FCPS comprehensive boundary review

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:So basically if you have more money, you will move to a school district where more wealthy people live. Low income students will continue to rot in poorly rated schools. I didn’t grow up here, so the PUBLIC school system here seems to benefit high income families for the most part. I wish this system could be fixed in the future.

Isn't that the system everywhere? FCPS cannot fix kids' home life or socioeconomic status.

Sure, but doesn’t this system just perpetuate and reinforce the socioeconomic divide?

It's not the school system's role to fix this.

+1. At some point these SJWs need to realize that their advocacy to upset the apple cart is going to diminish the entire system and leave everyone, especially the kids they believe they are trying to help, worse off.

The neighborhoods effected by boundary changes will be infuriated. The rest of the county will not care. Do you think families in McLean really care about West Springfield's boundaries?

Yes, we do. Because we care about the integrity and quality of the FCPS system. I care about every area of the county that might see an equity redistricting. These moves are going to significantly diminish FCPS as a whole, but the sb echo chamber doesn’t seem to care.

When is changing boundaries between schools at or over capacity next to under capacity schools allowed? Are the boundaries just set in stone for all eternity?

When there is an urgent compelling need (eg, park lawn and Coates). Rather, the comprehensive review has ill defined conflicting criteria that is meant to allow the school board to do the equity boundary moves started five years ago with a thin veneer if it being for other purposes.

WSHS is at 112% of capacity, Lewis is at 87%. Is that not enough of a disparity?

SCHS is at 88% capacity and is closer to current HVES neighborhoods.

Stop suggesting another school. It goes against your argument.

No it doesn’t. You’re grasping at straws to justify moving HVES kids to Lewis. If WSHS is truly overcapacity, and transpo times are a concern, SCHS makes the most sense. It’s weird how obsessed some people seem to be with moving WSHS kids from HV to a school that is further away.

DP. It's been pointed out that merely looking at whether WSHS is overcrowded ignores the current and projected under-enrollment at Lewis. You can keep pretending that's not also an issue, or that it will self-correct with a few additional buildings within Lewis's current catchment area, but others will be looking at the inequity of having a projected 3000-student school sharing a border with one projected to have only 1425 kids.

Lwis is sill larger than all of the large Catholic high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So basically if you have more money, you will move to a school district where more wealthy people live. Low income students will continue to rot in poorly rated schools. I didn’t grow up here, so the PUBLIC school system here seems to benefit high income families for the most part. I wish this system could be fixed in the future.

Isn't that the system everywhere? FCPS cannot fix kids' home life or socioeconomic status.

Sure, but doesn’t this system just perpetuate and reinforce the socioeconomic divide?

It's not the school system's role to fix this.

+1. At some point these SJWs need to realize that their advocacy to upset the apple cart is going to diminish the entire system and leave everyone, especially the kids they believe they are trying to help, worse off.

The neighborhoods effected by boundary changes will be infuriated. The rest of the county will not care. Do you think families in McLean really care about West Springfield's boundaries?

Yes, we do. Because we care about the integrity and quality of the FCPS system. I care about every area of the county that might see an equity redistricting. These moves are going to significantly diminish FCPS as a whole, but the sb echo chamber doesn’t seem to care.

When is changing boundaries between schools at or over capacity next to under capacity schools allowed? Are the boundaries just set in stone for all eternity?

When there is an urgent compelling need (eg, park lawn and Coates). Rather, the comprehensive review has ill defined conflicting criteria that is meant to allow the school board to do the equity boundary moves started five years ago with a thin veneer if it being for other purposes.

WSHS is at 112% of capacity, Lewis is at 87%. Is that not enough of a disparity?

SCHS is at 88% capacity and is closer to current HVES neighborhoods.

Stop suggesting another school. It goes against your argument.

No it doesn’t. You’re grasping at straws to justify moving HVES kids to Lewis. If WSHS is truly overcapacity, and transpo times are a concern, SCHS makes the most sense. It’s weird how obsessed some people seem to be with moving WSHS kids from HV to a school that is further away.

DP. It's been pointed out that merely looking at whether WSHS is overcrowded ignores the current and projected under-enrollment at Lewis. You can keep pretending that's not also an issue, or that it will self-correct with a few additional buildings within Lewis's current catchment area, but others will be looking at the inequity of having a projected 3000-student school sharing a border with one projected to have only 1425 kids.

So, figure out why Lewis has so many fewer kids. I've not been to Springfield area lately, but I doubt there is much new construction. Is it an IB/AP issue? Is there less housing in Lewis boundary than in the past?

There is zero new housing in the WSHS and there has not been in decades.

There is new housing going in for Lewis, plus multiple housing developments on the Edison/Hayfield sides of Lewis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So basically if you have more money, you will move to a school district where more wealthy people live. Low income students will continue to rot in poorly rated schools. I didn’t grow up here, so the PUBLIC school system here seems to benefit high income families for the most part. I wish this system could be fixed in the future.

Isn't that the system everywhere? FCPS cannot fix kids' home life or socioeconomic status.

Sure, but doesn’t this system just perpetuate and reinforce the socioeconomic divide?

