APS Closing Nottingham

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is smart use this period of lower elementary enrollment to get some swing space and renovate schools badly in need of it. Then they can reopen as a neighborhood elementary when enrollment requires it! Smart not to give up the building.

Great idea in theory, but we all know that it will take 10+ years with a dragged out redistricting process and $50m+ in needed renovations before Nottingham will be a neighborhood elementary again. This district can’t do anything cheap or fast.

That is why I’m baffled that parents think we should explore building an entire temporary school of trailers. People have officially lost their minds.

I think we should take over Fairlington CC, repurpose it for temporary elementary use, and then convert it to a full state of the art ES to serve the south Arlington community when we’re done renovating whatever is so urgent that it requires Nottingham to shut down to accommodate it.

I recognize that it won’t have all the gold plated amenities of a purpose built school, but I think the kids can manage without a bike shower or a full library on site for a year. Give the locals a discount voucher to Long Bridge.

If we launch a concerted effort at the county board, we can wrap this up within a year.

!!??
Kids near fairlington don’t need a library. All so Nottingham kids don’t have to walk to Discovery and Tuckahoe?? Both lovely schools with great amenities?? You Nottingham people never disappoint.

And you anti-Nottingham people apparently don’t take the time to read and are prone to fabulous misquoting when it serves your bias.

I am proposing that Fairlington CC be used as a “swing space”. That the students there TEMPORARILY use something like a bookmobile, limited library, or branch library in lieu of having their own Library of Alexandria FOR ONE YEAR. That the 1 teacher who might bike to the location invest in some body wipes instead of a full bike shower. (That was a “must have” on the amenities list btw).

When the swing space needs are done, which I expect will be soon since they are SO URGENT, the fine students of Fairlington would have whatever 3-story open atrium LEED Gold masterpiece of a library will fit on the site.

Does that help? Or do you have another “gotcha” in your bag?

I like the part of your idea that puts a new ES in south Arlington, where it is desperately needed. However, if I've got this right, you're proposing that the county shutter a south Arlington community center, invest resources to retrofit it as a temporary school, and convert it to a new state-of-the-art school while students are in it.

Your suggestion to put Fairlington kids into a situation like this overlooks the fact that the Abingdon community already did exactly that within the last few years. Kids went to school in Abingdon while it was being renovated, and it took longer and was thoroughly disruptive. This is exactly why a countywide swing space is needed, so these sorts of projects can be completed efficiently.

Nottingham is still a far better choice for the swing space because it's under-enrolled and requires no retrofitting at all. You also don't offer any suggestions about how the Fairlington community could access resources offered at the community center once that site becomes an elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is smart use this period of lower elementary enrollment to get some swing space and renovate schools badly in need of it. Then they can reopen as a neighborhood elementary when enrollment requires it! Smart not to give up the building.

Great idea in theory, but we all know that it will take 10+ years with a dragged out redistricting process and $50m+ in needed renovations before Nottingham will be a neighborhood elementary again. This district can’t do anything cheap or fast.

That is why I’m baffled that parents think we should explore building an entire temporary school of trailers. People have officially lost their minds.

I think we should take over Fairlington CC, repurpose it for temporary elementary use, and then convert it to a full state of the art ES to serve the south Arlington community when we’re done renovating whatever is so urgent that it requires Nottingham to shut down to accommodate it.

I recognize that it won’t have all the gold plated amenities of a purpose built school, but I think the kids can manage without a bike shower or a full library on site for a year. Give the locals a discount voucher to Long Bridge.

If we launch a concerted effort at the county board, we can wrap this up within a year.

!!??
Kids near fairlington don’t need a library. All so Nottingham kids don’t have to walk to Discovery and Tuckahoe?? Both lovely schools with great amenities?? You Nottingham people never disappoint.

And you anti-Nottingham people apparently don’t take the time to read and are prone to fabulous misquoting when it serves your bias.

