APS Closing Nottingham

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

Don't try to turn this into a North vs South thing. We lived through ridiculous overcrowding in North Arlington and the Southies didn't care. People tend not to care about things that don't impact them directly.

SA schools are more overcrowded than those in NA. It’s a fact.

So, yeah. Sorry if we don’t care.

You don’t care. I can’t imagine you speak for the entirety of south arlington.

DP in south Arlington. We don’t care. This is a sensible plan with long-term benefits for the entire county, and there’s a small faction that’s whining about it.

Let's just for a moment imagine the optics if APS wanted to shutter a much beloved neighborhood elementary school in South Arlington in order to provide a swing space for North Arlington children to use while their own schools are being renovated. Can you even imagine the outcry?

In stark contrast, APS went out of its way to keep Drew, an underutilized elementary school in South Arlington, open as a neighborhood school.

It was kept open as a neighborhood school in an area that could help alleviate overcrowding at other SA schools. It wasn't unneeded. Cant' say the same for your much beloved neighborhood elementary school in NE right now. APS didn't purposely set out to close a NA school to serve SA. They noted several underutilized NA schools all in proximity to each other and saw an opportunity that could help them better serve several schools by facilitating multiple much-needed renovations. AND they will return it to a neighborhood school again when it is needed.

Everyone keeps using this APS talking point. It will never happen, at least for a generation of students - you don't just flip a switch and start up a new elementary school. Once it is closed, it is closed.

Obviously if Nottingham's numbers increased to the extent that APS needed the seats up there, APS will reopen it. What WON'T happen, probably, is that if 22207 keeps going private and its numbers stay down, the school will stay as a swing space, or whatever. Maybe a community center! And if your kids can still have a walkable, great, nearby school but just a teeny bit further away, and the county doesn't have to waste money paying staff for serving a fraction of the population that other schools are serving -- that's a win for the county if not for you personally.

You all weren't very concerned when McKinley was the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" -- in fact you pointed the missile at them to save yourselves from the option school fate. I don't think the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" argument should hold any water. You're not going to find any parents in Arlington who are like, "oh yeah, let's totally burn this school down to the ground." People love their schools. But if your school is underutilized as yours is -- and as Nottingham parents have contributed to making it so -- don't try to float your special love for your school as some reason it should stay open when it's needed by APS. If Nottingham parents REALLY love their school so much, they should put their kids where their mouths are and come back from private. Otherwise, learn to deal with reality maybe.

The fact that the most wealthy portion of the population is going private will have a long term impact on the school district negatively. Mark my words. It’s a historic change in APS and one the school system just wants to ignore, saying who needs those people. Public schools need them long term.

This. Over the long term do you want to look like ACPS?

How do you propose to get them back exactly? And it’s not really “getting them back.” Demographics have changed. Wealthier families skew private, even in areas with “good” schools. The wealthier the population, the more who will be in private. Unless you can turn back time and make Arlington more affordable, I don’t know what you have in mind.

I don’t know, but closing the neighborhood school, having 25+ kids crammed into each Kindergarten class helmed by a long-term sub instead of a properly licensed and hired teacher, and having more 3-4 day weeks than full 5 day weeks with no option for aftercare isn’t going to do it. APS is pretty much begging every family that has the ability to take their kids and bail out.

Wealthy people don’t need vouchers, but every “lower UMC” family is going to feel a real pinch from private school tuition. Every single one of those families now becomes susceptible to a Youngkin voucher push. Democrats in other places have supported vouchers when they felt the schools were no longer serving them well - we are not immune to that here.

Well, K classes are supposed to be capped at 23. As for hiring teachers, do you think they’re not trying? What might’ve happened in the recent past that has made that harder? I hear you on the 3-4 day weeks. It’s stupid, and a real inconvenience for families, especially considering how few actual students we have celebrating some of these observed holidays. But, I guess that’s part of being in a pluralistic society. It’s not like we’re an outlier. Most neighboring districts have already or are going to observe the same holidays. If this is what drives you out, I think you were looking for reasons.

What will make hiring teachers harder at Nottingham? Are you for real? How is a school that is about to close supposed to attract teachers? Who wants to work at a place with zero job security?

I don’t think this should be a huge concern, as the staff will follow the students. They might have to decide if they don’t want to be transferred within APS, but that’s not the same as being fired. It’s my understanding that the teacher shortage isn’t at the ES level. The only open positions at NES are SpED teachers, and that has nothing to do with rumored closure. You’re borrowing trouble and worrying about something that may not come to pass.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Fairlington community center is actually really well-used.

I’m sure it is, but it’s also the best hope of reducing overcrowding south of 50. The fact that SA doesn’t want to make that choice doesn’t mean other school zones should be made to suffer in “solidarity.” Especially when these zones have done a fair bit of suffering in recent years and continue to remain very popular with families with school-aged children.

You act as if this is on the table. It’s not, never has been. APS doesn’t own Fairlington and the County isn’t going to offer up a highly utilized Community Center. They won’t even offer up the underutilized ones. What are you even talking about? Also, this isn’t where they need a school in SA. Abingdon is around the corner. It would be another stupid move to create two schools with overlapping wall zones.

