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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another fun thing that came out of today's meeting was that Reid had no idea whether Route 1 is in eastern or northern Fairfax. She's supposed to be overseeing a boundary study but apparently still has no idea where some of the major arteries in the county are located.

I missed that part, I guess. My focus was on the West.

Lots of people did not do their homework--including staff. (I was not impressed.) But, it is up to leadership to give them direction and it was pretty clear they had none.

I don't expect Reid to know where every road in the county is located. But it's generally understood that the largest concentration of high-needs schools and students in FCPS is along the "Route 1 corridor" in southeastern Fairfax. And she came across like Route 1 could be Georgetown Pike for all she knew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another fun thing that came out of today's meeting was that Reid had no idea whether Route 1 is in eastern or northern Fairfax. She's supposed to be overseeing a boundary study but apparently still has no idea where some of the major arteries in the county are located.

I missed that part, I guess. My focus was on the West.

Lots of people did not do their homework--including staff. (I was not impressed.) But, it is up to leadership to give them direction and it was pretty clear they had none.

I don't expect Reid to know where every road in the county is located. But it's generally understood that the largest concentration of high-needs schools and students in FCPS is along the "Route 1 corridor" in southeastern Fairfax. And she came across like Route 1 could be Georgetown Pike for all she knew.

I guess this is what comes from having a driver take you everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was there any discussion about long bus rides, or is the school board just going to screw Xfield families yet again?

None! No where near discussing which schools/neighborhoods --just whether a traditional school with defined boundaries or something "special."
Dumbest idea was Reid's: a magnet restricted to Western High schools so they would have relief. Really unrealistic and stupid idea. No one asked if that would mean we would not need to kick kids out of Chantilly or Westfield or Centreville.

May be discussed earlier in this thread or another thread but one thing that came out of the work session is that FCPS staff and county staff have been at an impasse for the last year over whether the county will give FCPS a permit to increase the density at Centreville HS. So that project has stalled completely and it's possible some of the money earmarked for the CVHS expansion could be reallocated.

Yeah. I thought that whole part was weird. Permitting is the hold up--which usually has a reason. What is the reason?

They have been planning to expand Centreville to 3000 seats and the site is not huge. Even if there was no reason to think CVHS would actually have 3000 kids any time soon (even assuming some kids from Willow Springs moved there once the school was renovated) maybe the county planning folks had to assume all those additional students would be coming into CVHS off Union Mill Road and Braddock Road and balked.

Not a single School Board member asked if the permitting issues would go away if they scaled the Centreville expansion back to 2500 seats or less, nor did anyone on staff volunteer that information. Maybe someone thinks they can still persuade the county to permit a larger expansion but then they did say it had been on hold for a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was there any discussion about long bus rides, or is the school board just going to screw Xfield families yet again?

None! No where near discussing which schools/neighborhoods --just whether a traditional school with defined boundaries or something "special."
Dumbest idea was Reid's: a magnet restricted to Western High schools so they would have relief. Really unrealistic and stupid idea. No one asked if that would mean we would not need to kick kids out of Chantilly or Westfield or Centreville.

May be discussed earlier in this thread or another thread but one thing that came out of the work session is that FCPS staff and county staff have been at an impasse for the last year over whether the county will give FCPS a permit to increase the density at Centreville HS. So that project has stalled completely and it's possible some of the money earmarked for the CVHS expansion could be reallocated.

Yeah. I thought that whole part was weird. Permitting is the hold up--which usually has a reason. What is the reason?

They have been planning to expand Centreville to 3000 seats and the site is not huge. Even if there was no reason to think CVHS would actually have 3000 kids any time soon (even assuming some kids from Willow Springs moved there once the school was renovated) maybe the county planning folks had to assume all those additional students would be coming into CVHS off Union Mill Road and Braddock Road and balked.

Not a single School Board member asked if the permitting issues would go away if they scaled the Centreville expansion back to 2500 seats or less, nor did anyone on staff volunteer that information. Maybe someone thinks they can still persuade the county to permit a larger expansion but then they did say it had been on hold for a year.

It may be something totally different from the 3000 issue. It could be sewer, water, environment, or something else.
DH says it could be plumbing, sewage, design, environment, or lots of things. But, they should share what the problem is. It shouldn't be just that we are going back and forth and trying to work it out. And, obviously, they know what it is.
I seriously doubt it is traffic. Chantilly is on Stringfellow. Lots more traffic there than where Centreville is. But, lots more space at Centreville.

