wootton history.
Personal perspectives on what Wootton means to you, why this fight matters, and what's at stake. 500-800 words ideal.
Short statements (150-300 words) expressing your position. Great for parents, alumni, students, and community members.
Record a 1-2 minute video sharing your Wootton story. We may compile these into a community documentary.
Prefer email? Send submissions directly to:
SaveWootton@AMinerDetail.comTake Action Now #NoOptionH
Sign the Petition
Join over 5,000 community members demanding MCPS reject Option H and keep Wootton at Wootton.
Sign NowEmail the Board
Contact all 7 Board of Education members with one click. Pre-written message included.
Email All 7Attend the Hearing
Public hearing February 23, 2026. Show up in force to make your voice heard.
View DatesSpread the Word
Share this page with neighbors, alumni, students, and anyone who cares about Wootton's future. Every share matters.
Share ToolsContact the Media
Tip local journalists to keep this story in the news. Media attention creates pressure.
Media ContactsSupport the Legal Fund
The Save Wootton committee is raising money for potential legal action. Contact them to contribute.
Learn MoreTimeline of Events #SaveWootton
Board of Education Vote
Final vote on the Superintendent's recommendation. This is the deadline.
Public Hearing
Public hearing on Crown/Wootton boundary study. Opportunity to testify.
Superintendent's Recommendation
Superintendent Thomas Taylor formally recommends Option H to the Board.
Community Opposition Grows
Petition surpasses 5,000 signatures. Save Wootton committee forms.
Option H Introduced
MCPS introduces Option H, proposing permanent relocation of Wootton to Crown.
Wootton Opens
Thomas S. Wootton High School opens at 2100 Wootton Parkway, Rockville.