Education  

Board Opts to Continue Studying Silver Spring International Middle School’s Future

The Montgomery County Board of Education suspended the proposed closure of Silver Spring International Middle School and relocation of Sligo Creek Elementary School Thursday night, opting for more discussion.

The future of the schools will now be included in talks with the elementary school boundary discussion.

Superintendent Thomas Taylor, Ed.D., asked the board to proceed with the proposed closure. Instead, Board Vice President Brenda Wolff asked fellow board members to spend more time reviewing the issue.

She received unanimous support.

Board Member Natalie Zimmerman pointed to the community outpouring of support for keeping Silver Spring International Middle School where it is for her vote.

“We need to create more space for their voice,” she said.

Board Member Julie Yang said the issue “requires robust discussion,” adding that board members “need more time for every to understand the implications.”

“This cannot be rushed,” Yang said.

The board must study the district’s declining enrollment more thoroughly before acting, said Board Member Karla Silvestre.

Enrollment declined this school year, but Silvestre said enrollment really has been decreasing since Montgomery County Public Schools reopened following the pandemic. The enrollment numbers didn’t go down because international students were coming here in large numbers during the past few years, she said.

However, with tighter immigration standards by the federal government, fewer international students are attending.

Superintendent Taylor had proposed to divide students between other schools and turn Silver Spring International into a holding school during other campuses’ construction projects.

Several Montgomery County councilmembers urged the school board not to rush to close Silver Spring International Middle School.

Evan Glass released a statement saying, “I remain deeply concerned about how this proposal will impact students and families.” He said he appreciated the board’s vote “to allow more time for meaningful community engagement.”

Councilmember Will Jawando, issued a statement pointing to the outpouring of residents in opposition as to why board members made the right decision to study the issue further.

“As chair of the Montgomery County Council’s Education and Culture Committee I have heard from hundreds of parents, teachers, and neighbors in Silver Spring who have serious concerns about the proposed closure of Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS) and relocation of Sligo Creek Elementary School (SCES) in the Superintendent’s recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Capital Budget and FY 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program.”

He added, “The timeline from announcement to Board vote—just five weeks—did not provide adequate time for meaningful community engagement. The affected families, students, teachers, and neighbors deserve substantive consultation before decisions of this magnitude are made. This is about ensuring we make the right decisions for our children and community.”

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