Boundary Review Meetings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i hear Saratoga Mom is showing up to Irving tonight to give Reid an earful about rezoning some of HVES to Saratoga/Key/Lewis

Well if she was there she didn’t ask a question. It was mostly pissed off White Oaks parents and Sangster parents who really dislike LBSS. One said LBSS middle schoolers get accosted on buses by HS students and are sexually harassed. It was wild.

It was not wild at all It was parents from many different schools voicing concerns for their children’s future. All done respectfully and with very good questions. I hope Reid heard the concerns - especially the questions about data and projected numbers and will take it to heart. I honestly felt more heard in that meeting than I have with SA and other members in previous conversations. But maybe Reid is just a better politician and better at making people feel like their comments are making an impact.

The wild reference wasn’t the whole night, that poster was referring to the negative comments about Lake Braddock….with the Lake Braddock principal there. That part was indeed wild and also awkward.

I’m the PP and yes, that’s what I meant. Sangster parents apparently believe LBSS is a crime-ridden dump where predatory seniors hit on 12 year old girls on the bus and in the halls and kids get hung on lockers and bullied. Sangster parents made it clear last night LBSS is really terrible. I guess it’s reputation as a good school is false.

My big take away is that Sangster and White Oak changes to close those split feeders and the attendance island will get reversed now. They’ll focus on areas that haven’t complained like Daventry and West Soringfield and reopen the changes they reversed from Scenario 3. Someone has to move and now it’s clear Sangster kids avoiding LBSS is the priority because the school is terrible and it’s 2 miles further away than WSHS. Most likely it means hundreds of kids will get moved to Lewis and South County.

West Soringfield neighborhoods are going to go to war with each other. I hope Racha and Sandy are pleased at what they’ve accomplished.

It wasn’t that dramatic I would say. A couple of people did mention that they have strong feelings about secondary schools in general. I think most people agree that LB is a great school. No one else said anything bad about it.

I spent 2+ hours listening to people complain about having to move to LBSS because it’s not part of their community (even though the rest of Sangster goes there) and how far away it is and how people want their babies to be babies and not surrounded by upper classmen. It sounds terrible. I’ve only been there for games and it looked okay to me but it sounds really bad with a lot of bullying and abuse towards 7th and 8th graders.

Honestly, that was one comment made by one parent and the entire rest of room thought it was cringe. The rest of the comments were thoughtful and reasonable. I was impressed by how White Oaks, Sangster, and HV parents all spoke with decorum. I also appreciated Dr. Reid staying far past ending time to finish questions. Tonight made me proud for the whole West Springfield community.

I wasn't bothered by that comment and my kid goes to LB. There are also LB kids who don't want to go to Irving because of Irving's reputation. All schools have good and bad. It's valid for someone not to want their 7th grader on the bus with 12th graders even if it's not everyone's priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

It seems though that “someone will be moving” for the sake of moving. A couple of parents raised some good questions about shifting overcrowding from one place to another (WSHS to LB, and Cardinal forest to white oaks), lack of data on transportation which is critical to assess whether these changes address anything at all, whether split feeder percentage is calculated correctly, demographic trends etc. I hope there will be answers to that otherwise what’s the justification? It seems that community might not be concerned with split feeders and islands that much, etc etc

I agree there were great points from parents. I watched until all my points were spoken and heard and then left the meeting. I do wonder when the ‘next round” comes. By that I mean they are going to do this every 5 years. When does the 5 years start. At the start of the process (2023) or the start of the approval (Jan 2026) or the start of the year the changes take effect (Aug 2026).

I also really want them to do residency checks at each natural break (going to middle, going to high school). This is something APS started when they redid boundaries and judging by the Maryland license plates at drop off, it is much needed in the WSHS community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i hear Saratoga Mom is showing up to Irving tonight to give Reid an earful about rezoning some of HVES to Saratoga/Key/Lewis

Well if she was there she didn’t ask a question. It was mostly pissed off White Oaks parents and Sangster parents who really dislike LBSS. One said LBSS middle schoolers get accosted on buses by HS students and are sexually harassed. It was wild.

