Rockville High PTA Tells Parents to 'Shut Up'

ROCKVILLE, Md. – Leaders of the Rockville High School community sent emails to parents, teachers, and community members in the cluster today, warning them to stop demanding the high school's "fair share" of the proposed $6.6 billion Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Rockville families say their needs are smaller but not insignificant. Still, PTA President Lou Profile urged the Rockville cluster to exercise restraint. “For more than 40 years, it's been four elementaries feeding into one middle feeding into one high school. Half our kids walk to school, everyone knows everyone, and we sell more mulch than Home Depot. For God's sake, shut your yaps before the BOE re-zones Maryvale to Poolesville and Rock Creek Valley to Paint Branch,” he warned.

Despite the stark assessment, some parents pressed forward, demanding the replacement of 30-year-old accoutrements. “We aren't talking about a new building, or even a turf field. Just a new sign at Viers Mill and Twinbrook Parkway,” said parent Linus Tapasgud.

Road sign at the intersection of Twinbrook Parkway and Viers Mill Road (Photo: Montgomery Leek)

BOE officials say they will take Rockville's request into consideration despite the late lobbying. Member Rita Montoya told Montgomery Leek she will advocate for Option V, which calls for Rockville to occupy portable classrooms at Seneca Valley High while its building is used as a holding school for Silver Spring International Middle School students, who will get a fully renovated school. Rockville will get a brand-new sign when its students return to Baltimore Road in 2039.

Superintendent Thomas Taylor, who had not been fully briefed on the matter, confirmed his support for the plan to Montgomery Leek, “As long as Rita said so.”