Yeah this isn't a realistic plan. What is a realistic plan is to use the MPSA building that they are vacating, conveniently in 2026 just in time to turn it into a swing-space. Centrally located and already a school! And empty too! On a major road that can handle buses!

Or just use the retrofitted Career Center and leave MPSA in place.
That would be far less expensive.

MPSA is already set to vacate that building though. The question now is what happens after they vacate.

So let me get this straight. APS is literally tearing down an Elementary School where they need one?

It does sound pretty dumb when you put it like that.

No, it would be far more expensive. Patrick Henry will be high on the list of need-to-renovated. MPSA would have to go somewhere anyway. To keep Henry would be exorbitant to make up to snuff. How do you think Fleet got built? That is different from Nottingham, which is in decent shape and ready to go as an ES and can remain so after the swing era. Also, if you don't move MPSA into old Career Center, you would have to immediately cut MPSA by a fifth to fit into Nottingham, as well as forego any new entrants from waitlist, so you'd be exacerbating overcrowding in neighborhoods. The only way it is a good idea is if you're Nottingham and trying to find something, anything, to deflect from your school. Otherwise it is not helpful or cost effective for system.

[Anonymous]

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We live in a small very old house in 22207 while others with same income live in Green Valley in a McMansion new build.

Then they call us the privileged ones.

You are free to sell your small old house in 22207 and buy a new mansion in 22204 any time you'd like. Oh. What's that you say? You don't want the schools here? They're not good? Or not good enough? Not as good as up there? The education you're providing your kids is far superior and you were able to access that because you CHOSE to buy a small very old house in 22207 surrounded by school communities with great wealth and resources?

So what's your definition of "privileged," exactly? House size?

I'm good with our choice, thanks, I'm not good with rich white S Arlingtonians who live in McMansions calling me privileged with zero self awareness. Also not good when you use the race and social justice card but it's plainly only to benefit your well off privileged white children.

The amount of wealth in NA vs SA is incredibly obvious, even if you don’t want to admit it. How many CAFs have been built in your neck of the woods?

There’s a lot of privilege in NA, regardless of how large your home is. (And many downsides to living in SA, even if you can afford a larger home.)

I’m happy to let the NA schools become just as overcrowded as those in SA.

Time to let it go, SA poster. Living anywhere in Arlington has its advantages and disadvantages. There are many CAFs along the Rosslyn/Ballston corridor, and more in Westover than Arlington Ridge. Vibrancy and walkability comes at a cost. Buying for the schools also comes at a cost.

You are not less privileged, you are not more virtuous, simply because you made different choices with the same income. More tedious, perhaps. Less self-aware, definitely. But not better. It’s time to grapple with that and let it go.

Hear hear. "I’m happy to let the NA schools become just as overcrowded as those in SA." Thank you for saying your actual motivations out loud--this isn't about the kids, it's about burning it all down for the chaos?

I like how there are many SA posters arguing with one deranged NES mom.

From reading this thread, I think it may actually be the opposite.

[Anonymous]

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We live in a small very old house in 22207 while others with same income live in Green Valley in a McMansion new build.

Then they call us the privileged ones.

You are free to sell your small old house in 22207 and buy a new mansion in 22204 any time you'd like. Oh. What's that you say? You don't want the schools here? They're not good? Or not good enough? Not as good as up there? The education you're providing your kids is far superior and you were able to access that because you CHOSE to buy a small very old house in 22207 surrounded by school communities with great wealth and resources?

So what's your definition of "privileged," exactly? House size?

DP. I doubt either of the two PPs live in SA, or even visit here frequently. I have lived in Arlington for nearly 20 years and I can promise you that any Green Valley"mcmansion" is completely different from a North Arlington mcmansion. Also, Green Valley includes both 22204 AND 22206.

[Anonymous]

At the community meeting, APS staff shared a new platform to get feedback on this proposal. I have shared my thoughts and rated the thoughts of other, which seem to be focused on road safety and an increase of buses to the school. Here's the link to it: [/url=[url]https://tejoin.com/scroll/518229869

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

Don't try to turn this into a North vs South thing. We lived through ridiculous overcrowding in North Arlington and the Southies didn't care. People tend not to care about things that don't impact them directly.

SA schools are more overcrowded than those in NA. It’s a fact.

So, yeah. Sorry if we don’t care.

You don’t care. I can’t imagine you speak for the entirety of south arlington.

DP in south Arlington. We don’t care. This is a sensible plan with long-term benefits for the entire county, and there’s a small faction that’s whining about it.

Let's just for a moment imagine the optics if APS wanted to shutter a much beloved neighborhood elementary school in South Arlington in order to provide a swing space for North Arlington children to use while their own schools are being renovated. Can you even imagine the outcry?

In stark contrast, APS went out of its way to keep Drew, an underutilized elementary school in South Arlington, open as a neighborhood school.

It was kept open as a neighborhood school in an area that could help alleviate overcrowding at other SA schools. It wasn't unneeded. Cant' say the same for your much beloved neighborhood elementary school in NE right now. APS didn't purposely set out to close a NA school to serve SA. They noted several underutilized NA schools all in proximity to each other and saw an opportunity that could help them better serve several schools by facilitating multiple much-needed renovations. AND they will return it to a neighborhood school again when it is needed.

