FCPS Skyview Boundary Scenario 1/2/3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a dog in this fight but I’ve read many posts here about how great Skyview will be because kids north of Route 50 would no longer have to go to Westfield. It would seem awfully odd to then flip a Chantilly neighborhood that’s north of 50 and quite close to Chantilly to Westfield instead.

It’s also pretty obvious that no one wants to get moved to Westfield and that deserves attention in and of itself. Is it the school’s location, typical racism, or other things about the school that raise concerns? It doesn’t sound like anyone moved to Westfield would end up with the lengthy commutes of parts of Herndon and Great Falls to Langley.

Like it or not, part of the decisions on who to move or not move is going to be based on balancing out FARMs rates so that we don’t end up with another Lewis or Herndon or Mt. Vernon. It is why Meren doesn’t want to give up Floris or Fox Mill, she doesn’t want to lose the test score bump that those kids bring.

Meren is in a difficult spot.

If it were up to her, she would block any move of Fox Mill out of the South Lakes boundary, despite the fact that many (but not all) Fox Mill parents want to send their kids to Skyview.

However, she has already been outvoted a few times, and the worst political outcome for her would be to actively block Fox Mill only to be outvoted again and lose voters in the Fox Mill boundary.

She has been vocal in criticizing Reid but has been surprisingly quiet about her position on Fox Mill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a dog in this fight but I’ve read many posts here about how great Skyview will be because kids north of Route 50 would no longer have to go to Westfield. It would seem awfully odd to then flip a Chantilly neighborhood that’s north of 50 and quite close to Chantilly to Westfield instead.

It’s also pretty obvious that no one wants to get moved to Westfield and that deserves attention in and of itself. Is it the school’s location, typical racism, or other things about the school that raise concerns? It doesn’t sound like anyone moved to Westfield would end up with the lengthy commutes of parts of Herndon and Great Falls to Langley.

Like it or not, part of the decisions on who to move or not move is going to be based on balancing out FARMs rates so that we don’t end up with another Lewis or Herndon or Mt. Vernon. It is why Meren doesn’t want to give up Floris or Fox Mill, she doesn’t want to lose the test score bump that those kids bring.

Meren is in a difficult spot.

If it were up to her, she would block any move of Fox Mill out of the South Lakes boundary, despite the fact that many (but not all) Fox Mill parents want to send their kids to Skyview.

However, she has already been outvoted a few times, and the worst political outcome for her would be to actively block Fox Mill only to be outvoted again and lose voters in the Fox Mill boundary.

She has been vocal in criticizing Reid but has been surprisingly quiet about her position on Fox Mill.

She was against the purchase. Had she acknowledged the need of the school initially and jumped on enthusiastically, she might have had more control over the rollout. She has been correct on many issues, but she should have been more proactive in the work sessions to get the boundaries established BEFORE so much time has passed. She allowed Fox Mill parents to make their opinions known (as is there right.) This could have been resolved last fall.

Had she jumped on initially and put her voice behind the A option, she might have succeeded in keeping Fox Mill at South Lakes. She could have been generous and allowed all of Floris to go to the school.

That community, along with Fox Mill, was poorly treated in the 2008 boundary study. Ironically, almost 20 years later, they STILL want AP over IB and that might make it palatable to them to stay at South Lakes. But, there is no question that all of Floris and much of Fox Mill is extremely close to Skyview.

But, I think we have crossed the Rubicon.t

[Anonymous]

I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

I'm not so sure. Not Crossfield, Floris, or Fox Mill parent here.
It is so ironic that the most logical solution was presented in Option A. Meren will tick off a lot of people if she keeps Fox Mill. In 2008, it was crystal clear that the School Board was in charge. This consultant thing has been a disaster.

Who made the maps that were initially presented (A-D)? Consultant or staff? Does anyone know?

It was idiotic to put the comprehensive boundary review forward without including Skyview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a dog in this fight but I’ve read many posts here about how great Skyview will be because kids north of Route 50 would no longer have to go to Westfield. It would seem awfully odd to then flip a Chantilly neighborhood that’s north of 50 and quite close to Chantilly to Westfield instead.