I am proposing that Fairlington CC be used as a “swing space”. That the students there TEMPORARILY use something like a bookmobile, limited library, or branch library in lieu of having their own Library of Alexandria FOR ONE YEAR. That the 1 teacher who might bike to the location invest in some body wipes instead of a full bike shower. (That was a “must have” on the amenities list btw).

When the swing space needs are done, which I expect will be soon since they are SO URGENT, the fine students of Fairlington would have whatever 3-story open atrium LEED Gold masterpiece of a library will fit on the site.

Does that help? Or do you have another “gotcha” in your bag?

I like the part of your idea that puts a new ES in south Arlington, where it is desperately needed. However, if I've got this right, you're proposing that the county shutter a south Arlington community center, invest resources to retrofit it as a temporary school, and convert it to a new state-of-the-art school while students are in it.

Your suggestion to put Fairlington kids into a situation like this overlooks the fact that the Abingdon community already did exactly that within the last few years. Kids went to school in Abingdon while it was being renovated, and it took longer and was thoroughly disruptive. This is exactly why a countywide swing space is needed, so these sorts of projects can be completed efficiently.

Nottingham is still a far better choice for the swing space because it's under-enrolled and requires no retrofitting at all. You also don't offer any suggestions about how the Fairlington community could access resources offered at the community center once that site becomes an elementary school.

Still spitballing here. The idea is to generally use Fairlington with a minimum of renovations until the swing space needs are done, which apparently will be quick. Breathe. Then renovate Fairlington back to a neighborhood elementary school.

The fitness fanatics can get discount passes to Long Bridge. That should placate the seniors who were sore they weren’t getting full discounts there.

The art people get preference for studios in other county run facilities, assuming they are residents of the county. If not, tough luck.

The preschool can go wherever is space. There is no expectation that the preschool will remain in the neighborhood and per the county the preschools only serve 30% local residents anyway.

The playgroups are probably on hiatus since COVID but I doubt that constituency will be too upset when their neighborhood playgroup space instead becomes a neighborhood school.

The gardeners can go wherever, maybe a county historic house or Madison. Plants grow everywhere, even deserts. I don’t know they have any full time on location staff that needs to be accommodated.

Yes, it costs money, but apparently we need space down there. Best to rip the bandaid off and start making it happen. We can always convert the CC back to fitness center if it turns out the enrollment drops. Less of a lift than converting back a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is smart use this period of lower elementary enrollment to get some swing space and renovate schools badly in need of it. Then they can reopen as a neighborhood elementary when enrollment requires it! Smart not to give up the building.

Great idea in theory, but we all know that it will take 10+ years with a dragged out redistricting process and $50m+ in needed renovations before Nottingham will be a neighborhood elementary again. This district can’t do anything cheap or fast.

That is why I’m baffled that parents think we should explore building an entire temporary school of trailers. People have officially lost their minds.

I think we should take over Fairlington CC, repurpose it for temporary elementary use, and then convert it to a full state of the art ES to serve the south Arlington community when we’re done renovating whatever is so urgent that it requires Nottingham to shut down to accommodate it.

I recognize that it won’t have all the gold plated amenities of a purpose built school, but I think the kids can manage without a bike shower or a full library on site for a year. Give the locals a discount voucher to Long Bridge.

If we launch a concerted effort at the county board, we can wrap this up within a year.

!!??
Kids near fairlington don’t need a library. All so Nottingham kids don’t have to walk to Discovery and Tuckahoe?? Both lovely schools with great amenities?? You Nottingham people never disappoint.

And you anti-Nottingham people apparently don’t take the time to read and are prone to fabulous misquoting when it serves your bias.

I am proposing that Fairlington CC be used as a “swing space”. That the students there TEMPORARILY use something like a bookmobile, limited library, or branch library in lieu of having their own Library of Alexandria FOR ONE YEAR. That the 1 teacher who might bike to the location invest in some body wipes instead of a full bike shower. (That was a “must have” on the amenities list btw).

When the swing space needs are done, which I expect will be soon since they are SO URGENT, the fine students of Fairlington would have whatever 3-story open atrium LEED Gold masterpiece of a library will fit on the site.

Does that help? Or do you have another “gotcha” in your bag?

