Councilmember Will Jawando, Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, released the following statement on the proposed closure of Silver Spring International Middle School and relocation of Sligo Creek Elementary School, as detailed in the Superintendent’s FY 2027 Capital Budget recommendation:
“The timeline from announcement to Board vote — just five weeks — did not provide adequate time for meaningful community engagement.”
Jawando acknowledged the legitimate challenges facing MCPS regarding aging infrastructure but emphasized that decisions involving school closure, relocation, and $281 million in capital spending demand “careful consideration, accurate data, genuine community input, and clear answers.”
The Council’s review process will proceed with County Executive Elrich presenting recommendations on January 15, followed by Council deliberation and final decision-making. Jawando stressed that sufficient time must be allocated for community engagement before proceeding.
He encouraged residents to continue advocating for their schools throughout the review process.