Reader Note From Cheryl Moss Herman: Update On The Julius West And New Elementary School Feasibility Studies

Photo from the MCPS website

Thanks to Cheryl Moss Herman, Richard Montgomery Cluster Co-coordinator to Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA), for agreeing to post this important information on Rockville Central.

Projects are moving forward as part of the plan to manage the overcapacity situation at elementary schools in the Richard Montgomery (RM) Cluster and the future wave of enrollment expected at Julius West Middle School (JWMS).

The Feasibility Studies for an addition at Julius West and for new construction (RM Elementary #5) on the site of the former Hungerford Park site have begun. Architect selection and approval for each is complete and dates have been set for the Feasibility Advisory Committee public meetings. (See below for details.) The committees will work with the architects to provide a series of options that will meet the program needs of the schools. The committees will also select a preferred option at the end of the process. These committees will NOT be discussing potential boundary changes for the Richard Montgomery Cluster.

While MCPS’ usual plan is to work with existing PTAs/PTSAs at schools where an addition or construction is contemplated, this is not possible for RM Elementary #5 as it is a new school. Moreover, since the composition of the school population will not be known until a boundary study process is completed in the 2013 timeframe, representatives from all four elementary schools and their communities are being invited to participate. MCPS sends letters only to those homeowners whose properties are adjacent to the school(s). The rest is up to the schools and their PTAs.

Similarly, while MCPS is working primarily through the JWMS PTSA, the reality is that the prospect of an addition at JW will affect most of us. This is because a majority of our current elementary students could be at JW during construction, or for those in the lower grades, would benefit by an addition at the school. The Feasibility Advisory Committee meetings and/or the final Community Presentation are an excellent way to stay informed and participate in the process.

These two new feasibility studies join an already completed Feasibility Study for an addition at Ritchie Park Elementary School and on-going studies for additions at Beall and Twinbrook Elementary Schools. You will recall that this summer MCPS intends to take all of these studies and its new enrollment projections and make a “comprehensive RM Cluster” recommendation for new classroom capacity next fall. Watch your e-mail for more info on participation as this process goes forward.

Also, mark your calendars for testimony to the County Council on the Capital Budget on the evening of February 8, 2011. Strong community support is essential.

RM CLUSTER ELEMENTARY #5 Feasibility Study (all meetings at Children’s Resource Center/Hungerford Park site at 322 W. Edmonston Drive)
Work Session Meeting #1 Monday, February 28, 2011 7:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #2 Monday, March 21, 2011 7:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #3 Thursday, April 7, 2011 4:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #4 Thursday, April 28, 2011 7:00 pm
Community Presentation Meeting Thursday, May 12, 2011 7:00 pm

JULIUS WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Feasibility Study (all meetings at JWMS)
Work Session Meeting #1 Wednesday, February 2, 2011 3:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #2 Thursday, February 24, 2011 7:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #3 Wednesday, March 9, 2011 3:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #4 Wednesday, March 23, 2011 7:00 pm
Community Presentation Meeting Tuesday, April 12, 2011 7:30 pm

Cheryl Moss Herman

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