The Fight for Wootton Continues
On March 26, the Board of Education voted 7-1 to approve the permanent closure of Wootton High School. We are fighting back — in court and at the ballot box.
Key Milestones
BOE VOTE RESULT
March 26, 2026 — 7-1
Board of Education voted 7-1 to approve Modified Option H. CEPA has retained legal counsel to challenge the decision. Read Press Release –>
STAY REQUEST FILED
March 31, 2026
Silverman Thompson filed for a stay with the Maryland State Superintendent. Appeal path ready if denied. Support the fight –>
Legal Challenge Update — March 31, 2026
Silverman Thompson has filed a formal request for a stay with the Maryland State Superintendent, asking the State to pause implementation of Modified Option H while the decision is reviewed. The filing raises serious concerns, including whether Modified Option H is effectively closing Wootton under the label of a “relocation,” and whether flawed enrollment projections were used to justify the decision.
This is just the beginning. If the stay is not granted, we will immediately appeal. We are prepared to continue through administrative court and ultimately pursue litigation in circuit court.
The Wootton Closure Plan
On 2/5/26, Superintendent Thomas Taylor formally recommended a plan to close Thomas S. Wootton High School and relocate all students to the new “Thomas S. Wootton at Crown” High School in Gaithersburg.
This plan, approved 7-1 by the Board of Education on March 26, would turn the existing Wootton campus into a “holding school” for other high schools during their renovations. The Board of Education voted 7-1 on March 26 to approve this plan.
This closure recommendation places an inequitable burden on the Wootton cluster in a misguided attempt to make up for years of compounding mistakes, poor leadership, and broken promises. It would uproot a thriving school community, increase commute times, and separate students from their neighborhood school. We believe there are better solutions. The City of Rockville Mayor & Council proposed a modified recommendation that would have kept Wootton open, but the BOE rejected it. Read it here.
A Growing Coalition
Our campaign has united voices from across Montgomery County – elected officials, business leaders, neighboring schools, and community members standing together to fight the Wootton closure.
Elected Officials & Candidates for office
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan
Maryland State Senator, District 17
Read the statement ->
Watch the statement ->
Rockville City Mayor & Council
Unequivocal: Keep Wootton in Rockville
Read the statement ->
Andrew Friedson
Candidate for County Executive & County Councilmember District 1
Read the statement ->
Steve Soloman
Candidate, County Council At-Large
Read the statement ->
Reardon Sullivan
Candidate, County Council District 1
Watch the statement ->
Izola Shaw
Rockville City Councilmember &
Candidate, County Council District 3
Read the statement ->
Drew Morrison
Candidate, County Council District 1
Read the statement ->
Prabu Selvam
Candidate, County Council At-Large
Watch the statement ->
Mithun Banerjee
Candidate for County Executive
Read the statement ->
Brenda Diaz
Candidate for Board of Education, At-Large
Read the statement ->
Brett DiResta
Candidate for Board of Education, District 3
Read the statement ->
School Communities
Wootton High School PTSA
United against closing Wootton
Read the statement ->
Magruder High School PTSA
Standing with Wootton families
Read the statement ->
Richard Montgomery HS Parents
Vocal against closing Wootton
Watch the BOE testimony ->
Business & Civic
Maryland Building Industry Association
Forcefully oppose the closure plan
Read the statement ->
Kids Eye Care of Maryland
Warns of safety risks, advocates against permanent closure
Read the statement ->
5,740+ Petition Signers
Community members speaking out.
Add your voice ->
Rockshire HOA
Neighborhood association opposing closure
Read the statement ->
Fallsmead HOA
Neighborhood association opposing closure
Read the statement ->
Take Action
Contribute to Legal Fund
CEPA has filed for a legal stay with the Maryland State Superintendent. If denied, an appeal to the State Board of Education follows. Your donation funds every step of this fight.
Demand Oversight
Email the County Council, state legislators, State Board of Education, and Inspector General. Demand real oversight of MCPS — do not rubber-stamp a flawed decision.
Join the Community
Sign up for email updates on the legal challenge, election organizing, and ways to help keep Wootton open.
Voices for Wootton
“If the School Board moves forward with the recommendation to close Wootton High School, it will decimate an important area of the City and County. Long dormant, the Rockshire neighborhood is FINALLY slated to feature more homes and businesses. To snatch away the local school rather than renovate seems counter-intuitive and not smart community planning.”
Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan
Maryland State Senate
District 17
“Wootton should remain Wootton, and Crown should remain Crown. Preserving strong, neighborhood-based schools is not only sound educational policy, but also common sense.”
Reardon Sullivan
Candidate
County Council District 1
“Using Wootton’s existing building as a holding school is a financial and operational mistake.”
Adam Van Grack
Rockville City Council & Wootton Parent
“The cohesive society we have now would take years to rebuild if the students are transferred to another location.”
Ananya Sharma
Wootton High School
Junior
“This recommendation is not a routine boundary study outcome, it is a de facto school closure.”
Save Wootton Committee
Community Coalition
“This proposal threatens to undermine successful academic programs, waste taxpayer dollars, and disrupt stable, functioning school communities.”
MD Building Industry Assn. (MBIA)
Business Association
“This decision is too important to rubber stamp. Our families deserve better.”
Andrew Friedson
County Council District 1
Candidate for County Executive
In the News
MONTGOMERY PERSPECTIVE
February 20, 2026
Kagan Criticizes ‘Really Bad’ Estimates from MCPS
MONTGOMERY PERSPECTIVE
February 23, 2026
Taylor: ‘What’s the Worst That Could Happen? They Fire Me?’
Legal Fund
CEPA has retained Silverman Thompson and filed a formal request for a stay with the Maryland State Superintendent. Every dollar funds the legal fight to overturn this decision. Donate now →
Join the Community
Connect with neighbors, stay informed, and coordinate our efforts together.