King Abdullah Academy Closing: FCPS Buy for HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the chances that FCPS will use KAA effectively? Between Reid and the SB it is just one crisis or disaster after another.

By all accounts, they'll use it effectively, but there are going to be some people disappointed that their kids aren't reassigned there. It's not going to have a huge capacity.

[Anonymous]

Its been established that its the same square footage as centreville hs--which has around 2200 kids--so there is no reason to think it won't be at least 2100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its been established that its the same square footage as centreville hs--which has around 2200 kids--so there is no reason to think it won't be at least 2100.

Centreville has a 14-unit modular and 8 trailers. The main building has a smaller capacity of 1953 students.

It would cost additional money, and would be inappropriate given how this acquisition has been pitched, to add a modular or trailers to the KAA site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been established that its the same square footage as centreville hs--which has around 2200 kids--so there is no reason to think it won't be at least 2100.

Centreville has a 14-unit modular and 8 trailers. The main building has a smaller capacity of 1953 students.

It would cost additional money, and would be inappropriate given how this acquisition has been pitched, to add a modular or trailers to the KAA site.

KAA has two free standing buildings that go with the sale. Confident that one of them will equal a modular or more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been established that its the same square footage as centreville hs--which has around 2200 kids--so there is no reason to think it won't be at least 2100.

Centreville has a 14-unit modular and 8 trailers. The main building has a smaller capacity of 1953 students.

It would cost additional money, and would be inappropriate given how this acquisition has been pitched, to add a modular or trailers to the KAA site.

KAA has two free standing buildings that go with the sale. Confident that one of them will equal a modular or more.

If they can, and are prepared to, make use of those buildings as academic buildings, more power to them. Not quite sure how it aligns with all the focus on "security vestibules," etc, but consistency isn't exactly FCPS's strong suit.

[Anonymous]

How do trailers and modulars comply with the "security vestibule?" Do students go outside for PE? Football practice? etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do trailers and modulars comply with the "security vestibule?" Do students go outside for PE? Football practice? etc?

Security vestibules are only one part of the security solution. Whilst FCPS doesn’t have open campus like neighboring districts, students would still have to leave the physical confines of the building for things like PE. KAA does have secured outdoor courtyards however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its been established that its the same square footage as centreville hs--which has around 2200 kids--so there is no reason to think it won't be at least 2100.

Built as a private school, designed for smaller class sizes. You can open in 2026 school year with smaller capacity or wait a year or two for extensive updates. Choose one or the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been established that its the same square footage as centreville hs--which has around 2200 kids--so there is no reason to think it won't be at least 2100.

Built as a private school, designed for smaller class sizes. You can open in 2026 school year with smaller capacity or wait a year or two for extensive updates. Choose one or the other.

I doubt it would take that much. KAA was built to accommodate almost 2000 students and it has three gyms and a theater that could also be used in different ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been established that its the same square footage as centreville hs--which has around 2200 kids--so there is no reason to think it won't be at least 2100.

Built as a private school, designed for smaller class sizes. You can open in 2026 school year with smaller capacity or wait a year or two for extensive updates. Choose one or the other.

I doubt it would take that much. KAA was built to accommodate almost 2000 students and it has three gyms and a theater that could also be used in different ways.

DP. That’s simply false. It was built as a private school that could accommodate 1250 students. Whether it can accommodate more with some interior modifications is a different question.

I’m starting to think you are deliberately misrepresenting the capacity of KAA in order to create false expectations that could only be met by spending additional taxpayer money to expand the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who cares about IB or not. We need another high school in Western Fairfax County. Maybe since it has 3 gyms and a pool it could be a sports and fitness focus magnet high school.

That would likely give it an unfair advantage in winning VHSL championships. So I don’t see that concept as gaining a lot of support.

But maybe St. James Academy will buy the campus and turn it into a real IMG competitor for preparing athletes for college and pro sports.

Should we close down TJ because it has an unfair advantage in academic competitions? Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was the intention to acquire land cheap and sell it all along? Build a school and operate it for a few years as a Russ to get cheap money? I’m sure the pipeline of students didn’t suddenly dry up. I think FCPS may have been had.

I don't think so. I live near the school. This is what I recall It was quite a surprise to those who live near it when the SB sold it to the Saudis.

The school was originally to be built in Burke. The Burke community found out and loudly protested to the BOS.

No one advised the local community that they were selling the property to the Saudis. LIkely because they were afraid that the Chantilly/Oak Hill Communities would scream about it.

When it did become public that the Saudis had purchased the property to build a school, FCPS/BOS claimed there was not enough acreage to put a Western High school there. (That is interesting, since fields could easily have been shared with Carson. Add to that, the county owns additional park property adjacent to it.)

My guess: The BOS had political pressure from above (maybe Dept of State?) to find a place for the Saudis to build the school. The School Board already owned the property and it was a quick fix to get out of a difficult diplomatic situation. I have no personal knowledge of this, but it makes sense.

I've no idea what will happen to the property. It seems to me that it would still be able to be converted into a high school, but I'm guessing the price will be pretty high.

My bet is on another Adams Center. 

That is the FCPS perspective, but I am dubious now about the Saudis wanting the school long term from the jump. It seems they wanted real estate they could profit from. Even the students and parents were surprised it closed. It was doing well. Something is off here.

