FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

[Anonymous]

I think I heard Meren say at one of the meetings or work sessions, that her constituents are very concerned about having their kids stay together. It sounded like she would consider that. I think the South Lakes people don't like being taken away from Carson. But, it would make sense to send the ones staying at South Lakes to Hughes.

As for why she wants to keep the kids at South Lakes--I'm pretty sure that is her kids' school. South Lakes is in Hunter Mill and South Lakes is the only one of her schools that I can tell that is impacted by KAA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s crazy that in options a, they keep sending small part of floris kids to south lakes. They waited many years and finally got a high school close to their home. I don’t understand why that part of floris kids are carved out. I am going to fight against that specific part.

100% agree.

Meren wouldn’t want to let go of that part of Floris and Fox Mill because it’s affluent/UMC, and South Lakes “reputation” would take a hit.

I think C and D are the best solutions - Fox Mill and Crossfield should go to the new high school. Otherwise it will be like 50% FARMS.

No. Even without those schools it would not be near that. Coates is the only one of the schools with that rate--but, with the new construction, it has been dropping. And, about 100 of the FARMs kids go to Herndon High school. So, I'm guessing it would be much lower than 50 % without them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meren did say at one of the meetings (work session?) something like her constituents are very interested in staying together and don't like the split feeder situation.

Seems to me, that they should send Fox Mill to Hughes.

I’m confused why they didn’t give an option where all of Floris went to KAA and Fox Mill stayed at South Lakes. Under Option B, Crossfield is the only Carson school not going to KAA, so it’s not to balance the split feeder (Crossfield has fewer students than Fox Mill.)

The assumption being that the absence of MS and ES maps means there won’t be changes at those levels. Oak Hill and Crossfield could ostensibly swap middle schools under Option B so that all of Carson feed KAA and Franklin split between Chantilly/Oakton (and, inexplicably Westfield if they never close that south of 50 split…) But under Option A, Fox Mill would not fit at Hughes at this time, so the KAA/South Lakes split couldn’t be closed.

They really need to release MS maps too.

Yesterday someone from the county said there are no proposed changes at the MS level linked to the Western HS maps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meren did say at one of the meetings (work session?) something like her constituents are very interested in staying together and don't like the split feeder situation.

Seems to me, that they should send Fox Mill to Hughes.

I’m confused why they didn’t give an option where all of Floris went to KAA and Fox Mill stayed at South Lakes. Under Option B, Crossfield is the only Carson school not going to KAA, so it’s not to balance the split feeder (Crossfield has fewer students than Fox Mill.)

The assumption being that the absence of MS and ES maps means there won’t be changes at those levels. Oak Hill and Crossfield could ostensibly swap middle schools under Option B so that all of Carson feed KAA and Franklin split between Chantilly/Oakton (and, inexplicably Westfield if they never close that south of 50 split…) But under Option A, Fox Mill would not fit at Hughes at this time, so the KAA/South Lakes split couldn’t be closed.

They really need to release MS maps too.

They would need to decide on the high school first.

Yesterday someone from the county said there are no proposed changes at the MS level linked to the Western HS maps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meren did say at one of the meetings (work session?) something like her constituents are very interested in staying together and don't like the split feeder situation.

Seems to me, that they should send Fox Mill to Hughes.

I’m confused why they didn’t give an option where all of Floris went to KAA and Fox Mill stayed at South Lakes. Under Option B, Crossfield is the only Carson school not going to KAA, so it’s not to balance the split feeder (Crossfield has fewer students than Fox Mill.)

The assumption being that the absence of MS and ES maps means there won’t be changes at those levels. Oak Hill and Crossfield could ostensibly swap middle schools under Option B so that all of Carson feed KAA and Franklin split between Chantilly/Oakton (and, inexplicably Westfield if they never close that south of 50 split…) But under Option A, Fox Mill would not fit at Hughes at this time, so the KAA/South Lakes split couldn’t be closed.

