Boundaries assessment update 2023

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:cont. I think I also read that there has been additional staff added to the School Board.

How about if the SB quit challenging the judgments and suits on special education, TJ, etc? How much money could that save?

I’m having a hard time following your post(s).

Ultimately there’s a finite amount of money, but right now FCPS has separate operating and capital budgets.

You imply FCPS has been spending too much on “equity,” but in fact its capital spending has often been regressive or “anti-equity.” Building West Potomac out to 3000 seats so kids in Karen Corbett-Sanders’ district don’t have to attend Mount Vernon is not an equity-driven move.

Maybe what you just want is less total spending, more money spent on the operating budget and less on the capital budget, and more of the operating budget spent on classroom instruction than administrative overhead.

If so, that would be a significant change, and one that if adopted should be done quite explicitly with a full understanding of the implications. Because right now there are some pretty glaring disparities in capital spending in different pyramids that many people want to see remedied. If we aren’t going to do that, because of a change in direction and priorities, that should be very clearly articulated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:cont. I think I also read that there has been additional staff added to the School Board.

How about if the SB quit challenging the judgments and suits on special education, TJ, etc? How much money could that save?

I’m having a hard time following your post(s).

Ultimately there’s a finite amount of money, but right now FCPS has separate operating and capital budgets.

You imply FCPS has been spending too much on “equity,” but in fact its capital spending has often been regressive or “anti-equity.” Building West Potomac out to 3000 seats so kids in Karen Corbett-Sanders’ district don’t have to attend Mount Vernon is not an equity-driven move.

Maybe what you just want is less total spending, more money spent on the operating budget and less on the capital budget, and more of the operating budget spent on classroom instruction than administrative overhead.

If so, that would be a significant change, and one that if adopted should be done quite explicitly with a full understanding of the implications. Because right now there are some pretty glaring disparities in capital spending in different pyramids that many people want to see remedied. If we aren’t going to do that, because of a change in direction and priorities, that should be very clearly articulated.

I am all for spending money to help struggling students. That is not solved by more assistant superintendents. It is solved by putting money into the classrooms.
I have seen the waste that goes into some Title I programs. The money ends up with "experts" and equipment rather than instructional personnel who actually wor with students. People would be amazed if they saw the waste.

Just look at all the waste: a DEI coordinator, a new region, a new Chief of Schools. These people come with expensive staffs. That money should go to the schools. I guarantee you, it will result in more meetings and work for teachers. More paperwork for teachers and less planning time.

Do you know what works? Instructional time with students. Tutoring. Academics. What does our SB spend time on? "Equity"--and they have no idea how to achieve it. They need to see for themselves. What do they do? Hire more "experts."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a new high school in 20171. What would make the most sense would be to turn Carson into a high school and build a new middle school nearby.

New on this forum, aren't you? The SB sold the property adjacent to Carson--which was intended for the new high school. It would have made sense--but then, it would have been difficult to continue to send Carson students to South Lakes and Oakton. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision.

This poster seems to be suggesting something different. Forget about co-locating a new high school with RC. Make RC a HS and instead build a new middle school somewhere.

But,that does not solve the problem of where to find the property. That is also the problem of where to put the high school.

Carson was not a particularly good location for a middle school--Franklin is extremely close to it. 1.6 miles by road, less as the crow flies.

Yes, which is why it makes sense to turn it into the high school and build a middle school in Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. Buy a horse farm or something.

I think what would make sense is to convert Carson MS into a high school serving the Oak Hill area (boundaries would be similar to the current Carson boundaries, but probably not identical). Then Franklin MS will serve as the feeder MS for this high school, serving the same area. Then you would need to build a replacement for Franklin MS somewhere further east, which is I think what this poster was getting at with the horse farms. This replacement Franklin MS would be more centrally located in its boundary, but I don't know that there is any obvious land in that area to use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a new high school in 20171. What would make the most sense would be to turn Carson into a high school and build a new middle school nearby.

New on this forum, aren't you? The SB sold the property adjacent to Carson--which was intended for the new high school. It would have made sense--but then, it would have been difficult to continue to send Carson students to South Lakes and Oakton. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision.