Everyone keeps using this APS talking point. It will never happen, at least for a generation of students - you don't just flip a switch and start up a new elementary school. Once it is closed, it is closed.

Obviously if Nottingham's numbers increased to the extent that APS needed the seats up there, APS will reopen it. What WON'T happen, probably, is that if 22207 keeps going private and its numbers stay down, the school will stay as a swing space, or whatever. Maybe a community center! And if your kids can still have a walkable, great, nearby school but just a teeny bit further away, and the county doesn't have to waste money paying staff for serving a fraction of the population that other schools are serving -- that's a win for the county if not for you personally.

You all weren't very concerned when McKinley was the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" -- in fact you pointed the missile at them to save yourselves from the option school fate. I don't think the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" argument should hold any water. You're not going to find any parents in Arlington who are like, "oh yeah, let's totally burn this school down to the ground." People love their schools. But if your school is underutilized as yours is -- and as Nottingham parents have contributed to making it so -- don't try to float your special love for your school as some reason it should stay open when it's needed by APS. If Nottingham parents REALLY love their school so much, they should put their kids where their mouths are and come back from private. Otherwise, learn to deal with reality maybe.

The fact that the most wealthy portion of the population is going private will have a long term impact on the school district negatively. Mark my words. It’s a historic change in APS and one the school system just wants to ignore, saying who needs those people. Public schools need them long term.

This. Over the long term do you want to look like ACPS?

How do you propose to get them back exactly? And it’s not really “getting them back.” Demographics have changed. Wealthier families skew private, even in areas with “good” schools. The wealthier the population, the more who will be in private. Unless you can turn back time and make Arlington more affordable, I don’t know what you have in mind.

I don’t know, but closing the neighborhood school, having 25+ kids crammed into each Kindergarten class helmed by a long-term sub instead of a properly licensed and hired teacher, and having more 3-4 day weeks than full 5 day weeks with no option for aftercare isn’t going to do it. APS is pretty much begging every family that has the ability to take their kids and bail out.

Wealthy people don’t need vouchers, but every “lower UMC” family is going to feel a real pinch from private school tuition. Every single one of those families now becomes susceptible to a Youngkin voucher push. Democrats in other places have supported vouchers when they felt the schools were no longer serving them well - we are not immune to that here.

Well, K classes are supposed to be capped at 23. As for hiring teachers, do you think they’re not trying? What might’ve happened in the recent past that has made that harder? I hear you on the 3-4 day weeks. It’s stupid, and a real inconvenience for families, especially considering how few actual students we have celebrating some of these observed holidays. But, I guess that’s part of being in a pluralistic society. It’s not like we’re an outlier. Most neighboring districts have already or are going to observe the same holidays. If this is what drives you out, I think you were looking for reasons.

What will make hiring teachers harder at Nottingham? Are you for real? How is a school that is about to close supposed to attract teachers? Who wants to work at a place with zero job security?

I don’t think this should be a huge concern, as the staff will follow the students. They might have to decide if they don’t want to be transferred within APS, but that’s not the same as being fired. It’s my understanding that the teacher shortage isn’t at the ES level. The only open positions at NES are SpED teachers, and that has nothing to do with rumored closure. You’re borrowing trouble and worrying about something that may not come to pass.

No, this isn't how this is going to work. The teachers and staff won't just be transferred to the new schools with the Nottingham students. Teacher and staff retention is going to be a real and very serious issue if this comes to pass.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

SA doesn’t want to give up Zumba at the Fairlington community center, or their “green space” at MPSA, which are the most realistic possibilities for relieving their overcrowding. That’s fine, but those are choices they are making. There isn’t some huge cache of land open for sale in SA. The idea that everyone else needs to suffer equally is just ludicrous. Overcrowding is bad, full stop.

NP. Are you that ignorantly or are you just trying to be mean? SA doesn't get to decide what happens at Fairlington COMMUNITY Center, the County Board does. The. Board. Won't. Give. Back. Old. Schools. Everyone knows this. It's a dead issue. Anyone still pining or pushing it as a solution is either wackadoo or purposefully tying to deflect.
Looking at you right comment insinuating frivolous "green space" at Career Center, now I realize you're just a NA jerk. You really think the solution is three schools on that lot, with no field? Just so your under enrolled, Mayberry-walkable neighborhood school can stay that way? Congrats, you just earned another opponent, now I'm perfectly happy for your NA community to share the effects long felt in SA. Thanks for helping me to decide against you.

I guess APS staff are wackadoodles because they listed it as a viable alternative to Nottingham for swing space. Try reading the report before you come on here and blather on like an uneducated fool.

I did read the report. And I'm on a related a task force. And I was involved in last CIP. You do any of that, or did you just parachute in because your precious neighborhood school finally can't deflect the reality the rest of county has been feeling? Congrats on making another opponent - I'm going to go email APS Engage my support for this as somebody with all my experiences.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

SA doesn’t want to give up Zumba at the Fairlington community center, or their “green space” at MPSA, which are the most realistic possibilities for relieving their overcrowding. That’s fine, but those are choices they are making. There isn’t some huge cache of land open for sale in SA. The idea that everyone else needs to suffer equally is just ludicrous. Overcrowding is bad, full stop.

