Kensington Parkwood Elementary Starts Growth Plan

Kensington Parkwood Elementary School's student body is growing and community leaders are looking to add onto the building that was dedicated just six years ago.

“It’s something we clearly need,” said Barbara Liess, principal. “The population of the school has been increasing and we’re attracting even more young children.”

The building’s capacity is around 500 students, but current enrollment is at 683 students, Liess said. Currently, the school uses portable classrooms to accommodate all students, she said.

On April 17, the Montgomery County Board of Education approved a $35,000 contract with GWWO Architects, the same architects that built the school in 2006, to prepare a feasibility study.

“Like most parents, I am concerned about overcrowding at the school and the use of portables,” said Al Carr, a parent of Kensington Parkwood Elementary students. “Several people have questioned why a school could fill up so fast after opening up only six years ago.”

Kensington Parkwood Elementary PTA co-presidents Debbie Attar and Michele Santy stated the goal is to build the school to a 740 pupil capacity, which would include adding 14 new classrooms, instructional support rooms, an assistant principal’s office and a conference room.

The addition is not a guarantee, Liess said, and the study is to provide cost estimates, show where the addition could go, and come up with three alternative designs with a preferred design.

“We’ve just begun,” Liess said. "This is a learning process for me as well."

The public has the chance to weigh in on the study and the addition at four planned meetings, starting May 3 at 4 p.m. in Kensington Parkwood Elementary's media center. Other meetings will be 7 p.m., May 16 and June 13; and 4 p.m., May 30. A fifth meeting is planned for June 28, if necessary.