King Abdullah Academy Closing: FCPS Buy for HS?

[Anonymous]

Looking at the rapid fire posting last night from those who want the school to be used as a neighborhood school, it’s clearly a coordinated attempt to get this thread locked or to stifle others opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same nextdoor posters complaining (over and over again, and again and again!) about the boundary changes a few months ago, seem to be same ones up in arms about “transparency issues” with the purchase of KAA. They also appear to live in a “North Herndon” neighborhood, currently zoned for Langley. I’m sure it is just a coincidence.

I hope the purchase of KAA goes smoothly, and FCPS can successfully revamp it in time to serve the families in that area. Westfield is so far from Mcnair and Coates. How can Westfield build a thriving community when their students live so far away?

I don't live anywhere near "North Herndon," yet I also have questions about the transparency and funding of this school - even while I think it's a great purchase and will relieve the crowding issues many have spoken of. As FCPS residents, are we allowed to have questions about the process, or are we just supposed to shut up and keep our mouths closed?

One thing is for certain - if this school had been purchased in any other area (such as an area where it wouldn't benefit you), you'd be questioning the process too.

Wrong. We used to live in that area, so I am empathetic towards those families. Actually, we moved from that area, before our kids started middle school, because we wanted our kids to go to a high school with a strong sense of community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same nextdoor posters complaining (over and over again, and again and again!) about the boundary changes a few months ago, seem to be same ones up in arms about “transparency issues” with the purchase of KAA. They also appear to live in a “North Herndon” neighborhood, currently zoned for Langley. I’m sure it is just a coincidence.

I hope the purchase of KAA goes smoothly, and FCPS can successfully revamp it in time to serve the families in that area. Westfield is so far from Mcnair and Coates. How can Westfield build a thriving community when their students live so far away?

I don't live anywhere near "North Herndon," yet I also have questions about the transparency and funding of this school - even while I think it's a great purchase and will relieve the crowding issues many have spoken of. As FCPS residents, are we allowed to have questions about the process, or are we just supposed to shut up and keep our mouths closed?

One thing is for certain - if this school had been purchased in any other area (such as an area where it wouldn't benefit you), you'd be questioning the process too.

Having questions about the funding for this purchase makes sense. However, I was pointing out the nextdoor posters who before questioning, over and over again, the funding fot KAA, were also some of posters who just a few months ago, were talking about capacity issues at Herndon, saying that South Lakes should eliminate IB, so Herndon kids could not pupil place, and how moving Forestville ES to Herndon would be detrimental to their kids’ mental health, and that the 30 minute commute was a choice they made when they sacrificed so much because they care about their children’s education. So, maybe they are only truly conceened about the budget, and if they are honest about that, then fine, but their previous posts on Nextdoor make me question their true motive.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone spoken with staff for Frisch or Dunne, or the members themselves, to get clarity on their magnet school position? Dunne very clearly said it could be another TJ, so just wondering if anyone has had any follow up with him or his staff?

[Anonymous]

There is no way it can be another TJ, there is too much specialized equipment for TJ and it is a Governor's school. It could be another Edison, a STEM Academy but at some point in time people are going to point out that FCPS has a lot of STEM academies and not enough programs for kids needing Votech classes or even the arts. I am aware that said programs exist but not in the same quantity as STEM.

I live in the 20171 area so this could impact my child. My preference, not that it dictates the final outcome, is that the KAA building become a neighborhood HS. We are a Fox Mill family, and I would like Fox Mill to be included in the new HS. We like Carson as a MS and do not like or want to participate in IB. We plan on pupil placing out of SLHS when our kids are ready for HS. It would be great to not have to do that. Since FCPS seems stuck on the idea that IB is great, I don't see SLHS becoming an AP school any time in the near future, we are crossing our fingers to be in the new school. I am aware that Fox Mill might stay at SLHS, I would be disappointed with that but hopeful that we could pupil place to the new HS where my kids would know a lot of kids at the school after attending Carson. If they can't principal place there, we will aim for Oakton based on language and AP.

With the exception of Herndon, all of the area HS are above 95% full. A new neighborhood HS would relieve the HSs. Not to mention, a neighborhood HS would stop the bouncing around of some of the neighborhoods in the area that are on the edge of the different schools and give them a home. Floris, Oak Hill, and Fox Mill, I am sure that there have been others, have all been moved in the last 20 years and more of those schools are up to be moved again. While there is never a guarantee that you land at a specific HS, the neighborhoods that border many of the HS in the area would like to have a place to call home that feels like it is stable.

I know Herndon parents and SLHS parents post about not needing kids from various schools and yet it is clear that there are members of the PTA and people on the School Board that very determined to bring in specific neighborhoods to Herndon and SLHS. For us, IB is not a good program. It is harder to get college credits for the classes; the HL classes are not offered in many of the subjects; the IB classes do not cover the same material (HL Physics is not Calculus based). IB should be a specialized program that kids opt into and not something forced on everyone.