[Anonymous]

https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/04/24/fcps-given-more-time-to-submit-plans-for-centreville-high-school-expansion/

It says they haven't turned in the "documents."

What's that about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So Reid's recognition is a hybrid school with a magnet program that would be restricted to kids otherwise zoned to a handful of western high schools?

How the hell does that square with "equitable access to programming" that is a priority in Policy 8130? Would it survive a legal challenge to deny access to kids in eastern Fairfax?

And she wants to use the two extra buildings for classrooms and labs when they making kids go through security checks to get into the main buildings now?

This woman is so full of shit. Just split the county into two of three parts and let Reid and these other idiots like Robyn Lady preside over western Fairfax.

So much for One Fairfax

It was a work session with no clear consensus, but the message that seemed to emerge was open KAA as a traditional high school; consider specialized programs in various areas like AI, aviation, and robotics; and introduce them a few years after the school has reopened at KAA with a view of ensuring similar programs are shortly thereafter available at schools in other parts of the county. I *think* they realize that having specialized programming available only at KAA and restricting access to students otherwise zoned for a few western high schools would infuriate people elsewhere in the county.

Reid just approached this as if it would be really cool to have some cutting-edge program that a private corporation might be willing to underwrite at any school in FCPS. It seemed like a resume-building exercise for her, advanced with no appreciation of the optics or how it would be received more broadly.

I watched the session and I had a different takeaway. There were many options discussed but no clear message emerged. In fact, while many paid lip service to the need to fix overcrowding in the area, others talked about how the layout just won’t allow for it to be a traditional school.

I think it’s still anybody’s guess what this school will be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So Reid's recognition is a hybrid school with a magnet program that would be restricted to kids otherwise zoned to a handful of western high schools?

How the hell does that square with "equitable access to programming" that is a priority in Policy 8130? Would it survive a legal challenge to deny access to kids in eastern Fairfax?

And she wants to use the two extra buildings for classrooms and labs when they making kids go through security checks to get into the main buildings now?

This woman is so full of shit. Just split the county into two of three parts and let Reid and these other idiots like Robyn Lady preside over western Fairfax.

So much for One Fairfax

It was a work session with no clear consensus, but the message that seemed to emerge was open KAA as a traditional high school; consider specialized programs in various areas like AI, aviation, and robotics; and introduce them a few years after the school has reopened at KAA with a view of ensuring similar programs are shortly thereafter available at schools in other parts of the county. I *think* they realize that having specialized programming available only at KAA and restricting access to students otherwise zoned for a few western high schools would infuriate people elsewhere in the county.

Reid just approached this as if it would be really cool to have some cutting-edge program that a private corporation might be willing to underwrite at any school in FCPS. It seemed like a resume-building exercise for her, advanced with no appreciation of the optics or how it would be received more broadly.

I watched the session and I had a different takeaway. There were many options discussed but no clear message emerged. In fact, while many paid lip service to the need to fix overcrowding in the area, others talked about how the layout just won’t allow for it to be a traditional school.

I think it’s still anybody’s guess what this school will be.

I only heard one person say that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/04/24/fcps-given-more-time-to-submit-plans-for-centreville-high-school-expansion/

It says they haven't turned in the "documents."

What's that about?

I think it means they are at an impasse with the county, and they aren't filing documents that would start the timetable running for the county to take action within a specific period when they know the county would not approve the application in its current form. You only file the documents and start the clock running when you expect to get approval.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So Reid's recognition is a hybrid school with a magnet program that would be restricted to kids otherwise zoned to a handful of western high schools?

How the hell does that square with "equitable access to programming" that is a priority in Policy 8130? Would it survive a legal challenge to deny access to kids in eastern Fairfax?

And she wants to use the two extra buildings for classrooms and labs when they making kids go through security checks to get into the main buildings now?

This woman is so full of shit. Just split the county into two of three parts and let Reid and these other idiots like Robyn Lady preside over western Fairfax.

So much for One Fairfax

It was a work session with no clear consensus, but the message that seemed to emerge was open KAA as a traditional high school; consider specialized programs in various areas like AI, aviation, and robotics; and introduce them a few years after the school has reopened at KAA with a view of ensuring similar programs are shortly thereafter available at schools in other parts of the county. I *think* they realize that having specialized programming available only at KAA and restricting access to students otherwise zoned for a few western high schools would infuriate people elsewhere in the county.