They really need to release MS maps too.

Yesterday someone from the county said there are no proposed changes at the MS level linked to the Western HS maps.

They should provide overlays with MS and ES maps so it shows the feeders/split feeders in each Scenario. We're backing into the feeders only because they're not providing them.

[Anonymous]

I predicted that Westfield would lose 1,000 students if Floris, McNair, and Coates move to KAA. That calculation was straightforward, as it’s just math.

Predicting the political dynamics is much more difficult.

Several factors are at play:

1. Parents whose children are moving from Chantilly to Westfield are going to fight back. My understanding is that Chantilly parents do like Chantilly High School.

2. McDaniel wants relief for Oakton, and many Crossfield parents would be indifferent or prefer KAA over Oakton. However, I expect strong opposition from vocal Oakton parents who chose this area specifically for Oakton. They want no alternative. Scenario D does carve out part of the Oakton area.

3. Many on this board ruled out Fox Mill, though I argued they have a fighting chance. Losing Fox Mill wouldn’t significantly impact South Lakes, as people assumed, and it would provide some relief. (it's not over capacity but that's not the point.) Meren has not yet expressed her opinion on the boundary changes. Fox Mill parents are likely more open to KAA than Oakton parents. If that's not the case, Reid didn't even have to prepare Scenario B.

4. It’s interesting that Reid mentioned considering an option for 7th and 8th graders. This could alleviate some Oakton parents’ concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m still curious about the grounds for KAA. Is there enough room for a football stadium? Baseball diamond? Will there be sports teams year 1 and 2?

It's kind of a nice opportunity for freshmen who might not normally make sports teams at their current base schools.

[Anonymous]

Crossfield parent here - I'm excited about the possibility of KAA. I really hope the parents who are organizing don't tip the scales to scenario B. They are just a vocal minority. Everyone I know with elementary-aged kids wants to go to KAA because it's a much shorter commute and keeps kids with their middle school friends.

Fingers crossed that the XFLD PTO does not get their way!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I predicted that Westfield would lose 1,000 students if Floris, McNair, and Coates move to KAA. That calculation was straightforward, as it’s just math.

Predicting the political dynamics is much more difficult.

Several factors are at play:

1. Parents whose children are moving from Chantilly to Westfield are going to fight back. My understanding is that Chantilly parents do like Chantilly High School.

2. McDaniel wants relief for Oakton, and many Crossfield parents would be indifferent or prefer KAA over Oakton. However, I expect strong opposition from vocal Oakton parents who chose this area specifically for Oakton. They want no alternative. Scenario D does carve out part of the Oakton area.

3. Many on this board ruled out Fox Mill, though I argued they have a fighting chance. Losing Fox Mill wouldn’t significantly impact South Lakes, as people assumed, and it would provide some relief. (it's not over capacity but that's not the point.) Meren has not yet expressed her opinion on the boundary changes. Fox Mill parents are likely more open to KAA than Oakton parents. If that's not the case, Reid didn't even have to prepare Scenario B.

4. It’s interesting that Reid mentioned considering an option for 7th and 8th graders. This could alleviate some Oakton parents’ concerns.

Fox Mill and Floris were selected by South Lakes PTSA and Stu Gibson to address demographics of South Lakes. Those ESes are about 100% MC/UMCs. If the UMC Restonians who returned to South Lakes after the demographics fix and the new "for IB" Herndonians continue to go to South Lakes, South Lakes will be fine. If not, South Lakes will end up back the way it was prior to the SLHS redistricting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crossfield parent here - I'm excited about the possibility of KAA. I really hope the parents who are organizing don't tip the scales to scenario B. They are just a vocal minority. Everyone I know with elementary-aged kids wants to go to KAA because it's a much shorter commute and keeps kids with their middle school friends.

Fingers crossed that the XFLD PTO does not get their way!!