And while we know plenty of kids who have done well at SLHS and Herndon, I am not a fan of the school within the school at the schools. You clearly have kids who are in the AP or IB track, who get an excellent education, and a lot of kids who will never take those classes. There is a divide, and I don't think that is great for the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no way it can be another TJ, there is too much specialized equipment for TJ and it is a Governor's school. It could be another Edison, a STEM Academy but at some point in time people are going to point out that FCPS has a lot of STEM academies and not enough programs for kids needing Votech classes or even the arts. I am aware that said programs exist but not in the same quantity as STEM.

I live in the 20171 area so this could impact my child. My preference, not that it dictates the final outcome, is that the KAA building become a neighborhood HS. We are a Fox Mill family, and I would like Fox Mill to be included in the new HS. We like Carson as a MS and do not like or want to participate in IB. We plan on pupil placing out of SLHS when our kids are ready for HS. It would be great to not have to do that. Since FCPS seems stuck on the idea that IB is great, I don't see SLHS becoming an AP school any time in the near future, we are crossing our fingers to be in the new school. I am aware that Fox Mill might stay at SLHS, I would be disappointed with that but hopeful that we could pupil place to the new HS where my kids would know a lot of kids at the school after attending Carson. If they can't principal place there, we will aim for Oakton based on language and AP.

With the exception of Herndon, all of the area HS are above 95% full. A new neighborhood HS would relieve the HSs. Not to mention, a neighborhood HS would stop the bouncing around of some of the neighborhoods in the area that are on the edge of the different schools and give them a home. Floris, Oak Hill, and Fox Mill, I am sure that there have been others, have all been moved in the last 20 years and more of those schools are up to be moved again. While there is never a guarantee that you land at a specific HS, the neighborhoods that border many of the HS in the area would like to have a place to call home that feels like it is stable.

I know Herndon parents and SLHS parents post about not needing kids from various schools and yet it is clear that there are members of the PTA and people on the School Board that very determined to bring in specific neighborhoods to Herndon and SLHS. For us, IB is not a good program. It is harder to get college credits for the classes; the HL classes are not offered in many of the subjects; the IB classes do not cover the same material (HL Physics is not Calculus based). IB should be a specialized program that kids opt into and not something forced on everyone.

And while we know plenty of kids who have done well at SLHS and Herndon, I am not a fan of the school within the school at the schools. You clearly have kids who are in the AP or IB track, who get an excellent education, and a lot of kids who will never take those classes. There is a divide, and I don't think that is great for the community.

That is at every high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Centreville and Chantilly both have modulars and trailers.
Westfield has trailers
South Lakes has trailers.

According to the dashboard, Oakton has neither trailers or modular.

This school is needed to relieve overcrowding if getting rid of modulars and trailers is a goal.

Trailers are cheap and should be eliminated if possible. Modulars cost millions to install and eliminating them shouldn’t be a priority.

Herndon is sitting on hundreds of empty seats and they at least ought to have a plan to fill them before we spend $150M on a new school in western Fairfax.

There it is. That is the reason one person here is so worked up, replying to every little thing posted here. They want those seats filled from the KAA area and not from the Herndon, Forestville, GF addresses that are so close by. Panic has set in and they are flailing about grasping at straws. They thought they were safe but now the writing is on the walls. It will be nice to get the thread back once the plan is officially announced for the new Western HS, but this is enjoyable too.

coates and mcnair are 2.2 miles from HMS and 4-4.2 from HHS. floris is 2.8 from HMS and HHS. forestville is 5.6 from HMS and 5.1 from HHS. doesn’t seem super obvious to move forestville when there are closer options. especially since we don’t know capacity at KAA and lots of neighborhoods are on here fighting to get in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same nextdoor posters complaining (over and over again, and again and again!) about the boundary changes a few months ago, seem to be same ones up in arms about “transparency issues” with the purchase of KAA. They also appear to live in a “North Herndon” neighborhood, currently zoned for Langley. I’m sure it is just a coincidence.

I hope the purchase of KAA goes smoothly, and FCPS can successfully revamp it in time to serve the families in that area. Westfield is so far from Mcnair and Coates. How can Westfield build a thriving community when their students live so far away?

I don't live anywhere near "North Herndon," yet I also have questions about the transparency and funding of this school - even while I think it's a great purchase and will relieve the crowding issues many have spoken of. As FCPS residents, are we allowed to have questions about the process, or are we just supposed to shut up and keep our mouths closed?

