There are 238 school buildings in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system that have poor infrastructure, and Thomas S. Wootton High School (TSWHS) is one of them. Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, Wootton has suffered several incidents, including the gas leak on November 24, 2025 and a school shooting on February 9. However, more recently, on April 10, a water main break occurred on Wootton Parkway in Rockville, affecting the high school and one of the parking lots. Efficient learning starts with building, and students agree.
“I know my school is safe, externally and internally. However, the flood and gas leak have both left me questioning whether the building is as efficient as it can be,” TSWHS freshman Roya Eman said. “The infrastructure needs to be redone to be more sustainable and efficient because it needs to cater to students’ needs, not make students have to adjust their learning experience to fit the building’s needs.”
After the school building had operational issues multiple times, some Wootton students supported the closing of their school. Wootton excels academically and athletically, producing well-rounded students. If the school wants to keep up its reputation, it should be redone in order to allow all students to have a comfortable learning environment. Constant issues around the school create chaos and havoc, distracting from the overall learning experience at Wootton.
“Most of the students, including my friends, get annoyed by the constant issues that happen one after the other,” WCHS freshman River Johnson said. “My friends tell me about malfunctioning things that need to be repaired around the classrooms daily. The school is definitely in need of repairs overall.”
The flood in the 2100 block of Wootton Parkway occurred early Friday morning on April 10. It led to multiple road closures and an early dismissal being issued as soon as news spread. As students and parents adjusted to the sudden change in schedule, many looked to the principal for clear communication and guidance throughout the emergency.
“My principal handled the situation really well,” Eman said. “He responded fast, and he sent out emails to all the parents and students to ensure everyone was up to date on what was going on in the Wootton community. There were emails constantly being sent out every 10 minutes with live updates to keep parents informed and not stressed, which my parents were glad about because I wasn’t able to explain the whole story to them because I didn’t know it.”
Although many students associated the flooding with the school itself, responsibility for repairing the broken water main did not fall on MCPS. Water main systems in Montgomery County are maintained by local utilities and county agencies. This means school officials could respond to the emergency by adjusting schedules and prioritizing student safety. As crews worked to contain the flooding and reopen roads, Wootton administrators focused on communicating updates to students and families and organizing an orderly early dismissal.
“The safety and cleanliness inside the building at Churchill is far better than Wootton’s,” Johnson said. “When I visit Wootton for sports events, it’s clear that the school is old and a bit run-down. Overall, I think Churchill has a better community, not just demographically, but also because of the physical differences between Churchill and Wootton. The exterior of our school is much cleaner and newer-looking, and I think it adds to the friendliness of our community. Wootton closing down to be completely renovated is a good idea, and it will give the school a fresh start.”
For many students, the water main break was not just an isolated incident, but another disruption in an already eventful school year at Wootton. From emergency incidents to unexpected schedule changes, students have experienced several moments that affected the overall school environment and daily routines. Some students say these repeated disruptions have shaped the way they view their first year at the school and increased their appreciation for the upcoming building renovations.
“As a freshman, and it being my first time in high school, this year has been chaotic and crazy,” Eman said. “From the gas leak in November, the tragic shooting in February, and now a water main break, this school year has been wild. While these events haven’t directly affected my learning, they disrupt my environment, which, to me, is very important. I’m glad this school is going to be redone because when students come back, they will be able to appreciate the Wootton community and how this school will serve them.”
