Notes Informational Session on the MCPS Alternative Education Program Meeting - July 10, 2025
The Flower Valley Citizen's Association Board compiled and sent these notes regarding the informational session on the MCPS Alternative Education Program being housed in the North Lake Holding School on Bauer Drive.
This meeting was organized by County Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez along with representatives from the Montgomery County Police Department, local government officials and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). There were approximately 150-200 community members present. The program began with a testimony from an intern who is currently working with Natali this summer and has been reading the emails and letters that her office has received. The intern, Max, was a student in one of the MCPS Alternative Education centers that was located in a residential neighborhood (the former Frost school on Aspen Hill Road) and described the positive environment and personal attention that he was given at the center after experiencing behavioral problems at his home school. In his time at Frost, he could not recall an incident that affected the community outside of the school and stated that the students, in his experience, were not interested in being in the school area after school hours as that is not where their home is located.
At the end of the meeting, two students who are currently enrolled in the Alternative Education program spoke and gave their experiences with the program. Both spoke highly of the staff and the resources that they were able to receive at the center vs at their home school. Both mentioned that they made mistakes and that this program gave them a second chance to get back on track.
Captain David Smith, 4th District Commander, MoCo Police
Capt. Smith, along with several other representatives from the 4th District, were present. He assured the group
that he would monitor the activity of the area on a weekly basis and would assign officer coverage as needed
to address issues that arise. In reviewing data from areas around other Alternative Education centers as well
as other MCPS High Schools with high incident reports, there were no incidents reported that affected the
community outside of the school area. He also mentioned that there will be 3 security officers at North Lake.
At the location where the program was recently located, Plum Orchard, over a 14-month period, there were
14 calls to the police with one being a criminal incident.
He encouraged residents to call the police if they see suspicious activity.
Vaugh Stewart, Member, Maryland House of Delegates
Vaughn is a resident of the neighborhood and has children at FVES. He addressed the community’s disappointment in the lack of transparency by MCPS and called on them to provide to the community:
This meeting was organized by County Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez along with representatives from the Montgomery County Police Department, local government officials and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). There were approximately 150-200 community members present. The program began with a testimony from an intern who is currently working with Natali this summer and has been reading the emails and letters that her office has received. The intern, Max, was a student in one of the MCPS Alternative Education centers that was located in a residential neighborhood (the former Frost school on Aspen Hill Road) and described the positive environment and personal attention that he was given at the center after experiencing behavioral problems at his home school. In his time at Frost, he could not recall an incident that affected the community outside of the school and stated that the students, in his experience, were not interested in being in the school area after school hours as that is not where their home is located.
At the end of the meeting, two students who are currently enrolled in the Alternative Education program spoke and gave their experiences with the program. Both spoke highly of the staff and the resources that they were able to receive at the center vs at their home school. Both mentioned that they made mistakes and that this program gave them a second chance to get back on track.
Captain David Smith, 4th District Commander, MoCo Police
Capt. Smith, along with several other representatives from the 4th District, were present. He assured the group
that he would monitor the activity of the area on a weekly basis and would assign officer coverage as needed
to address issues that arise. In reviewing data from areas around other Alternative Education centers as well
as other MCPS High Schools with high incident reports, there were no incidents reported that affected the
community outside of the school area. He also mentioned that there will be 3 security officers at North Lake.
At the location where the program was recently located, Plum Orchard, over a 14-month period, there were
14 calls to the police with one being a criminal incident.
He encouraged residents to call the police if they see suspicious activity.
Vaugh Stewart, Member, Maryland House of Delegates
Vaughn is a resident of the neighborhood and has children at FVES. He addressed the community’s disappointment in the lack of transparency by MCPS and called on them to provide to the community:
- the security assessment that was used to select North Lake for this program
- the security plan for the school (this was later discussed with MCPS and they shared that the full version of the plan cannot be shared for safety of the students)
- the estimated plan of when the program would be relocated out of North Lake
Rita Montoya, Representative, MCPS Board of Education
On behalf of MCPS, Rita apologized for the lack of communication to the community and assured the group
that MCPS will focus on clearer communication moving forward.
