Specifically on-topic contributors to the Drew boundary issue only please -

[Anonymous]

Sorry maybe in a few years Drew will be exceptional and the poverty level lower but it’s a tough sell for next few years. APS contributed to this problem by neglecting the neighborhood program and hiding it behind Montessori success. In fact they are still doing by having the Montessori boosters talk about how great Drew is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry maybe in a few years Drew will be exceptional and the poverty level lower but it’s a tough sell for next few years. APS contributed to this problem by neglecting the neighborhood program and hiding it behind Montessori success. In fact they are still doing by having the Montessori boosters talk about how great Drew is.

You bought a house, not a school. This attitude makes me not care where you end up. There is a possibility to have improvements for all schools involved. Be part of that solution or move. No one cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry maybe in a few years Drew will be exceptional and the poverty level lower but it’s a tough sell for next few years. APS contributed to this problem by neglecting the neighborhood program and hiding it behind Montessori success. In fact they are still doing by having the Montessori boosters talk about how great Drew is.

You bought a house, not a school. This attitude makes me not care where you end up. There is a possibility to have improvements for all schools involved. Be part of that solution or move. No one cares.

I know what you're saying, but isn't this blatantly misleading in this area? Alexandria townhomes less than a block from South Arlington go for 100k-200k less because of the schools associated with them. Houses in N Arlington, even tiny ones away from the metro, go for more $$ than SFH in S Arlington. We can say it's based on a number of factors, and it is, but schools is a HUGE part of that. Many people buy houses specifically for the education it provides for their kids whether or not it is a great deal for them commute wise, financially, etc.

I get that we want these boundaries to be discussed and for things to get better in schools across the county, but I think we're being naive to pretend everyone is just selfish. If you were staring down a loss in property value when your house is already a huge portion of your expenses/worth in addition to have your kids elementary school education be the guinea pig for everyone else who would benefit behind them it would feel a lot more personal.

We need to acknowledge the reality of these parents. In my mind the solution is to make a large chunk of kids from Henry move to Drew together. More buy in, less likely to all option out, etc. Then the school has a chance to start with a big group of parents fighting for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry maybe in a few years Drew will be exceptional and the poverty level lower but it’s a tough sell for next few years. APS contributed to this problem by neglecting the neighborhood program and hiding it behind Montessori success. In fact they are still doing by having the Montessori boosters talk about how great Drew is.

You bought a house, not a school. This attitude makes me not care where you end up. There is a possibility to have improvements for all schools involved. Be part of that solution or move. No one cares.

I know what you're saying, but isn't this blatantly misleading in this area? Alexandria townhomes less than a block from South Arlington go for 100k-200k less because of the schools associated with them. Houses in N Arlington, even tiny ones away from the metro, go for more $$ than SFH in S Arlington. We can say it's based on a number of factors, and it is, but schools is a HUGE part of that. Many people buy houses specifically for the education it provides for their kids whether or not it is a great deal for them commute wise, financially, etc.

I get that we want these boundaries to be discussed and for things to get better in schools across the county, but I think we're being naive to pretend everyone is just selfish. If you were staring down a loss in property value when your house is already a huge portion of your expenses/worth in addition to have your kids elementary school education be the guinea pig for everyone else who would benefit behind them it would feel a lot more personal.

We need to acknowledge the reality of these parents. In my mind the solution is to make a large chunk of kids from Henry move to Drew together. More buy in, less likely to all option out, etc. Then the school has a chance to start with a big group of parents fighting for it.

If I were staring down a big loss on my house because of a change of school zoning, I'd get my ass in gear to start working on improving the school so that the loss doesn't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry maybe in a few years Drew will be exceptional and the poverty level lower but it’s a tough sell for next few years. APS contributed to this problem by neglecting the neighborhood program and hiding it behind Montessori success. In fact they are still doing by having the Montessori boosters talk about how great Drew is.

You bought a house, not a school. This attitude makes me not care where you end up. There is a possibility to have improvements for all schools involved. Be part of that solution or move. No one cares.

I know what you're saying, but isn't this blatantly misleading in this area? Alexandria townhomes less than a block from South Arlington go for 100k-200k less because of the schools associated with them. Houses in N Arlington, even tiny ones away from the metro, go for more $$ than SFH in S Arlington. We can say it's based on a number of factors, and it is, but schools is a HUGE part of that. Many people buy houses specifically for the education it provides for their kids whether or not it is a great deal for them commute wise, financially, etc.

I get that we want these boundaries to be discussed and for things to get better in schools across the county, but I think we're being naive to pretend everyone is just selfish. If you were staring down a loss in property value when your house is already a huge portion of your expenses/worth in addition to have your kids elementary school education be the guinea pig for everyone else who would benefit behind them it would feel a lot more personal.