Advice: if the Crossfield PTO is organizing against you, you better get your own vocal group together.

Contact your School Board member--which is, if you live in Franklin Farm, Seema Dixit. Do it and tell your likeminded friends to do it.
Also, wouldn't hurt to contact ALL SB members--but, especially, the At Large members.
It sounds like McDaniel is on your side.
Tailor your messages to each SB member. I'd try to figure out what is important to them.
Meren and R. Anderson seem to focus on data. List your reasons clearly. Try not to focus on emotion.
It seems to me, you stand a good chance: transportation, proximity. cohort.

Voice of Experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I predicted that Westfield would lose 1,000 students if Floris, McNair, and Coates move to KAA. That calculation was straightforward, as it’s just math.

Predicting the political dynamics is much more difficult.

Several factors are at play:

1. Parents whose children are moving from Chantilly to Westfield are going to fight back. My understanding is that Chantilly parents do like Chantilly High School.

2. McDaniel wants relief for Oakton, and many Crossfield parents would be indifferent or prefer KAA over Oakton. However, I expect strong opposition from vocal Oakton parents who chose this area specifically for Oakton. They want no alternative. Scenario D does carve out part of the Oakton area.

3. Many on this board ruled out Fox Mill, though I argued they have a fighting chance. Losing Fox Mill wouldn’t significantly impact South Lakes, as people assumed, and it would provide some relief. (it's not over capacity but that's not the point.) Meren has not yet expressed her opinion on the boundary changes. Fox Mill parents are likely more open to KAA than Oakton parents. If that's not the case, Reid didn't even have to prepare Scenario B.

4. It’s interesting that Reid mentioned considering an option for 7th and 8th graders. This could alleviate some Oakton parents’ concerns.

So I believe Scenario D with some modifications is the most likely outcome. Chantilly parents would strongly resist moving to Westfield. Westfield would not lose as many students to KAA under Scenarios C and D, unlike Scenarios A and B, where all of Floris is reassigned to KAA. Scenarios C and D provide relief to five high schools, one more than Scenarios A and B, which may be more politically favorable. Scenario D carves out the area with the most vocal Oakton parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I predicted that Westfield would lose 1,000 students if Floris, McNair, and Coates move to KAA. That calculation was straightforward, as it’s just math.

Predicting the political dynamics is much more difficult.

Several factors are at play:

1. Parents whose children are moving from Chantilly to Westfield are going to fight back. My understanding is that Chantilly parents do like Chantilly High School.

2. McDaniel wants relief for Oakton, and many Crossfield parents would be indifferent or prefer KAA over Oakton. However, I expect strong opposition from vocal Oakton parents who chose this area specifically for Oakton. They want no alternative. Scenario D does carve out part of the Oakton area.

3. Many on this board ruled out Fox Mill, though I argued they have a fighting chance. Losing Fox Mill wouldn’t significantly impact South Lakes, as people assumed, and it would provide some relief. (it's not over capacity but that's not the point.) Meren has not yet expressed her opinion on the boundary changes. Fox Mill parents are likely more open to KAA than Oakton parents. If that's not the case, Reid didn't even have to prepare Scenario B.

4. It’s interesting that Reid mentioned considering an option for 7th and 8th graders. This could alleviate some Oakton parents’ concerns.

Once you start talking about providing 7th and 8th graders with options to attend KAA or not, you're really admitting the overcrowding at other schools, or the negative impact of these oh-so-long commutes to Westfield and Oakton, isn't that severe.

It's fun to watch these people trip over themselves undermining the arguments they make for why spending so much money on a new school was the best use of FCPS's capital resources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I predicted that Westfield would lose 1,000 students if Floris, McNair, and Coates move to KAA. That calculation was straightforward, as it’s just math.

Predicting the political dynamics is much more difficult.

Several factors are at play:

1. Parents whose children are moving from Chantilly to Westfield are going to fight back. My understanding is that Chantilly parents do like Chantilly High School.

