ACPS Redistricting

[Anonymous]

Last we had heard the school board was supposed to pick up redistricting in Alexandria for next year, but nothing has happened. I noticed this article now says there will be no redistricting-- have others heard any word on this? http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2014/nov/20/alexandria-preparing-next-school-budget/

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The board was talking about it a year ago and said they would start the process in the spring. But since it was never brought up again (nothing happened in the spring obviously), we can assume it is no longer being considered.

[Anonymous]

Sad.

Without redistricting the schools won't improve. All the current building and "gentrification" is aimed at attracting young professionals and no children households. That will leave the City in the same place they have always been - the children in the City schools will be largely from low income households in public housing. Right now the FARMS rate in City schools is 60%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad.

Without redistricting the schools won't improve. All the current building and "gentrification" is aimed at attracting young professionals and no children households. That will leave the City in the same place they have always been - the children in the City schools will be largely from low income households in public housing. Right now the FARMS rate in City schools is 60%.

And how would redistricting reduce the total FARMS rate in any meaningful way?

[Anonymous]

And how would redistricting reduce the total FARMS rate in any meaningful way?

It wouldn't reduce the FARMS rate in the city overall, which is fine. But what it could do it to ensure that FARMS students are distributed more equally among elementariness.

[Anonymous]

I had understood that they won't redistrict until they figure out what the plan for Jeff-Houston closing is (the new principal there was hired because he's a school closing specialist; he's closed down other schools near Norfolk). The eastern-side of the City would then be redistricted around the new Jeff-Houston boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had understood that they won't redistrict until they figure out what the plan for Jeff-Houston closing is (the new principal there was hired because he's a school closing specialist; he's closed down other schools near Norfolk). The eastern-side of the City would then be redistricted around the new Jeff-Houston boundaries.

No they resolved that. They decided to stick with the k-8 model vs. the other options

[Anonymous]

Its sad that every thing I read on this site about ACPS is negative. WTF

[Anonymous]

The farms issue seems to be concentration. Some elementaries are at 90 percent farms and other 15 percent -- this would seem ripe for magnets or redistributing students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its sad that every thing I read on this site about ACPS is negative. WTF

As a taxpayer in Alexandria City, I want to see Jefferson Houston K-18 filled to capacity, and not with pre-K as it wasn't built as such. $43 million dollars is a lot of our taxpayer money. ACPS built it in spite of it being the brain child of an out going superintendent, and in spite of objections of many locals and others in the City saying it wasn't right to build an expansive (correct term) elementary school there. You don't fix lack of accreditation through a new building. Now ACPS needs to honor their word, re-district and fill the building and staff it with top notch teachers to educate the students. Jefferson Houston remains uncredited for the second year: that alone should be a reason to move to re-districting as soon as possible.

One of the reasons fellow local jurisdictions, as well as out of towners (yes, even as far south of Charleston SC, ACPS is well known, as I've been asked such questions) constantly read negative comments of ACPS is because ACPS doesn't honor its word to residents who live here and use their tax money primarily focusing on academics. We have elementary students jammed into classes, taking tests in hall ways, unable to play in safe school yards? How can we raise ACPS reputation if a school such as Jefferson Houston Elementary is allowed to linger even after being rebuilt, unaccredited and unfilled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its sad that every thing I read on this site about ACPS is negative. WTF

As a taxpayer in Alexandria City, I want to see Jefferson Houston K-18 filled to capacity, and not with pre-K as it wasn't built as such. $43 million dollars is a lot of our taxpayer money. ACPS built it in spite of it being the brain child of an out going superintendent, and in spite of objections of many locals and others in the City saying it wasn't right to build an expansive (correct term) elementary school there. You don't fix lack of accreditation through a new building. Now ACPS needs to honor their word, re-district and fill the building and staff it with top notch teachers to educate the students. Jefferson Houston remains uncredited for the second year: that alone should be a reason to move to re-districting as soon as possible.

One of the reasons fellow local jurisdictions, as well as out of towners (yes, even as far south of Charleston SC, ACPS is well known, as I've been asked such questions) constantly read negative comments of ACPS is because ACPS doesn't honor its word to residents who live here and use their tax money primarily focusing on academics. We have elementary students jammed into classes, taking tests in hall ways, unable to play in safe school yards? How can we raise ACPS reputation if a school such as Jefferson Houston Elementary is allowed to linger even after being rebuilt, unaccredited and unfilled?

I totally agree. I think they should never have broken ground. It would have been better to shutter the school and re-distribute the kids.

As residents though, we can't solely blame the school board for these issues. A lot has to do with the Mayor and City Council. They create the housing programs and continue to support them that allows the high concentration of poverty in certain areas. I think one of the best things that could happen to the City is if a Republican mayor was elected next time around. And I say that as someone who votes Democrat.

[Anonymous]

Here, here for Republicans on both Alexandria CC and ACPS School Board next election! Enough is enough for unbridled spending (with Alexandria CC permission already given for the City Manager to raise residential real estate taxes in the FY 2016 budget) in the name of almighty "urbanization".

Signed,
Fellow democratic voter here in Alexandria City.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its sad that every thing I read on this site about ACPS is negative. WTF

As a taxpayer in Alexandria City, I want to see Jefferson Houston K-18 filled to capacity, and not with pre-K as it wasn't built as such. $43 million dollars is a lot of our taxpayer money. ACPS built it in spite of it being the brain child of an out going superintendent, and in spite of objections of many locals and others in the City saying it wasn't right to build an expansive (correct term) elementary school there. You don't fix lack of accreditation through a new building. Now ACPS needs to honor their word, re-district and fill the building and staff it with top notch teachers to educate the students. Jefferson Houston remains uncredited for the second year: that alone should be a reason to move to re-districting as soon as possible.

One of the reasons fellow local jurisdictions, as well as out of towners (yes, even as far south of Charleston SC, ACPS is well known, as I've been asked such questions) constantly read negative comments of ACPS is because ACPS doesn't honor its word to residents who live here and use their tax money primarily focusing on academics. We have elementary students jammed into classes, taking tests in hall ways, unable to play in safe school yards? How can we raise ACPS reputation if a school such as Jefferson Houston Elementary is allowed to linger even after being rebuilt, unaccredited and unfilled?

The new Jeff-Houston was planned and voted on two school boards ago, two superintendents ago.

[Anonymous]

Looks like they just announced an elementary redistricting after all. Was expecting seeing something to expand the boundaries for J-H, but this talks about schools on the west side. Not sure where they would shift enrollment to.

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2015/nr2015031202.php

[Anonymous]

Any insight into what districts may be changed? We just bought a house in the Douglas MacArthur district and were really looking forward to our oldest starting kindergarten there in 2016. We are close to the western edge of the boundary (the school district touching ours is Patrick Henry). We have our hearts set on MacArthur and I'm starting to really worry about redistricting changing our assigned school.