Sign Up to Testify on Non-Existent Capital Improvement Program!

[Anonymous]

FCPS is now inviting people to sign up to testify on January 14th on a FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program that they apparently haven't even bothered to make public yet.

It just shows what a joke the process is. They'll release the draft CIP shortly before the hearing, give people limited time to study it, go through the charade of a public hearing, and then vote to approve the CIP at a meeting already scheduled for January 23rd.

Few will bother to testify, because it's so obvious that the feedback will fall on deaf ears and there will be few, if any, adjustments between January 14th and the 23rd.

FCPS planning continues to suck, and their recognition that it's atrocious is evidenced by their rushing through the CIP as always with minimal opportunity for meaningful comment or reflection. These people should be out of a job.

[Anonymous]

Just another example of FCPS business as usual.

[Anonymous]

When you're going through the motions, you might as well go ahead and go through the motions: "Sure, go ahead and sign up now, because we'll ignore you no matter what you have to say."

[Anonymous]

Very little has changed in the last year so I wouldn’t expect many if any changes.

Interest rates remain high which means the County’s ability to borrow for new projects is limited. The County will not prioritize any new big ticket renovation projects (like McLean HS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very little has changed in the last year so I wouldn’t expect many if any changes.

Interest rates remain high which means the County’s ability to borrow for new projects is limited. The County will not prioritize any new big ticket renovation projects (like McLean HS).

We can probably read about the plans for the new western HS in the next CIP instead (sic).

[Anonymous]

I've come to learn that FCPS wants to put on that they really listen to parents. Really, really care and listen. Example #2, outside of the CIP, is the calendar we're allowed to "vote" on.

Let's be honest. They've already written it. Zero public input will be considered.

[Anonymous]

The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

Are they taking the upcoming mass deportations into account?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

See bolded above. Best thing SB could do now is let time solve the problem. No need to adjust boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

Could you share a link? I’ve been looking and I can’t locate the draft CIP. They don’t make it easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

Could you share a link? I’ve been looking and I can’t locate the draft CIP. They don’t make it easy.

1. Go to Board docs.

2. Look for information on the January 14th work session.

3. Look for agenda item 2.02.

I'll try a direct link here but a lot of links get broken on this site: https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/DCNNH95FE89E/$file/Draft%20Proposed%20CIP%20FY2026-30.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

Could you share a link? I’ve been looking and I can’t locate the draft CIP. They don’t make it easy.

1. Go to Board docs.

2. Look for information on the January 14th work session.

3. Look for agenda item 2.02.

I'll try a direct link here but a lot of links get broken on this site: https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/DCNNH95FE89E/$file/Draft%20Proposed%20CIP%20FY2026-30.pdf

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

Does anyone have insight into the cause of the decline in enrollment at Shrevewood ES?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

Does anyone have insight into the cause of the decline in enrollment at Shrevewood ES?

The main thing I’ve heard is that a lot of Shrevewood families with LLIV-eligible kids prefer the AAP center at Lemon Road, but that wouldn’t account for more than a fraction of the enrollment decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The draft 2026-30 CIP was posted today. It appears they largely roll forward information from prior CIPs, with some updated enrollment projections but otherwise little new thinking.

Some "highlights":

* They claim that they will be working on a new renovation queue, which contradicts a statement in another recent FCPS document (relating to Dr. Reid's meeting her performance obligations) that implies they are already working on a new queue.

* They are projecting a slight increase in total enrollment next year (SY 2025-26), followed by four years of declining enrollments that would leave FCPS with fewer students than at any point since 2015.

* They have jacked up the projected budget for the unnecessary Dunn Loring ES in Vienna to almost $86 million, with no explanation as to why this project is still in the CIP. Notably, once-overcrowded, nearby Shrevewood ES, which years ago was crowded and seeking capacity relief, is now projected to be at only 64% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They continue to refer to a new western high school (location TBD), with planning work now bumped to 2032 (in the last CIP, planning was purportedly scheduled to begin in 2030).

* They prioritize renovations and expansions of elementary schools built in the late 1980s over enhancements to older high schools built decades earlier (even when those ES expansions are expected to leave several of these ES under 65% capacity).

* The schools identified as currently grossly overcrowded (over 114% capacity), or projected to be so in five years, taking modular seats into account, are limited to Coates ES (subject of pending boundary study), Kilmer MS, and West Springfield HS. Note that they have significantly reduced the "program capacity" for Kilmer MS in this CIP compared to prior CIPs, which is why Kilmer is now identified as grossly overcrowded.

* They have slightly increased their enrollment projections over the next five years for Herndon HS, but still project that HHS will only be at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30); on the other hand, they have reduced their enrollment projections for Herndon MS and now project that HMS will be at 85% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* They have significantly reduced their five-year enrollment projections for McLean HS, such that they now project that in five years McLean will only be at 103% capacity, including the current modular.

* The five-year projections for Lewis and Mount Vernon HS have Lewis at 78% capacity and Mount Vernon at 67% capacity in SY 2029-30. Conversely, West Springfield HS is projected to have over 3000 students and to be at 120% capacity in SY 2029-30.

* The draft CIP continues to assume an expansion of Centreville HS to 3000 seats, which would leave the school at 69% capacity in SY 2029-30. Nearby Chantilly HS is projected to see a decline in enrollment over the next five years, such that it would be at 98% capacity in SY 2029-30, taking the modular seats at the school into account.

Does anyone have insight into the cause of the decline in enrollment at Shrevewood ES?

The main thing I’ve heard is that a lot of Shrevewood families with LLIV-eligible kids prefer the AAP center at Lemon Road, but that wouldn’t account for more than a fraction of the enrollment decline.

Only 19 LL-IV students stayed at Shrevewood this year with 82 transferring to Lemon Road. In 2022 (I can’t get 2023’s numbers), there were 76 students in Shrevewood’s LL-IV with only 44 students transferring to Lemon Road. That’s at least half of the enrollment decline. Shrevewood dropped from 646 to 575 students in one year.