Reid just approached this as if it would be really cool to have some cutting-edge program that a private corporation might be willing to underwrite at any school in FCPS. It seemed like a resume-building exercise for her, advanced with no appreciation of the optics or how it would be received more broadly.

I watched the session and I had a different takeaway. There were many options discussed but no clear message emerged. In fact, while many paid lip service to the need to fix overcrowding in the area, others talked about how the layout just won’t allow for it to be a traditional school.

I think it’s still anybody’s guess what this school will be.

I only heard one person say that.

That was Robyn Lady. She'd toured the school.

Guess the question is whether she's right, and Reid and other SB members are just hiding the ball because they can't bring themselves to admit they just spent $150 million on a school that they said would relieve overcrowding in the immediate area, only to realize it would require a major investment to modify KAA so that it's fit for purpose as a public high school.

Everyone says KAA has an unusual design and unique features. The question is whether those are benefits or impediments to KAA functioning as a traditional high school serving 2000 or so kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was there any discussion about long bus rides, or is the school board just going to screw Xfield families yet again?

Others may recall something different; the only thing I recall hearing relevant to that was Karl Frisch saying he thought KAA needed to be a neighborhood high school first and foremost and mentioning that some people have very long commutes to Oakton.

Ah the one good thing Karl Frisch has ever done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was there any discussion about long bus rides, or is the school board just going to screw Xfield families yet again?

Others may recall something different; the only thing I recall hearing relevant to that was Karl Frisch saying he thought KAA needed to be a neighborhood high school first and foremost and mentioning that some people have very long commutes to Oakton.

Ah the one good thing Karl Frisch has ever done!

You know what they say...a broken clock is still right two times every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So Reid's recognition is a hybrid school with a magnet program that would be restricted to kids otherwise zoned to a handful of western high schools?

How the hell does that square with "equitable access to programming" that is a priority in Policy 8130? Would it survive a legal challenge to deny access to kids in eastern Fairfax?

And she wants to use the two extra buildings for classrooms and labs when they making kids go through security checks to get into the main buildings now?

This woman is so full of shit. Just split the county into two of three parts and let Reid and these other idiots like Robyn Lady preside over western Fairfax.

So much for One Fairfax

It was a work session with no clear consensus, but the message that seemed to emerge was open KAA as a traditional high school; consider specialized programs in various areas like AI, aviation, and robotics; and introduce them a few years after the school has reopened at KAA with a view of ensuring similar programs are shortly thereafter available at schools in other parts of the county. I *think* they realize that having specialized programming available only at KAA and restricting access to students otherwise zoned for a few western high schools would infuriate people elsewhere in the county.

Reid just approached this as if it would be really cool to have some cutting-edge program that a private corporation might be willing to underwrite at any school in FCPS. It seemed like a resume-building exercise for her, advanced with no appreciation of the optics or how it would be received more broadly.

I watched the session and I had a different takeaway. There were many options discussed but no clear message emerged. In fact, while many paid lip service to the need to fix overcrowding in the area, others talked about how the layout just won’t allow for it to be a traditional school.

I think it’s still anybody’s guess what this school will be.

I only heard one person say that.

That was Robyn Lady. She'd toured the school.

Guess the question is whether she's right, and Reid and other SB members are just hiding the ball because they can't bring themselves to admit they just spent $150 million on a school that they said would relieve overcrowding in the immediate area, only to realize it would require a major investment to modify KAA so that it's fit for purpose as a public high school.

Everyone says KAA has an unusual design and unique features. The question is whether those are benefits or impediments to KAA functioning as a traditional high school serving 2000 or so kids.

1600 kids should be the bar because they've run Lewis at that size for years and they don't seem to think there's any issue there. 1600 is far more feasible and accommodating to unique features.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So Reid's recognition is a hybrid school with a magnet program that would be restricted to kids otherwise zoned to a handful of western high schools?

How the hell does that square with "equitable access to programming" that is a priority in Policy 8130? Would it survive a legal challenge to deny access to kids in eastern Fairfax?

And she wants to use the two extra buildings for classrooms and labs when they making kids go through security checks to get into the main buildings now?

This woman is so full of shit. Just split the county into two of three parts and let Reid and these other idiots like Robyn Lady preside over western Fairfax.

