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Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)
Plan for Arlington overcrowding?
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Anonymous
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I can already see the trailers at many of our local elementaries and keep reading that enrollment is expected to continue to climb in the next five years, which is something the county hadn't really projected for.
Two or three years ago I remember a petition went around our neighborhood listserv regarding potential redistricting that would impact the kids in our neighborhoods. We signed it at the request of neighbors with kids, but didn't pay much attention since we didn't have our own kids at the time. Does anyone know what the county's plans are with regard to managing the rising size of their elementaries, specifically in north Arlington? Current parents, do you feel like the school administration is prepared to deal with the growth in a way that doesn't negatively impact your kids' educational opportunities? We are two years away from starting school and seriously wondering if we should move or begin the process of applying to private schools next fall if we don't want DC in huge classes. |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't worry about huge classes. If you want to avoid huge schools and the use of trailers, you probably don't want to be in NArl.
I can't think of a school in Arlington that offers the quality of education the public schools do, and I don't want to spend my time transporting kids, so I am glad I am happy about the quality of schools. I expect some redrawing of boundaries and enrollment policies. I expect a lot of squawking from parents who don't want anything to change for their families -- only for *other* families. |
Anonymous
I would agree with this. Seems to be that the schools are growing, but that they just keep adding more classes rather than increasing class size. My son is in K at Glebe which has grown from 3 K classes 2 years ago, 4 K classes last year, and 5 K classes this year. They added trailers for the first time last fall and my son's class has remained pretty small (22 kids with 2 teachers). That said, I am concerned about how some schools are taking away computer labs, art rooms, etc to make room for additional classes. I would rather add more trailers than take away these classrooms. |
Anonymous
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Arlington Public Schools Advisory Council on School Facilities and Capital Programs released a report today on suggestions to deal with North Arlington overcrowding over the next few years. The proposal is for a 2012 bond to finance the construction of one or two new elementary schools in North Arlington and additions to two middle schools. This would likely mean the conversion of the Madison or Wilson buildings into modern elementary schools, and/or the conversion of the recently renovated Reed building into a neighborhood elementary. Swanson and Williamsburg are the only two overcrowded middle schools, and I assume that the proposed additions are for those schools.
Specifically, the advisory council suggests adding around 1000 seats for elementary schools, and adding 300 new seats at the middle school level. Arlington has not turned down a school bond referendum in over 30 years so I predict the bond will pass. The advisory council also recommends "a significant shift in school boundaries." |
Anonymous
Is this documented anywhere or in writing. I would like to read it. |
Anonymous
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You can read the Sun Gazette story on this on its website. Or in the print edition: http://sungazette.net/articles/2011/06/01/arlington/news/nw77y.txt
You should also be able to obtain a copy of this report from APS. The Advisory Council on School Facilities and Capital Programs is made up of Arlington residents who are appointed by the school board to two year terms. Any Arlington resident can apply to be on the citizens advisory committees and committee meetings are open to the public; website: http://www.apsva.us/domain/14. The Superintendent's office and the school board take these advisory groups very seriously, and base their own proposals on the advisory groups' work. |
Anonymous
Except in this case, the School Board and Superintendent are being wishy-washy about asking the County Board for bond funding for new schools. The County is running up against its bond limit to maintain its AAA rating, and the County is seeking bonds for its multimillion dollar aquatic facility. I wouldn't count on the School Board pushing for new school construction -- if parents want it, they should be contacting the School Board and the County Board to let them know this is a priority over other County projects. |
Anonymous
County projects like Long Bridge Park may have to be put on hold, especially since all three high schools will have new pools by the time the new Wakefield opens in 2013. Overcrowded schools should be the number one priority for the county. If you look at the 2011-2016 projections, Arlington's elementary schools, particularly those in N Arlington, will add more students year after year and the citizens advisory group does not see this trend leveling off. It may be expedient for Arlington Public Schools to retrofit an existing facility like Madison, or convert Reed, which was just renovated. Wilson would require the most amount of work, but the county could strike a deal with a developer as that site is zoned for much higher densities. Redistricting at the elementary level may help but it can't be the only solution, and really won't work across route 50, since the North Arlington neighborhoods just north of 50 already have elementary schools within walking distance of most homes. Redistricting at the secondary level would technically be easier, but neighborhoods will fight tooth and nail if it means a boundary change to Wakefield. To put things in perspective Williamsburg Middle School's projected enrollment for fall 2016 at 1384 students exceeds the entire current enrollment of Wakefield High School. |
Anonymous
| Does anyone know when this shift in boundaries might occur? Our DC will start school in 2014 |
Anonymous
Despite the advisory panel's report recommending boundary changes it's all speculation right now, and there are no formal plans. If a new elementary school opens, obviously boundaries will shift. For now expect trailers to handle the overcrowding. Trailers are coming to W-L HS, Swanson and Williamsburg middle schools, and many N Arlington elementaries. I know Ashlawn ES will get a few trailers for next year. |
Anonymous
does moving HB Woodlawn program to Wakefield and use it as new ES/MS sound like a good idea? |
Anonymous
There is a planned bond for Long Bridge aquatic center on the fall ballot, and there is no indication the County Board is planning to change this. That will get the County near the ceiling of its debt limit, and leave little room for funds for building schools. Maybe for once the voters will vote down a bond -- for the aquatics center-- and make clear that schools are a priority. Tejada and Hynes are up for re-election, so they should hear from Arlington residents that the number one priority should be building schools. |
Anonymous
Bad idea. Arlington flirted with closing Yorktown due to under enrollment in the 80s. With the school population growing with no end in sight no Arlington school at any level should close. Even Wakefield is growing although it is still projected to be under enrolled. Arlington also studied the possibility of reopening Stratford Junior High and relocating H-B Woodlawn in the early 90s. But H-B for very good reasons did not want to move out of the Stratford building, which had been its home for two decades. Maybe open Madison as a k-8 school? There is plenty of room there. |
Anonymous
| Can anyone tell me where Madison, Custis, Woodmont and Lee buildings are? A PP mentioned Madison, and some of the comments regarding the Gazette's article mentioned these locations. |
Anonymous
Lee Community Center 5722 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207 Madison Community Center 3829 N. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22207 Woodmont Center 2422 N. Fillmore St. Arlington, VA 22207 I don't know where Custis is. |