2. McDaniel wants relief for Oakton, and many Crossfield parents would be indifferent or prefer KAA over Oakton. However, I expect strong opposition from vocal Oakton parents who chose this area specifically for Oakton. They want no alternative. Scenario D does carve out part of the Oakton area.

3. Many on this board ruled out Fox Mill, though I argued they have a fighting chance. Losing Fox Mill wouldn’t significantly impact South Lakes, as people assumed, and it would provide some relief. (it's not over capacity but that's not the point.) Meren has not yet expressed her opinion on the boundary changes. Fox Mill parents are likely more open to KAA than Oakton parents. If that's not the case, Reid didn't even have to prepare Scenario B.

4. It’s interesting that Reid mentioned considering an option for 7th and 8th graders. This could alleviate some Oakton parents’ concerns.

Fox Mill and Floris were selected by South Lakes PTSA and Stu Gibson to address demographics of South Lakes. Those ESes are about 100% MC/UMCs. If the UMC Restonians who returned to South Lakes after the demographics fix and the new "for IB" Herndonians continue to go to South Lakes, South Lakes will be fine. If not, South Lakes will end up back the way it was prior to the SLHS redistricting.

I am fully aware of that. But it was long time ago. Meren is not Stu Gibson and South Lakes PTSA has been quiet so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crossfield parent here - I'm excited about the possibility of KAA. I really hope the parents who are organizing don't tip the scales to scenario B. They are just a vocal minority. Everyone I know with elementary-aged kids wants to go to KAA because it's a much shorter commute and keeps kids with their middle school friends.

Fingers crossed that the XFLD PTO does not get their way!!

You’re going to need to make your voice heard somehow. Let the School Board know that not all of Crossfield feels the same way, because you know the PTO will present it as though they do.

They need to let people with current 7th-9th grader choose to stay at Oakton so those parents don’t ruin a better long term solution for younger kids. I really think Oakton is going to end up overcrowded in n the next few years. Crossfield could end up with a worse solution if the new HS is filled up with others by then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I predicted that Westfield would lose 1,000 students if Floris, McNair, and Coates move to KAA. That calculation was straightforward, as it’s just math.

Predicting the political dynamics is much more difficult.

Several factors are at play:

1. Parents whose children are moving from Chantilly to Westfield are going to fight back. My understanding is that Chantilly parents do like Chantilly High School.

2. McDaniel wants relief for Oakton, and many Crossfield parents would be indifferent or prefer KAA over Oakton. However, I expect strong opposition from vocal Oakton parents who chose this area specifically for Oakton. They want no alternative. Scenario D does carve out part of the Oakton area.

3. Many on this board ruled out Fox Mill, though I argued they have a fighting chance. Losing Fox Mill wouldn’t significantly impact South Lakes, as people assumed, and it would provide some relief. (it's not over capacity but that's not the point.) Meren has not yet expressed her opinion on the boundary changes. Fox Mill parents are likely more open to KAA than Oakton parents. If that's not the case, Reid didn't even have to prepare Scenario B.

4. It’s interesting that Reid mentioned considering an option for 7th and 8th graders. This could alleviate some Oakton parents’ concerns.

So I believe Scenario D with some modifications is the most likely outcome. Chantilly parents would strongly resist moving to Westfield. Westfield would not lose as many students to KAA under Scenarios C and D, unlike Scenarios A and B, where all of Floris is reassigned to KAA. Scenarios C and D provide relief to five high schools, one more than Scenarios A and B, which may be more politically favorable. Scenario D carves out the area with the most vocal Oakton parents.

Why should they operate on the assumption that Chantilly parents have veto rights over where their kids go to school? If they don't like it, let them leave. The Chantilly parents who didn't want to move to Oakton in 2008 put up a big stink, too, but if they hadn't been moved Chantilly would have gone well over 3000 at some point.