So much for One Fairfax

It was a work session with no clear consensus, but the message that seemed to emerge was open KAA as a traditional high school; consider specialized programs in various areas like AI, aviation, and robotics; and introduce them a few years after the school has reopened at KAA with a view of ensuring similar programs are shortly thereafter available at schools in other parts of the county. I *think* they realize that having specialized programming available only at KAA and restricting access to students otherwise zoned for a few western high schools would infuriate people elsewhere in the county.

Reid just approached this as if it would be really cool to have some cutting-edge program that a private corporation might be willing to underwrite at any school in FCPS. It seemed like a resume-building exercise for her, advanced with no appreciation of the optics or how it would be received more broadly.

I watched the session and I had a different takeaway. There were many options discussed but no clear message emerged. In fact, while many paid lip service to the need to fix overcrowding in the area, others talked about how the layout just won’t allow for it to be a traditional school.

I think it’s still anybody’s guess what this school will be.

I only heard one person say that.

That was Robyn Lady. She'd toured the school.

Guess the question is whether she's right, and Reid and other SB members are just hiding the ball because they can't bring themselves to admit they just spent $150 million on a school that they said would relieve overcrowding in the immediate area, only to realize it would require a major investment to modify KAA so that it's fit for purpose as a public high school.

Everyone says KAA has an unusual design and unique features. The question is whether those are benefits or impediments to KAA functioning as a traditional high school serving 2000 or so kids.

They can figure it out. There are two extra buildings that can function as trailers. It has two theaters that could be used as classrooms, if needed. They can easily be ready for two grades by 2026. The space is there.

"Imagine the possible!"

There are still people out there that do not want this to be a traditional high school. And, it is not because of the space, Lady may be one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So Reid's recognition is a hybrid school with a magnet program that would be restricted to kids otherwise zoned to a handful of western high schools?

How the hell does that square with "equitable access to programming" that is a priority in Policy 8130? Would it survive a legal challenge to deny access to kids in eastern Fairfax?

And she wants to use the two extra buildings for classrooms and labs when they making kids go through security checks to get into the main buildings now?

This woman is so full of shit. Just split the county into two of three parts and let Reid and these other idiots like Robyn Lady preside over western Fairfax.

So much for One Fairfax

It was a work session with no clear consensus, but the message that seemed to emerge was open KAA as a traditional high school; consider specialized programs in various areas like AI, aviation, and robotics; and introduce them a few years after the school has reopened at KAA with a view of ensuring similar programs are shortly thereafter available at schools in other parts of the county. I *think* they realize that having specialized programming available only at KAA and restricting access to students otherwise zoned for a few western high schools would infuriate people elsewhere in the county.

Reid just approached this as if it would be really cool to have some cutting-edge program that a private corporation might be willing to underwrite at any school in FCPS. It seemed like a resume-building exercise for her, advanced with no appreciation of the optics or how it would be received more broadly.

I watched the session and I had a different takeaway. There were many options discussed but no clear message emerged. In fact, while many paid lip service to the need to fix overcrowding in the area, others talked about how the layout just won’t allow for it to be a traditional school.

I think it’s still anybody’s guess what this school will be.

I only heard one person say that.

That was Robyn Lady. She'd toured the school.

Guess the question is whether she's right, and Reid and other SB members are just hiding the ball because they can't bring themselves to admit they just spent $150 million on a school that they said would relieve overcrowding in the immediate area, only to realize it would require a major investment to modify KAA so that it's fit for purpose as a public high school.

Everyone says KAA has an unusual design and unique features. The question is whether those are benefits or impediments to KAA functioning as a traditional high school serving 2000 or so kids.

They can figure it out. There are two extra buildings that can function as trailers. It has two theaters that could be used as classrooms, if needed. They can easily be ready for two grades by 2026. The space is there.

"Imagine the possible!"

There are still people out there that do not want this to be a traditional high school. And, it is not because of the space, Lady may be one of them.

I’m guessing you didn’t watch the work session, because there were a lot more hurdles than ones that can be solved by turning theaters into classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Lady has the biggest school problem in Fairfax County and she has apparently not made a serious effort to fix it. It is Coates. I've not heard her mention that much. But, she found time to meet with Great Falls Citizens. You know, the group that has opposed KAA from the start.

Coates relief should have had something done this year. Maybe not a permanent solution, but something should have been done. What they are doing there is inexcusable. But, I guess the constituents there do not have much power.