Mayor And Council Look At School Board, School Crowding

At last night’s meeting of the Rockville Mayor and Council, things were on the quiet side in terms of community controversies. However, an important conversation took place about how best the City can play a role in discussions with the School Board about school overcrowding.

And we keep up so you can go out on Monday night! You’re welcome!

First up, the City Manager’s Report from City Manager Scott Ullery:

The City Manager’s report was brief. He asked for clarification on a Rockville Reports article on Redgate Golf Course. Some Councilmembers had expressed criticism of how the original print article was phrased. A corrected version has been posted online, but prior to printing a correction, he wanted to get clarity from the Mayor and all Councilmembers. Councilmember Bridget Donnell Newton said she was happy with the draft she had been presented. Councilmember Mark Pierzchala said he did not believe that a rewrite had been necessary, but would not block moving forward with the new draft. In his view, the original article was correct.

Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio asked about the pictures that used to hang in City Hall, photos of previous mayors. They have been taken down since the recent remodel. Scott Ullery said he had wondered too and asked staff about it. It turns out that they were in such deteriorated condition that it would not be possible to replace after the remodel. He is waiting on an estimate on cost to restore.

The Mayor also asked about the Pumphouse on Horner’s Lane, which is being refurbished. The only handicapped ramp to access the Pumhouse from Horner’s lane has been removed. Now the only access is from the parking lot which is only accessible from another street. Burt Hall, director of Recreation and Parks, answered that the original ramp was not in compliance with ADA. It should be replaced within two weeks.

The Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) report was given by Sally Sternbach. Highlights:

• REDI has launched Rockville Women’s Business Center. Joined network of over 100 women’s business centers around country.
• MIT Enterprise Forum program series has started again. Startup Lab is November 10, features Clean Currents, at the IBBR (9600 Gudelsky Drive.)
• Two Rockville CEO’s won Washington Business Journal’s ‘40 Under 40’ (young CEO’s): Eric Kimmel (Peer to Peer Tutoring), Craig Strent (Apex Home Loans).

It was a big night for proclamations.

Proclamation read by Councilmember John Britton: November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and the day after Thanksgiving is American Indian Heritage Day. Accepted by Gregory V. Hamilton, Council President of the American Indian Heritage and Education Association, Inc.

Proclamation read by Councilmember Piotr Gajewski: November 7^th is Celebrate Senior Health Day, the 35^th running of the Rockville 10K / 5K Race.

Proclamation read by Councilmember Mark Pierzchala: November is now Municipal Government Works Month.

Citizen’s Forum

At Citizen’s Forum, anyone can speak on any subject. A number of residents who are on various PTAs came to each individually thank the Mayor and Council for bringing attention to school overcrowding. Recently, the Mayor and Council toured the Rockville elementary schools with District staff to see the issue firsthand.

Lauren Menguy reported that she was out walking on Saturday, on her way to the Metro. When she is out walking, she typically picks up pieces of trash. But she could not find any trash cans. There was one near a bus stop, but it was full. She ended up dumping it at 7-Eleven. How many trash cans does the City have? She wondered.

In responding to the school issue, Councilmember Gajewski pointed out that he has only recently learned that portable classrooms are not a “temporary” solution. In fact, there is an average of three portables per school, he said. Councilmember Pierzchala said that he thought the recent tour was very helpful and fostered a good exchange of information. Councilmember Britton thanked the PTA representatives for encouraging a positive direction, rather than coming to citizen’s forum to complain. He also encouraged citizens to work with Mayor and Council as it negotiates with MCPS. “It’s very important to show the flag,” he said.

Mayor Marcuccio pointed out that School Board member Laura Berthiaume originally brought the idea of the tour to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor said she found the tour to be very useful. She also said she agreed with Councilmember Britton’s sentiment. “The 80 or 90 people who came to testify recently need to come out in force,” to testify at the School Board budget hearings on November 10 and 11, she said.

Mayor Marcuccio ended by mentioning a possible candidate for the Planning Commission: Donald Hadley.

City Participation in Board of Education Budget Process

The Montgomery County Board of Education is in an extensive planning and budget process. Given the recent focus on school overcrowding, the Mayor and Council is looking at ways to constructively advocate for Rockville during that process.

The School District just last Thursday came out with its six-year “Capital Improvement Plan.” City staff developed a briefing memo that is very helpful in making sense of the Board’s plans.

The staff briefing was delivered by Susan Swift, Director of Community Planning and Development Services.

“The proposed Capital Budget acknowledges that for the 2010 school year, MCPS experienced the third straight year of significant enrollment increases,” says the briefing. Many schools throughout the system are being studied for different kinds of improvements, including public schools in Rockville.

Plans being looked at:

• A new elementary school at 332 W. Edmonston (the old Hungerford Park Elementary)
• Feasibility studies for classroom additions at Beall Elementary, Ritchie Park Elementary, Twinbrook Elementary, and Julius West Middle Schools.
• In addition, a large number of schools are being looked at for modernization, including Maryvale Elementary, Wootton High School, and others that are not in Rockville but to which Rockville students go.

The MCPS planning document contains reference to a number of feasibility and other studies. For instance, an MCPS feasibility study has already recommended 12 new classrooms in Ritchie Park Elementary School.

The Mayor and Councilmembers agreed to coordinate their testimony before the Board, and also urged parents and other citizens to make the time to testify too. The Board will decide whether or not to act on feasibility studies – they need to hear from Rockville that changes are needed.

“We need to remember there are other clusters too,” said Mayor Marcuccio. “They will be there too.”

Councilmember Gajewski said he wondered how to frame the recommendations. With current plans, “Four years down the road, there will be some action” on elementary schools. “But what we can affect now, that is not in the pipeline, is middle school.” Elementary students will be going to middle school, and will create an overcrowding situation. It is important to make sure that school additions are in the pipeline.

“We need to keep on them and keep on them, and make sure it doesn’t fall out of the pipeline,” agreed Councilmember Britton.

Councilmember Newton pointed out that Maryvale, while not overcrowded, is overdue for modernization.

Councilmember Pierzchala asked for clarification of the planning cycle. Ms. Swift answered that the current report is an amendment coming at the end of a five-year-old process. The new planning process kicks off next year. Councilmember Pierzchala said that he thought it would be very important to be very prepared for that cycle.

Staff will come back next week with concrete recommendations for how the Mayor and Council can move forward.

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