MCPS Site Selection Committees Vary by Site - Behind the Scenes Determines Process

Below is an interesting April 2011 letter from MCPS staff that was sent to a parent asking a question about the formation of a MCPS Site Selection Committee. The letter explains that MCPS staff are the first reviewers of sites that will be considered for a new school.  The Site Selection Committee then gets to review what MCPS staff has already selected as possible locations for a new school. Who knew that?  Where are the documents that show "much research"?

The letter also says that "leadership of community and homeowner associations (HOA's) in proximity to the candidates will be invited to participate" on the site selection committee. But we know from the BCC Middle School site selection fiasco that there were no representatives from neighborhoods around the #1 and #2 sites selected by the MCPS Site Selection committee. Are there different rules for different MCPS site selection committees? Where are these rules written down?

April 26, 2011 

Dear XXX: 

Mr. Song asked me to respond to your email inquiry below.

You have not heard from the Board of Education or its staff, because staff is busy behind the scenes identifying sites that could be used for construction of a holding facility that meets minimum criteria. Much research goes into this; reviewing sites in the Board’s inventory, other public or private land that may be available of sufficient acreage, land use master plans to check for compatibility, topography, access, utilities and other elements.

No schedule has been set as of this time, nor have we yet determined where the meetings will be held. This information will be provided in the invitation to participate, perhaps in another month. Based on the sites that are identified, leadership of community and homeowner associations (HOA’s) in proximity to the candidates will be invited to participate. Only one person will be invited to serve from each HOA. That could either be the president of the organization or his/her delegatee.A Site Selection Advisory Committee (SSAC) will be formed comprised of the PTA’s high school cluster leadership in the Upcounty, MCPS and county agency staff.

In order to receive an invitation, the HOA must be registered with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.Please keep in touch with your HOA to learn when an SSAC invitation is received.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Janice M. Turpin | Real Estate Management Team Leader

Voice: 240-314-1069 | Fax: 240-314-4707