I like the part of your idea that puts a new ES in south Arlington, where it is desperately needed. However, if I've got this right, you're proposing that the county shutter a south Arlington community center, invest resources to retrofit it as a temporary school, and convert it to a new state-of-the-art school while students are in it.

Your suggestion to put Fairlington kids into a situation like this overlooks the fact that the Abingdon community already did exactly that within the last few years. Kids went to school in Abingdon while it was being renovated, and it took longer and was thoroughly disruptive. This is exactly why a countywide swing space is needed, so these sorts of projects can be completed efficiently.

Nottingham is still a far better choice for the swing space because it's under-enrolled and requires no retrofitting at all. You also don't offer any suggestions about how the Fairlington community could access resources offered at the community center once that site becomes an elementary school.

Still spitballing here. The idea is to generally use Fairlington with a minimum of renovations until the swing space needs are done, which apparently will be quick. Breathe. Then renovate Fairlington back to a neighborhood elementary school.

The fitness fanatics can get discount passes to Long Bridge. That should placate the seniors who were sore they weren’t getting full discounts there.

The art people get preference for studios in other county run facilities, assuming they are residents of the county. If not, tough luck.

The preschool can go wherever is space. There is no expectation that the preschool will remain in the neighborhood and per the county the preschools only serve 30% local residents anyway.

The playgroups are probably on hiatus since COVID but I doubt that constituency will be too upset when their neighborhood playgroup space instead becomes a neighborhood school.

The gardeners can go wherever, maybe a county historic house or Madison. Plants grow everywhere, even deserts. I don’t know they have any full time on location staff that needs to be accommodated.

Yes, it costs money, but apparently we need space down there. Best to rip the bandaid off and start making it happen. We can always convert the CC back to fitness center if it turns out the enrollment drops. Less of a lift than converting back a school.

NP.

The Fairlington Community Center is a County facility and managed by Parks and Rec. This idea is so laughable and is why I feel bad for the APS staff they have to waste brain cells listening to this kind of naive crap. I work for the County. Your suggestion is not happening. It may come as a surprise but there are MANY people in this County who do not give a shite about APS and use their rec centers for many things (some which you haven't even listed above) and no they're not going to sit quietly while the County gives it to APS for swing space. And no the playgroups are not on hiatus.

Not happening. Ever. Non-starter. Next.

[Anonymous]

Libby Garvey is never giving up Fairlington. Not til she’s made a decision not to run again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^. Sorry meant to clarify that I think the County thinks schools already get enough. That is the “they” above in “they think.”

Yes. And they are correct. Our community centers are heavily used. Time for the County to ante-up with expanding the community centers (so they can be split-use like our high school facilities are) or commit to giving APS the land or other options and assistance it needs.

Our community centers are heavily used, but they are “nice to haves”. The state constitution says the county has the responsibility to provide a free and appropriate public education. It is one of their core responsibilities.

Art centers, playgroup space, fitness facilities - those are all nice to have and some people feel entitled to them, but there is no constitutional responsibility for the county to provide any of that. It is not a core duty. Moreover, we are not short for any of these things in Arlington in the private sector or even in the public sector that we couldn’t let 1 CC go.

This is really mind blowing to me. Yes, it's shocking how many people feel entitled to amenities when they pay taxes. What a bunch of entitled jerks. Don't they know they should just do without so that more schools can be built to be under enrolled???

You sound like you're made for politics. Please run on this platform. It will be a real winner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^. Sorry meant to clarify that I think the County thinks schools already get enough. That is the “they” above in “they think.”

Yes. And they are correct. Our community centers are heavily used. Time for the County to ante-up with expanding the community centers (so they can be split-use like our high school facilities are) or commit to giving APS the land or other options and assistance it needs.

Our community centers are heavily used, but they are “nice to haves”. The state constitution says the county has the responsibility to provide a free and appropriate public education. It is one of their core responsibilities.