My guess is the Saudis are divesting from US investments like this one due to political instability. Or maybe they realized they don't need to bother with slow, subtle, expensive, soft power developments when they can bribe the president directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was the intention to acquire land cheap and sell it all along? Build a school and operate it for a few years as a Russ to get cheap money? I’m sure the pipeline of students didn’t suddenly dry up. I think FCPS may have been had.

I don't think so. I live near the school. This is what I recall It was quite a surprise to those who live near it when the SB sold it to the Saudis.

The school was originally to be built in Burke. The Burke community found out and loudly protested to the BOS.

No one advised the local community that they were selling the property to the Saudis. LIkely because they were afraid that the Chantilly/Oak Hill Communities would scream about it.

When it did become public that the Saudis had purchased the property to build a school, FCPS/BOS claimed there was not enough acreage to put a Western High school there. (That is interesting, since fields could easily have been shared with Carson. Add to that, the county owns additional park property adjacent to it.)

My guess: The BOS had political pressure from above (maybe Dept of State?) to find a place for the Saudis to build the school. The School Board already owned the property and it was a quick fix to get out of a difficult diplomatic situation. I have no personal knowledge of this, but it makes sense.

I've no idea what will happen to the property. It seems to me that it would still be able to be converted into a high school, but I'm guessing the price will be pretty high.

My bet is on another Adams Center. 

That is the FCPS perspective, but I am dubious now about the Saudis wanting the school long term from the jump. It seems they wanted real estate they could profit from. Even the students and parents were surprised it closed. It was doing well. Something is off here.

My guess is the Saudis are divesting from US investments like this one due to political instability. Or maybe they realized they don't need to bother with slow, subtle, expensive, soft power developments when they can bribe the president directly.

Saudi’s like any other group of people are going to act in their own best interest. Building up cash reserves to be the dominant rebuilder in the Middle East. Plenty of beach front property to develop in Gaza.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was the intention to acquire land cheap and sell it all along? Build a school and operate it for a few years as a Russ to get cheap money? I’m sure the pipeline of students didn’t suddenly dry up. I think FCPS may have been had.

I don't think so. I live near the school. This is what I recall It was quite a surprise to those who live near it when the SB sold it to the Saudis.

The school was originally to be built in Burke. The Burke community found out and loudly protested to the BOS.

No one advised the local community that they were selling the property to the Saudis. LIkely because they were afraid that the Chantilly/Oak Hill Communities would scream about it.

When it did become public that the Saudis had purchased the property to build a school, FCPS/BOS claimed there was not enough acreage to put a Western High school there. (That is interesting, since fields could easily have been shared with Carson. Add to that, the county owns additional park property adjacent to it.)

My guess: The BOS had political pressure from above (maybe Dept of State?) to find a place for the Saudis to build the school. The School Board already owned the property and it was a quick fix to get out of a difficult diplomatic situation. I have no personal knowledge of this, but it makes sense.

I've no idea what will happen to the property. It seems to me that it would still be able to be converted into a high school, but I'm guessing the price will be pretty high.

My bet is on another Adams Center. 

That is the FCPS perspective, but I am dubious now about the Saudis wanting the school long term from the jump. It seems they wanted real estate they could profit from. Even the students and parents were surprised it closed. It was doing well. Something is off here.

My guess is the Saudis are divesting from US investments like this one due to political instability. Or maybe they realized they don't need to bother with slow, subtle, expensive, soft power developments when they can bribe the president directly.

My guess is that the Saudis got something in return for the low sales price. If that’s the case, I’m going to be furious with the school board for continuing to operate in the darkness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was the intention to acquire land cheap and sell it all along? Build a school and operate it for a few years as a Russ to get cheap money? I’m sure the pipeline of students didn’t suddenly dry up. I think FCPS may have been had.

I don't think so. I live near the school. This is what I recall It was quite a surprise to those who live near it when the SB sold it to the Saudis.

The school was originally to be built in Burke. The Burke community found out and loudly protested to the BOS.

No one advised the local community that they were selling the property to the Saudis. LIkely because they were afraid that the Chantilly/Oak Hill Communities would scream about it.

When it did become public that the Saudis had purchased the property to build a school, FCPS/BOS claimed there was not enough acreage to put a Western High school there. (That is interesting, since fields could easily have been shared with Carson. Add to that, the county owns additional park property adjacent to it.)

My guess: The BOS had political pressure from above (maybe Dept of State?) to find a place for the Saudis to build the school. The School Board already owned the property and it was a quick fix to get out of a difficult diplomatic situation. I have no personal knowledge of this, but it makes sense.

I've no idea what will happen to the property. It seems to me that it would still be able to be converted into a high school, but I'm guessing the price will be pretty high.

My bet is on another Adams Center. 

That is the FCPS perspective, but I am dubious now about the Saudis wanting the school long term from the jump. It seems they wanted real estate they could profit from. Even the students and parents were surprised it closed. It was doing well. Something is off here.

My guess is the Saudis are divesting from US investments like this one due to political instability. Or maybe they realized they don't need to bother with slow, subtle, expensive, soft power developments when they can bribe the president directly.

My guess is that the Saudis got something in return for the low sales price. If that’s the case, I’m going to be furious with the school board for continuing to operate in the darkness.

The question should be reversed. What did Fairfax County get by giving the site to the Saudis in the first place?
I still think there was pressure from the feds when they did that. There does not seem to be any other reason.