This poster seems to be suggesting something different. Forget about co-locating a new high school with RC. Make RC a HS and instead build a new middle school somewhere.

But,that does not solve the problem of where to find the property. That is also the problem of where to put the high school.

Carson was not a particularly good location for a middle school--Franklin is extremely close to it. 1.6 miles by road, less as the crow flies.

Yes, which is why it makes sense to turn it into the high school and build a middle school in Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. Buy a horse farm or something.

I think what would make sense is to convert Carson MS into a high school serving the Oak Hill area (boundaries would be similar to the current Carson boundaries, but probably not identical). Then Franklin MS will serve as the feeder MS for this high school, serving the same area. Then you would need to build a replacement for Franklin MS somewhere further east, which is I think what this poster was getting at with the horse farms. This replacement Franklin MS would be more centrally located in its boundary, but I don't know that there is any obvious land in that area to use.

Also, the poster probably doesn't realize just where Fairfax County ends and Loudoun begins. The horse farm development happening is all west of the airport in Loudoun County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a new high school in 20171. What would make the most sense would be to turn Carson into a high school and build a new middle school nearby.

New on this forum, aren't you? The SB sold the property adjacent to Carson--which was intended for the new high school. It would have made sense--but then, it would have been difficult to continue to send Carson students to South Lakes and Oakton. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision.

This poster seems to be suggesting something different. Forget about co-locating a new high school with RC. Make RC a HS and instead build a new middle school somewhere.

But,that does not solve the problem of where to find the property. That is also the problem of where to put the high school.

Carson was not a particularly good location for a middle school--Franklin is extremely close to it. 1.6 miles by road, less as the crow flies.

Yes, which is why it makes sense to turn it into the high school and build a middle school in Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. Buy a horse farm or something.

I think what would make sense is to convert Carson MS into a high school serving the Oak Hill area (boundaries would be similar to the current Carson boundaries, but probably not identical). Then Franklin MS will serve as the feeder MS for this high school, serving the same area. Then you would need to build a replacement for Franklin MS somewhere further east, which is I think what this poster was getting at with the horse farms. This replacement Franklin MS would be more centrally located in its boundary, but I don't know that there is any obvious land in that area to use.

Also, the poster probably doesn't realize just where Fairfax County ends and Loudoun begins. The horse farm development happening is all west of the airport in Loudoun County.

But, when they gave the property to the Saudis they said there was not enough room for a high school! (absolutely not true--but that is what they said)

The proposal might make sense except for:

Finding a new site for a middle school.
Redoing Franklin to accomodate all of Carson students
Building out Carson

Logistically, this would be much tougher than suggested. This would involve three sites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a new high school in 20171. What would make the most sense would be to turn Carson into a high school and build a new middle school nearby.

New on this forum, aren't you? The SB sold the property adjacent to Carson--which was intended for the new high school. It would have made sense--but then, it would have been difficult to continue to send Carson students to South Lakes and Oakton. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision.

This poster seems to be suggesting something different. Forget about co-locating a new high school with RC. Make RC a HS and instead build a new middle school somewhere.

But,that does not solve the problem of where to find the property. That is also the problem of where to put the high school.

Carson was not a particularly good location for a middle school--Franklin is extremely close to it. 1.6 miles by road, less as the crow flies.

Yes, which is why it makes sense to turn it into the high school and build a middle school in Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. Buy a horse farm or something.

I think what would make sense is to convert Carson MS into a high school serving the Oak Hill area (boundaries would be similar to the current Carson boundaries, but probably not identical). Then Franklin MS will serve as the feeder MS for this high school, serving the same area. Then you would need to build a replacement for Franklin MS somewhere further east, which is I think what this poster was getting at with the horse farms. This replacement Franklin MS would be more centrally located in its boundary, but I don't know that there is any obvious land in that area to use.

Also, the poster probably doesn't realize just where Fairfax County ends and Loudoun begins. The horse farm development happening is all west of the airport in Loudoun County.

But, when they gave the property to the Saudis they said there was not enough room for a high school! (absolutely not true--but that is what they said)

The proposal might make sense except for:

Finding a new site for a middle school.
Redoing Franklin to accomodate all of Carson students
Building out Carson

Logistically, this would be much tougher than suggested. This would involve three sites.