NP. Are you that ignorantly or are you just trying to be mean? SA doesn't get to decide what happens at Fairlington COMMUNITY Center, the County Board does. The. Board. Won't. Give. Back. Old. Schools. Everyone knows this. It's a dead issue. Anyone still pining or pushing it as a solution is either wackadoo or purposefully tying to deflect.
Looking at you right comment insinuating frivolous "green space" at Career Center, now I realize you're just a NA jerk. You really think the solution is three schools on that lot, with no field? Just so your under enrolled, Mayberry-walkable neighborhood school can stay that way? Congrats, you just earned another opponent, now I'm perfectly happy for your NA community to share the effects long felt in SA. Thanks for helping me to decide against you.

I guess APS staff are wackadoodles because they listed it as a viable alternative to Nottingham for swing space. Try reading the report before you come on here and blather on like an uneducated fool.

I did read the report. And I'm on a related a task force. And I was involved in last CIP. You do any of that, or did you just parachute in because your precious neighborhood school finally can't deflect the reality the rest of county has been feeling? Congrats on making another opponent - I'm going to go email APS Engage my support for this as somebody with all my experiences.

APS staff has found the thread... welcome, pre-CIP author!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

SA doesn’t want to give up Zumba at the Fairlington community center, or their “green space” at MPSA, which are the most realistic possibilities for relieving their overcrowding. That’s fine, but those are choices they are making. There isn’t some huge cache of land open for sale in SA. The idea that everyone else needs to suffer equally is just ludicrous. Overcrowding is bad, full stop.

NP. Are you that ignorantly or are you just trying to be mean? SA doesn't get to decide what happens at Fairlington COMMUNITY Center, the County Board does. The. Board. Won't. Give. Back. Old. Schools. Everyone knows this. It's a dead issue. Anyone still pining or pushing it as a solution is either wackadoo or purposefully tying to deflect.
Looking at you right comment insinuating frivolous "green space" at Career Center, now I realize you're just a NA jerk. You really think the solution is three schools on that lot, with no field? Just so your under enrolled, Mayberry-walkable neighborhood school can stay that way? Congrats, you just earned another opponent, now I'm perfectly happy for your NA community to share the effects long felt in SA. Thanks for helping me to decide against you.

I guess APS staff are wackadoodles because they listed it as a viable alternative to Nottingham for swing space. Try reading the report before you come on here and blather on like an uneducated fool.

I did read the report. And I'm on a related a task force. And I was involved in last CIP. You do any of that, or did you just parachute in because your precious neighborhood school finally can't deflect the reality the rest of county has been feeling? Congrats on making another opponent - I'm going to go email APS Engage my support for this as somebody with all my experiences.

APS staff has found the thread... welcome, pre-CIP author!

I really hope you believe that. Because you're so wrong. It just occurred to me that many NA posters here are out of their league - you haven't been involved at the system level. You were not on task forces, working groups, FACs, BACs, CIPs, etc. maybe PTAs, but that is within your little bubble and it won't help you now in trying to navigate the bigger system. You half-joke anyone who supports this must be APS. Wow, you don't even know what you don't know.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

SA doesn’t want to give up Zumba at the Fairlington community center, or their “green space” at MPSA, which are the most realistic possibilities for relieving their overcrowding. That’s fine, but those are choices they are making. There isn’t some huge cache of land open for sale in SA. The idea that everyone else needs to suffer equally is just ludicrous. Overcrowding is bad, full stop.

NP. Are you that ignorantly or are you just trying to be mean? SA doesn't get to decide what happens at Fairlington COMMUNITY Center, the County Board does. The. Board. Won't. Give. Back. Old. Schools. Everyone knows this. It's a dead issue. Anyone still pining or pushing it as a solution is either wackadoo or purposefully tying to deflect.
Looking at you right comment insinuating frivolous "green space" at Career Center, now I realize you're just a NA jerk. You really think the solution is three schools on that lot, with no field? Just so your under enrolled, Mayberry-walkable neighborhood school can stay that way? Congrats, you just earned another opponent, now I'm perfectly happy for your NA community to share the effects long felt in SA. Thanks for helping me to decide against you.

I guess APS staff are wackadoodles because they listed it as a viable alternative to Nottingham for swing space. Try reading the report before you come on here and blather on like an uneducated fool.

I did read the report. And I'm on a related a task force. And I was involved in last CIP. You do any of that, or did you just parachute in because your precious neighborhood school finally can't deflect the reality the rest of county has been feeling? Congrats on making another opponent - I'm going to go email APS Engage my support for this as somebody with all my experiences.

APS staff has found the thread... welcome, pre-CIP author!

I really hope you believe that. Because you're so wrong. It just occurred to me that many NA posters here are out of their league - you haven't been involved at the system level. You were not on task forces, working groups, FACs, BACs, CIPs, etc. maybe PTAs, but that is within your little bubble and it won't help you now in trying to navigate the bigger system. You half-joke anyone who supports this must be APS. Wow, you don't even know what you don't know.

A real David vs Goliath situation!