We need to acknowledge the reality of these parents. In my mind the solution is to make a large chunk of kids from Henry move to Drew together. More buy in, less likely to all option out, etc. Then the school has a chance to start with a big group of parents fighting for it.

You’ve been given a path. 47% was stated last night. But I’m telling you now, your property values isn’t a good argument. The CB and SB don’t care about property values in 22204.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry maybe in a few years Drew will be exceptional and the poverty level lower but it’s a tough sell for next few years. APS contributed to this problem by neglecting the neighborhood program and hiding it behind Montessori success. In fact they are still doing by having the Montessori boosters talk about how great Drew is.

You bought a house, not a school. This attitude makes me not care where you end up. There is a possibility to have improvements for all schools involved. Be part of that solution or move. No one cares.

I know what you're saying, but isn't this blatantly misleading in this area? Alexandria townhomes less than a block from South Arlington go for 100k-200k less because of the schools associated with them. Houses in N Arlington, even tiny ones away from the metro, go for more $$ than SFH in S Arlington. We can say it's based on a number of factors, and it is, but schools is a HUGE part of that. Many people buy houses specifically for the education it provides for their kids whether or not it is a great deal for them commute wise, financially, etc.

I get that we want these boundaries to be discussed and for things to get better in schools across the county, but I think we're being naive to pretend everyone is just selfish. If you were staring down a loss in property value when your house is already a huge portion of your expenses/worth in addition to have your kids elementary school education be the guinea pig for everyone else who would benefit behind them it would feel a lot more personal.

We need to acknowledge the reality of these parents. In my mind the solution is to make a large chunk of kids from Henry move to Drew together. More buy in, less likely to all option out, etc. Then the school has a chance to start with a big group of parents fighting for it.

If I were staring down a big loss on my house because of a change of school zoning, I'd get my ass in gear to start working on improving the school so that the loss doesn't happen.

Ok, but perception is what is going to matter for the next few years. And no one can do anything about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t forget that the numbers will be off by the number of people South of the Pike that end up moving or going private. Since last night I’ve already heard from 2 families in Arlington Village that plan to move if rezoned from Henry/ Fleet to Drew.

Can anyone summarize what is going on with these PUs? Are they now going to Drew?

possibly. the Staff wants to leave Columbia Heights at Abingdon so that they have the flexibility to move them if needed at part of the 2020 boundary process. They also were directed by 4 out of 5 sb members to reduce the FARMS rate at Drew. So that means either moving those south of the Pike units to Drew or moving the Southern part of Fairlington to Drew.

You mean Columbia Forest. The PP was asking about Columbia Heights. PP, I don’t think anything has changed but signaling may be that those units should move to drew.

I think it’s a pretty unattractive thing to say that you’ll move if you get rezoned to a perceived inferior school (even though all of the units rezoned could contribute to a successful school community. But whatever. Those houses aren’t going to sit empty.

To be fair, it’s a complete unknown. It’s not attractive to say it, sure, but a lot of people are probably thinking it even if they don’t express it. Look at how many people in the Drew zone don’t want to go to their own neighborhood school or choose Montessori. It’s no different and they don’t seem to be chastised.

Property values in Nauck are already the lowest in Arlington so going to a neighborhood school is not going to affect us, in that sense. And families can still try for any of the option schools previously available.

And are people in Arlington Village seriously concerned about property values? Those are tiny, 60-year-old townhomes. The development is nice but come on, those are the kinds of houses that people buy, live in for a couple of years, and move on from. There are probably thousands of units like that in Arlington--AV has it's place in the market and the price of a given unit is not being driven by a school boundary the way it would be for a SFH sitting between, say, Ashlawn and Barrett.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t forget that the numbers will be off by the number of people South of the Pike that end up moving or going private. Since last night I’ve already heard from 2 families in Arlington Village that plan to move if rezoned from Henry/ Fleet to Drew.

Can anyone summarize what is going on with these PUs? Are they now going to Drew?

possibly. the Staff wants to leave Columbia Heights at Abingdon so that they have the flexibility to move them if needed at part of the 2020 boundary process. They also were directed by 4 out of 5 sb members to reduce the FARMS rate at Drew. So that means either moving those south of the Pike units to Drew or moving the Southern part of Fairlington to Drew.

You mean Columbia Forest. The PP was asking about Columbia Heights. PP, I don’t think anything has changed but signaling may be that those units should move to drew.

I think it’s a pretty unattractive thing to say that you’ll move if you get rezoned to a perceived inferior school (even though all of the units rezoned could contribute to a successful school community. But whatever. Those houses aren’t going to sit empty.

To be fair, it’s a complete unknown. It’s not attractive to say it, sure, but a lot of people are probably thinking it even if they don’t express it. Look at how many people in the Drew zone don’t want to go to their own neighborhood school or choose Montessori. It’s no different and they don’t seem to be chastised.

