Magruder advocates demand planning funds after repeated CIP delays; community skeptical of placeholder projects

Summary

McGruder/Magruder cluster representatives said the high school has been deferred repeatedly, now has the highest FCI among high schools and should be funded for planning and design. Speakers warned that symbolic items (turf or roof placeholders) do not substitute for a funded planning and design phase.

Speakers from the Magruder cluster told the board the school has been promised in multiple prior CIPs and repeatedly delayed; they said the facility condition index now ranks Magruder among the worst and that the superintendent's recommended CIP omits planning funds the community needs to begin design.

"Magruder ranks as the most depleted high school according to your facility condition index," said Dan Silva, a cluster coordinator. Kim Glassman, Magruder PTSA president, asked the board to replace line-item placeholders (turf, roof) with committed planning and design funds so the community can engage in a real planning process.

Speakers warned a plan that relies on using Crown as a holding school must be paired with tangible commitments to Magruder during planning and design, not only vague references to future options. They requested a direct, cluster-level planning process and a timeline for design and construction so the community can assess tradeoffs and opportunities.

MCPS staff acknowledged community frustration and recorded requests for a cluster-level planning meeting and a clearer depiction of the CIP timeline; no formal action was taken during the hearing.