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Anonymous wrote:Fairlington community center is actually really well-used.

I’m sure it is, but it’s also the best hope of reducing overcrowding south of 50. The fact that SA doesn’t want to make that choice doesn’t mean other school zones should be made to suffer in “solidarity.” Especially when these zones have done a fair bit of suffering in recent years and continue to remain very popular with families with school-aged children.

You act as if this is on the table. It’s not, never has been. APS doesn’t own Fairlington and the County isn’t going to offer up a highly utilized Community Center. They won’t even offer up the underutilized ones. What are you even talking about? Also, this isn’t where they need a school in SA. Abingdon is around the corner. It would be another stupid move to create two schools with overlapping wall zones.

Yeah this isn't a realistic plan. What is a realistic plan is to use the MPSA building that they are vacating, conveniently in 2026 just in time to turn it into a swing-space. Centrally located and already a school! And empty too! On a major road that can handle buses!

Or just use the retrofitted Career Center and leave MPSA in place.
That would be far less expensive.

MPSA is already set to vacate that building though. The question now is what happens after they vacate.

So let me get this straight. APS is literally tearing down an Elementary School where they need one?

Yes.

No it’s not. And if they would just redraw the Drew boundaries to actually fill the school, SA probably will be okay until we can build another new school, which is really needed in the Pentagon City area. That was always where the next new ES was going to be sited, ever since the SAWG.

Why won’t they? How can they leave a school so under capacity when others near it are overcrowded?

This is a rhetorical Q. I know why actually. I remember how bitterly parents fought rezoning to Drew. For all you in SA rushing to judgment to close Nottingham, maybe look in your own backyard. How is is a waste of resources to keep Nottingham open but ok to keep Drew underutilized?

I'm confident you all up in the north would have happily redistricted your kids to fill a "Drew" in your area. You all can't bring yourselves to redistrict to an equally high performing, high economic status school; but you're faulting SA parents for not wanting to leave their high performing, more economically diverse, even award-winning schools to go to not just the lowest-performing Arlington school but a very low performing school?

I don't remember any Nottingham parents being opposed to being moved to Discovery when it first opened, even thought it was new school with no track record, all new teachers, new admins, etc. It was very needed as the situation at N'ham then was untenable. People got that.

What I see people opposing now is a plan that makes no sense. Closing one school to move kids to an overcrowded school tends not to be popular. And for good reason. I doubt you'd be for it if your kids were involved.

You parents in Abingdon wouldn't even agree to move your kids from an overcrowded school to a nearby undercrowded one so you have zero credibility.

I'm not an Abindgon parent. But you're still missing or avoiding my point that NES was going to equally performing school rather than to a "Drew." If it had been an underperforming school like Drew, they absolutely would have put up a fight...and yes they fought any change, so don't try to sell us on "oh we'll gladly go to Discovery and we're so happy, anything for the greater good"

You're delusional.... you are saying that Nottingham fought any change when it was 140% overcrowded? You are 100 percent wrong on that. Nottingham was begging for a solution. People did gladly go to Discovery.

The things people make up about Nottingham parents!

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Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

Don't try to turn this into a North vs South thing. We lived through ridiculous overcrowding in North Arlington and the Southies didn't care. People tend not to care about things that don't impact them directly.

SA schools are more overcrowded than those in NA. It’s a fact.

So, yeah. Sorry if we don’t care.

You don’t care. I can’t imagine you speak for the entirety of south arlington.

DP in south Arlington. We don’t care. This is a sensible plan with long-term benefits for the entire county, and there’s a small faction that’s whining about it.

Let's just for a moment imagine the optics if APS wanted to shutter a much beloved neighborhood elementary school in South Arlington in order to provide a swing space for North Arlington children to use while their own schools are being renovated. Can you even imagine the outcry?

In stark contrast, APS went out of its way to keep Drew, an underutilized elementary school in South Arlington, open as a neighborhood school.

It was kept open as a neighborhood school in an area that could help alleviate overcrowding at other SA schools. It wasn't unneeded. Cant' say the same for your much beloved neighborhood elementary school in NE right now. APS didn't purposely set out to close a NA school to serve SA. They noted several underutilized NA schools all in proximity to each other and saw an opportunity that could help them better serve several schools by facilitating multiple much-needed renovations. AND they will return it to a neighborhood school again when it is needed.

Everyone keeps using this APS talking point. It will never happen, at least for a generation of students - you don't just flip a switch and start up a new elementary school. Once it is closed, it is closed.

Obviously if Nottingham's numbers increased to the extent that APS needed the seats up there, APS will reopen it. What WON'T happen, probably, is that if 22207 keeps going private and its numbers stay down, the school will stay as a swing space, or whatever. Maybe a community center! And if your kids can still have a walkable, great, nearby school but just a teeny bit further away, and the county doesn't have to waste money paying staff for serving a fraction of the population that other schools are serving -- that's a win for the county if not for you personally.

You all weren't very concerned when McKinley was the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" -- in fact you pointed the missile at them to save yourselves from the option school fate. I don't think the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" argument should hold any water. You're not going to find any parents in Arlington who are like, "oh yeah, let's totally burn this school down to the ground." People love their schools. But if your school is underutilized as yours is -- and as Nottingham parents have contributed to making it so -- don't try to float your special love for your school as some reason it should stay open when it's needed by APS. If Nottingham parents REALLY love their school so much, they should put their kids where their mouths are and come back from private. Otherwise, learn to deal with reality maybe.