One thing is for certain - if this school had been purchased in any other area (such as an area where it wouldn't benefit you), you'd be questioning the process too.

i agree. i work in a school and my kids atttend a different school. several jobs in both schools were cut due to funding. others were notified their pay is going down to make budget. how are we buying and funding a new school when there isn’t money for the current schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same nextdoor posters complaining (over and over again, and again and again!) about the boundary changes a few months ago, seem to be same ones up in arms about “transparency issues” with the purchase of KAA. They also appear to live in a “North Herndon” neighborhood, currently zoned for Langley. I’m sure it is just a coincidence.

I hope the purchase of KAA goes smoothly, and FCPS can successfully revamp it in time to serve the families in that area. Westfield is so far from Mcnair and Coates. How can Westfield build a thriving community when their students live so far away?

I don't live anywhere near "North Herndon," yet I also have questions about the transparency and funding of this school - even while I think it's a great purchase and will relieve the crowding issues many have spoken of. As FCPS residents, are we allowed to have questions about the process, or are we just supposed to shut up and keep our mouths closed?

One thing is for certain - if this school had been purchased in any other area (such as an area where it wouldn't benefit you), you'd be questioning the process too.

i agree. i work in a school and my kids atttend a different school. several jobs in both schools were cut due to funding. others were notified their pay is going down to make budget. how are we buying and funding a new school when there isn’t money for the current schools?

Sshhh. You’re not allowed to ask about where they are coming up with the $150 million. Money isn’t fungible they’ll say. Just give them their neighborhood school, no questions asked. Don’t bring up job cuts and pay cuts. That doesn’t help their agenda that they are entitled to this school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same nextdoor posters complaining (over and over again, and again and again!) about the boundary changes a few months ago, seem to be same ones up in arms about “transparency issues” with the purchase of KAA. They also appear to live in a “North Herndon” neighborhood, currently zoned for Langley. I’m sure it is just a coincidence.

I hope the purchase of KAA goes smoothly, and FCPS can successfully revamp it in time to serve the families in that area. Westfield is so far from Mcnair and Coates. How can Westfield build a thriving community when their students live so far away?

I don't live anywhere near "North Herndon," yet I also have questions about the transparency and funding of this school - even while I think it's a great purchase and will relieve the crowding issues many have spoken of. As FCPS residents, are we allowed to have questions about the process, or are we just supposed to shut up and keep our mouths closed?

One thing is for certain - if this school had been purchased in any other area (such as an area where it wouldn't benefit you), you'd be questioning the process too.

i agree. i work in a school and my kids atttend a different school. several jobs in both schools were cut due to funding. others were notified their pay is going down to make budget. how are we buying and funding a new school when there isn’t money for the current schools?

There is a difference between capital budgets and operating budgets. They are completely separate funds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same nextdoor posters complaining (over and over again, and again and again!) about the boundary changes a few months ago, seem to be same ones up in arms about “transparency issues” with the purchase of KAA. They also appear to live in a “North Herndon” neighborhood, currently zoned for Langley. I’m sure it is just a coincidence.

I hope the purchase of KAA goes smoothly, and FCPS can successfully revamp it in time to serve the families in that area. Westfield is so far from Mcnair and Coates. How can Westfield build a thriving community when their students live so far away?

I don't live anywhere near "North Herndon," yet I also have questions about the transparency and funding of this school - even while I think it's a great purchase and will relieve the crowding issues many have spoken of. As FCPS residents, are we allowed to have questions about the process, or are we just supposed to shut up and keep our mouths closed?

One thing is for certain - if this school had been purchased in any other area (such as an area where it wouldn't benefit you), you'd be questioning the process too.

i agree. i work in a school and my kids atttend a different school. several jobs in both schools were cut due to funding. others were notified their pay is going down to make budget. how are we buying and funding a new school when there isn’t money for the current schools?

Sshhh. You’re not allowed to ask about where they are coming up with the $150 million. Money isn’t fungible they’ll say. Just give them their neighborhood school, no questions asked. Don’t bring up job cuts and pay cuts. That doesn’t help their agenda that they are entitled to this school.

My understanding is the funding to purchase the school is different from operations budget. Questioning how they will staff the school with these budget shortfalls seems more appropriate. Sure they’ll be able to move some teachers and admin from schools receiving capacity relief, but there will still be many redundant positions to fill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same nextdoor posters complaining (over and over again, and again and again!) about the boundary changes a few months ago, seem to be same ones up in arms about “transparency issues” with the purchase of KAA. They also appear to live in a “North Herndon” neighborhood, currently zoned for Langley. I’m sure it is just a coincidence.

I hope the purchase of KAA goes smoothly, and FCPS can successfully revamp it in time to serve the families in that area. Westfield is so far from Mcnair and Coates. How can Westfield build a thriving community when their students live so far away?

