STOP the Process! FIX Neelsville Middle School NOW!
MCPS Upcounty Boundary Study (BS) is flawed and biased. Neelsville MS is in a terrible state. Both need to be fixed NOW!
This petition is to protest against:
1. The confusion we have felt - 14 Options- not effectively communicated among many communities- not engaging with ALL communities involved.
2. The lack of transparency:
-MCPS told us first this boundary study was about overcrowding but later the MCPS focus changed to demographics.
-Despite the lowest FARMS rates among all 3 high schools, the Northwest HS (NWHS) Cluster is not affected much in this BS. Reason- it is to be part of the new Crown HS boundary study. But no one knows when Crown HS will ever be built. Is this a ploy to keep the NWHS cluster protected? Are people using their power to protect NWHS cluster against any impact of this boundary study? We demand assurance that all potential conflicts of interest have been declared to the public.
-Independent consultants were hired by MCPS for the district wide boundary analysis. Why not for this study?
3. The sham and unfairness of it all- They say they care about ALL kids and yet, kids have to study in unacceptable conditions at Neelsville MS. MCPS solution- move kids of one community away from this school and move kids from another community into that same school. SHUT NEELSVILLE NOW ! Relocate kids to the nearest and best surrounding facilities.
4. Being mischaracterized- Clarksburg community has been accused of racist and elitist comments but there is no proof they were from our community.
5. The frustration that our voices and concerns are less important:
-Only the Seneca Valley PTA was consulted. None of the Clarksburg OR other Germantown cluster's PTAs were shown the same courtesy.
-That alternate options to the Superintendent's recommendation that our communities presented, were dismissed and presented inaccurately.
We demand that MCPS assure us that all potential conflicts of interest have been declared to the public.
We demand that Neelsville MS be rebuilt now!
Improve the process! Improve the schools!
