FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:97% IS overcrowded, GMAFB. No FCPS HS should be pushing 3000.

What idiocy.

In the past schools have needed to be over 110% capacity to warrant boundary changes, much less a new school. Now they've dropped that threshold to 105% for boundary changes, but no one thinks 97% is overcrowded.

And they've purposefully expanded many schools to over 2500 seats. Westfield isn't even an outlier, when you look at the current capacities at Oakton, Herndon, and West Potomac. And of course they planned to expand Centreville to 3000, although they might end up dialing that back.

[Anonymous]

An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

If you're talking about focusing on a new name before more important decisions are made, yeah, that's putting the cart before the horse.

But it sounds like staff is going to have to come up with a new and more substantive proposal for KAA's future before the 10/7 work session. The fact that the word "possible" precedes "boundary status" suggests they don't yet want to commit 100% to a neighborhood school, which would clearly have an impact on school boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

If you're talking about focusing on a new name before more important decisions are made, yeah, that's putting the cart before the horse.

But it sounds like staff is going to have to come up with a new and more substantive proposal for KAA's future before the 10/7 work session. The fact that the word "possible" precedes "boundary status" suggests they don't yet want to commit 100% to a neighborhood school, which would clearly have an impact on school boundaries.

It would be easier and wrong to make it a "special magnet " school. However, it does not meet the needs of the local community.

Office buildings get reorganized physically frequently. This school could be made to work as a traditional high school. There are people who know how to do it. But, rather than hire those people, FCPS hires groups like THRU to set boundaries. Hopefully, they will find someone who knows what they are doing for this process.
This is NOT rocket science. It does take te right people to do it.

[Anonymous]

Seems to me that the name is the last thing they should be considering. Maybe they will name it Michelle Reid High School.

Didn't they reach out to the Stuart community before they named Justice? Seems to me that is the last decision that needs to be made.

Who is the acting principal? She gave a name but I did not understand her clearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

2026/2027 1000 students. Gr. 9-10
2028 1500 students Gr. 9-11
2029 2000 students Gr. 9-12

If this is what you think, the problem would be KAA won't have 2000 capacity by 2029. I hope they do.

If the main building cannot be adapted to 2000, then the additional buildings could easily be used. Better than modulars. However, I think they could adapt the main building. It is large enough. The issue is the configuration. But, with three gyms, it seems to me they could have additional classrooms.

They aren’t going to open KAA as a high school campus where kids are routinely going in and out of three buildings. That’s completely inconsistent with their focus on enhanced security and all the money they recently spent to put West Potomac under one roof.

You are really trying to mislead people into thinking KAA can soon be a typical HS without a lot of additional money being spent.

Have you ever driven down Education Drive? Probably safer than going into trailers or modulars. Do high school kids go outside for physical education?

As for the sports, that is an issue. But, the main issue is that Reid has given little thought and her hires have not been especially good. This is a problem no matter how they implement KAA.

All I can say is that the reasons given for the boundary study apply in spades to this area. The school is needed as a traditional school. Any creative staff could figure out a way to do it and to do it soon.

But, then, these are the people who decided to delay a criminally overcrowded situation for another year. Go take a look at Coates campus.

I doubt they are going to conclude Education Drive in Herndon is some Nirvana of school safety and security.
If something went wrong they’d be facing massive liability.

They want to get kids out of trailers and they only put up with kids in modulars because otherwise they’d have to change more school boundaries and it would shed a light on the disparities in school facilities within FCPS. But that doesn’t mean they’ll replicate those conditions at a new school.

Have you been there? Doesn't sound like it.

Yes. And I can't believe you're delusional enough to think FCPS will just turn it into an open, three-building high school campus.

Suggest you drive around some other high schools. Many are pretty open. Education Drive is almost a private drive. The School Board and the Park Authority own all the property. There is no need for any thru traffic. Certainly, it wouldn't be as exposed as most high schools in Fairfax County.

But, the main building is likely to be able to handle it, in any case. Extra buildings could be used for storage, academy or whatever.

If you think that FCPS is going to get rid of all modulars and trailers, you must be new to Fairfax County.

Facts matter.

This is one stupid assertion after another on your part.

The relative seclusion of Education Drive could make it more vulnerable from a security perspective. Let's not forget how close it is to a self-storage business right off McLearen and other commerical properties.

But in any event the main security risks arise from having so many kids in buildings with limited security. That's what FCPS has been trying to address, and an open campus with three buildings runs directly counter to the thrust of their recent priorities and efforts.

