The Whitman Cluster enrollment has grown consistently over the past decade. Pyle’s gym and cafeteria were built for 1,000 students, but the middle school has 1,535 students now. Students have PE classes in hallways, and eat their lunches on hallway floors and in classrooms. Whitman also faces significant space constraints. At almost 2,000 students, Whitman is already well over its current capacity of 1,891, and is expected to grow to more than 2,200 students by 2019.

Our students cannot wait any longer for a solution. Pyle and Whitman enrollments will be even larger than current projections with the expected approval of the Westbard Sector Plan. It is inconceivable to stall these critical infrastructure projects while simultaneously approving Westbard. Maintaining the current schedule for the Pyle and Whitman additions will ensure there is a solution for current enrollment levels AND a solution for new enrollment from Westbard.

We ask you, our elected Montgomery County Council and Board of Education members, to ensure the Pyle and Whitman capacity projects remain funded to continue without delay.