It’s also pretty obvious that no one wants to get moved to Westfield and that deserves attention in and of itself. Is it the school’s location, typical racism, or other things about the school that raise concerns? It doesn’t sound like anyone moved to Westfield would end up with the lengthy commutes of parts of Herndon and Great Falls to Langley.

Why would anyone want to be ripped out of their beloved school to go to a school much further away? I’m in a similar boat, except my proposed change would be from Chantilly to Oakton. I don’t want to be moved to Oakton because of the horrific commute and we really like Chantilly and my oldest is already established there.

The only kids (not parents, the kids) who will experience a truly negative outcome are those in the high school who are rezoned. Reid already tried to say there wouldn't be any grandfathering when boundaries were first discussed. Then she tried to walk it back. Seniors will get to stay under the current policies, but I don't know about other grades.

Has there been any talk about giving high schoolers the option to stay if they're rezoned? Or exceptions if their foreign language isn't offered at the new school? FCPS removed that as a transfer option this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

It is unfathomable to me how Crossfield didn't stay at Carson and go on the Skyview, but since all 3 scenarios moved them to Franklin I suspect you are right. Someone definitely had some inside pull to make that happen, with the knowledge that there is no way they get moved to Franklin and don't stay at Oakton - for now. Then at the next review you are spot on as Oakton will be over 105% with all the new housing and your kids will get stuck with IB at South Lakes. That's got to be frustrating seeing it coming and not being able to do anything about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

It is unfathomable to me how Crossfield didn't stay at Carson and go on the Skyview, but since all 3 scenarios moved them to Franklin I suspect you are right. Someone definitely had some inside pull to make that happen, with the knowledge that there is no way they get moved to Franklin and don't stay at Oakton - for now. Then at the next review you are spot on as Oakton will be over 105% with all the new housing and your kids will get stuck with IB at South Lakes. That's got to be frustrating seeing it coming and not being able to do anything about it.

Doesn’t a move to Franklin make it less likely that Crossfield will be moved to South Lakes though? That would be such a weird feeder pattern. I don’t know who else you would move in to SL, but maybe a different school zoned for Carson and then Crossfield moves to Skyview? Hughes only feeds to SLHS, right? This is why it would be dumb to move too many kids out of SLHS. It will be under capacity and then you’d possibly be moving kids in that area around again in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

It is unfathomable to me how Crossfield didn't stay at Carson and go on the Skyview, but since all 3 scenarios moved them to Franklin I suspect you are right. Someone definitely had some inside pull to make that happen, with the knowledge that there is no way they get moved to Franklin and don't stay at Oakton - for now. Then at the next review you are spot on as Oakton will be over 105% with all the new housing and your kids will get stuck with IB at South Lakes. That's got to be frustrating seeing it coming and not being able to do anything about it.

Doesn’t a move to Franklin make it less likely that Crossfield will be moved to South Lakes though? That would be such a weird feeder pattern. I don’t know who else you would move in to SL, but maybe a different school zoned for Carson and then Crossfield moves to Skyview? Hughes only feeds to SLHS, right? This is why it would be dumb to move too many kids out of SLHS. It will be under capacity and then you’d possibly be moving kids in that area around again in a few years.

Yes of course. That is part of RIO’a plan. Demand to stay at Oakton and then get rezoned to Franklin which is a direct feeder to Oakton HS. That way they secure their future. They have a dedicated web page that explains why they should be moved to Franklin and it all hinges on staying at Oakton HS. I have no idea how they maneuvered it. It’s shameful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

It is unfathomable to me how Crossfield didn't stay at Carson and go on the Skyview, but since all 3 scenarios moved them to Franklin I suspect you are right. Someone definitely had some inside pull to make that happen, with the knowledge that there is no way they get moved to Franklin and don't stay at Oakton - for now. Then at the next review you are spot on as Oakton will be over 105% with all the new housing and your kids will get stuck with IB at South Lakes. That's got to be frustrating seeing it coming and not being able to do anything about it.