There were three members of MCPS in attendance:
Peter Moran, Chief of Schools (Peter should be the main POC for any questions for MCPS)
Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer
Christopher Cram, Director of Communications
A presentation was given to address the questions submitted by the community. A copy of the slideshow has been requested and will be shared upon receipt. The following information was shared:
On behalf of MCPS, Rita apologized for the lack of communication to the community and assured the group
that MCPS will focus on clearer communication moving forward.
There were three members of MCPS in attendance:
Peter Moran, Chief of Schools (Peter should be the main POC for any questions for MCPS)
Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer
Christopher Cram, Director of Communications
A presentation was given to address the questions submitted by the community. A copy of the slideshow has been requested and will be shared upon receipt. The following information was shared:
- There are 41 students enrolled in the program being moved to North Lake, not 90 as was previously indicated. The program has the capacity to accommodate 105 students in the two locations (there is a second location on Avery Road) but this specific location will hold no more than 50 students. Note that the student population could fluctuate between 35-50 students throughout the year as the goal of the program is return students to their assigned home school in 45-60 days.
- Why was North Lake selected?
- Building readiness for students
- Infrastructure for required security
- Smaller classroom size was ideal for this program as most classes have 3-9 students
- Centrally located for students commuting from across the county
- Biggest behavioral issue/infraction for most students is attendance. 75% are chronically absent.
- There will be three security guards on-site with extensive training to handle multiple emergency situations.
- Largest class student:teacher ratio allowed is 9:1. Most classes have 3-5:1 due to small size of the program.
- Upgraded safety features currently being installed are:
- Internal and external cameras
- Alarms on all doors
- Security vestibule—staff/students have badges, visitors must go through security checkpoint
- Students are searched upon entry and exit from school every time they enter/exit the building
- Majority of students take MCPS transportation to school. Some may arrive on their own (parents driving, public bus). It was unclear as to whether some students would drive to school. Based on information from the school’s principal at the last meeting, students were not allowed to drive. Mr. Moran mentioned that a small number may drive. This is to be examined further.
- With attendance being a major issue, Mr. Moran commented that if the students had to walk too far to get to school (for example, from the bus on Norbeck through the neighborhood), they simply wouldn’t attend. So MCPS makes it a priority to provide bus transportation to increase attendance.
- They are estimating that approximately 8-11 buses will be needed to bring the kids to school vs. an average of 16 buses that were used when other elementary schools were temporarily housed at North Lake.
- Based on MCPS Data, there were 24 “Serious Incident Reports” at Plum Orchard last year. Of those incidents, there was one arrest, one assault (of a teacher), one drug-related, 9 missing students (students who did not show up to school) and 3 fighting-related.
- When asked about timeline for relocating the program, the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that is being presented for approval to the BOE in October includes the recommendation for this program to find a permanent home that is not at North Lake. Currently, it is estimated that the program will be at North Lake for 2 years.
- It was asked if students who were in the program for more serious incidents are treated differently from those with less serious infractions (attendance, etc.). The response was that each student is evaluated individually as each case is unique. Many students with violent tendencies are paired with a 1-on-1 aide who will stay with the student throughout the day.
- There was concern about bus traffic at 7:30am as that is when many residents are commuting to work. The traffics patterns will be monitored and adjustments will be made where possible and where it makes sense. Specifically, there was a question about lengthening the light at Norbeck and Emory. This will be evaluated.
- There was a question about beautification efforts of the school grounds and the potential removal of the current portables. There are plans to clean the school grounds in preparation for the arrival of this program, however, removing the portables will need to be discussed further as portables may be needed for future use at the facility.
- It was suggested that MCPS host community meetings to update the community once the school opens and MCPS was open to hosting them. It was also suggested that there be a community walk through of the space and surrounding area with local residents and MCPS. Further information on these meetings will be shared should they be scheduled.
- It was asked if it was possible to move the program to the Carver school on Hungerford Road as a more permanent location. This will be explored further.