Art centers, playgroup space, fitness facilities - those are all nice to have and some people feel entitled to them, but there is no constitutional responsibility for the county to provide any of that. It is not a core duty. Moreover, we are not short for any of these things in Arlington in the private sector or even in the public sector that we couldn’t let 1 CC go.

This is really mind blowing to me. Yes, it's shocking how many people feel entitled to amenities when they pay taxes. What a bunch of entitled jerks. Don't they know they should just do without so that more schools can be built to be under enrolled???

You sound like you're made for politics. Please run on this platform. It will be a real winner.

Read.The.State.Constitution. It’s very clear what the priorities for county governments are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^. Sorry meant to clarify that I think the County thinks schools already get enough. That is the “they” above in “they think.”

Yes. And they are correct. Our community centers are heavily used. Time for the County to ante-up with expanding the community centers (so they can be split-use like our high school facilities are) or commit to giving APS the land or other options and assistance it needs.

Our community centers are heavily used, but they are “nice to haves”. The state constitution says the county has the responsibility to provide a free and appropriate public education. It is one of their core responsibilities.

Art centers, playgroup space, fitness facilities - those are all nice to have and some people feel entitled to them, but there is no constitutional responsibility for the county to provide any of that. It is not a core duty. Moreover, we are not short for any of these things in Arlington in the private sector or even in the public sector that we couldn’t let 1 CC go.

This is really mind blowing to me. Yes, it's shocking how many people feel entitled to amenities when they pay taxes. What a bunch of entitled jerks. Don't they know they should just do without so that more schools can be built to be under enrolled???

You sound like you're made for politics. Please run on this platform. It will be a real winner.

Read.The.State.Constitution. It’s very clear what the priorities for county governments are.

The state constitution does not require the County to turn over community centers to APS. I'm sorry you are so confused.

[Anonymous]

I’ve always said we should make 1 or 2 mega community centers and return all of the small community centers (or at least the land) to APS. We should have more, smaller ESs. Of course, there’s no money to build new schools. Maybe it’s time to raise taxes and prioritize our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is smart use this period of lower elementary enrollment to get some swing space and renovate schools badly in need of it. Then they can reopen as a neighborhood elementary when enrollment requires it! Smart not to give up the building.

Great idea in theory, but we all know that it will take 10+ years with a dragged out redistricting process and $50m+ in needed renovations before Nottingham will be a neighborhood elementary again. This district can’t do anything cheap or fast.

That is why I’m baffled that parents think we should explore building an entire temporary school of trailers. People have officially lost their minds.

I think we should take over Fairlington CC, repurpose it for temporary elementary use, and then convert it to a full state of the art ES to serve the south Arlington community when we’re done renovating whatever is so urgent that it requires Nottingham to shut down to accommodate it.

I recognize that it won’t have all the gold plated amenities of a purpose built school, but I think the kids can manage without a bike shower or a full library on site for a year. Give the locals a discount voucher to Long Bridge.

If we launch a concerted effort at the county board, we can wrap this up within a year.

!!??
Kids near fairlington don’t need a library. All so Nottingham kids don’t have to walk to Discovery and Tuckahoe?? Both lovely schools with great amenities?? You Nottingham people never disappoint.

And you anti-Nottingham people apparently don’t take the time to read and are prone to fabulous misquoting when it serves your bias.

I am proposing that Fairlington CC be used as a “swing space”. That the students there TEMPORARILY use something like a bookmobile, limited library, or branch library in lieu of having their own Library of Alexandria FOR ONE YEAR. That the 1 teacher who might bike to the location invest in some body wipes instead of a full bike shower. (That was a “must have” on the amenities list btw).

When the swing space needs are done, which I expect will be soon since they are SO URGENT, the fine students of Fairlington would have whatever 3-story open atrium LEED Gold masterpiece of a library will fit on the site.

Does that help? Or do you have another “gotcha” in your bag?

I like the part of your idea that puts a new ES in south Arlington, where it is desperately needed. However, if I've got this right, you're proposing that the county shutter a south Arlington community center, invest resources to retrofit it as a temporary school, and convert it to a new state-of-the-art school while students are in it.