I don't live anywhere near "North Herndon," yet I also have questions about the transparency and funding of this school - even while I think it's a great purchase and will relieve the crowding issues many have spoken of. As FCPS residents, are we allowed to have questions about the process, or are we just supposed to shut up and keep our mouths closed?

One thing is for certain - if this school had been purchased in any other area (such as an area where it wouldn't benefit you), you'd be questioning the process too.

i agree. i work in a school and my kids atttend a different school. several jobs in both schools were cut due to funding. others were notified their pay is going down to make budget. how are we buying and funding a new school when there isn’t money for the current schools?

There is a difference between capital budgets and operating budgets. They are completely separate funds.

Haha. Like clockwork, the entitled pretend that money isn’t fungible.

Just admit that you feel you deserve the neighborhood school even if it means teacher job cuts and lower raises.

It’s better for you to just be honest about how you feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Centreville and Chantilly both have modulars and trailers.
Westfield has trailers
South Lakes has trailers.

According to the dashboard, Oakton has neither trailers or modular.

This school is needed to relieve overcrowding if getting rid of modulars and trailers is a goal.

Trailers are cheap and should be eliminated if possible. Modulars cost millions to install and eliminating them shouldn’t be a priority.

Herndon is sitting on hundreds of empty seats and they at least ought to have a plan to fill them before we spend $150M on a new school in western Fairfax.

There it is. That is the reason one person here is so worked up, replying to every little thing posted here. They want those seats filled from the KAA area and not from the Herndon, Forestville, GF addresses that are so close by. Panic has set in and they are flailing about grasping at straws. They thought they were safe but now the writing is on the walls. It will be nice to get the thread back once the plan is officially announced for the new Western HS, but this is enjoyable too.

coates and mcnair are 2.2 miles from HMS and 4-4.2 from HHS. floris is 2.8 from HMS and HHS. forestville is 5.6 from HMS and 5.1 from HHS. doesn’t seem super obvious to move forestville when there are closer options. especially since we don’t know capacity at KAA and lots of neighborhoods are on here fighting to get in

Now tell us how far Forestville is from Langley. In miles, not your shaved-off minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Centreville and Chantilly both have modulars and trailers.
Westfield has trailers
South Lakes has trailers.

According to the dashboard, Oakton has neither trailers or modular.

This school is needed to relieve overcrowding if getting rid of modulars and trailers is a goal.

Trailers are cheap and should be eliminated if possible. Modulars cost millions to install and eliminating them shouldn’t be a priority.

Herndon is sitting on hundreds of empty seats and they at least ought to have a plan to fill them before we spend $150M on a new school in western Fairfax.

There it is. That is the reason one person here is so worked up, replying to every little thing posted here. They want those seats filled from the KAA area and not from the Herndon, Forestville, GF addresses that are so close by. Panic has set in and they are flailing about grasping at straws. They thought they were safe but now the writing is on the walls. It will be nice to get the thread back once the plan is officially announced for the new Western HS, but this is enjoyable too.

coates and mcnair are 2.2 miles from HMS and 4-4.2 from HHS. floris is 2.8 from HMS and HHS. forestville is 5.6 from HMS and 5.1 from HHS. doesn’t seem super obvious to move forestville when there are closer options. especially since we don’t know capacity at KAA and lots of neighborhoods are on here fighting to get in

Now tell us how far Forestville is from Langley. In miles, not your shaved-off minutes.

Less than half the time it takes to get to TJ. TJ Western High is going to be such a game changer for those families!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Centreville and Chantilly both have modulars and trailers.
Westfield has trailers
South Lakes has trailers.

According to the dashboard, Oakton has neither trailers or modular.

This school is needed to relieve overcrowding if getting rid of modulars and trailers is a goal.

Trailers are cheap and should be eliminated if possible. Modulars cost millions to install and eliminating them shouldn’t be a priority.

Herndon is sitting on hundreds of empty seats and they at least ought to have a plan to fill them before we spend $150M on a new school in western Fairfax.

There it is. That is the reason one person here is so worked up, replying to every little thing posted here. They want those seats filled from the KAA area and not from the Herndon, Forestville, GF addresses that are so close by. Panic has set in and they are flailing about grasping at straws. They thought they were safe but now the writing is on the walls. It will be nice to get the thread back once the plan is officially announced for the new Western HS, but this is enjoyable too.

coates and mcnair are 2.2 miles from HMS and 4-4.2 from HHS. floris is 2.8 from HMS and HHS. forestville is 5.6 from HMS and 5.1 from HHS. doesn’t seem super obvious to move forestville when there are closer options. especially since we don’t know capacity at KAA and lots of neighborhoods are on here fighting to get in

Now tell us how far Forestville is from Langley. In miles, not your shaved-off minutes.

Less than half the time it takes to get to TJ. TJ Western High is going to be such a game changer for those families!

DP, btw.