It was not wild at all It was parents from many different schools voicing concerns for their children’s future. All done respectfully and with very good questions. I hope Reid heard the concerns - especially the questions about data and projected numbers and will take it to heart. I honestly felt more heard in that meeting than I have with SA and other members in previous conversations. But maybe Reid is just a better politician and better at making people feel like their comments are making an impact.

The wild reference wasn’t the whole night, that poster was referring to the negative comments about Lake Braddock….with the Lake Braddock principal there. That part was indeed wild and also awkward.

I’m the PP and yes, that’s what I meant. Sangster parents apparently believe LBSS is a crime-ridden dump where predatory seniors hit on 12 year old girls on the bus and in the halls and kids get hung on lockers and bullied. Sangster parents made it clear last night LBSS is really terrible. I guess it’s reputation as a good school is false.

My big take away is that Sangster and White Oak changes to close those split feeders and the attendance island will get reversed now. They’ll focus on areas that haven’t complained like Daventry and West Soringfield and reopen the changes they reversed from Scenario 3. Someone has to move and now it’s clear Sangster kids avoiding LBSS is the priority because the school is terrible and it’s 2 miles further away than WSHS. Most likely it means hundreds of kids will get moved to Lewis and South County.

West Soringfield neighborhoods are going to go to war with each other. I hope Racha and Sandy are pleased at what they’ve accomplished.

It wasn’t that dramatic I would say. A couple of people did mention that they have strong feelings about secondary schools in general. I think most people agree that LB is a great school. No one else said anything bad about it.

I spent 2+ hours listening to people complain about having to move to LBSS because it’s not part of their community (even though the rest of Sangster goes there) and how far away it is and how people want their babies to be babies and not surrounded by upper classmen. It sounds terrible. I’ve only been there for games and it looked okay to me but it sounds really bad with a lot of bullying and abuse towards 7th and 8th graders.

Honestly, that was one comment made by one parent and the entire rest of room thought it was cringe. The rest of the comments were thoughtful and reasonable. I was impressed by how White Oaks, Sangster, and HV parents all spoke with decorum. I also appreciated Dr. Reid staying far past ending time to finish questions. Tonight made me proud for the whole West Springfield community.

I wasn't bothered by that comment and my kid goes to LB. There are also LB kids who don't want to go to Irving because of Irving's reputation. All schools have good and bad. It's valid for someone not to want their 7th grader on the bus with 12th graders even if it's not everyone's priority.

I also thought Reid's response should have been thanks for your feedback and not basically gaslighting the commenter by trying to emotionally appeal to people and protect the principal's feelings. The principal doesn't know everything that goes on and Reid especially doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For neighborhoods that are being rezoned, would the grandfathered-in rising seniors need to find their own transportation to remain at their existing HS or would FCPS be providing the transportation?

The school board is voting on that question in Dec. Given budget restraints at FCPS it is unlikely to pass.

I'm not affected but not passing it creates an equity issue.

[Anonymous]

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.



I agree this comment is trying to bring new fears into the conversation. And the comments regarding how horrible LBSS is and bringing up the one person who mentioned the bus etc. Is perhaps someone in danger of being moved out if different neighborhoods shift If you listened last night, you heard a lot of respectful voices discussing data, class size growth shifts and the desire to stay within their physical community. You’re painting the evening to be something it was not.

[Anonymous]

What was said about Rolling Valley, especially the neighborhood moving into WSHS from Lewis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.

Sandy Anderson has made it very clear the status quo won’t work. Current WSHS parents complain about overcrowding. SB and FCPS staff don’t care how challenging the process has been. Do you talk to any of them last night after the meeting? They are moving ahead with this. Someone is moving. The question is which neighborhood(s).

I’m pretty sure Dr. Reid said they weren’t looking to make drastic changes to the current maps. Sandy Anderson may try to play King Trump and move a bunch of kids around at the last moment. But, I have a feeling there would be lawsuits about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.

