MCPS has revised the proposal for construction at the combined SCES and SSIMS campus. SSIMS will receive lower funding than previously planned and changes will focus exclusively on moving the PE department & gym from the field house to the currently-closed auditorium and on security-oriented improvements. Other improvements in prior plans, including those to SCES, are being abandoned. Net savings will be diverted to an addition to Highland View ES to relieve overcrowding.
This change in planning did not involve engagement with the SCES community. However, the SCES PTA anticipates significant impacts to the SCES community, as MCPS has indicated that students will stay at the SCES/SSIMS campus during construction. The PTA's Construction Committee submitted written testimony at last week's Boundaries and Facilities public hearings requesting that the Board of Education not accept this proposal until effective engagement has occurred. To date, there has been no indication that the BOE or MCPS is pursuing our request.
Any opportunity for us to provide further input would be at the end of this week, either as testimony (if the hearing is held) or as a letter to the BOE.
We will discuss these changes to the SCES/SSIMS construction proposal and any action the SCES PTA may want to take at the PTA Meeting on Wednesday at 8 PM.