The new head of Facilities has repeatedly said the current capacity of KAA is in the 1200 to 1300 range, so stop pretending it's going to be a regular 9-12 high school any time soon.

And of course they aren't going to get rid of all the trailers and modulars at EXISTING schools right away, but that doesn't mean they are going to open a NEW school with the same issues.

Most likely this is going to be a multi-year project to redesign and expand KAA so it can function as a public HS. Some of those same bells and whistles that had you people salivating over sending your kids there rather than to, say, Westfield are probably going to be torn out to create more standard classrooms. We'll spend a lot of additional money and the end result will be a less attractive facility than KAA is today.

None of you have any idea what you're talking about. Please just stop embarrassing yourselves. This is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

FYI - it's confirmed that Crossfield and Fox Mill are staying as is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

2026/2027 1000 students. Gr. 9-10
2028 1500 students Gr. 9-11
2029 2000 students Gr. 9-12

If this is what you think, the problem would be KAA won't have 2000 capacity by 2029. I hope they do.

If the main building cannot be adapted to 2000, then the additional buildings could easily be used. Better than modulars. However, I think they could adapt the main building. It is large enough. The issue is the configuration. But, with three gyms, it seems to me they could have additional classrooms.

They aren’t going to open KAA as a high school campus where kids are routinely going in and out of three buildings. That’s completely inconsistent with their focus on enhanced security and all the money they recently spent to put West Potomac under one roof.

You are really trying to mislead people into thinking KAA can soon be a typical HS without a lot of additional money being spent.

Have you ever driven down Education Drive? Probably safer than going into trailers or modulars. Do high school kids go outside for physical education?

As for the sports, that is an issue. But, the main issue is that Reid has given little thought and her hires have not been especially good. This is a problem no matter how they implement KAA.

All I can say is that the reasons given for the boundary study apply in spades to this area. The school is needed as a traditional school. Any creative staff could figure out a way to do it and to do it soon.

But, then, these are the people who decided to delay a criminally overcrowded situation for another year. Go take a look at Coates campus.

I doubt they are going to conclude Education Drive in Herndon is some Nirvana of school safety and security.
If something went wrong they’d be facing massive liability.

They want to get kids out of trailers and they only put up with kids in modulars because otherwise they’d have to change more school boundaries and it would shed a light on the disparities in school facilities within FCPS. But that doesn’t mean they’ll replicate those conditions at a new school.

Have you been there? Doesn't sound like it.

Yes. And I can't believe you're delusional enough to think FCPS will just turn it into an open, three-building high school campus.

Suggest you drive around some other high schools. Many are pretty open. Education Drive is almost a private drive. The School Board and the Park Authority own all the property. There is no need for any thru traffic. Certainly, it wouldn't be as exposed as most high schools in Fairfax County.

But, the main building is likely to be able to handle it, in any case. Extra buildings could be used for storage, academy or whatever.

If you think that FCPS is going to get rid of all modulars and trailers, you must be new to Fairfax County.

Facts matter.

This is one stupid assertion after another on your part.

The relative seclusion of Education Drive could make it more vulnerable from a security perspective. Let's not forget how close it is to a self-storage business right off McLearen and other commerical properties.

But in any event the main security risks arise from having so many kids in buildings with limited security. That's what FCPS has been trying to address, and an open campus with three buildings runs directly counter to the thrust of their recent priorities and efforts.

The new head of Facilities has repeatedly said the current capacity of KAA is in the 1200 to 1300 range, so stop pretending it's going to be a regular 9-12 high school any time soon.

And of course they aren't going to get rid of all the trailers and modulars at EXISTING schools right away, but that doesn't mean they are going to open a NEW school with the same issues.

Most likely this is going to be a multi-year project to redesign and expand KAA so it can function as a public HS. Some of those same bells and whistles that had you people salivating over sending your kids there rather than to, say, Westfield are probably going to be torn out to create more standard classrooms. We'll spend a lot of additional money and the end result will be a less attractive facility than KAA is today.

None of you have any idea what you're talking about. Please just stop embarrassing yourselves. This is ridiculous.

You folks have been consistently wrong or at least premature in your assertions. Take a seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

2026/2027 1000 students. Gr. 9-10
2028 1500 students Gr. 9-11
2029 2000 students Gr. 9-12

If this is what you think, the problem would be KAA won't have 2000 capacity by 2029. I hope they do.

If the main building cannot be adapted to 2000, then the additional buildings could easily be used. Better than modulars. However, I think they could adapt the main building. It is large enough. The issue is the configuration. But, with three gyms, it seems to me they could have additional classrooms.