I think it’s in Crossfield’s best long term interest to go with Skyview. Otherwise they will most definitely be South lakes in a few years. They dodged that scenario before, but those Madison neighborhoods near South lakes will fight hard to not go to South Lakes in a few years too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

It is unfathomable to me how Crossfield didn't stay at Carson and go on the Skyview, but since all 3 scenarios moved them to Franklin I suspect you are right. Someone definitely had some inside pull to make that happen, with the knowledge that there is no way they get moved to Franklin and don't stay at Oakton - for now. Then at the next review you are spot on as Oakton will be over 105% with all the new housing and your kids will get stuck with IB at South Lakes. That's got to be frustrating seeing it coming and not being able to do anything about it.

I think it’s in Crossfield’s best long term interest to go with Skyview. Otherwise they will most definitely be South lakes in a few years. They dodged that scenario before, but those Madison neighborhoods near South lakes will fight hard to not go to South Lakes in a few years too.

Right but the RIO parents who claim to represent Crossfield really only represent families with 4th-12th graders. They don’t care one bit about what happens to those of us with younger kids 5-10 years from now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Crossfield parent and as much as I and my friends and neighbors have advocated towards getting rezoned to Skyview, I just don't think we have a chance. School board members and Gatehouse will take meetings with a PTO president, but they won't take meetings with a regular citizen or group of citizens. So we have to advocate with letters and conversations when we can get them, and it's just not as easy as being a big vocal group that says "we are the PTO Board, we represent the entire community, you must meet with us".

I think families like ours with kids in K-3 are pretty screwed - by the time our kids get to high school, there will be another boundary review and we are likely to get zoned out of Oakton...into South lakes. By that time, the current groups' kids will be in college - who knows if by then we will know a lobbyist and person in Gatehouse that can help us get what we want.

All that to say congratulations Fox Mill families, I think you're going to get lucky and Crossfield families are going to get screwed by the current PTO and their friends.

It is unfathomable to me how Crossfield didn't stay at Carson and go on the Skyview, but since all 3 scenarios moved them to Franklin I suspect you are right. Someone definitely had some inside pull to make that happen, with the knowledge that there is no way they get moved to Franklin and don't stay at Oakton - for now. Then at the next review you are spot on as Oakton will be over 105% with all the new housing and your kids will get stuck with IB at South Lakes. That's got to be frustrating seeing it coming and not being able to do anything about it.

By the time of the next review, if that takes place, there will be a new School Board. They could get rid of the idea of recurring county-wide boundary reviews. And even if they have another review in 2030, , the 105% threshold isn't written into Policy 8130. It was just something that FCPS staff and Thru Consulting (which will probably never get hired again) came up with as a threshold for a potential boundary change. You could be over 105% capacity for years like West Springfield and not see your boundaries changed. Or they could keep the 105% threshold and see schools like Oakton and Langley get modulars that expand their program capacities and keep them under 105%.

You're playing checkers if you think there's something magical about 105%. Others will play chess and find a way to avoid getting redistricted to lower-rated schools.

[Anonymous]

Crossfield will never get sent to South Lakes because it’s an IB school and they are at an AP school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crossfield will never get sent to South Lakes because it’s an IB school and they are at an AP school.

A small number of West Potomac (AP) students were just redistricted in January to Mount Vernon (IB) following the county-wide review. Students at Woodson (AP) were redistricted to Robinson (IB) in 2011. And, of course, if you go back to the South Lakes redistricting in 2008, that involved moving kids from three AP schools (Madison, Oakton, and Westfield) to South Lakes (IB).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crossfield will never get sent to South Lakes because it’s an IB school and they are at an AP school.

LOL! Fox Mill was at Oakton before it was sent to South Lakes.
Floris neighborhoods were at Westfield before they were moved to South Lakes.

Both are AP schools.
Parents begged the School Board to make South Lakes an AP school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crossfield will never get sent to South Lakes because it’s an IB school and they are at an AP school.

That's not true. Kids got moved in and out of Marshall this year. Kids from Floris that go to South Lakes are being moved to Skyview.