Advocacy

Potential for Twinbrook Elementary School Renovation

November 3: RM Cluster Submits CIP Priorities

Richard Montgomery Cluster Coordinator Jenny Hardesty submitted the RM Cluster’s priorities for the Capital Improvements Program FY2027-32 budget late last month, in writing testimony (attached) and orally to the Board of Education. The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on November 20 on forwarding a recommended CIP to the County Executive and County Council for their consideration in the County’s broader CIP.

Jenny also was quoted in Bethesda Today’s coverage of the Board’s CIP hearings:

“Those representing students at Twinbrook Elementary School, whose capital project was removed from the 2027-2032 CIP proposal, noted the school has just two water bottle stations for students and accessibility issues, including violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A number of safety incidents, including an outlet fire in a fifth-grade classroom, have occurred this school year, they said.  

“‘We understand the need to prioritize schools. However, Twinbrook has been put off for major capital projects again and again since at least 2000,’ Jennifer Hardesty, a MCCPTA cluster coordinator for Rockville’s Richard Montgomery High School, said in video testimony. ‘This gives a message to the community that Twinbrook is not as important as other schools.’”

Thank you to those that signed up and testified on October 23, 2025 on behalf of Twinbrook Elementary.

Archives

October 7, 2025: Board of Education Meetings

Thu, October 2306:00 PMFacilities and Boundaries Hearing #1Agenda
Webcast
Tue, October 2806:00 PMFacilities and Boundaries Hearing #2Agenda
Webcast

The RM Cluster will present its Capital Improvements Program (CIP) testimony on Thursday, October 23, at 6 pm at 15 W Gude Drive in Rockville.

Individual sign-ups for testimony will open here on Tuesday, October 14, at 12:00 pm.

Individual and student testimony is 3 minutes long, which equates to 450 words. Testimony can be given in person or recorded in advance; if you receive a slot, the Board of Education will write to you with additional instructions about submitting testimony. Interpretation is available, so testimony may be delivered in your preferred language. Written comments may also be submitted and can elaborate upon the spoken testimony.

The public is welcome to attend these hearings, so please feel free to wear Twinbrook spirit gear, bring an 8-1/2” X 11” sign supporting a major capital project at Twinbrook, and sit in quiet support of those giving testimony.

Two major themes for the testimony are:

  • According to program guidelines, Twinbrook has to have a major capital project that constructs space for hosting Linkages to Learning before this staffing and services can be established in the school.
  • Twinbrook’s building and property are completely lacking in accessibility. A list of problems compiled in 2019 can be read here.