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 our case is now under independent review by an administrative judge.
Save Our School Summer Fundraiser
We cleared a major legal milestone — our challenge is moving forward before an administrative judge, and discovery is next. It is the most important and resource-intensive phase yet. A suggested donation is $150, but no contribution is too small. Gifts of $250, $500, and $1,000 directly expand what our legal team can pursue. Wootton alumni: add your graduation year to the payment memo!
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 –>
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL FILED
April 27, 2026
CEPA filed an administrative appeal with the Maryland State Board of Education challenging the March 26 Board decision, supported by affidavits from more than 300 affected households. Read Press Release –>
CASE ADVANCES TO ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE
July 14, 2026
MCPS's motion to dismiss was denied. The Maryland State Board of Education referred the case to an independent Administrative Law Judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings. Discovery is next. Read Press Release –>
Legal Update — July 20, 2026
A major milestone: MCPS's motion to dismiss has been denied, and the Maryland State Board of Education has referred CEPA's appeal to the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings, where an independent Administrative Law Judge will oversee the next phase of the case.
The referral moves the case beyond preliminary motions and into an independent examination of the evidence. Our attorneys will now pursue discovery — seeking the documents, testimony, and internal communications that show how this decision was actually made.
We are awaiting a scheduling order with key dates for the proceedings and will keep the community informed as the case progresses. Read the full press release –>
Take Action
Contribute to Legal Fund
Our case is now before an independent Administrative Law Judge, and discovery — the most resource-intensive phase yet — is beginning. 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 and ways to help keep Wootton open.
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
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
County Councilmember, District 1
Read the statement ->
Izola Shaw
Rockville City Councilmember
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 ->
6,000+ 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 ->
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 COMMUNITY MEDIA
July 20, 2026
Parents’ challenge to Wootton ‘relocation’ moves forward
MODERATELY MOCO
July 20, 2026
MCPS Bid to Dismiss Wootton School Challenge Rejected as Case Moves Forward Before Administrative Judge
Legal Fund
Our appeal cleared MCPS's motion to dismiss and is now before an independent Administrative Law Judge at the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings. Discovery is where the evidence comes out — and it takes resources. Every dollar funds the legal fight for Wootton. Donate now →
Join the Community
Connect with neighbors, stay informed, and coordinate our efforts together.