Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has unveiled a significant proposal that would close Silver Spring International Middle School and relocate Sligo Creek Elementary School. The plan, introduced by Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor, cites severe structural problems at the middle school building and aims to address long-term facility needs in the district.
The proposal has generated immediate concern among parents, who question the ambitious timeline and the lack of detailed information about the future of their children's education. The plan is now under review by the Board of Education, with several public hearings scheduled in the coming weeks.
Key Takeaways
- MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor has proposed closing Silver Spring International Middle School by August 2030.
- The plan includes building a new Sligo Creek Elementary School at a different site, projected for fall 2029.
- The 90-year-old middle school building suffers from unforeseen structural issues that have made previous renovation plans unfeasible.
- Both school buildings would be used as temporary holding sites for students from other schools undergoing construction.
- Parents have expressed shock and concern over the proposal's timeline and the site selection process for the new elementary school.
Details of the Superintendent's Proposal
The recommendation from Superintendent Taylor marks a dramatic shift from previous plans. Montgomery County Public Schools had initially allocated nearly $16 million for an addition to Silver Spring International Middle School, which would have included new gyms and locker rooms. Those plans are now indefinitely on hold.
In a communication to the school community, Dr. Taylor explained that significant, unforeseen building conditions were discovered at the 90-year-old facility, which once housed Blair High School. He stated that the school system's "best attempts to upgrade the facility have been thwarted by unforeseen building conditions and structural issues that far exceeded projected costs."
Under the new plan, Silver Spring International Middle School would permanently close in August 2030. In parallel, a new Sligo Creek Elementary School would be constructed at a yet-to-be-determined site in Silver Spring, with a target opening of fall 2029. Following the closure and relocation, both the old middle school and elementary school buildings would be repurposed as "holding schools" to house students from other MCPS schools during their own renovation projects.
A Shift in Capital Planning
This proposal is part of the district's broader Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for 2027-2032. The decision to pivot from renovation to closure and rebuilding reflects the challenges older school districts face in maintaining aging infrastructure while managing costs and student populations.
Community Reacts with Concern and Questions
Parents from both school communities expressed shock and have begun organizing to demand more clarity from the district. At a recent school board meeting, many voiced concerns about the feasibility of the plan and the potential disruption to their children and community.
Megan DiNicola, President of the Silver Spring International PTA, acknowledged the school's known issues but was taken aback by the proposed solution.
"We've been advocating for these issues but we thought these were repair or replace issues, not a full closure of our community. What we want to understand is how we got to this point and is it really in the best interest of our community or not."
A primary point of contention is the timeline. The superintendent has acknowledged the schedule is ambitious, noting that a new site for Sligo Creek Elementary must be selected by this spring to meet the 2029 opening date.
The Challenge of an Ambitious Timeline
Parents question whether the district can realistically achieve its goals. Christine Reklaitis, a local parent, highlighted the practical difficulties of development in the area.
"The timeline is incredibly challenging," Reklaitis told board members. "This is the densest part of the county so selecting a site in a place where you can design, landscape, build, and get community support in three and a half years might not be realistic. What does the site selection process entail?"
Key Deadlines in the Proposal
- Spring 2025: New site for Sligo Creek Elementary must be selected.
- Fall 2029: New Sligo Creek Elementary School projected to open.
- August 2030: Silver Spring International Middle School scheduled for permanent closure.
Another parent, Tucci, shared similar sentiments about the Sligo Creek relocation. "We understand that we're getting a new school which is very exciting but the details of where that's going to be and the three-year timeline to get that selected and constructed also feels incredibly ambitious," she said.
District's Response and Next Steps
MCPS leadership has started outreach efforts to address the community's concerns. Superintendent Taylor held a preliminary Zoom meeting with the Silver Spring International Middle School community on October 13 to preview his recommendation before it was formally submitted.
In his communication, Dr. Taylor promised greater transparency moving forward. "Beginning with the Board of Education work session on November 4, we will provide more details about the facility analysis that brought us to this decision," he wrote. He also committed to scheduling in-person meetings and providing regular updates.
The district confirmed that all proposed facility changes will necessitate boundary studies to determine new student assignments. This process, which can often be contentious, will add another layer of complexity for families in the affected areas.
When asked about alternative holding facilities, MCPS stated that its options are limited. According to a district statement, "The district has limited options for structures that are suitable and immediately available for use as school buildings."
Upcoming Public Meetings
The Board of Education has scheduled several public hearings and work sessions to discuss the capital budget and this proposal. These meetings offer a formal venue for parents and community members to provide feedback. The scheduled dates include:
- Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m. - Capital Budget and CIP Hearing
- Tuesday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. - Capital Budget and CIP Work Session
- Thursday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m. - Capital Budget and CIP Work Session
- Tuesday, Nov. 11 (if necessary), 10 a.m. - Capital Budget and CIP Work Session
As the review process unfolds, hundreds of families in Silver Spring are left waiting for answers about where their children will attend school in the coming years, a decision that will reshape the educational landscape of their community.