The fact that the most wealthy portion of the population is going private will have a long term impact on the school district negatively. Mark my words. It’s a historic change in APS and one the school system just wants to ignore, saying who needs those people. Public schools need them long term.

This. Over the long term do you want to look like ACPS?

How do you propose to get them back exactly? And it’s not really “getting them back.” Demographics have changed. Wealthier families skew private, even in areas with “good” schools. The wealthier the population, the more who will be in private. Unless you can turn back time and make Arlington more affordable, I don’t know what you have in mind.

I don’t know, but closing the neighborhood school, having 25+ kids crammed into each Kindergarten class helmed by a long-term sub instead of a properly licensed and hired teacher, and having more 3-4 day weeks than full 5 day weeks with no option for aftercare isn’t going to do it. APS is pretty much begging every family that has the ability to take their kids and bail out.

Wealthy people don’t need vouchers, but every “lower UMC” family is going to feel a real pinch from private school tuition. Every single one of those families now becomes susceptible to a Youngkin voucher push. Democrats in other places have supported vouchers when they felt the schools were no longer serving them well - we are not immune to that here.

Well, K classes are supposed to be capped at 23. As for hiring teachers, do you think they’re not trying? What might’ve happened in the recent past that has made that harder? I hear you on the 3-4 day weeks. It’s stupid, and a real inconvenience for families, especially considering how few actual students we have celebrating some of these observed holidays. But, I guess that’s part of being in a pluralistic society. It’s not like we’re an outlier. Most neighboring districts have already or are going to observe the same holidays. If this is what drives you out, I think you were looking for reasons.

What will make hiring teachers harder at Nottingham? Are you for real? How is a school that is about to close supposed to attract teachers? Who wants to work at a place with zero job security?

I don’t think this should be a huge concern, as the staff will follow the students. They might have to decide if they don’t want to be transferred within APS, but that’s not the same as being fired. It’s my understanding that the teacher shortage isn’t at the ES level. The only open positions at NES are SpED teachers, and that has nothing to do with rumored closure. You’re borrowing trouble and worrying about something that may not come to pass.

Of course it's a concern. Teachers don't want to be shuffled around to god knows where. Nottingham teachers will try to leave in the next few years and write their own ticket rather than waiting to be reassigned to some place they have no control over. And then good luck filling those openings.

Oh and it's kind of gross how you say the sped openings don't count. Those kids need teachers too you know.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

Don't try to turn this into a North vs South thing. We lived through ridiculous overcrowding in North Arlington and the Southies didn't care. People tend not to care about things that don't impact them directly.

SA schools are more overcrowded than those in NA. It’s a fact.

So, yeah. Sorry if we don’t care.

You don’t care. I can’t imagine you speak for the entirety of south arlington.

DP in south Arlington. We don’t care. This is a sensible plan with long-term benefits for the entire county, and there’s a small faction that’s whining about it.

Let's just for a moment imagine the optics if APS wanted to shutter a much beloved neighborhood elementary school in South Arlington in order to provide a swing space for North Arlington children to use while their own schools are being renovated. Can you even imagine the outcry?

In stark contrast, APS went out of its way to keep Drew, an underutilized elementary school in South Arlington, open as a neighborhood school.

It was kept open as a neighborhood school in an area that could help alleviate overcrowding at other SA schools. It wasn't unneeded. Cant' say the same for your much beloved neighborhood elementary school in NE right now. APS didn't purposely set out to close a NA school to serve SA. They noted several underutilized NA schools all in proximity to each other and saw an opportunity that could help them better serve several schools by facilitating multiple much-needed renovations. AND they will return it to a neighborhood school again when it is needed.

Everyone keeps using this APS talking point. It will never happen, at least for a generation of students - you don't just flip a switch and start up a new elementary school. Once it is closed, it is closed.

Obviously if Nottingham's numbers increased to the extent that APS needed the seats up there, APS will reopen it. What WON'T happen, probably, is that if 22207 keeps going private and its numbers stay down, the school will stay as a swing space, or whatever. Maybe a community center! And if your kids can still have a walkable, great, nearby school but just a teeny bit further away, and the county doesn't have to waste money paying staff for serving a fraction of the population that other schools are serving -- that's a win for the county if not for you personally.

You all weren't very concerned when McKinley was the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" -- in fact you pointed the missile at them to save yourselves from the option school fate. I don't think the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" argument should hold any water. You're not going to find any parents in Arlington who are like, "oh yeah, let's totally burn this school down to the ground." People love their schools. But if your school is underutilized as yours is -- and as Nottingham parents have contributed to making it so -- don't try to float your special love for your school as some reason it should stay open when it's needed by APS. If Nottingham parents REALLY love their school so much, they should put their kids where their mouths are and come back from private. Otherwise, learn to deal with reality maybe.

The fact that the most wealthy portion of the population is going private will have a long term impact on the school district negatively. Mark my words. It’s a historic change in APS and one the school system just wants to ignore, saying who needs those people. Public schools need them long term.

