Last night, Takoma Park's City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting a complete rebuild of Piney Branch Elementary School, including a pool (option 4a, with a large gym added to that design). The resolution also called for establishing a new downcounty holding school for use during school construction, or for the use of Fairland (not Grosvenor) if a closer holding school cannot be established.
The City specified the need for:
- Classroom sizes that meet MCPS requirements and have access to natural light
- ADA compliant access throughout the building and grounds
- Increased number of parking spaces
- Safer drop-off/pick up and pedestrian site circulation
- Major systems replaced with high-energy-efficiency equipment, including HVAC, plumbing, windows, and doors
- Library at the heart of the school
- An indoor gymnasium that meets or exceeds the current size and allows for continued community use
- Maintaining the Piney Branch Pool with separate secure access from PBES to allow for continued student and community use.
At the City Council meeting, Councilmember Kurt Gilbert (Ward 4) spoke passionately about the importance of the pool to the community, and about how he learned to swim at the pool.
The City's resolution will now be forwarded to the Superintendent, the Board of Ed, the County Executive and County Council. Advocacy now shifts to those decision-makers, so please weigh in with them about why the pool is important to you, and why the County should fund our school and pool.
- EMAIL the entire Board of Ed at BOE@mcpsmd.org
- EMAIL the entire County Council at county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov
- EMAIL the County Executive at marc.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov