The voucher effect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Even if vouchers work the way you expect, it remains that "people who hate the current board will leave the system" is not a threat to the board, and therefore seems unlikely to check them.

It may be. People with kids in private school still get to vote. And when UMC flight starts impacting those who stayed in FCPS to support the board, they may find their support wavers.

Again, you are framing this as you against the school board. I will have to stay and fight the school board as we are poor and all information so far leans toward poor people getting the shaft with vouchers.

You, as a richer person, are voting with your feet just as capitalism wants you to. If you want to turn FCPS into a capitalistic school marketplace- it seems that will happen.

Supporting democracy means you stay and fight and vote out the school board and vote in sane people and continue to fight redistricting.

Again, schools are the current flashpoint for anger. Carry on and destroy the system, but know what you are doing and the forces that are manipulating you to feel this way. It isn’t just the school board, though they are definitely part of it.

DP
FCPS is already a capitalistic marketplace. Those supporting vouchers are simply turning to a different marketplace more in line with their needs.

Education isn’t a commodity and public schools aren’t a free market. Our public schools are a community resource meant to serve all kids. By defunding it you are removing our ability to serve all kids. Not going to work. Hard pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Even if vouchers work the way you expect, it remains that "people who hate the current board will leave the system" is not a threat to the board, and therefore seems unlikely to check them.

It may be. People with kids in private school still get to vote. And when UMC flight starts impacting those who stayed in FCPS to support the board, they may find their support wavers.

Again, you are framing this as you against the school board. I will have to stay and fight the school board as we are poor and all information so far leans toward poor people getting the shaft with vouchers.

You, as a richer person, are voting with your feet just as capitalism wants you to. If you want to turn FCPS into a capitalistic school marketplace- it seems that will happen.

Supporting democracy means you stay and fight and vote out the school board and vote in sane people and continue to fight redistricting.

Again, schools are the current flashpoint for anger. Carry on and destroy the system, but know what you are doing and the forces that are manipulating you to feel this way. It isn’t just the school board, though they are definitely part of it.

DP
FCPS is already a capitalistic marketplace. Those supporting vouchers are simply turning to a different marketplace more in line with their needs.

Education isn’t a commodity and public schools aren’t a free market. Our public schools are a community resource meant to serve all kids. By defunding it you are removing our ability to serve all kids. Not going to work. Hard pass.

Public education is a commodity. If you don't understand that, I'm not sure what to tell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Even if vouchers work the way you expect, it remains that "people who hate the current board will leave the system" is not a threat to the board, and therefore seems unlikely to check them.

It may be. People with kids in private school still get to vote. And when UMC flight starts impacting those who stayed in FCPS to support the board, they may find their support wavers.

Again, you are framing this as you against the school board. I will have to stay and fight the school board as we are poor and all information so far leans toward poor people getting the shaft with vouchers.

You, as a richer person, are voting with your feet just as capitalism wants you to. If you want to turn FCPS into a capitalistic school marketplace- it seems that will happen.

Supporting democracy means you stay and fight and vote out the school board and vote in sane people and continue to fight redistricting.

Again, schools are the current flashpoint for anger. Carry on and destroy the system, but know what you are doing and the forces that are manipulating you to feel this way. It isn’t just the school board, though they are definitely part of it.

DP
FCPS is already a capitalistic marketplace. Those supporting vouchers are simply turning to a different marketplace more in line with their needs.

Education isn’t a commodity and public schools aren’t a free market. Our public schools are a community resource meant to serve all kids. By defunding it you are removing our ability to serve all kids. Not going to work. Hard pass.

Exactly this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Even if vouchers work the way you expect, it remains that "people who hate the current board will leave the system" is not a threat to the board, and therefore seems unlikely to check them.

It may be. People with kids in private school still get to vote. And when UMC flight starts impacting those who stayed in FCPS to support the board, they may find their support wavers.

Again, you are framing this as you against the school board. I will have to stay and fight the school board as we are poor and all information so far leans toward poor people getting the shaft with vouchers.

You, as a richer person, are voting with your feet just as capitalism wants you to. If you want to turn FCPS into a capitalistic school marketplace- it seems that will happen.

Supporting democracy means you stay and fight and vote out the school board and vote in sane people and continue to fight redistricting.

Again, schools are the current flashpoint for anger. Carry on and destroy the system, but know what you are doing and the forces that are manipulating you to feel this way. It isn’t just the school board, though they are definitely part of it.

DP
FCPS is already a capitalistic marketplace. Those supporting vouchers are simply turning to a different marketplace more in line with their needs.

Education isn’t a commodity and public schools aren’t a free market. Our public schools are a community resource meant to serve all kids. By defunding it you are removing our ability to serve all kids. Not going to work. Hard pass.

DP.