This. Over the long term do you want to look like ACPS?

How do you propose to get them back exactly? And it’s not really “getting them back.” Demographics have changed. Wealthier families skew private, even in areas with “good” schools. The wealthier the population, the more who will be in private. Unless you can turn back time and make Arlington more affordable, I don’t know what you have in mind.

I don’t know, but closing the neighborhood school, having 25+ kids crammed into each Kindergarten class helmed by a long-term sub instead of a properly licensed and hired teacher, and having more 3-4 day weeks than full 5 day weeks with no option for aftercare isn’t going to do it. APS is pretty much begging every family that has the ability to take their kids and bail out.

Wealthy people don’t need vouchers, but every “lower UMC” family is going to feel a real pinch from private school tuition. Every single one of those families now becomes susceptible to a Youngkin voucher push. Democrats in other places have supported vouchers when they felt the schools were no longer serving them well - we are not immune to that here.

Well, K classes are supposed to be capped at 23. As for hiring teachers, do you think they’re not trying? What might’ve happened in the recent past that has made that harder? I hear you on the 3-4 day weeks. It’s stupid, and a real inconvenience for families, especially considering how few actual students we have celebrating some of these observed holidays. But, I guess that’s part of being in a pluralistic society. It’s not like we’re an outlier. Most neighboring districts have already or are going to observe the same holidays. If this is what drives you out, I think you were looking for reasons.

What will make hiring teachers harder at Nottingham? Are you for real? How is a school that is about to close supposed to attract teachers? Who wants to work at a place with zero job security?

I don’t think this should be a huge concern, as the staff will follow the students. They might have to decide if they don’t want to be transferred within APS, but that’s not the same as being fired. It’s my understanding that the teacher shortage isn’t at the ES level. The only open positions at NES are SpED teachers, and that has nothing to do with rumored closure. You’re borrowing trouble and worrying about something that may not come to pass.

Of course it's a concern. Teachers don't want to be shuffled around to god knows where. Nottingham teachers will try to leave in the next few years and write their own ticket rather than waiting to be reassigned to some place they have no control over. And then good luck filling those openings.

Oh and it's kind of gross how you say the sped openings don't count. Those kids need teachers too you know.

I didn’t say that. I said they aren’t related to a potential closure. Many of the schools have SpEd openings. And if the teachers want to stay in APS, they won’t be allowed to jump ship. You think APS is just going to let that happen? They can’t control if they leave APS, but they absolutely can control transfers.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nottingham Petition addressed to Don Beyer. 2018. As advertised. Change.org. Still makes me giggle. Love you, Notties.

I didn’t sign this petition, wasn’t even in APS at the time, yet it’s my kid that’s going to have to school in an overcrowded Tuckahoe. I’m not a Buddhist and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m don’t think that “karma” as a religious concept applies to me here.

Perhaps when APS staff is meeting with Buddhist religious leaders to decide what days we need to take off, they can ask them if they should make school planning decisions based on “karma”. Or what’s the other one? Ah yes, the sh*t sandwich.

If I’m Tuckahoe, I’m very cautious about letting Nottingham work me up about a potential for mild overcrowding. It’s not clear what those numbers will be and 113 is NOT worrisome overcrowding. Buying into the Nottingham drama to block this is not your best move for a positive outcome for Tuckahoe. Work with APS staff instead.

I think pretty clearly you’re not Tuckahoe. And maybe have not experienced severe overcrowding. Tuckahoe has. Nottingham has. I would not endorse a plan that overcrowds my school by 113% on day one. What happens year two? Year three?

Meanwhile, SA schools are overcrowded year after year. Maybe it’s NA’s turn to take one for the team so some of these old buildings can be renovated.

Don't try to turn this into a North vs South thing. We lived through ridiculous overcrowding in North Arlington and the Southies didn't care. People tend not to care about things that don't impact them directly.

SA schools are more overcrowded than those in NA. It’s a fact.

So, yeah. Sorry if we don’t care.

You don’t care. I can’t imagine you speak for the entirety of south arlington.

DP in south Arlington. We don’t care. This is a sensible plan with long-term benefits for the entire county, and there’s a small faction that’s whining about it.

Let's just for a moment imagine the optics if APS wanted to shutter a much beloved neighborhood elementary school in South Arlington in order to provide a swing space for North Arlington children to use while their own schools are being renovated. Can you even imagine the outcry?

In stark contrast, APS went out of its way to keep Drew, an underutilized elementary school in South Arlington, open as a neighborhood school.

It was kept open as a neighborhood school in an area that could help alleviate overcrowding at other SA schools. It wasn't unneeded. Cant' say the same for your much beloved neighborhood elementary school in NE right now. APS didn't purposely set out to close a NA school to serve SA. They noted several underutilized NA schools all in proximity to each other and saw an opportunity that could help them better serve several schools by facilitating multiple much-needed renovations. AND they will return it to a neighborhood school again when it is needed.

Everyone keeps using this APS talking point. It will never happen, at least for a generation of students - you don't just flip a switch and start up a new elementary school. Once it is closed, it is closed.

