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Parents and PTA leaders press council to restore Magruder and accelerate school renovations

Montgomery County Council ยท February 10, 2026

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Summary

Multiple parents, PTA leaders and community representatives urged the Montgomery County Council to prioritize school renovations in the FY27-32 CIP, singling out Magruder High, Burning Tree, Cold Spring, Sligo Creek/Sims repairs, and Tuckerman Lane pedestrian safety ahead of school openings.

Parents, PTA leaders and community advocates used the public hearing to press the county to restore school renovation projects and fund urgent safety work.

Multiple speakers focused on Magruder High School. Sofia Ferderer, Allison Parson and Jill Barrett described Magruders aging facility and recent incidents including a ceiling collapse during a spring performance; Barrett said the auditorium was later closed for repairs and called for Magruder to be returned to the CIP. Ferderer warned City-like neglect can lead to asbestos or mold problems elsewhere and urged the council to act proactively rather than react after a safety incident.

Shilpa Shah and others asked that Burning Tree Elementary, which the superintendent recommended for replacement after a feasibility study, be prioritized. Shah cited the schools 1958 construction, high FCI score (0.7), longstanding overcapacity and 50 identified ADA accessibility barriers, including high lead levels that have led to water-fountain and sink shutoffs.

Elizabeth Harshani urged the council to keep Cold Spring Elementary on schedule for replacement (targeted August 2031), citing growing enrollment (+11% over six years), open-concept design safety concerns, and the schools role as a regional center for enriched studies.

Emily Benjamin requested full funding for segment 4 of the Tuckerman Lane sidewalk project before Woodward High School opens, citing high average speeds (testimony cited "41 miles an hour") and a recent school-bus crash on Tuckerman as evidence of near-term safety risk.

Speakers repeatedly cited FCI (facility condition index) scores or local incidents and framed the work as safety and equity priorities. Witnesses asked the council to use FCI data to guide prioritization and to consider project-labor agreements and stronger oversight to ensure timely repairs.

No formal votes were held during the hearing; council members will consider testimony in budget deliberations and the superintendents recommendations for the FY27-32 CIP.