Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has released additional details about what families and community members can expect during upcoming engagement meetings regarding potential elementary and middle school closures and consolidations.
MCPS said the process comes as enrollment declines for the first time in more than 40 years, while student growth remains uneven across Montgomery County and resources are limited. The school system is examining how schools are organized, where students are located and how buildings and resources are being used.
Community engagement will take place in two rounds, beginning this month. The first round, scheduled for October, will focus on helping the community understand why MCPS is considering closures and consolidations and what the process will involve. Participants will also be asked to discuss what students and staff should have access to in their schools, including programs, services, staffing and facilities.
MCPS said the October meetings are not intended to determine which schools should close. Instead, feedback will help establish what the community believes a strong student and staff experience should include.
A second round of engagement will take place in December and will focus more directly on the criteria that could eventually be used to evaluate potential closures and consolidations. Participants will see how feedback gathered during the fall is being considered alongside requirements under state law, Board of Education policy and MCPS regulations.
During the December sessions, community members will also be asked to provide input on how different criteria should be applied and suggest potential refinements to the approach.
According to MCPS, each in-person meeting will include a brief presentation, multiple information stations and opportunities to speak with staff members who have expertise in specific areas of the process. Multilingual staff will also be available, and participants will have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.
MCPS staff are scheduled to provide a more detailed update on the closures and consolidations study during the Board of Education meeting on October 8. The presentation is expected to include additional information about the process and upcoming community engagement.
