...Hougham — a furloughed federal employee — wasn’t used to having so many hours to herself while her two kids were in school.
But, less than a week into the shutdown, Montgomery County Public Schools gave her a way to spend the unexpected free time.
District officials unveiled new campus boundary maps in early October, practically at the same time that many parents were sent home from their jobs at nearby federal agencies.
The proposal ignited ardent debate, with some furloughed parents quick to rally in opposition. During hours they would’ve normally spent drafting government reports or prepping for briefings, these federal workers instead circulated petitions and created an advocacy toolkit via Google Docs...
...“Every single current proposal protects the boundaries of the most affluent high schools while pushing severe disruption and instability onto East County families,” Hougham, a Silver Spring resident, told the school board Oct. 16...
...The boundary maps were the first reveal that shocked some furloughed parents into action. Next came the proposal to close Silver Spring International Middle School.
“That really escalated things,” Hougham said...
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