Mayor Monique Ashton of Rockville and Rockville council members testified in support of a full replacement of Twinbrook Elementary, urging the Board of Education to restore the school to the FY2027'FY2032 CIP rather than defer the project.

"This is a matter of equity and inclusion, and this school needs to be completely rebuilt," Mayor Monique Ashton said, citing inadequate sprinklers, non-ADA entrances and insufficient space for specialists. She described Twinbrook as a Title I community hub that provides civic education, family engagement and mental-health services.

Councilmember Marissa Valeri recounted personal experience as a Twinbrook parent and resident and said she is "at a loss as to why Twinbrook is continually denied basic upgrades and modernization." Valeri listed demographic indicators cited in testimony: a 57% FARMS rate, 43% English-learner rate, 89.1% minority enrollment, and high levels of poverty and food insecurity in the surrounding neighborhood.

Rockville officials also criticized the CIP algorithm and prioritization, saying the school's poor condition and community dependence on school-based services justified immediate action. They asked the board to reengage on linkages-to-learning supports while pursuing a capital solution.

MCPS staff confirmed that some remediation work (plumbing backups, SERVPRO remediation) has been completed in response to specific incidents, and board members requested follow-up reports on the status of those repairs and any outstanding safety issues. No formal board action was taken at the hearing.

Speakers also urged attention to other Rockville-area needs, including Wootton High School and various roofing and HVAC projects discussed elsewhere in testimony.