Thomas S. Wootton Excessive College renovations and classroom content material have been top-of-mind for Montgomery County Board of Training candidates throughout Friday discussion board on the Rockville college.
Seven candidates for the board of training participated within the discussion board hosted by Wootton PTSA, Chinese language American Mother or father Affiliation of Montgomery County, Chinese language Tradition and Group Service Heart, the Calvin Li Basis, and the Chinese language American College.
For many dialogue matters – together with renovations, range, in-class mobile phone insurance policies and inclusion – the candidates agreed on finish objectives however had completely different approaches on easy methods to get there.
Wootton Excessive College college students, mother and father and lecturers have pressured the board to renovate the deteriorating college for round 20 years. These requires renovation elevated after latest bomb threats and different evacuations when Wootton’s American Incapacity Act (ADA) violations prevented college students with wheelchairs from simply evacuating the varsity.
Sitting inside the varsity’s cafeteria, all the candidates agreed that Wootton wants a brand new college – together with present board of training members Lynne Harris and Shebra Evans. The 2 board members, and now candidates, stated that renovating Wootton has hit hurdles in capital enchancment plan funding over time.
“It’s simply an accident of time in place,” Harris informed MCM after the discussion board.
Harris, an at-large candidate, stated the board is specializing in incremental renovation tasks as getting full funding for an entire renovation has legislative and monetary hurdles. Wootton’s loos might be reworked over the upcoming summer time break and the varsity’s weightlifting room was reworked in summer time 2023, Harris stated. The following focus, Harris stated, must be the addressing the ADA complaints.
Rita Montoya, one other at-large candidate, informed MCM that the board must shift its priorities from purely aesthetic renovations to addressing security issues at colleges like Wootton.
“Are we ready for one thing actually terrible to occur for us to behave? The time to behave is now,” Montoya stated about Wootton renovations.
Laura Stewart, a District 4 candidate, stated she served because the Capital Enchancment Plan chair for the Montgomery County PTSA. Stewart stated she realized that the system for a way the board selects colleges for renovations must be up to date.
“It shouldn’t depend upon … 50 folks provide you with matching T shirts happening to the Board of Ed to make a bunch of noise simply to get your college in a state of affairs the place it’s protected,” Stewart stated.
One other concern raised by the hosts of the discussion board was the classroom content material inside Montgomery County Public Faculties (MCPS), questioning each the rigor and variety of historical past included in curriculum.
A number of candidates referenced understanding college students within the college system who felt bored whereas at school, hoping for specialised or superior classes. Nonetheless, many particular applications – akin to Gifted and Proficient Training, Magnet college applications and superior classes – have restricted seating.
“We need to guarantee that extra college students have the chance to realize entry,” Natalie Zimmerman, a District 2 candidate, stated in the course of the discussion board.
Some additionally expressed an curiosity in hiring extra specialised lecturers and spreading Magnet college applications extra evenly throughout the county. Growing entry to specialised applications can even assist lower truancy charges throughout the district, Montoya stated.
Numerous histories and cultures must be added to the varsity curriculum, the candidates agreed.
Lessons akin to Asian American historical past and Latin American Historical past can empower college students, Brenda Diaz, a District 2 candidate, stated. Diaz stated taking Latin American Historical past in highschool helped her construct up her personal self worth, an expertise she hopes to provide to different teams of scholars.
“It makes an amazing distinction in college students once they’re in a position to examine in additional element, the historical past and the tradition of their very own heritage,” Diaz stated.
Ricky Mui, a District 2 candidate, stated together with completely different cultures in curriculum may help cut back bullying.
“The unknown that fosters hate, individuals are anxious however they don’t perceive. So add that in to cut back the hate,” Mui stated.
Evans stated that ensuring college students trusted adults on campus, having college phycologists and restorative justice officers can even assist college students coping with bullying.
“It takes a village,” Evans stated.
Main election day is Might 14. Early voting lasts till Might 9.
