MCPS work session recommends SIMS closure, Sligo Creek replacement and detailed transition planning

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) board on Nov. 4 considered staff recommendations that Silver Spring International Middle School (SIMS) be removed from the district's permanent school portfolio and that Sligo Creek Elementary be replaced at a new site. Andrea Swiatoka, deputy chief of facilities, told the board the combined SIMS/Sligo Creek facility has "ongoing significant work order issues related to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, both the domestic lines as well as roof leaks," and staff "feel that it has reached its end of its useful life as a permanent school."

Why it matters: staff say the decision is driven by three facts the board must weigh together — a poor facility condition driven by decades of additions, a countywide drop in enrollment, and a lack of adequate swing space that would allow a full on-site replacement without extensive, multi-year phased occupancy. Costs shown at the session are preliminary and relate to construction only: a major capital project for the SIMS portion alone was estimated at about $145 million in FY27 dollars (rising to an estimated ~$215 million by FY35 because of escalation). A combined replacement for both SIMS and Sligo Creek was shown at roughly $240 million in FY27 dollars and $350 million in FY35 dollars.

What staff proposed and the constraints: staff described SIMS as a complex 1934 building with many later additions, circulation and accessibility problems, and recurring indoor-air-quality and HVAC problems. A portion of the site is on the Maryland historic-preservation inventory; Swiatoka said some 1934 and 1950 portions would likely need to remain. The primary play field used by students is Park property; any use of that field or placement of portables would require partnership with Parks. Staff also noted the district's existing holding (swing) facilities portfolio is limited: Northlake, Grovesner, Radnor and Fairland Center are available; Emery Grove is being converted to a permanent early-childhood center and thus not available for long-term swing use. Broome Junior High and other board-owned properties were discussed but staff said they currently need significant capital investment to serve as swing space.

Transition options and student programs: staff described a staged transition plan for SIMS if the board moves to close the school. Options include an immediate dispersal of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders when closure occurs or a phased grade-by-grade transition so the last cohort of sixth-graders finishes out a multi-year rollout. Staff emphasized program continuity: "replicate and expand" was the phrase used to describe intent for existing International Baccalaureate and world-language offerings, and staff said they do not envision positions eliminated but rather reassigned into receiving schools or district programs. Swiatoka said final decisions about detailed transitions would be set through the formal school-closure process and the separate boundary study for elementary schools.

Engagement, process and timing: the board was reminded this work session does not constitute a vote on school closure. Swiatoka and Dr. Taylor outlined the statutory notification and public-hearing requirements (including Maryland Code and MCPS regulations on disposition and school closures) and said a formal closure process — with written notice, public hearing and an eventual public decision — would follow the CIP action timeline. Staff proposed a site-selection process for a replacement elementary, with community engagement in January, a work session in February and potential board action in March, and noted that a replacement elementary could open as early as August 2029 if the project is funded on that schedule.

Costs and limits: staff repeatedly said the cost figures presented at the work session are high-level construction estimates only and do not include the additional expense of phased occupied renovations if a school remains on-site and portables are used; trenching, restroom hookups and other utility work for portables would add to costs. The board asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates for on-site phased occupancy and for portable setup and hookups.

Board questions and concerns: board members asked about community engagement (timing and whether process could be revisited after public comment), contingencies if the county council does not provide requested funding, teacher retention and supports during transitions, equity concerns for impacted communities, and the interaction between the proposed site-selection timelines and the elementary-boundary study. Staff answered that the CIP decision will proceed through the county executive and council process and that priorities would be adjusted if funding amounts change; staff also said more localized community engagement will be scheduled if the board moves forward.

What happens next: the board will consider the CIP at its Nov. 20 business meeting. Any formal school-closure vote would follow required public hearings and notifications; staff said the boundary study and transition planning would continue in parallel if the board proceeds.

Ending note: staff framed the recommendation as a difficult but pragmatic response to declining enrollment, aging infrastructure and limited swing space, and emphasized that program continuity and staff support would be central to any transition plan.