Sandy Anderson has made it very clear the status quo won’t work. Current WSHS parents complain about overcrowding. SB and FCPS staff don’t care how challenging the process has been. Do you talk to any of them last night after the meeting? They are moving ahead with this. Someone is moving. The question is which neighborhood(s).

Why can't they pursue looking at detailed demographic projections at a more granular level, not moving anyone from another pyramid in, doing boundary checks, truly closing to transfers, moving German, etc.? We're not at WSHS, but all of those things should be common sense. Why is it not "first do no harm" instead of "spread the harm around to as many as possible for poorly thought-out reasons"?

Of course people will be upset about any redistricting that affects them, but it would be MUCH less upsetting if they made a more compelling case that accounts for reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.

Sandy Anderson has made it very clear the status quo won’t work. Current WSHS parents complain about overcrowding. SB and FCPS staff don’t care how challenging the process has been. Do you talk to any of them last night after the meeting? They are moving ahead with this. Someone is moving. The question is which neighborhood(s).

Why can't they pursue looking at detailed demographic projections at a more granular level, not moving anyone from another pyramid in, doing boundary checks, truly closing to transfers, moving German, etc.? We're not at WSHS, but all of those things should be common sense. Why is it not "first do no harm" instead of "spread the harm around to as many as possible for poorly thought-out reasons"?

Of course people will be upset about any redistricting that affects them, but it would be MUCH less upsetting if they made a more compelling case that accounts for reality.

To be fair, the vocal people are the ones getting moved or in danger of getting moved that want to stay at the school. There are also LOTS of people who want relief from overcrowding at WS. In fact, one of the first questions was about only reducing WSHS from 112% capacity to 106% capacity and why they weren't able to get it down lower in scenario 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.

Sandy Anderson has made it very clear the status quo won’t work. Current WSHS parents complain about overcrowding. SB and FCPS staff don’t care how challenging the process has been. Do you talk to any of them last night after the meeting? They are moving ahead with this. Someone is moving. The question is which neighborhood(s).

Why can't they pursue looking at detailed demographic projections at a more granular level, not moving anyone from another pyramid in, doing boundary checks, truly closing to transfers, moving German, etc.? We're not at WSHS, but all of those things should be common sense. Why is it not "first do no harm" instead of "spread the harm around to as many as possible for poorly thought-out reasons"?

Of course people will be upset about any redistricting that affects them, but it would be MUCH less upsetting if they made a more compelling case that accounts for reality.

Reid and the staff sound very resistant to doing residency checks or anything else on this process. They seem tired of the whole thing and the easiest thing to do is to just change some boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.

Sandy Anderson has made it very clear the status quo won’t work. Current WSHS parents complain about overcrowding. SB and FCPS staff don’t care how challenging the process has been. Do you talk to any of them last night after the meeting? They are moving ahead with this. Someone is moving. The question is which neighborhood(s).

Why can't they pursue looking at detailed demographic projections at a more granular level, not moving anyone from another pyramid in, doing boundary checks, truly closing to transfers, moving German, etc.? We're not at WSHS, but all of those things should be common sense. Why is it not "first do no harm" instead of "spread the harm around to as many as possible for poorly thought-out reasons"?

Of course people will be upset about any redistricting that affects them, but it would be MUCH less upsetting if they made a more compelling case that accounts for reality.

To be fair, the vocal people are the ones getting moved or in danger of getting moved that want to stay at the school. There are also LOTS of people who want relief from overcrowding at WS. In fact, one of the first questions was about only reducing WSHS from 112% capacity to 106% capacity and why they weren't able to get it down lower in scenario 4.

Yes, I agree with you, and it's probably not resolvable with only the low hanging fruit, but it surprised me to hear how much low hanging fruit apparently hasn't been considered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.

Sandy Anderson has made it very clear the status quo won’t work. Current WSHS parents complain about overcrowding. SB and FCPS staff don’t care how challenging the process has been. Do you talk to any of them last night after the meeting? They are moving ahead with this. Someone is moving. The question is which neighborhood(s).