When you say: “Not going to work,” what exactly do you mean? Because I think it has and is working to degrade the school system. You might hope that it won’t destroy public school, but vouchers and UMC-flight in general will cause real loss for FCPS.

The school board is negligent for not considering this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Even if vouchers work the way you expect, it remains that "people who hate the current board will leave the system" is not a threat to the board, and therefore seems unlikely to check them.

It may be. People with kids in private school still get to vote. And when UMC flight starts impacting those who stayed in FCPS to support the board, they may find their support wavers.

Again, you are framing this as you against the school board. I will have to stay and fight the school board as we are poor and all information so far leans toward poor people getting the shaft with vouchers.

You, as a richer person, are voting with your feet just as capitalism wants you to. If you want to turn FCPS into a capitalistic school marketplace- it seems that will happen.

Supporting democracy means you stay and fight and vote out the school board and vote in sane people and continue to fight redistricting.

Again, schools are the current flashpoint for anger. Carry on and destroy the system, but know what you are doing and the forces that are manipulating you to feel this way. It isn’t just the school board, though they are definitely part of it.

DP
FCPS is already a capitalistic marketplace. Those supporting vouchers are simply turning to a different marketplace more in line with their needs.

Education isn’t a commodity and public schools aren’t a free market. Our public schools are a community resource meant to serve all kids. By defunding it you are removing our ability to serve all kids. Not going to work. Hard pass.

If you’re that concerned about keeping FCPS as the only option why haven’t you started a thread about how FCPS can do better rather than throwing around this dictatorship attitude of my way or nothing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

I actually align pretty closely with the politics you laid out above and I still think FCPS is going the way of vouchers. What you lay out I think really motivates about 5% of people.


But most parents have jobs. All the narrative about school not being childcare is fine— but most parents have jobs and want their kids in school five days per week. Early dismissal Monday’s when no other local district did that totally ruined FCPS’ credibility for me.

You know they provide free childcare on early release monday, right? Do try to keep up.

https://fairfaxgop.org/limited-early-release-mondays-for-2024-25-school-year/

We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their student take their normal route home (bus, walk, kiss and ride) on early dismissal days. While these are designated as early release days — where necessary — we will ensure that every student has supervised enrichment activities at the school and returns home at the regular time if that is what works best for your family. Licensed educators from central office will support schools as well. High-impact tutoring will be available for identified students.

This is a great example of how FCPS alienates parents.

You could take one second to think about the experience of a working parent given the choice between taking 6 more days off from work (which they may or may not have) or let their kid be stuffed into an auditorium on a laptop for four hours, which is what the “free childcare” was.

Or you can double down on how no one has a right to want more from their taxpayer-funded system. And that doubling down leads to support for vouchers. Because parents do want more.

Do you even know what they do in those 4 hours. Stop making up stuff.

It’s Wednesday this year. You can see sample schedules for student activities:

https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/safety-and-transportation/limited-early-release-wednesdays

Last year, the justification was oh this horrible state mandate that has been dropped on us (look at the threads here about it) and we couldn’t possible manage it any other way.

Now? It’s a “successful pilot” which leads to working parents needing 8 more days off per year if they don’t want their kids warehoused. My kid didn’t need 8 more days off this year. No one asked parents whether this “pilot” (which wasn’t advertised as a pilot) was a success for us.

Private school would keep my kid in school, learning, five days per week. If I took a voucher or voted for them it would be because of this issue. You can be as dismissive as you want, the alienation of parents leads to support for vouchers.

Private schools are in session for less of the year. Longer summer, longer breaks, a smattering of early release days. That's why they say "the more you pay, the less they go."

There are other reasons to choose private - we did, happily - but "convenient for working parents" is not one of them. My private school kid has a full 3 months of summer break, 2 weeks at Christmas, 2 weeks for spring break, two other 4-day breaks, and no bus transportation. I WOH and care/transport is a struggle.

We did private school pk-8. We did not have as many breaks as you. 1 week spring break, 2 weeks at Christmas, 2 teacher workdays, and most federal holidays (Columbus Day, Veterans Day, MLK Day, President’s Day). School was released the second week of June and started the week before Labor Day. We were in school more than FCPS. And we had bus transportation and drop in aftercare. We found FCPS to be more of a struggle with their early release days and holidays. Wouldn’t categorize all private schools as the same as your experience.

How any more days? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Even if vouchers work the way you expect, it remains that "people who hate the current board will leave the system" is not a threat to the board, and therefore seems unlikely to check them.

It may be. People with kids in private school still get to vote. And when UMC flight starts impacting those who stayed in FCPS to support the board, they may find their support wavers.

Again, you are framing this as you against the school board. I will have to stay and fight the school board as we are poor and all information so far leans toward poor people getting the shaft with vouchers.

