APS middle school boundary process

[Anonymous]

I too would like to see numbers, coupled with some idea of what algorithm or method they use to "blend" the criteria. Taking demographics as an example, some of these maps don't seem to shift the Kenmore boundaries materially if at all. (I say Kenmore because that seems to be the school that could use some demographic relief.) So I'm wondering whether there are "blends" that completely ignore certain factors and blend other factors, or whether all five are weighted in each blend, just to different degrees.

[Anonymous]

Walk & Bike to school day is tomorrow...which won't be possible in 2019 if some of you idiots get all the busing you are pushing for.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in 2 cities with court ordered bussing -- Boston and Atlanta. No one liked the scenarios, even families from lower income areas preferred to stay in neighborhood but with school improvements.

I can see bussing a real problem for parents who rely solely on public transportation... Extra miles to an area with infrequent bus routes.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I'm liking scenario J - any issues I'm not aware of?

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Scenario_J_Draft5.pdf

Alignment. There's a handful of PU's that got moved to Yorktown in the HS boundary process last year, so they would go: Ashlawn, Kenmore, then Yorktown in this scenario. They'd the only Kenmore PU's that would go to Yorktown, and they're already the only Ashlawn PU's going to Yorktown. This neighborhood won't get to be aligned at any point in K-12 under this scenario. I don't think that's right.

Interesting. Looks like those PUs are very close to Kenmore. Seems a shame to send them to Swanson. I'm wondering what those PUs prefer.

What? They are sending them to Kenmore, not Swanson. The issue is they're now the only Ashlawn PU's at Yorktown, and in this scenario they'd be the only Kenmore PU's at Yorktown, too.

Also, to clarify, these hvae been Kenmore PU's for forever, this is not new. The thing that changed is that these PU's were sent to Yorktown in the last HS boundary revision. Unless they move some other Yorktown and/or Ashlawn PU's to Kenmore, this neighborhood has no alignment from ES to MS nor from MS to HS. There is no scenario presented that move these PU's out of Kenmore.

Doesn't this one push them to Swanson? Unless you're talking about other PUs?
https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Scenario_A_Draft5.pdf

But I don't think A is being considered. I think only B, D, F, H, and J are being presented for community discussion.

You are correct. A is not currently on the table.

I guess if the parents in those PUs aren't happy with the current proposals they should chime in. Is that really an issue for them? Would they want to change to Swanson or change to W-L? If not, they won't have alignment. It's not clear if that's a big deal to them or not.

Are you kidding me with this? You think only the kids who breathe the rarefied air of upper North Arlington care whether their kids get to have alignment? They were upset about the move to Yorktown and spoke at SB meeting and sent mass emails to no avail. That's over and done with. Now how do we not make the same mistake again? There are a scenarios presented for the MS boundary, such as B, and to a lesser extent H and F, that don't preclude continuity for this community. Since "B" is called alignment, I think alignment is preserved for most across Arlington. I'm guessing you really don't like H and/or F and that's why you think it's more reasonable that this group could just ask to have the HS boundary redone rather than advocate for an outcome that is on the table.

Let's see - I don't like H because there are walkable Swanson kids who would be moved to Kenmore. Just like I don't like A which puts walkable Kenmore kids at Swanson. But I personally value walkability and would prioritize it over other factors. Since I don't live there I would defer to the people in those PUs and support what they want. That's why I asked - I didn't know what they prefer. If they'd rather go with H then I'll support that.

It's pretty similar to J, which was the first one to jump out at me because it promotes proximity and efficiency. If the people are negatively affected WRT walkability are OK with it then so am I.

Same with the Rosslyn island in F. It doesn't look ideal to me but if people in that island want to keep it then I'd support them.


FWIW - our PU isn't affected by any of the scenarios so no skin in the game.

If you pay property taxes in Arlington, you have skin in the game.

Anyway, I was so busy looking at the western half of the county I didn't notice the Yorktown island. Since they have said contiguity of boundaries is a must, I guess "F" is a non-starter (why is it included I wonder?).

So are you thinking H is the best option presented so far? Any tweaks you'd make?

Not sure. I'd like more information before asking for tweaks, or even stating a preference.

I'd like to see an overlay of current boundaries (ES/MS/HS), number of students in PU's, and some info on fr/l rates within PU's, as well as info about bus/walk zones. I'm going to try to go on Wednesday evening (couldn't make last night's), more for information than anything. I want to trust staff to handle this in the most fair and equitable way, because I'm really tired of a drawn-out community process that resembles what happened last year. That was embarrassing, and if staff can save us from ourselves, I hope they do. The "Arlington Way" is broken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walk & Bike to school day is tomorrow...which won't be possible in 2019 if some of you idiots get all the busing you are pushing for.