I agree. Let’s just dump 20 more trailers off at 4201 Stringfellow and call it a day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a new high school in 20171. What would make the most sense would be to turn Carson into a high school and build a new middle school nearby.

New on this forum, aren't you? The SB sold the property adjacent to Carson--which was intended for the new high school. It would have made sense--but then, it would have been difficult to continue to send Carson students to South Lakes and Oakton. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision.

This poster seems to be suggesting something different. Forget about co-locating a new high school with RC. Make RC a HS and instead build a new middle school somewhere.

But,that does not solve the problem of where to find the property. That is also the problem of where to put the high school.

Carson was not a particularly good location for a middle school--Franklin is extremely close to it. 1.6 miles by road, less as the crow flies.

Or, how about finding a reasonable and logical site to alleviate Chantilly and Centreville? If the SB cared they would not have given up the good site to the Saudis.

Yes, which is why it makes sense to turn it into the high school and build a middle school in Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. Buy a horse farm or something.

I think what would make sense is to convert Carson MS into a high school serving the Oak Hill area (boundaries would be similar to the current Carson boundaries, but probably not identical). Then Franklin MS will serve as the feeder MS for this high school, serving the same area. Then you would need to build a replacement for Franklin MS somewhere further east, which is I think what this poster was getting at with the horse farms. This replacement Franklin MS would be more centrally located in its boundary, but I don't know that there is any obvious land in that area to use.

Also, the poster probably doesn't realize just where Fairfax County ends and Loudoun begins. The horse farm development happening is all west of the airport in Loudoun County.

But, when they gave the property to the Saudis they said there was not enough room for a high school! (absolutely not true--but that is what they said)

The proposal might make sense except for:

Finding a new site for a middle school.
Redoing Franklin to accomodate all of Carson students
Building out Carson

Logistically, this would be much tougher than suggested. This would involve three sites.

I agree. Let’s just dump 20 more trailers off at 4201 Stringfellow and call it a day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a new high school in 20171. What would make the most sense would be to turn Carson into a high school and build a new middle school nearby.

New on this forum, aren't you? The SB sold the property adjacent to Carson--which was intended for the new high school. It would have made sense--but then, it would have been difficult to continue to send Carson students to South Lakes and Oakton. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision.

This poster seems to be suggesting something different. Forget about co-locating a new high school with RC. Make RC a HS and instead build a new middle school somewhere.

But,that does not solve the problem of where to find the property. That is also the problem of where to put the high school.

Carson was not a particularly good location for a middle school--Franklin is extremely close to it. 1.6 miles by road, less as the crow flies.

Yes, which is why it makes sense to turn it into the high school and build a middle school in Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. Buy a horse farm or something.

I think what would make sense is to convert Carson MS into a high school serving the Oak Hill area (boundaries would be similar to the current Carson boundaries, but probably not identical). Then Franklin MS will serve as the feeder MS for this high school, serving the same area. Then you would need to build a replacement for Franklin MS somewhere further east, which is I think what this poster was getting at with the horse farms. This replacement Franklin MS would be more centrally located in its boundary, but I don't know that there is any obvious land in that area to use.

Also, the poster probably doesn't realize just where Fairfax County ends and Loudoun begins. The horse farm development happening is all west of the airport in Loudoun County.

LOL, I literally said Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. None of those are Loudoun County. You don't sound like you know what you're talking about at all. "Buy a horse farm or something" was not meant to be taken literally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a new high school in 20171. What would make the most sense would be to turn Carson into a high school and build a new middle school nearby.

New on this forum, aren't you? The SB sold the property adjacent to Carson--which was intended for the new high school. It would have made sense--but then, it would have been difficult to continue to send Carson students to South Lakes and Oakton. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision.

This poster seems to be suggesting something different. Forget about co-locating a new high school with RC. Make RC a HS and instead build a new middle school somewhere.

But,that does not solve the problem of where to find the property. That is also the problem of where to put the high school.

Carson was not a particularly good location for a middle school--Franklin is extremely close to it. 1.6 miles by road, less as the crow flies.

Yes, which is why it makes sense to turn it into the high school and build a middle school in Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. Buy a horse farm or something.