You, as a richer person, are voting with your feet just as capitalism wants you to. If you want to turn FCPS into a capitalistic school marketplace- it seems that will happen.

Supporting democracy means you stay and fight and vote out the school board and vote in sane people and continue to fight redistricting.

Again, schools are the current flashpoint for anger. Carry on and destroy the system, but know what you are doing and the forces that are manipulating you to feel this way. It isn’t just the school board, though they are definitely part of it.

DP
FCPS is already a capitalistic marketplace. Those supporting vouchers are simply turning to a different marketplace more in line with their needs.

Education isn’t a commodity and public schools aren’t a free market. Our public schools are a community resource meant to serve all kids. By defunding it you are removing our ability to serve all kids. Not going to work. Hard pass.

DP.

When you say: “Not going to work,” what exactly do you mean? Because I think it has and is working to degrade the school system. You might hope that it won’t destroy public school, but vouchers and UMC-flight in general will cause real loss for FCPS.

The school board is negligent for not considering this.

The significant decline in FCPS enrollment during COVID should have disabused those running FCPS of the notion that they can do whatever they want with no repercussions.

The repercussions of unwelcome boundary changes crammed down people’s throats for flimsy reasons will include further enrollment declines, increased support for vouchers, and reduced funding for FCPS. The latter will occur if the number of students declines even if vouchers aren’t more readily available.

FCPS could avert this death spiral by limiting boundary changes to the few instances like Coates that are truly necessary, but the politicians on the School Board seem intent on flexing to demonstrate they are local power brokers rather than showing common sense. It’s a classic self-inflicted wound in the making.

[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:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Even if vouchers work the way you expect, it remains that "people who hate the current board will leave the system" is not a threat to the board, and therefore seems unlikely to check them.

It may be. People with kids in private school still get to vote. And when UMC flight starts impacting those who stayed in FCPS to support the board, they may find their support wavers.

Again, you are framing this as you against the school board. I will have to stay and fight the school board as we are poor and all information so far leans toward poor people getting the shaft with vouchers.

You, as a richer person, are voting with your feet just as capitalism wants you to. If you want to turn FCPS into a capitalistic school marketplace- it seems that will happen.

Supporting democracy means you stay and fight and vote out the school board and vote in sane people and continue to fight redistricting.

Again, schools are the current flashpoint for anger. Carry on and destroy the system, but know what you are doing and the forces that are manipulating you to feel this way. It isn’t just the school board, though they are definitely part of it.

DP
FCPS is already a capitalistic marketplace. Those supporting vouchers are simply turning to a different marketplace more in line with their needs.

Education isn’t a commodity and public schools aren’t a free market. Our public schools are a community resource meant to serve all kids. By defunding it you are removing our ability to serve all kids. Not going to work. Hard pass.

DP.

When you say: “Not going to work,” what exactly do you mean? Because I think it has and is working to degrade the school system. You might hope that it won’t destroy public school, but vouchers and UMC-flight in general will cause real loss for FCPS.

The school board is negligent for not considering this.

The significant decline in FCPS enrollment during COVID should have disabused those running FCPS of the notion that they can do whatever they want with no repercussions.

The repercussions of unwelcome boundary changes crammed down people’s throats for flimsy reasons will include further enrollment declines, increased support for vouchers, and reduced funding for FCPS. The latter will occur if the number of students declines even if vouchers aren’t more readily available.

FCPS could avert this death spiral by limiting boundary changes to the few instances like Coates that are truly necessary, but the politicians on the School Board seem intent on flexing to demonstrate they are local power brokers rather than showing common sense. It’s a classic self-inflicted wound in the making.

Exactly this.

[Anonymous]

Unpopular boundary review, 24/7 security team, possible failure to comply with Title IX, vouchers part of BBB, are a perfect storm.

If the school board fails to step in now, these B-level politicians won’t have any political future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unpopular boundary review, 24/7 security team, possible failure to comply with Title IX, vouchers part of BBB, are a perfect storm.

If the school board fails to step in now, these B-level politicians won’t have any political future.

hm, ok. What percentage of parents in fcps do you think feel this way? Please by honest.

[Anonymous]

It’s going to be so much fun watching the absolute meltdowns when vouchers are approved in VA. Can hardly wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unpopular boundary review, 24/7 security team, possible failure to comply with Title IX, vouchers part of BBB, are a perfect storm.

If the school board fails to step in now, these B-level politicians won’t have any political future.

