APS Construction - Never believe their schedules

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I think people without kids are probably selling off their property for huge profits at a faster rate by Discovery than anywhere else, because families want to move there more.

But more people can afford the 600-1M range of other neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I think people without kids are probably selling off their property for huge profits at a faster rate by Discovery than anywhere else, because families want to move there more.

Cite data supporting this assertion, please.

[Anonymous]

Come on. We are all just talking out of our a**es here, aren't we? Besides the actual and predicted enrollment figures, which I also cited (and in more detail than you), what data are YOU relying on? I'm trying to use common sense, just like you.

[Anonymous]

OK, you two. All we know is that APS decided that putting 712 students in a school that is under construction is best for everyone and by everyone, they mean the families that live in other parts of Arlington and want to keep their empty seats, short cafeteria lines and fewer classes per grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come on. We are all just talking out of our a**es here, aren't we? Besides the actual and predicted enrollment figures, which I also cited (and in more detail than you), what data are YOU relying on? I'm trying to use common sense, just like you.

I think the point is that there is a lot of reason to question the accuracy of the enrollment numbers more than 5 years out because: (1) those kids are babies or not even born yet; (2) we have no idea what is going to happen to the County affordable housing proposals, which do include new multi-family units in Westover and along Lee Highway; (3) past enrollment numbers have been wrong, sometimes by a lot, which you can see if you look at the projected vs. real enrollment for the current school year; and (4) nobody knows how the middle and high school conversations will change ES enrollment (e.g., families could start moving around to get into a different pyramid if a 4th high school is built).

All that to say, we have real numbers, representing real kids NOW that show McKinley (and Ashawn, for that matter) will continue to be among the largest elementary schools in the county AND over-enrolled. And you also have smaller schools elsewhere in N. Arlington that have capacity, and will continue to have it for the next few years (e.g., Discovery & Jamestown). You can see that looking at the APS spreadsheet. This is why it is maddening when APS officials tell you that they won't make any adjustments because "everything will eventually come back in balance" 5-10 years out. Seriously, you really think that APS knows that McKinley will have exactly 676 kids in 2023 and that's why we should be content with the enrollment numbers they are giving us now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I think people without kids are probably selling off their property for huge profits at a faster rate by Discovery than anywhere else, because families want to move there more.

Cite data supporting this assertion, please.

No, I don't think that's accurate. The Boomers are looking to age in place. Some might sell and relocate, but a bunch are going to stay put until they are carried out on stretchers, despite the potential profit to be made. And I don't think Discovery is that much more of a draw than Nottingham or Jamestown, at least not until it's a proven "10" school or something.

The point is, even if it's going to be the school with a population explosion in 5-10 years, it's not the school with a population explosion now. And until it reaches capacity, it should be open, as should any school with capacity, to any family who would chose that over remaining at their overcrowded neighborhood school. Five years is a long time for a family just entering K, most of their child's time in elementary school, so it's of little consolation to hear that things will eventually level off. In the interim, why not allow people the choice, as long as it isn't inconveniencing anyone else? Lottery available spots at each grade level and let parents who want to enter the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Wow, south arlington parent with kids in over capacity title I school. I am going to apply for a transfer to discovery. And our "new" elementary school will be 725 students, of course they are really just crammed in to a middle school parking lot.

Lots of complaining in north arlington. Oh, and we don't have enough wealth at our school to even hold an auction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, south arlington parent with kids in over capacity title I school. I am going to apply for a transfer to discovery. And our "new" elementary school will be 725 students, of course they are really just crammed in to a middle school parking lot.

Lots of complaining in north arlington. Oh, and we don't have enough wealth at our school to even hold an auction.

+1000

... But the McKinley parents are so great and laid back. That's why they've got it so tough...

[Anonymous]

Hey! I'm a McKinley parent saying over and over in this thread that I think this construction delay is no big deal and no real reason to delay the movement of the planning units, even though that means having 700 kids in a school that is still a construction zone. I am pretty sure that the only thing I have complained about in this thread is other complaining parents! So step back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, south arlington parent with kids in over capacity title I school. I am going to apply for a transfer to discovery. And our "new" elementary school will be 725 students, of course they are really just crammed in to a middle school parking lot. \

You should! If they deny your request, go to the SB.

[Anonymous]

Where do we find enrollment and projection numbers for all of APS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do we find enrollment and projection numbers for all of APS?

http://www.apsva.us/Page/1106

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do we find enrollment and projection numbers for all of APS?

http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/11/Capacity_Utilization_FallProjections16-25_Final_Revised_11172015.pdf

This has capacity, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, south arlington parent with kids in over capacity title I school. I am going to apply for a transfer to discovery. And our "new" elementary school will be 725 students, of course they are really just crammed in to a middle school parking lot. \

You should! If they deny your request, go to the SB.

Do it! The capacity crisis isn't only in North Arlington. If you're in an overcrowded school, you should be allowed to go to one that's not, even if it's not in your zip code.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, south arlington parent with kids in over capacity title I school. I am going to apply for a transfer to discovery. And our "new" elementary school will be 725 students, of course they are really just crammed in to a middle school parking lot.

Lots of complaining in north arlington. Oh, and we don't have enough wealth at our school to even hold an auction.

Instead of being snarky, you should be looking at this McKinley situation and figuring out how to advocate for your own school. For example, if they are really planning to cram 725 students into the new South Arlington ES, then push on APS to make sure they design a building that really holds that many kids and isn't just crammed into a parking lot. Whatever your feelings on North Arlington, it makes no sense to design a brand new school addition to hold 684 kids when your intended enrollment is really 715 (or more). South Arlington deserves better than that too, so don't let it happen to you.