Wootton HS Legal Battle Pushed To Next Year After MCPS Delay

ROCKVILLE, MD — The legal challenge over the relocation of Thomas S. Wootton High School is facing serious delays after the Montgomery County school district failed to file discovery materials in time.

Evidentiary hearings in the case were initially scheduled to take place in December. Now, they won't be held until next year.

An updated timeline from the Community and Education Policy Alliance Inc. states MCPS has until Nov. 6 to provide outstanding discovery documents, with any expert reports or supporting files due by Dec. 14.

The evidentiary hearing is now booked for Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 1.

"It is deeply frustrating that MCPS’s failure to complete its document production has created yet another obstacle for the very community seeking transparency and accountability. Our families deserve answers, not additional delays," reads a statement by the community coalition.

"MCPS may have delayed the hearing, but it has not stopped our case. The timeline has changed. Our determination has not."

Related:

• MoCo Residents Turn Out For 'Save Wootton' Rally
• Coalition Challenges MCPS' Wootton HS Decision
• Evidentiary Hearings Booked For Legal Fight Against Wootton High School Relocation

CEPA's legal challenge came after the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to adopt a new regional model and school attendance zones in March that require Wootton students to attend the Crown High School in Gaithersburg.

The new changes are set to take effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

Wootton would serve as a holding school as the school district carries out much-needed maintenance projects at aging buildings.

The community alliance has argued that the school board decision lacked transparency, was based on faulty data and failed to take community input into consideration.