First, stop with the name calling. Second, many of the scenarios presented would still allow for biking if not walking, even to Kenmore (are you familiar with the trail system?). Just because you wouldn't want your kids to bike there does not mean it wouldn't be possible. Third, can anyone here prove that any of the scenarios reduce the number of walkers at any school? Or is it just that your kids could no longer walk to the school of your choice?

[Anonymous]

The school board should focus on efficiency and cost saving, because they need money to build capacity. Distracting ourselves with busing and demographics is pointless, because if you do jury rig the demographics as so many of the previous posters are recommending, families will leave, the family with money. And then you may have less demand for capacity, less revenue to pay for the schools. And all of the schools will then have tital 1 status, and the whole system will go to pot.

Bogus on the best education within available budget, not on social engineering.

[Anonymous]

Focus Siri focus, not bogus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walk & Bike to school day is tomorrow...which won't be possible in 2019 if some of you idiots get all the busing you are pushing for.

First, stop with the name calling. Second, many of the scenarios presented would still allow for biking if not walking, even to Kenmore (are you familiar with the trail system?). Just because you wouldn't want your kids to bike there does not mean it wouldn't be possible. Third, can anyone here prove that any of the scenarios reduce the number of walkers at any school? Or is it just that your kids could no longer walk to the school of your choice?

Yes my son will still be able to bike to school, along route 50, rather than walking 2 short blocks from our house! Those of you all for the demographic realignments are happy to chime in from the safety of your Williamsburg zone (and let our kids more to the south do the heavy lifting in the name of diversity).

By the way (for those of you ready to name call) we are a mixed race family. Diversity is great but common sense is better.

[Anonymous]

"I disagree that the Alignment map would turn Jefferson into a Title 1 school. You'd lose N of 50, but the neighborhoods you'd gain to the west aren't very high fr/l (mostly SFHs). Arlington Mill and everything west of it still goes Kenmore."

Actually, it would. It would take all of the low income housing in south Barcroft, the entire Barcroft apartments and all the mid-Pike low income housing and put it into jefferson. The school would gain some middle income kids in Barcorft sfh, but not enough to overcome the loss of wealthy sfh north of 50. Jefferson would become the new Kenmore. This would completely change the demographics of the school, I know these PUs well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Focus Siri focus, not bogus

No. Siri had it right. Your argument is bogus.
Please move away. We don't have a shortage of wealthy people who need to be close to downtown. UMC families are a dime a dozen.

[Anonymous]

On another board regarding this, those that I see lamenting the lack of FARMS balancing are safely in the Williamburg boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Let me let you in on a secret. When you leftist use your tactics of division on Arlington County problems, you tend to insult your own political allies.

Please continue. This is entertaining. You idiots deserve all the grief you give yourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walk & Bike to school day is tomorrow...which won't be possible in 2019 if some of you idiots get all the busing you are pushing for.

First, stop with the name calling. Second, many of the scenarios presented would still allow for biking if not walking, even to Kenmore (are you familiar with the trail system?). Just because you wouldn't want your kids to bike there does not mean it wouldn't be possible. Third, can anyone here prove that any of the scenarios reduce the number of walkers at any school? Or is it just that your kids could no longer walk to the school of your choice?

Yes my son will still be able to bike to school, along route 50, rather than walking 2 short blocks from our house! Those of you all for the demographic realignments are happy to chime in from the safety of your Williamsburg zone (and let our kids more to the south do the heavy lifting in the name of diversity).

By the way (for those of you ready to name call) we are a mixed race family. Diversity is great but common sense is better.

would it be ok with you if county offered families like yours the options to be bused to either Kenmore or WMS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me let you in on a secret. When you leftist use your tactics of division on Arlington County problems, you tend to insult your own political allies.

Please continue. This is entertaining. You idiots deserve all the grief you give yourselves.

Wow. So insightful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walk & Bike to school day is tomorrow...which won't be possible in 2019 if some of you idiots get all the busing you are pushing for.

First, stop with the name calling. Second, many of the scenarios presented would still allow for biking if not walking, even to Kenmore (are you familiar with the trail system?). Just because you wouldn't want your kids to bike there does not mean it wouldn't be possible. Third, can anyone here prove that any of the scenarios reduce the number of walkers at any school? Or is it just that your kids could no longer walk to the school of your choice?

Yes my son will still be able to bike to school, along route 50, rather than walking 2 short blocks from our house! Those of you all for the demographic realignments are happy to chime in from the safety of your Williamsburg zone (and let our kids more to the south do the heavy lifting in the name of diversity).

By the way (for those of you ready to name call) we are a mixed race family. Diversity is great but common sense is better.

would it be ok with you if county offered families like yours the options to be bused to either Kenmore or WMS?

What does this mean?