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

[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!!

Just because you say the majority of crossfield parents want KAA doesn't make it true. Where did you get that data?

[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.

Maybe they could move the Westbriar island to Sunrise Valley/Hughes/South Lakes. It's wealthy and they'd be moving from one IB school (Marshall) to another (South Lakes).

[Anonymous]

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 resou

Sounds like you think the kids won't choose to go there. Of course, the overcrowding will be helped. And, an awful lot of people hate the thought of sending their kids on the school bus for that long drive. Your underestimate that.

Having siblings at two high schools at the same time is not easy.

I just hope Reid gets on board and understand that her job is to get the best principal possible at this school. That is why Westfield and South County had such successful starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t disagree. But loud voices tend to win in these decisions.

Still, it’s hard to predict.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 resou

Sounds like you think the kids won't choose to go there. Of course, the overcrowding will be helped. And, an awful lot of people hate the thought of sending their kids on the school bus for that long drive. Your underestimate that.

Having siblings at two high schools at the same time is not easy.

I just hope Reid gets on board and understand that her job is to get the best principal possible at this school. That is why Westfield and South County had such successful starts.

No, I'm just pointing out how quickly the pendulum has swung from School Board members talking about the need for kids to accept boundary changes and how it will help them develop "resilience" to Reid and other School Board members bending over backwards to give even middle school kids options whether to attend a new high school.

At some point it stops looking like "relief," or else they'd be looking to get as many kids as possible into KAA as soon as feasible.

[Anonymous]

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.

I still don't see how anyone could think it is fair to keep Discovery Square at Westfield when they are in walking distance of KAA and would be the ONLY neighborhood north of 50.

And, keeping that Navy cutout? Weird, but maybe they like it that way.

I don't see why they would put Fox Mill there, either--especially the part north (east) of the parkway.

[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.

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.

Using your logic above is like saying offering grandfathering in any capacity means that no changes were really necessary anywhere. You're looking for a "gotcha" but you're not doing a good job of finding one.
Now I happen to agree that they should not be given a choice, but I understand the people suggesting it to try quiet the parents who only care about their kids right now (which lets be honest is all of us) and not what is best in the long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Using your logic above is like saying offering grandfathering in any capacity means that no changes were really necessary anywhere. You're looking for a "gotcha" but you're not doing a good job of finding one.
Now I happen to agree that they should not be given a choice, but I understand the people suggesting it to try quiet the parents who only care about their kids right now (which lets be honest is all of us) and not what is best in the long term.

Oh, I think you are responding to the Nextdoor poster who screams constantly about this school. There is nothing you can do about her. She claims there are no overcrowded schools.

[Anonymous]

I’m in Fox Mill and Option A seems nuts unless we start going to Hughes instead of Carson.
The split feeder from Carson to SLHS was awful for my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!!

Just because you say the majority of crossfield parents want KAA doesn't make it true. Where did you get that data?

Did I say it was data? I said "everyone I know with elementary-aged kids". I don't know anyone on the PTO Board, but haven't heard the greatest things about you and your friends, to be honest.

[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.

Option D carves out Navy island only. That may be a vocal group but loudest voices are going to be from Crossfield. They get moved to the new high school in option D.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I still don't see how anyone could think it is fair to keep Discovery Square at Westfield when they are in walking distance of KAA and would be the ONLY neighborhood north of 50.

And, keeping that Navy cutout? Weird, but maybe they like it that way.

I don't see why they would put Fox Mill there, either--especially the part north (east) of the parkway.

I would like them to keep Carson kids at Western High.

[Anonymous]

Option C & D also pull the cutout of Crossfield that attends Hughes and South Lakes into KAA, which is an odd choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Using your logic above is like saying offering grandfathering in any capacity means that no changes were really necessary anywhere. You're looking for a "gotcha" but you're not doing a good job of finding one.
Now I happen to agree that they should not be given a choice, but I understand the people suggesting it to try quiet the parents who only care about their kids right now (which lets be honest is all of us) and not what is best in the long term.

There's an obvious difference between grandfathering existing students at a school and giving kids who haven't even started attending high school an option to pick between two schools. Especially when one of the schools is a new school, and they should be aiming to get it up and running with as few uncertainties as possible about the size of their initial classes.

Honestly, this all reeks of a superintendent and school board unsure of their own footing and trying to appease people at every step because they've lost sight of whatever it is they thought they were trying to accomplish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I still don't see how anyone could think it is fair to keep Discovery Square at Westfield when they are in walking distance of KAA and would be the ONLY neighborhood north of 50.

And, keeping that Navy cutout? Weird, but maybe they like it that way.

I don't see why they would put Fox Mill there, either--especially the part north (east) of the parkway.

I would like them to keep Carson kids at Western High.

With Oak Hill a lock for KAA (as most predicted) all of Carson won’t fit, which is why all scenarios have it cut up in some mismatched way.