No doubt it makes you feel good to say that, but what's happening now is just more of the same from the School Board, and we've got Storck, Smith, and Palchik (all former School Board members) sitting on the Board of Supervisors; Cohen, Keys Gamarra, and Pekarsky (former School Board members) sitting in the state legislature; and Moon and Sizemore-Heizer (current School Board members) the likely successor to Walkinshaw on the Board of Supervisors. There have been a few School Board members whose political ambitions have been thwarted (Frisch lost a primary for state house of delegates, McElveen lost a primary for Board of Supervisors chair, and Moon lost a prior election for the Braddock seat on the Board of Supervisors), but mostly these folks rise through the ranks by being Democrats and having more name recognition than other candidates.

The things that you think will create a perfect storm, depending on how they play out, could put a few local seats (Dranesville, Springfield, Sully, and maybe an at-large seat) in play, but that's about it. That would change the dynamics somewhat because having a few members on the SB or BOS from the other party means the decisions of the majority may get challenged in public settings (think of Schultz when she was on the SB and Herrity on the BOS now) as opposed to rubber-stamped. But we live in a blue county, and voters in low-information elections will continue to vote blue, especially when you've got MAGA Republicans at the national level constantly looking for new ways to throw local residents out of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unpopular boundary review, 24/7 security team, possible failure to comply with Title IX, vouchers part of BBB, are a perfect storm.

If the school board fails to step in now, these B-level politicians won’t have any political future.

No doubt it makes you feel good to say that, but what's happening now is just more of the same from the School Board, and we've got Storck, Smith, and Palchik (all former School Board members) sitting on the Board of Supervisors; Cohen, Keys Gamarra, and Pekarsky (former School Board members) sitting in the state legislature; and Moon and Sizemore-Heizer (current School Board members) the likely successor to Walkinshaw on the Board of Supervisors. There have been a few School Board members whose political ambitions have been thwarted (Frisch lost a primary for state house of delegates, McElveen lost a primary for Board of Supervisors chair, and Moon lost a prior election for the Braddock seat on the Board of Supervisors), but mostly these folks rise through the ranks by being Democrats and having more name recognition than other candidates.

The things that you think will create a perfect storm, depending on how they play out, could put a few local seats (Dranesville, Springfield, Sully, and maybe an at-large seat) in play, but that's about it. That would change the dynamics somewhat because having a few members on the SB or BOS from the other party means the decisions of the majority may get challenged in public settings (think of Schultz when she was on the SB and Herrity on the BOS now) as opposed to rubber-stamped. But we live in a blue county, and voters in low-information elections will continue to vote blue, especially when you've got MAGA Republicans at the national level constantly looking for new ways to throw local residents out of work.

Correct. FCPS will steadily come to resemble the reality in Baltimore: Democratic control, poorly-performing schools and a robust private school market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unpopular boundary review, 24/7 security team, possible failure to comply with Title IX, vouchers part of BBB, are a perfect storm.

If the school board fails to step in now, these B-level politicians won’t have any political future.

No doubt it makes you feel good to say that, but what's happening now is just more of the same from the School Board, and we've got Storck, Smith, and Palchik (all former School Board members) sitting on the Board of Supervisors; Cohen, Keys Gamarra, and Pekarsky (former School Board members) sitting in the state legislature; and Moon and Sizemore-Heizer (current School Board members) the likely successor to Walkinshaw on the Board of Supervisors. There have been a few School Board members whose political ambitions have been thwarted (Frisch lost a primary for state house of delegates, McElveen lost a primary for Board of Supervisors chair, and Moon lost a prior election for the Braddock seat on the Board of Supervisors), but mostly these folks rise through the ranks by being Democrats and having more name recognition than other candidates.

The things that you think will create a perfect storm, depending on how they play out, could put a few local seats (Dranesville, Springfield, Sully, and maybe an at-large seat) in play, but that's about it. That would change the dynamics somewhat because having a few members on the SB or BOS from the other party means the decisions of the majority may get challenged in public settings (think of Schultz when she was on the SB and Herrity on the BOS now) as opposed to rubber-stamped. But we live in a blue county, and voters in low-information elections will continue to vote blue, especially when you've got MAGA Republicans at the national level constantly looking for new ways to throw local residents out of work.

Correct. FCPS will steadily come to resemble the reality in Baltimore: Democratic control, poorly-performing schools and a robust private school market.

The current private school market in Fairfax is anything but robust (at present I'd argue there's really only one high-quality private in the entire county), but I agree that decisions by the School Board that are unpopular with MC and UMC families will - as will the promotion of vouchers at the federal and state level - increase the demand for private school options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be so much fun watching the absolute meltdowns when vouchers are approved in VA. Can hardly wait.

MAGAs get off on hurting others.

Proponents of vouchers believe they help families by making more choices possible and/or placing pressure on public school systems to be more responsive to parents.

So irrational. If you take away funding from public schools, how are they in any position to do anything better? Vouchers won’t help public schools.

“More responsive to parents”? WTF? FCPS exists to educate all students in Fairfax County. Not cater to ridiculous parents.