Obviously if Nottingham's numbers increased to the extent that APS needed the seats up there, APS will reopen it. What WON'T happen, probably, is that if 22207 keeps going private and its numbers stay down, the school will stay as a swing space, or whatever. Maybe a community center! And if your kids can still have a walkable, great, nearby school but just a teeny bit further away, and the county doesn't have to waste money paying staff for serving a fraction of the population that other schools are serving -- that's a win for the county if not for you personally.

You all weren't very concerned when McKinley was the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" -- in fact you pointed the missile at them to save yourselves from the option school fate. I don't think the "much beloved neighborhood elementary school" argument should hold any water. You're not going to find any parents in Arlington who are like, "oh yeah, let's totally burn this school down to the ground." People love their schools. But if your school is underutilized as yours is -- and as Nottingham parents have contributed to making it so -- don't try to float your special love for your school as some reason it should stay open when it's needed by APS. If Nottingham parents REALLY love their school so much, they should put their kids where their mouths are and come back from private. Otherwise, learn to deal with reality maybe.

The fact that the most wealthy portion of the population is going private will have a long term impact on the school district negatively. Mark my words. It’s a historic change in APS and one the school system just wants to ignore, saying who needs those people. Public schools need them long term.

This. Over the long term do you want to look like ACPS?

How do you propose to get them back exactly? And it’s not really “getting them back.” Demographics have changed. Wealthier families skew private, even in areas with “good” schools. The wealthier the population, the more who will be in private. Unless you can turn back time and make Arlington more affordable, I don’t know what you have in mind.

I don’t know, but closing the neighborhood school, having 25+ kids crammed into each Kindergarten class helmed by a long-term sub instead of a properly licensed and hired teacher, and having more 3-4 day weeks than full 5 day weeks with no option for aftercare isn’t going to do it. APS is pretty much begging every family that has the ability to take their kids and bail out.

Wealthy people don’t need vouchers, but every “lower UMC” family is going to feel a real pinch from private school tuition. Every single one of those families now becomes susceptible to a Youngkin voucher push. Democrats in other places have supported vouchers when they felt the schools were no longer serving them well - we are not immune to that here.

What is wrong with vouchers if the school system can’t get it together?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Fairlington community center is actually really well-used.

I’m sure it is, but it’s also the best hope of reducing overcrowding south of 50. The fact that SA doesn’t want to make that choice doesn’t mean other school zones should be made to suffer in “solidarity.” Especially when these zones have done a fair bit of suffering in recent years and continue to remain very popular with families with school-aged children.

You act as if this is on the table. It’s not, never has been. APS doesn’t own Fairlington and the County isn’t going to offer up a highly utilized Community Center. They won’t even offer up the underutilized ones. What are you even talking about? Also, this isn’t where they need a school in SA. Abingdon is around the corner. It would be another stupid move to create two schools with overlapping wall zones.

Yeah this isn't a realistic plan. What is a realistic plan is to use the MPSA building that they are vacating, conveniently in 2026 just in time to turn it into a swing-space. Centrally located and already a school! And empty too! On a major road that can handle buses!

Or just use the retrofitted Career Center and leave MPSA in place.
That would be far less expensive.

MPSA is already set to vacate that building though. The question now is what happens after they vacate.

So let me get this straight. APS is literally tearing down an Elementary School where they need one?

Yes.

No it’s not. And if they would just redraw the Drew boundaries to actually fill the school, SA probably will be okay until we can build another new school, which is really needed in the Pentagon City area. That was always where the next new ES was going to be sited, ever since the SAWG.

Why won’t they? How can they leave a school so under capacity when others near it are overcrowded?

This is a rhetorical Q. I know why actually. I remember how bitterly parents fought rezoning to Drew. For all you in SA rushing to judgment to close Nottingham, maybe look in your own backyard. How is is a waste of resources to keep Nottingham open but ok to keep Drew underutilized?

I'm confident you all up in the north would have happily redistricted your kids to fill a "Drew" in your area. You all can't bring yourselves to redistrict to an equally high performing, high economic status school; but you're faulting SA parents for not wanting to leave their high performing, more economically diverse, even award-winning schools to go to not just the lowest-performing Arlington school but a very low performing school?

I don't remember any Nottingham parents being opposed to being moved to Discovery when it first opened, even thought it was new school with no track record, all new teachers, new admins, etc. It was very needed as the situation at N'ham then was untenable. People got that.

What I see people opposing now is a plan that makes no sense. Closing one school to move kids to an overcrowded school tends not to be popular. And for good reason. I doubt you'd be for it if your kids were involved.

You parents in Abingdon wouldn't even agree to move your kids from an overcrowded school to a nearby undercrowded one so you have zero credibility.

I'm not an Abindgon parent. But you're still missing or avoiding my point that NES was going to equally performing school rather than to a "Drew." If it had been an underperforming school like Drew, they absolutely would have put up a fight...and yes they fought any change, so don't try to sell us on "oh we'll gladly go to Discovery and we're so happy, anything for the greater good"

APS tried to balance the FRL rate at Drew but parents wouldn't have it.

Yes. I know. That's my point. Apparently NA thinks SA should have volunteered to go to Drew when there's no way on Earth NA would not have fought a similar situation.