They aren’t going to open KAA as a high school campus where kids are routinely going in and out of three buildings. That’s completely inconsistent with their focus on enhanced security and all the money they recently spent to put West Potomac under one roof.

You are really trying to mislead people into thinking KAA can soon be a typical HS without a lot of additional money being spent.

Have you ever driven down Education Drive? Probably safer than going into trailers or modulars. Do high school kids go outside for physical education?

As for the sports, that is an issue. But, the main issue is that Reid has given little thought and her hires have not been especially good. This is a problem no matter how they implement KAA.

All I can say is that the reasons given for the boundary study apply in spades to this area. The school is needed as a traditional school. Any creative staff could figure out a way to do it and to do it soon.

But, then, these are the people who decided to delay a criminally overcrowded situation for another year. Go take a look at Coates campus.

I doubt they are going to conclude Education Drive in Herndon is some Nirvana of school safety and security.
If something went wrong they’d be facing massive liability.

They want to get kids out of trailers and they only put up with kids in modulars because otherwise they’d have to change more school boundaries and it would shed a light on the disparities in school facilities within FCPS. But that doesn’t mean they’ll replicate those conditions at a new school.

Have you been there? Doesn't sound like it.

Yes. And I can't believe you're delusional enough to think FCPS will just turn it into an open, three-building high school campus.

Suggest you drive around some other high schools. Many are pretty open. Education Drive is almost a private drive. The School Board and the Park Authority own all the property. There is no need for any thru traffic. Certainly, it wouldn't be as exposed as most high schools in Fairfax County.

But, the main building is likely to be able to handle it, in any case. Extra buildings could be used for storage, academy or whatever.

If you think that FCPS is going to get rid of all modulars and trailers, you must be new to Fairfax County.

Facts matter.

This is one stupid assertion after another on your part.

The relative seclusion of Education Drive could make it more vulnerable from a security perspective. Let's not forget how close it is to a self-storage business right off McLearen and other commerical properties.

But in any event the main security risks arise from having so many kids in buildings with limited security. That's what FCPS has been trying to address, and an open campus with three buildings runs directly counter to the thrust of their recent priorities and efforts.

The new head of Facilities has repeatedly said the current capacity of KAA is in the 1200 to 1300 range, so stop pretending it's going to be a regular 9-12 high school any time soon.

And of course they aren't going to get rid of all the trailers and modulars at EXISTING schools right away, but that doesn't mean they are going to open a NEW school with the same issues.

Most likely this is going to be a multi-year project to redesign and expand KAA so it can function as a public HS. Some of those same bells and whistles that had you people salivating over sending your kids there rather than to, say, Westfield are probably going to be torn out to create more standard classrooms. We'll spend a lot of additional money and the end result will be a less attractive facility than KAA is today.

None of you have any idea what you're talking about. Please just stop embarrassing yourselves. This is ridiculous.

I actually found her analysis to be insightful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

If you're talking about focusing on a new name before more important decisions are made, yeah, that's putting the cart before the horse.

But it sounds like staff is going to have to come up with a new and more substantive proposal for KAA's future before the 10/7 work session. The fact that the word "possible" precedes "boundary status" suggests they don't yet want to commit 100% to a neighborhood school, which would clearly have an impact on school boundaries.

It would be easier and wrong to make it a "special magnet " school. However, it does not meet the needs of the local community.

Office buildings get reorganized physically frequently. This school could be made to work as a traditional high school. There are people who know how to do it. But, rather than hire those people, FCPS hires groups like THRU to set boundaries. Hopefully, they will find someone who knows what they are doing for this process.
This is NOT rocket science. It does take te right people to do it.

Of course interior space can be reconfigured but in KAA’s case it’s going to be expensive and it will involve replacing some of what made KAA attractive with standard FCPS classrooms. It will be like turning a cathedral into a call center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

If you're talking about focusing on a new name before more important decisions are made, yeah, that's putting the cart before the horse.

But it sounds like staff is going to have to come up with a new and more substantive proposal for KAA's future before the 10/7 work session. The fact that the word "possible" precedes "boundary status" suggests they don't yet want to commit 100% to a neighborhood school, which would clearly have an impact on school boundaries.

It would be easier and wrong to make it a "special magnet " school. However, it does not meet the needs of the local community.

Office buildings get reorganized physically frequently. This school could be made to work as a traditional high school. There are people who know how to do it. But, rather than hire those people, FCPS hires groups like THRU to set boundaries. Hopefully, they will find someone who knows what they are doing for this process.
This is NOT rocket science. It does take te right people to do it.