Your suggestion to put Fairlington kids into a situation like this overlooks the fact that the Abingdon community already did exactly that within the last few years. Kids went to school in Abingdon while it was being renovated, and it took longer and was thoroughly disruptive. This is exactly why a countywide swing space is needed, so these sorts of projects can be completed efficiently.

Nottingham is still a far better choice for the swing space because it's under-enrolled and requires no retrofitting at all. You also don't offer any suggestions about how the Fairlington community could access resources offered at the community center once that site becomes an elementary school.

Still spitballing here. The idea is to generally use Fairlington with a minimum of renovations until the swing space needs are done, which apparently will be quick. Breathe. Then renovate Fairlington back to a neighborhood elementary school.

The fitness fanatics can get discount passes to Long Bridge. That should placate the seniors who were sore they weren’t getting full discounts there.

The art people get preference for studios in other county run facilities, assuming they are residents of the county. If not, tough luck.

The preschool can go wherever is space. There is no expectation that the preschool will remain in the neighborhood and per the county the preschools only serve 30% local residents anyway.

The playgroups are probably on hiatus since COVID but I doubt that constituency will be too upset when their neighborhood playgroup space instead becomes a neighborhood school.

The gardeners can go wherever, maybe a county historic house or Madison. Plants grow everywhere, even deserts. I don’t know they have any full time on location staff that needs to be accommodated.

Yes, it costs money, but apparently we need space down there. Best to rip the bandaid off and start making it happen. We can always convert the CC back to fitness center if it turns out the enrollment drops. Less of a lift than converting back a school.

NP.

The Fairlington Community Center is a County facility and managed by Parks and Rec. This idea is so laughable and is why I feel bad for the APS staff they have to waste brain cells listening to this kind of naive crap. I work for the County. Your suggestion is not happening. It may come as a surprise but there are MANY people in this County who do not give a shite about APS and use their rec centers for many things (some which you haven't even listed above) and no they're not going to sit quietly while the County gives it to APS for swing space. And no the playgroups are not on hiatus.

Not happening. Ever. Non-starter. Next.

Are you the best we can hire these days? Wow.

It used to be a school, the purpose for which it was originally designed. Not a country club center for well-off Boomers, or a gardening complex, or a rental for birthday parties. A school for educating children.

But I guess now all the posters can see part of the hesitation for giving Nottingham over to anything but active local school use. Once it goes special interest, you’ll never get it back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always said we should make 1 or 2 mega community centers and return all of the small community centers (or at least the land) to APS. We should have more, smaller ESs. Of course, there’s no money to build new schools. Maybe it’s time to raise taxes and prioritize our kids.

I have kids in APS and would never support this. This County needs to balance amenities for the whole community and our school system is the best funded in the entire state. Our kids are highly prioritized in this County. Our kids use the rec centers (yep even the small ones) for summer camps and other programs, use the libraries (or should you take over their land too?), use the parks, use the playgrounds. We all live here and use all of it and so do our neighbors without kids. Is the example of kids not being prioritized that they want to turn Nottinghman into swing space? Or is there more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^. Sorry meant to clarify that I think the County thinks schools already get enough. That is the “they” above in “they think.”

Yes. And they are correct. Our community centers are heavily used. Time for the County to ante-up with expanding the community centers (so they can be split-use like our high school facilities are) or commit to giving APS the land or other options and assistance it needs.

Our community centers are heavily used, but they are “nice to haves”. The state constitution says the county has the responsibility to provide a free and appropriate public education. It is one of their core responsibilities.

Art centers, playgroup space, fitness facilities - those are all nice to have and some people feel entitled to them, but there is no constitutional responsibility for the county to provide any of that. It is not a core duty. Moreover, we are not short for any of these things in Arlington in the private sector or even in the public sector that we couldn’t let 1 CC go.

This is really mind blowing to me. Yes, it's shocking how many people feel entitled to amenities when they pay taxes. What a bunch of entitled jerks. Don't they know they should just do without so that more schools can be built to be under enrolled???

You sound like you're made for politics. Please run on this platform. It will be a real winner.

