Statement from Barry Jackson, Rockville City Councilmember Following Testimony in Front of the MCPS Board of Education Regarding Wootton High School

-

 

Statement from Barry Jackson, Rockville City Councilmember Following Testimony in Front of the MCPS Board of Education Regarding Wootton High School 

I have heard from various people about the Montgomery County Public Schools hearing where Wootton High School parents, students and others interested parties testified before the Board of Education.

Several things stand out to me.

1) Yes, it was probably wrong for someone to say “over my dead body” in testimony to the Board. BUT - I don’t think that should negate what everyone else said or the main points of the argument.

2) I have heard that “they did not propose a solution. Nothing makes me madder than to hear this sorry excuse from an elected official. It isn’t their job to propose a solution - it is yours. You were elected or hired to make decisions and study the options. Not people affected by potential decisions who are giving feedback in the impact of these potential decisions.

3) Some people on the Board of Education and others have said it is “not really closing but relocating” Wootton. Yes, it is closing Wootton and moving the students to a new school. We can have the debate on whether that is good or bad - but reframing the debate in that way is ludicrous.

These are just some of the arguments that I heard after the hearing that I wanted to address. There are other arguments for keeping Wootton open I will address at a later time or in another manner.

I applaud the people and elected officials like my colleagues Mayor Monique Ashton and Councilmembers Adam Van Grack  and Izola Shaw who took time off in the middle of the day and showed up to give testimony, support Wootton and pack the hearing room to show support. I know that l had to work as did many others and couldn’t be there - that they were there shows a depth of passion and commitment to the process set up by MCPS.

This should be applauded by members of the Board of Education and the Supervisor, not dismissed or belittled - or even claim that their testimony and advocacy hurt their cause.

Finally, I know some advocates or members of the community can speak in ways that are out-of-bounds. They should be called out, spoken to and if necessary disavowed. And as leaders of the community, we have a responsibility to try to guide the discourse. I have been clear that this is a key responsibility of leaders in any movement or any cause.

That said, the fact that some commented in unproductive or hurtful ways shouldn’t negate the legitimate comments and sentiments of an entire community.

I hope the Wootton community and Rockville’s elected officials continue to engage and communicate to the Board of Education and other decision-makers. This is the process that we have and we should not feel guilty or back down from making our voices heard or not “providing solutions” - I feel for the Board and what is truly a tough County-wide decision.

I know where I personally stand and what I hope they do. And they have heard from the community and will continue to hear from the community what they want the decision to be as well.

Barry Jackson
Rockville City Council


For those wanting to watch the discussion a link to the MCPS testimony of various community members -

https://mcpsmd.new.swagit.com/videos/371454


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7/21 Rockville Council Statement by Barry Jackson

-
Statement from Rockville Councilmember Barry Jackson: "This Council is pursuing multiple policies to help renters and home owners and to build additional housing. We are serious about housing and stabilizing rents while building more affordable housing. The difference is in how we get there. A majority has said we don’t want rent control due in part to its impact on the building of new housing. A minority disagrees but we had the debate over a year ago. I don’t see a need to revisit it and allocate more staff resources to a policy we are not interested in pursuing. I understand organizations advocating and speaking out. What I don’t understand is pretending this Mayor and Council are not doing anything – essentially claiming we do not care about Rockville’s residents. This is coming from elected officials and organizations who frankly should know better - but instead say rent control is their one and only issue. The lack of civility and reasoned discourse is becoming troublin...
Read more

Unanimous Passage of Rockville’s King Farm Farmstead Master Plan

-
Image
Last night, the Mayor and Council voted unanimously – 7-0 - for Rockville’s King Farm Farmstead Master Plan. I am beyond thrilled to vote for a plan to start utilizing the buildings of the Farmstead for childcare, meetings, events, City programs and more while also protecting the historic aspect of the space as well as the Community Garden and the site’s green space. For nearly 30 years, Rockville’s residents and various Mayors and Council’s have grappled with how to use this site. No longer. I am proud to be on this Council that passed this historic plan that marries Rockville’s future with Rockville’s past and will be enjoyed for generations to come. I want to say a few words of thanks to everyone who helped get this plan over the finish line. To everyone who came out to Listening Sessions or Filtering Sessions in King Farm, Twinbrook, at Glenview Mansion and at sessions. To everyone who called, met with your representatives, emailed or otherwise made your voices heard and had ...
Read more

What's Going On In Rockville? A Lot.

-
Image
I just want to write you a note and let you know what the Mayor and Council are working on especially in relation to what could be described as a consumer protection/renters rights provisions. I don't write too often but I think periodic reminders are hopefully all right. It is a privilege to represent you and the City of Rockville.  There are a lot of things we are working on so bear with me – First I want to say a big thank you to City staff, Rockville City Police (RCPD), Rockville Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) and all the associated organizations and vendors and volunteers who helped make this past Memorial Day Weekend so spectacular. From Hometown Holidays to Flags for Heroes to Rockville's Memorial Day ceremonies and Rockville's Memorial Day Parade it was a great weekend and I really enjoyed seeing everyone in Town Center and elsewhere. It was great to have Hometown Holidays back in Town Center for so many reasons - not least of which was that many peo...
Read more