The school board voted 7-1 to relocate Rockville’s Wootton High School to the new Crown High School in Gaithersburg, marking the official decision for the controversial plan.
But parents trying to keep Wootton at its current location say they are not done fighting. They announced Thursday that agroup of parents have retained the Baltimore-based law firm Silverman Thompson “to assist in exploring all available legal options to challenge the implementation of “Modified Option H,” including claims arising from procedural deficiencies, inequitable impacts on students and families, and potential violations of State and Federal law,” per a release.
“This is not the end, this is just the beginning,” Wootton cluster parent Elisa Sukhobok told MCM after the vote.
“Decisions affecting thousands of students demand a fair and deliberative process. We have serious concerns that, unfortunately, this did not happen here,” attorney Patrick Seidel said in a written statement provided by Wootton advocates. “We will take all necessary steps to protect the rights of the families affected by this plan.”
Superintendent Thomas Taylor’s now-approved boundary plan will relocate students and staff from the aging campus at Wootton — which has issues like HVAC problems — to Gaithersburg’s new Crown High School.
“The approved boundary recommendations address outdated school assignment patterns; maximize use of MCPS facility assets; and will allow the school system to better achieve infrastructure improvements with efficiency and within constrained fiscal resources,” MCPS said in a statement Thursday night. “These recommendations were informed with months of extensive community engagement and feedback in all areas of the school district.”
The board approved the relocation as part of a broader plan that includes reopening Woodward High School, expanding Northwood High School and establishing a regional approach to secondary programs.
The changes will start in the 2027-2028 school year.