I think what would make sense is to convert Carson MS into a high school serving the Oak Hill area (boundaries would be similar to the current Carson boundaries, but probably not identical). Then Franklin MS will serve as the feeder MS for this high school, serving the same area. Then you would need to build a replacement for Franklin MS somewhere further east, which is I think what this poster was getting at with the horse farms. This replacement Franklin MS would be more centrally located in its boundary, but I don't know that there is any obvious land in that area to use.

Also, the poster probably doesn't realize just where Fairfax County ends and Loudoun begins. The horse farm development happening is all west of the airport in Loudoun County.

LOL, I literally said Oakton, Oak Hill, or Reston. None of those are Loudoun County. You don't sound like you know what you're talking about at all. "Buy a horse farm or something" was not meant to be taken literally.

I live in the Herndon/Reston area, technically we are Oak Hill but no one I know calls it Oak Hill. I can’t think of where there would be space to build a new school. You would need to convert a park area to a school zone and I am not sure that those areas could handle the traffic flow. I am trying to think of areas closer to Crossfield and drawing a blank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Towards the end of last night's meeting boundaries came up again as they discussed "right-sizing" schools that are overcrowded. Specifically mentioned Glasgow, LBSS, and Chantilly.

In Megan's words, "when we recognize there is overcrowding, the use of modulars is not a reason that we're fine and meanwhile we've got capacity in surrounding schools." But in the end they put the ball in Dr. Reid's court.

They are mostly lame ducks just making noise now.

Ricardy Anderson is making a big stink about Glasgow because any time there is a boundary study elsewhere in the county she demands a boundary study in Mason. It was built to be a big school. But they can move AAP kids back to Holmes and Poe if they want - no doubt it’s a chaotic school.

Lake Braddock was by design built to be big. In percentage terms it’s not especially overcrowded.

Chantilly is a different situation, and they’ve neglected the overcrowding there for many years. Maybe the negligence of SB members like Pekarsky stands out less if they lump Chantilly together with other schools like Glasgow and LB.

Once more, Chantilly parents are not complaining. The boundary is compact. Little new construction.

Since Chantilly parents say they aren’t complaining (that is, they don’t want to be moved to a less affluent school or one further away), let’s take them at their word. We can spend money elsewhere and relocate more trailers to Chantilly, if needed. There may be little new construction there but they’ll get more kids since fewer Rocky Run and Carson kids are getting into TJ.

Reminder: the formerly Chantilly neighborhoods that were redistricted to Oakton--a much more affluent school--had many, many unhappy parents.

And, FWIW, any student moved out of Chantilly would have to be assigned to a school that is further away. Why do you want to imply it is about a "less affluent" school? Just which "less affluent school" do you think they would be sent to?

I just bought in this area and purposely avoided any homes zoned to Oakton, which is approximately 30 min away. Too long for my kid to spend on the bus or in the car round trip on a daily basis.

[Anonymous]

Between Rocky Run, Franklin, Herndon and Hughes, is there enough capacity that they could collectively absorb Carson students and turn Carson into the HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Between Rocky Run, Franklin, Herndon and Hughes, is there enough capacity that they could collectively absorb Carson students and turn Carson into the HS?

According to Carson profile, 777 students are in Level IV. Perhaps, if that were eliminated, some could be absorbed in other schools. There is a large contingent at Carson who are zoned for Franklin for Gened. I don't know about Hughes, but I don't think Rocky Run or Herndon would be viable options.

[Anonymous]

Why are we assuming that the assessment will actually occur? It's a political minefield that no one wants to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Franklin, Hughes, and Herndon are all running at around 900 students.

[Anonymous]

This year Carson (grades 7-8) had 1358 students, of which 346 were transfers into the school (mostly from Franklin for AAP).

So that suggests a stand-alone Carson MS would have 1012 students and a stand-alone Carson HS (grades 9-12) would have roughly 2025 students. Both viable numbers for a MS and HS.

However, the demographics of a Carson HS would not look like current Carson MS since the Carson MS demographics reflect all the out-of-boundary Asian kids transferring in for AAP. And many parents in that area have repeatedly shown they will fight any school for their kids with less affluent demographics than their current schools.