I’m pretty sure Dr. Reid said they weren’t looking to make drastic changes to the current maps. Sandy Anderson may try to play King Trump and move a bunch of kids around at the last moment. But, I have a feeling there would be lawsuits about that.

Yeah I really don’t think they can reverse changes they already reversed in scenario 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People who don’t understand the nuance of these neighborhoods don’t see the community both White oaks and Sangster parents are fighting for. A man with a house on the dividing line made it clear - his neighborhood is walkable for students to visit friends etc but moving him to LBSS makes most of his school. community across the parkway and Lee chapel, eliminating the community aspect. white oaks parents explained that their neighborhood is governed by 3 HOAS that would be split in strange ways, again eliminating the neighborhood community when the students go to different schools.

When these parents talk about community, it’s not the school it’s where their physical house is and the community they see daily, carpool with, walk to friends houses etc. but moving these schools they would no longer be part of that because the natural boundaries are the parkway - and kids aren’t crossing that alone to go play w a friend

+ 1

Community is walkable. Community is heading to the pools and seeing a friend. Community is meeting a friend and safely biking without crossing main roads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who don’t understand the nuance of these neighborhoods don’t see the community both White oaks and Sangster parents are fighting for. A man with a house on the dividing line made it clear - his neighborhood is walkable for students to visit friends etc but moving him to LBSS makes most of his school. community across the parkway and Lee chapel, eliminating the community aspect. white oaks parents explained that their neighborhood is governed by 3 HOAS that would be split in strange ways, again eliminating the neighborhood community when the students go to different schools.

When these parents talk about community, it’s not the school it’s where their physical house is and the community they see daily, carpool with, walk to friends houses etc. but moving these schools they would no longer be part of that because the natural boundaries are the parkway - and kids aren’t crossing that alone to go play w a friend

+ 1

Community is walkable. Community is heading to the pools and seeing a friend. Community is meeting a friend and safely biking without crossing main roads.

That may be true but that’s not the case in most FCPS schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent who made the bus comment was a white oaks parent. Not Sangster. I heard many people say LBSS is a great school it’s just not the middle school and HS experience they went for their student, which is a valid point. Please don’t lump all of together and make accusations like that.

Neither WO or Sangster parents threw any other neighborhoods under the bus with suggesting they “pick them” instead. I heard overwhelmingly that they consider slowing these decisions down and reexamine data. Perhaps voting on a partial county boundary change to allow more time with accurate data be examined in this area.

Someone is moving. Reid made that very clear. And if it’s not the Sangster split feeder and White Oaks attendance island then it will be West Springfield ES neighborhoods like Daventry, who will get returned to Lewis. Or sending Hunt Valley to Saratoga/Lewis or South County. Or maybe sending more of Orange Hunt to Sangster. Families are getting moved. It’s just a question of which ones.

I think this comment is to stoke the fires and spread more fear. It sounded like the community worked together last night to force more questions on data. I also hope it made Dr.Reid and the board to acknowledge how challenging this process has been for every member of the community.

Sandy Anderson has made it very clear the status quo won’t work. Current WSHS parents complain about overcrowding. SB and FCPS staff don’t care how challenging the process has been. Do you talk to any of them last night after the meeting? They are moving ahead with this. Someone is moving. The question is which neighborhood(s).

Why can't they pursue looking at detailed demographic projections at a more granular level, not moving anyone from another pyramid in, doing boundary checks, truly closing to transfers, moving German, etc.? We're not at WSHS, but all of those things should be common sense. Why is it not "first do no harm" instead of "spread the harm around to as many as possible for poorly thought-out reasons"?

Of course people will be upset about any redistricting that affects them, but it would be MUCH less upsetting if they made a more compelling case that accounts for reality.

Reid and the staff sound very resistant to doing residency checks or anything else on this process. They seem tired of the whole thing and the easiest thing to do is to just change some boundaries.

Residency checks, looking into transfers (which someone pointed out doubled in numbers from a few years ago from 20 something to 50 something). When you are talking about moving a neighborhood out that only has about 10 students/grade, that matters.