Paula Shaibani, the gymnastics instructor at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and the sport’s overseer for seven Montgomery County schools, presented a community protest to the Montgomery County school board Thursday in Rockville, objecting to the district’s decision to phase out gymnastics programs.
The decision, announced earlier this month, cites dwindling student interest and increasing costs as the primary reasons for eliminating the program, which was the last publicly funded gymnastics program remaining in Maryland, according to reports. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) officials have stated they faced challenges in securing qualified coaches and managing the expenses associated with equipment and facilities.
Shaibani disputes the claim of low participation, accusing the district of a lack of transparency in its decision-making process. She has launched a Change.org petition in an effort to save the program, which, as of February 15, 2026, had gathered over 1,100 signatures and some financial contributions, according to Zeno.FM.
The move to eliminate gymnastics has sparked protest from the gymnastics community, as reported by Bethesda Magazine. The district’s decision follows a period of financial strain and evolving priorities within MCPS, leading to scrutiny of extracurricular activities and their associated costs.
Shaibani, who oversees the sport across seven schools in the county, has been a vocal advocate for maintaining the program. She has not yet received a response from the school board regarding her petition or the concerns raised by the community.