Read.The.State.Constitution. It’s very clear what the priorities for county governments are.

The state constitution does not require the County to turn over community centers to APS. I'm sorry you are so confused.

The state constitution actually says nothing about community centers, because they are not a core function of county government. Sorry. Planet Fitness is only $10/month last I checked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is smart use this period of lower elementary enrollment to get some swing space and renovate schools badly in need of it. Then they can reopen as a neighborhood elementary when enrollment requires it! Smart not to give up the building.

Great idea in theory, but we all know that it will take 10+ years with a dragged out redistricting process and $50m+ in needed renovations before Nottingham will be a neighborhood elementary again. This district can’t do anything cheap or fast.

That is why I’m baffled that parents think we should explore building an entire temporary school of trailers. People have officially lost their minds.

I think we should take over Fairlington CC, repurpose it for temporary elementary use, and then convert it to a full state of the art ES to serve the south Arlington community when we’re done renovating whatever is so urgent that it requires Nottingham to shut down to accommodate it.

I recognize that it won’t have all the gold plated amenities of a purpose built school, but I think the kids can manage without a bike shower or a full library on site for a year. Give the locals a discount voucher to Long Bridge.

If we launch a concerted effort at the county board, we can wrap this up within a year.

!!??
Kids near fairlington don’t need a library. All so Nottingham kids don’t have to walk to Discovery and Tuckahoe?? Both lovely schools with great amenities?? You Nottingham people never disappoint.

And you anti-Nottingham people apparently don’t take the time to read and are prone to fabulous misquoting when it serves your bias.

I am proposing that Fairlington CC be used as a “swing space”. That the students there TEMPORARILY use something like a bookmobile, limited library, or branch library in lieu of having their own Library of Alexandria FOR ONE YEAR. That the 1 teacher who might bike to the location invest in some body wipes instead of a full bike shower. (That was a “must have” on the amenities list btw).

When the swing space needs are done, which I expect will be soon since they are SO URGENT, the fine students of Fairlington would have whatever 3-story open atrium LEED Gold masterpiece of a library will fit on the site.

Does that help? Or do you have another “gotcha” in your bag?

I like the part of your idea that puts a new ES in south Arlington, where it is desperately needed. However, if I've got this right, you're proposing that the county shutter a south Arlington community center, invest resources to retrofit it as a temporary school, and convert it to a new state-of-the-art school while students are in it.

Your suggestion to put Fairlington kids into a situation like this overlooks the fact that the Abingdon community already did exactly that within the last few years. Kids went to school in Abingdon while it was being renovated, and it took longer and was thoroughly disruptive. This is exactly why a countywide swing space is needed, so these sorts of projects can be completed efficiently.

Nottingham is still a far better choice for the swing space because it's under-enrolled and requires no retrofitting at all. You also don't offer any suggestions about how the Fairlington community could access resources offered at the community center once that site becomes an elementary school.

Still spitballing here. The idea is to generally use Fairlington with a minimum of renovations until the swing space needs are done, which apparently will be quick. Breathe. Then renovate Fairlington back to a neighborhood elementary school.

The fitness fanatics can get discount passes to Long Bridge. That should placate the seniors who were sore they weren’t getting full discounts there.

The art people get preference for studios in other county run facilities, assuming they are residents of the county. If not, tough luck.

The preschool can go wherever is space. There is no expectation that the preschool will remain in the neighborhood and per the county the preschools only serve 30% local residents anyway.

The playgroups are probably on hiatus since COVID but I doubt that constituency will be too upset when their neighborhood playgroup space instead becomes a neighborhood school.

The gardeners can go wherever, maybe a county historic house or Madison. Plants grow everywhere, even deserts. I don’t know they have any full time on location staff that needs to be accommodated.

Yes, it costs money, but apparently we need space down there. Best to rip the bandaid off and start making it happen. We can always convert the CC back to fitness center if it turns out the enrollment drops. Less of a lift than converting back a school.

NP.