Of course interior space can be reconfigured but in KAA’s case it’s going to be expensive and it will involve replacing some of what made KAA attractive with standard FCPS classrooms. It will be like turning a cathedral into a call center.

They didn't buy the building because it was pretty, they bought the building to be a school. They will make changes so that it functions as a school for the County with the capacity needed and not be a really pretty school for a small number of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

If you're talking about focusing on a new name before more important decisions are made, yeah, that's putting the cart before the horse.

But it sounds like staff is going to have to come up with a new and more substantive proposal for KAA's future before the 10/7 work session. The fact that the word "possible" precedes "boundary status" suggests they don't yet want to commit 100% to a neighborhood school, which would clearly have an impact on school boundaries.

It would be easier and wrong to make it a "special magnet " school. However, it does not meet the needs of the local community.

Office buildings get reorganized physically frequently. This school could be made to work as a traditional high school. There are people who know how to do it. But, rather than hire those people, FCPS hires groups like THRU to set boundaries. Hopefully, they will find someone who knows what they are doing for this process.
This is NOT rocket science. It does take te right people to do it.

Of course interior space can be reconfigured but in KAA’s case it’s going to be expensive and it will involve replacing some of what made KAA attractive with standard FCPS classrooms. It will be like turning a cathedral into a call center.

We don't need a cathedral. And, how do you know it will be expensive? So, you want a cathedral to house a magnet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

If you're talking about focusing on a new name before more important decisions are made, yeah, that's putting the cart before the horse.

But it sounds like staff is going to have to come up with a new and more substantive proposal for KAA's future before the 10/7 work session. The fact that the word "possible" precedes "boundary status" suggests they don't yet want to commit 100% to a neighborhood school, which would clearly have an impact on school boundaries.

It would be easier and wrong to make it a "special magnet " school. However, it does not meet the needs of the local community.

Office buildings get reorganized physically frequently. This school could be made to work as a traditional high school. There are people who know how to do it. But, rather than hire those people, FCPS hires groups like THRU to set boundaries. Hopefully, they will find someone who knows what they are doing for this process.
This is NOT rocket science. It does take te right people to do it.

Of course interior space can be reconfigured but in KAA’s case it’s going to be expensive and it will involve replacing some of what made KAA attractive with standard FCPS classrooms. It will be like turning a cathedral into a call center.

We don't need a cathedral. And, how do you know it will be expensive? So, you want a cathedral to house a magnet?

We know it will be expensive because every time FCPS hires contractors to work on a school project it is expensive. In this case they’ve admitted they’ll need to do a lot of work to increase the capacity by 800 seats.

Best case scenario is it opens as a 9-10 school, but that school won’t be able to offer the same courses and activities as a comprehensive 9-12 school for several years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An excerpt from Reid's latest staff email:

"In early September, we announced the acquisition of our new high school in the western part of the county. As we begin to shape its identity, the first step is the naming process. This will be a community-focused process governed by Policy and Regulation 8170. Your perspective as staff is invaluable, and I invite you to participate!

The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 7, to discuss the new high school’s programming and possible boundary status. On Thursday, October 9, the new high school will be covered as New Business during a board meeting, and the one-month comment period will begin. Details on how you can submit potential names for the new high school at a public hearing, community meeting, and via a survey will be available soon. Stay tuned!"

In other words, "Figuring out what to do with this school is hard and expensive. Let's pretend we're moving forward with something performative and relatively easy!"

If you're talking about focusing on a new name before more important decisions are made, yeah, that's putting the cart before the horse.

But it sounds like staff is going to have to come up with a new and more substantive proposal for KAA's future before the 10/7 work session. The fact that the word "possible" precedes "boundary status" suggests they don't yet want to commit 100% to a neighborhood school, which would clearly have an impact on school boundaries.

It would be easier and wrong to make it a "special magnet " school. However, it does not meet the needs of the local community.

Office buildings get reorganized physically frequently. This school could be made to work as a traditional high school. There are people who know how to do it. But, rather than hire those people, FCPS hires groups like THRU to set boundaries. Hopefully, they will find someone who knows what they are doing for this process.
This is NOT rocket science. It does take te right people to do it.

Of course interior space can be reconfigured but in KAA’s case it’s going to be expensive and it will involve replacing some of what made KAA attractive with standard FCPS classrooms. It will be like turning a cathedral into a call center.

They didn't buy the building because it was pretty, they bought the building to be a school. They will make changes so that it functions as a school for the County with the capacity needed and not be a really pretty school for a small number of kids.

And they bought the building because it's on enough land to support a HS and there aren't many/any others available in western Fairfax.