We know ACPS is bad but WHY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WaPo article says allegations were made by a former (not current) student who claims that during her time at the high school one of the SROs engaged in inappropriate conversations with her about her sex life. The article noted there are 2 SROs at the school who have both been assigned there for 4 years so it is implied those same officers had to have been working at the school when the alleged conversations took place and they’re only 2 SROs so it had to be one of them.

Personally I find this to be rather strange that a former student suddenly appears now to make this claim.

It's just one thing after another at the high school. One incident after another. I'm sure there's plenty of learning taking place, but what's being projected is an institution in a constant state of turmoil. The kids are the ones who pay the price for the obsession with keeping ONE high school, despite the size and inconvenient geography of it for many kids. There's nothing equitable about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WaPo article says allegations were made by a former (not current) student who claims that during her time at the high school one of the SROs engaged in inappropriate conversations with her about her sex life. The article noted there are 2 SROs at the school who have both been assigned there for 4 years so it is implied those same officers had to have been working at the school when the alleged conversations took place and they’re only 2 SROs so it had to be one of them.

Personally I find this to be rather strange that a former student suddenly appears now to make this claim.

You don’t know that it’s “sudden.” Maybe the former student recently left or transferred to another school, opened up to someone about the situation, didn’t come forward earlier because of fear, etc. It’s also possible more victims will now speak up. Let’s let the investigation run its course.

That sure is a lot of speculation, after condemning speculation. You can’t have it both ways, and the hypocrisy is what drives many people crazy and causes resentment among citizens. I agree a thorough investigation is warranted and I look forward to learning the results. I hope if they allegation turns out to be true the SRO is fired and I would be incredibly sad the girl/woman didn’t, for whatever reason, reach out for help when the allegation occurred and has suffered in silence until now. That being said, if the allegations turn out not to be true it will only add fuel to the fire and anger a lot of people that politics are still in schools.

I wasn’t speculating, I was giving examples of what could happen in such a situation because people in the thread were already victim blaming and implying the complainant has anterior motives or an agenda (see the TWU comment).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WaPo article says allegations were made by a former (not current) student who claims that during her time at the high school one of the SROs engaged in inappropriate conversations with her about her sex life. The article noted there are 2 SROs at the school who have both been assigned there for 4 years so it is implied those same officers had to have been working at the school when the alleged conversations took place and they’re only 2 SROs so it had to be one of them.

Personally I find this to be rather strange that a former student suddenly appears now to make this claim.

It's just one thing after another at the high school. One incident after another. I'm sure there's plenty of learning taking place, but what's being projected is an institution in a constant state of turmoil. The kids are the ones who pay the price for the obsession with keeping ONE high school, despite the size and inconvenient geography of it for many kids. There's nothing equitable about it.

I agree it’s time to revisit the second high school issue. It won’t fix everything that’s broken, but clearly a single high school with over 4,000 students enrolled and continued projected growth is unmanageable and not sustainable. It seems the pandemic has just exposed more cracks in the foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WaPo article says allegations were made by a former (not current) student who claims that during her time at the high school one of the SROs engaged in inappropriate conversations with her about her sex life. The article noted there are 2 SROs at the school who have both been assigned there for 4 years so it is implied those same officers had to have been working at the school when the alleged conversations took place and they’re only 2 SROs so it had to be one of them.

Personally I find this to be rather strange that a former student suddenly appears now to make this claim.

It's just one thing after another at the high school. One incident after another. I'm sure there's plenty of learning taking place, but what's being projected is an institution in a constant state of turmoil. The kids are the ones who pay the price for the obsession with keeping ONE high school, despite the size and inconvenient geography of it for many kids. There's nothing equitable about it.

I agree it’s time to revisit the second high school issue. It won’t fix everything that’s broken, but clearly a single high school with over 4,000 students enrolled and continued projected growth is unmanageable and not sustainable. It seems the pandemic has just exposed more cracks in the foundation.

A second high school is a political non-starter in Alexandria government. You put a school in the west end and there will be nothing but allegations of racism, inequity, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WaPo article says allegations were made by a former (not current) student who claims that during her time at the high school one of the SROs engaged in inappropriate conversations with her about her sex life. The article noted there are 2 SROs at the school who have both been assigned there for 4 years so it is implied those same officers had to have been working at the school when the alleged conversations took place and they’re only 2 SROs so it had to be one of them.

Personally I find this to be rather strange that a former student suddenly appears now to make this claim.

It's just one thing after another at the high school. One incident after another. I'm sure there's plenty of learning taking place, but what's being projected is an institution in a constant state of turmoil. The kids are the ones who pay the price for the obsession with keeping ONE high school, despite the size and inconvenient geography of it for many kids. There's nothing equitable about it.

I agree it’s time to revisit the second high school issue. It won’t fix everything that’s broken, but clearly a single high school with over 4,000 students enrolled and continued projected growth is unmanageable and not sustainable. It seems the pandemic has just exposed more cracks in the foundation.

A second high school is a political non-starter in Alexandria government. You put a school in the west end and there will be nothing but allegations of racism, inequity, etc.

I posted above about the inequity of one high school, and I totally agree with you. It will never happen. It's absolute nonsense. If you flesh this argument out, why have more than one middle school? Or even more than one elementary school? It makes no sense. Zero sense. I have tried to make this point many times--there's always some reason why I'm wrong. But I'm not wrong. Take the middle schools: there are two 6-8 and two K-8 schools. They are in different locations, in different facilities, serving different populations, with different programs and activities. No one talks about potential inequities there. Other cities have multiple high schools--and they use that as a selling point! An arts high school, a tech high school, a vocational-ed driven school--why the hell should kids in ACPS not have these oportunities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WaPo article says allegations were made by a former (not current) student who claims that during her time at the high school one of the SROs engaged in inappropriate conversations with her about her sex life. The article noted there are 2 SROs at the school who have both been assigned there for 4 years so it is implied those same officers had to have been working at the school when the alleged conversations took place and they’re only 2 SROs so it had to be one of them.