The Fairlington Community Center is a County facility and managed by Parks and Rec. This idea is so laughable and is why I feel bad for the APS staff they have to waste brain cells listening to this kind of naive crap. I work for the County. Your suggestion is not happening. It may come as a surprise but there are MANY people in this County who do not give a shite about APS and use their rec centers for many things (some which you haven't even listed above) and no they're not going to sit quietly while the County gives it to APS for swing space. And no the playgroups are not on hiatus.

Not happening. Ever. Non-starter. Next.

Are you the best we can hire these days? Wow.

It used to be a school, the purpose for which it was originally designed. Not a country club center for well-off Boomers, or a gardening complex, or a rental for birthday parties. A school for educating children.

But I guess now all the posters can see part of the hesitation for giving Nottingham over to anything but active local school use. Once it goes special interest, you’ll never get it back.

Broad community use is special interest? And you think the Fairlington rec center is a country club center for well-off Boomers? It's a basic rec center in a modest neighborhood.

Ps. Go after Maidson CC with this dumb argument too. Broaden your horizons. Also Woodmont.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^. Sorry meant to clarify that I think the County thinks schools already get enough. That is the “they” above in “they think.”

Yes. And they are correct. Our community centers are heavily used. Time for the County to ante-up with expanding the community centers (so they can be split-use like our high school facilities are) or commit to giving APS the land or other options and assistance it needs.

Our community centers are heavily used, but they are “nice to haves”. The state constitution says the county has the responsibility to provide a free and appropriate public education. It is one of their core responsibilities.

Art centers, playgroup space, fitness facilities - those are all nice to have and some people feel entitled to them, but there is no constitutional responsibility for the county to provide any of that. It is not a core duty. Moreover, we are not short for any of these things in Arlington in the private sector or even in the public sector that we couldn’t let 1 CC go.

This is really mind blowing to me. Yes, it's shocking how many people feel entitled to amenities when they pay taxes. What a bunch of entitled jerks. Don't they know they should just do without so that more schools can be built to be under enrolled???

You sound like you're made for politics. Please run on this platform. It will be a real winner.

Read.The.State.Constitution. It’s very clear what the priorities for county governments are.

The state constitution does not require the County to turn over community centers to APS. I'm sorry you are so confused.

The state constitution actually says nothing about community centers, because they are not a core function of county government. Sorry. Planet Fitness is only $10/month last I checked.

Please hire a lawyer. You are on to something. This is very sound thinking and arguing. Tell all your friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always said we should make 1 or 2 mega community centers and return all of the small community centers (or at least the land) to APS. We should have more, smaller ESs. Of course, there’s no money to build new schools. Maybe it’s time to raise taxes and prioritize our kids.

I have kids in APS and would never support this. This County needs to balance amenities for the whole community and our school system is the best funded in the entire state. Our kids are highly prioritized in this County. Our kids use the rec centers (yep even the small ones) for summer camps and other programs, use the libraries (or should you take over their land too?), use the parks, use the playgrounds. We all live here and use all of it and so do our neighbors without kids. Is the example of kids not being prioritized that they want to turn Nottinghman into swing space? Or is there more?

It may come as a surprise to you as it did to me, but FCC and FCPS use their schools for camps. I find myself having to use them since Arlington County has no desire to serve the need here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always said we should make 1 or 2 mega community centers and return all of the small community centers (or at least the land) to APS. We should have more, smaller ESs. Of course, there’s no money to build new schools. Maybe it’s time to raise taxes and prioritize our kids.

I have kids in APS and would never support this. This County needs to balance amenities for the whole community and our school system is the best funded in the entire state. Our kids are highly prioritized in this County. Our kids use the rec centers (yep even the small ones) for summer camps and other programs, use the libraries (or should you take over their land too?), use the parks, use the playgrounds. We all live here and use all of it and so do our neighbors without kids. Is the example of kids not being prioritized that they want to turn Nottinghman into swing space? Or is there more?

It may come as a surprise to you as it did to me, but FCC and FCPS use their schools for camps. I find myself having to use them since Arlington County has no desire to serve the need here.

Arlington uses both schools and rec centers for camps.