Property values in Nauck are already the lowest in Arlington so going to a neighborhood school is not going to affect us, in that sense. And families can still try for any of the option schools previously available.

And are people in Arlington Village seriously concerned about property values? Those are tiny, 60-year-old townhomes. The development is nice but come on, those are the kinds of houses that people buy, live in for a couple of years, and move on from. There are probably thousands of units like that in Arlington--AV has it's place in the market and the price of a given unit is not being driven by a school boundary the way it would be for a SFH sitting between, say, Ashlawn and Barrett.

There are single family homes in those PUs, too. Also, the argument that people don’t have the right to care about their property values because they’re in small townhouses is a little offensive, no? AV units sell for close to $400k for a tiny 2 br unit. Clearly they’re desirable. Is it just the school? No, but I’m sure it’s a factor.

[Anonymous]

Your missing the point. People were staying to attend Henry. These are some of the children that you/ they are hoping will help balance the FRL rates at Drew. Of course there is the potential that the market will dip slightly for those townhomes now if no longer zoned Henry. These children will now move North or to Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your missing the point. People were staying to attend Henry. These are some of the children that you/ they are hoping will help balance the FRL rates at Drew. Of course there is the potential that the market will dip slightly for those townhomes now if no longer zoned Henry. These children will now move North or to Fairfax.

And replaced with other kids.
Bye Felicia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your missing the point. People were staying to attend Henry. These are some of the children that you/ they are hoping will help balance the FRL rates at Drew. Of course there is the potential that the market will dip slightly for those townhomes now if no longer zoned Henry. These children will now move North or to Fairfax.

Let me show you all the tears I cry for the families who thought they were getting a bargain buying into Henry and now might get rezoned to Drew. And then you can show me all the tears those families have cried over the idea that Fleet could someday fall below 20% FARMS while they're enrolled there.

[Anonymous]

I it is odd to assume that everyone will just move if they are zoned for Drew. I mean I am zoned for Drew and we go to Claremont. If we didn't get into Claremont we would have gone to Drew because we can't afford to move some place better. That is why we live in Nauck.

Our HHI is almost 300K but we have hefty student loans and daycare pretty much like all of the other people that have moved into Nauck recently. I don't seem us all being able to just leave for higher performing schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your missing the point. People were staying to attend Henry. These are some of the children that you/ they are hoping will help balance the FRL rates at Drew. Of course there is the potential that the market will dip slightly for those townhomes now if no longer zoned Henry. These children will now move North or to Fairfax.

Let me show you all the tears I cry for the families who thought they were getting a bargain buying into Henry and now might get rezoned to Drew. And then you can show me all the tears those families have cried over the idea that Fleet could someday fall below 20% FARMS while they're enrolled there.

I don't get this. Are we really saying that Arlington should have such a divide between rich and poor and we want schools to suffer as a result? Isn't it a good thing that young families who aren't propped up by trust funds have the ability to get a foothold in Arlington instead of being forced out?

If we keep following this logic we get to one of two things. There aren't any young kids in Arlington, other than super rich or super poor kids. OR you have an incredible unstable house of cards for properties that people can't really afford. The missing middle affects everyone, to pretend it doesn't is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

My friend recently sold a house in South Arlington. It was zoned to one of the crummy performing elementary schools. They got every penny of their asking price. actually they got over their asking price.
It took longer to sell them a house zoned to Henry. Move or don’t. The market is strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your missing the point. People were staying to attend Henry. These are some of the children that you/ they are hoping will help balance the FRL rates at Drew. Of course there is the potential that the market will dip slightly for those townhomes now if no longer zoned Henry. These children will now move North or to Fairfax.

Let me show you all the tears I cry for the families who thought they were getting a bargain buying into Henry and now might get rezoned to Drew. And then you can show me all the tears those families have cried over the idea that Fleet could someday fall below 20% FARMS while they're enrolled there.

I don't get this. Are we really saying that Arlington should have such a divide between rich and poor and we want schools to suffer as a result? Isn't it a good thing that young families who aren't propped up by trust funds have the ability to get a foothold in Arlington instead of being forced out?

If we keep following this logic we get to one of two things. There aren't any young kids in Arlington, other than super rich or super poor kids. OR you have an incredible unstable house of cards for properties that people can't really afford. The missing middle affects everyone, to pretend it doesn't is ridiculous.

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm sure it's what you'd like me to be saying because it would be easier to dismiss me, but I'm not. I think it's good that middle class families can get a foothold in Arlington, but I don't have a whole lot of concern when those families freak out about having to mix with people who have less than them rather than exclusively with people who have more. No one is forcing them out, if they move it's because they are choosing it.