Personally I find this to be rather strange that a former student suddenly appears now to make this claim.

It's just one thing after another at the high school. One incident after another. I'm sure there's plenty of learning taking place, but what's being projected is an institution in a constant state of turmoil. The kids are the ones who pay the price for the obsession with keeping ONE high school, despite the size and inconvenient geography of it for many kids. There's nothing equitable about it.

I agree it’s time to revisit the second high school issue. It won’t fix everything that’s broken, but clearly a single high school with over 4,000 students enrolled and continued projected growth is unmanageable and not sustainable. It seems the pandemic has just exposed more cracks in the foundation.

A second high school is a political non-starter in Alexandria government. You put a school in the west end and there will be nothing but allegations of racism, inequity, etc.

I posted above about the inequity of one high school, and I totally agree with you. It will never happen. It's absolute nonsense. If you flesh this argument out, why have more than one middle school? Or even more than one elementary school? It makes no sense. Zero sense. I have tried to make this point many times--there's always some reason why I'm wrong. But I'm not wrong. Take the middle schools: there are two 6-8 and two K-8 schools. They are in different locations, in different facilities, serving different populations, with different programs and activities. No one talks about potential inequities there. Other cities have multiple high schools--and they use that as a selling point! An arts high school, a tech high school, a vocational-ed driven school--why the hell should kids in ACPS not have these oportunities?

Because Alexandria City politicians care more about virtue signaling than fixing problems.

[Anonymous]

Didn't parents vote to keep a single school instead of putting forward to build a new one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn't parents vote to keep a single school instead of putting forward to build a new one?

No, this hasn’t been on any ballot.

Plus Alexandria kids can’t go to TJ either.

[Anonymous]

What I do not understand is why they are not making the new Minnie Howard into a second high school (albeit it would have to be very tall). My husband grew-up in a town with two high schools 3 blocks from each other, and the town was then able to do school zones in a way that accounted for all different populations spread across the community.

[Anonymous]

Someone suggested a second high school in one of the ACPS or Alexandria Facebook groups a few months ago and everyone started screaming about racism. These people don't want a real solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I do not understand is why they are not making the new Minnie Howard into a second high school (albeit it would have to be very tall). My husband grew-up in a town with two high schools 3 blocks from each other, and the town was then able to do school zones in a way that accounted for all different populations spread across the community.

Exactly! I always thought Landmark Mall was the perfect location. There are ways to proactively and creatively address zoning to avoid segregation. Also, do they really think ACHS isn’t segregated within the one building? ACPS students deserve better than one overcrowded, chaotic high school. And enrollment projections only increase over time! Where is the school system’s long-term plan to address any of this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I do not understand is why they are not making the new Minnie Howard into a second high school (albeit it would have to be very tall). My husband grew-up in a town with two high schools 3 blocks from each other, and the town was then able to do school zones in a way that accounted for all different populations spread across the community.

Exactly! I always thought Landmark Mall was the perfect location. There are ways to proactively and creatively address zoning to avoid segregation. Also, do they really think ACHS isn’t segregated within the one building? ACPS students deserve better than one overcrowded, chaotic high school. And enrollment projections only increase over time! Where is the school system’s long-term plan to address any of this?

Yes but isn't it easier to throw your hands up and say building a second high school would be racist? Less expensive as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I do not understand is why they are not making the new Minnie Howard into a second high school (albeit it would have to be very tall). My husband grew-up in a town with two high schools 3 blocks from each other, and the town was then able to do school zones in a way that accounted for all different populations spread across the community.

Exactly! I always thought Landmark Mall was the perfect location. There are ways to proactively and creatively address zoning to avoid segregation. Also, do they really think ACHS isn’t segregated within the one building? ACPS students deserve better than one overcrowded, chaotic high school. And enrollment projections only increase over time! Where is the school system’s long-term plan to address any of this?

Yes but isn't it easier to throw your hands up and say building a second high school would be racist? Less expensive as well.

Yes. Much easier to use “equity” as a crutch and excuse for failing to act. It’s the ACPS way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I do not understand is why they are not making the new Minnie Howard into a second high school (albeit it would have to be very tall). My husband grew-up in a town with two high schools 3 blocks from each other, and the town was then able to do school zones in a way that accounted for all different populations spread across the community.

Exactly! I always thought Landmark Mall was the perfect location. There are ways to proactively and creatively address zoning to avoid segregation. Also, do they really think ACHS isn’t segregated within the one building? ACPS students deserve better than one overcrowded, chaotic high school. And enrollment projections only increase over time! Where is the school system’s long-term plan to address any of this?

Yes but isn't it easier to throw your hands up and say building a second high school would be racist? Less expensive as well.

Yes. Much easier to use “equity” as a crutch and excuse for failing to act. It’s the ACPS way.

I used to chafe at comments like this. But after years with a front row seat I don’t anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I do not understand is why they are not making the new Minnie Howard into a second high school (albeit it would have to be very tall). My husband grew-up in a town with two high schools 3 blocks from each other, and the town was then able to do school zones in a way that accounted for all different populations spread across the community.

Exactly! I always thought Landmark Mall was the perfect location. There are ways to proactively and creatively address zoning to avoid segregation. Also, do they really think ACHS isn’t segregated within the one building? ACPS students deserve better than one overcrowded, chaotic high school. And enrollment projections only increase over time! Where is the school system’s long-term plan to address any of this?

Yes but isn't it easier to throw your hands up and say building a second high school would be racist? Less expensive as well.

You know what's racist? Having a school that is majority black and Hispanic.