Subject
title
Montgomery County Public Schools Twinbrook Elementary School Feasibility Study Presentation
end
Department
City Manager's Office (CMO)
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council receive the presentation.
Discussion
The purpose of this work session is for the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Planning and Construction, Division of Facilities Management, to formally present the Twinbrook Elementary School Feasibility study progress to the Mayor and Council. The presentation and feedback from the Mayor and Council are part of MCPS’s feasibility study community engagement process.
MCPS staff has three questions in which they seek feedback from the Mayor and Council:
1) Of the approaches outlined in the Feasibility Study, does the Mayor and Council have a preferred approach they would like to endorse, should the project be selected to advance into design?
2) Recognizing that the Feasibility Study is complete, are there additional site or building considerations the Mayor and Council would like MCPS to be aware of, should the project be selected to advance into design?
3) The Twinbrook community has expressed that the existing Community-Sized Gymnasium is a valued asset they would like to see retained. This size exceeds the standard MCPS Educational Specifications for an elementary school gymnasium. Should the project be selected to advance into design and the Replacement option identified as the approach, would the Mayor and Council be supportive of the City of Rockville covering the additional costs required to provide a larger, Community-Sized Gymnasium?
The MCPS Twinbrook Feasibility Study presentation is attached as Attachment A.
The presentation includes a detailed description of the four project options that are under consideration:
• Option 1 - Renewal;
• Option 2 - Less Than 50% Demolition;
• Option 3 - More than 50% Demolition; and
• Option 4 - New Construction.
MCPS Division of Facilities Management staff and their architects met with City staff on June 12, 2026, for a Pre-Development meeting to discuss the details of the Twinbrook Elementary School Feasibility Study. Staff from the Community Planning and Development Services, Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and the City Manager’s Office participated and provided general comments to the school system officials.
The City’s Department of Recreation and Parks reviewed the feasibility study from a programmatic perspective. Currently, the Department of Recreation and Parks operates the Twinbrook After School Club at the school site. The activities focus on arts, crafts, games, and physical exercise. Homework help is available, and a snack is provided. Recreation and Parks is interested in expanding the City’s programming that supports students’ academic, social, and emotional growth to reach a larger number of students who could benefit from these services.
Additionally, staff is interested in collaborating with MCPS to ensure that a community-sized gym is included in the final, approved project. Three of the options retain the existing community-sized gym, and the new construction option includes an add-alternate to expand the gym for community use. Staff is supportive of option 4.
In addition to Mayor and Council comments, staff recommends that the city provide the following feedback to MPCS in support of the community-sized gym and an expanded partnership for the city to provide additional programming at the Twinbrook Elementary School:
• An expanded and upgraded gym accommodating a wider range of sports and recreational activities, with added spectator seating to serve as a venue for community events.
• A dedicated recreation classroom (“rec room”) for after care.
• Dedicated office space for on-site program coordination to ensure seamless integration between after-school programs and the school’s daily schedule.
• Enhanced storage solutions for city equipment.
• Improved restroom facilities accessible from primary activity areas.
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time that MCPS has provided a Twinbrook Feasibility Study presentation to the Mayor and Council. Since 2009, the Mayor and Council have advocated for the full rebuild of the Twinbrook Elementary School.
Next Steps
Following the Mayor and Council discussion, staff will draft a letter to MCPS conveying the Mayor and Council's direction.
The Superintendent’s recommendations for the FY2027 Capital Budget and the FY2027-2032 will be released on October 13, 2027. The Mayor and Council will have the opportunity to continue advocating in support of the replacement option for Twinbrook Elementary School during the Board of Education’s CIP hearings (10/23 and 10/28) and the County Council CIP hearings in the winter/spring of 2026 (TBD).
The next steps will not be determined until the County Council adopts the FY 2027 Capital Budget and FY 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program.