It's not the school system's role to fix this.

+1. At some point these SJWs need to realize that their advocacy to upset the apple cart is going to diminish the entire system and leave everyone, especially the kids they believe they are trying to help, worse off.

The neighborhoods effected by boundary changes will be infuriated. The rest of the county will not care. Do you think families in McLean really care about West Springfield's boundaries?

Yes, we do. Because we care about the integrity and quality of the FCPS system. I care about every area of the county that might see an equity redistricting. These moves are going to significantly diminish FCPS as a whole, but the sb echo chamber doesn’t seem to care.

When is changing boundaries between schools at or over capacity next to under capacity schools allowed? Are the boundaries just set in stone for all eternity?

When there is an urgent compelling need (eg, park lawn and Coates). Rather, the comprehensive review has ill defined conflicting criteria that is meant to allow the school board to do the equity boundary moves started five years ago with a thin veneer if it being for other purposes.

WSHS is at 112% of capacity, Lewis is at 87%. Is that not enough of a disparity?

SCHS is at 88% capacity and is closer to current HVES neighborhoods.

Stop suggesting another school. It goes against your argument.

No it doesn’t. You’re grasping at straws to justify moving HVES kids to Lewis. If WSHS is truly overcapacity, and transpo times are a concern, SCHS makes the most sense. It’s weird how obsessed some people seem to be with moving WSHS kids from HV to a school that is further away.

That's not a concern. Ask the Great Falls parents. And, it literally takes about 12 minutes to get from Gambrill to Lewis.

Only if you drive 70 down the parkway, at around 9PM or 3AM.

Nope. Look at the bus times from the Gambrill stop to the metro. The homes south of the parkway will head to Lewis. For sure. Families closer to HVES are probably safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“In the case of WSHS, the next closest under capacity school is South County, not Lewis. SCHS is under capacity by a similar percentage as Lewis.”

Not for everyone. We’re WSHS and there are 3 high schools closer than SC.

True.

Daventry and much if Keene Mill Elementary are much closer to Lewis than WSHS.

Good point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So basically if you have more money, you will move to a school district where more wealthy people live. Low income students will continue to rot in poorly rated schools. I didn’t grow up here, so the PUBLIC school system here seems to benefit high income families for the most part. I wish this system could be fixed in the future.

Isn't that the system everywhere? FCPS cannot fix kids' home life or socioeconomic status.

Sure, but doesn’t this system just perpetuate and reinforce the socioeconomic divide?

It's not the school system's role to fix this.

+1. At some point these SJWs need to realize that their advocacy to upset the apple cart is going to diminish the entire system and leave everyone, especially the kids they believe they are trying to help, worse off.

The neighborhoods effected by boundary changes will be infuriated. The rest of the county will not care. Do you think families in McLean really care about West Springfield's boundaries?

Yes, we do. Because we care about the integrity and quality of the FCPS system. I care about every area of the county that might see an equity redistricting. These moves are going to significantly diminish FCPS as a whole, but the sb echo chamber doesn’t seem to care.

When is changing boundaries between schools at or over capacity next to under capacity schools allowed? Are the boundaries just set in stone for all eternity?

When there is an urgent compelling need (eg, park lawn and Coates). Rather, the comprehensive review has ill defined conflicting criteria that is meant to allow the school board to do the equity boundary moves started five years ago with a thin veneer if it being for other purposes.

WSHS is at 112% of capacity, Lewis is at 87%. Is that not enough of a disparity?

SCHS is at 88% capacity and is closer to current HVES neighborhoods.

Stop suggesting another school. It goes against your argument.

No it doesn’t. You’re grasping at straws to justify moving HVES kids to Lewis. If WSHS is truly overcapacity, and transpo times are a concern, SCHS makes the most sense. It’s weird how obsessed some people seem to be with moving WSHS kids from HV to a school that is further away.

That's not a concern. Ask the Great Falls parents. And, it literally takes about 12 minutes to get from Gambrill to Lewis.

Only if you drive 70 down the parkway, at around 9PM or 3AM.

Nope. Look at the bus times from the Gambrill stop to the metro. The homes south of the parkway will head to Lewis. For sure. Families closer to HVES are probably safe.

Saratoga Mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lewis has a big new housing building going in by the mall with dozens of units that will be filled with families with kids. It appears that it will be operational in a matter of months.

Isn't there also a big housing development going in where Lewis, Hayfield and Edison meet? And a housing development near edison?

The mall development is zoned for Lewis already.

The one between the 3 high schools should be zoned for Lewis.

FCPS can easily make up capacity at Lewis with just those 2 new developments.

Edison is full. There could be some adjustments on that end with special programs or new housing.

FCPS can increase Lewis enrollment with minimum rezoning and disruption, just by new housing plus closing the IB program at Lewis.

How do you know the apartments going in by the mall will be filled with families with kids?

Because DINKS don't live in Springfield.

Springfield is boring.

It is a place where people move to raise kids. Singles, college students, young adults starting their careers, empty nesters and young professionals will not choose to live in those apartments. Prove me wrong.

The new apartments will be filled with lower income families with kids, some with multiple families, and divorced single moms with kids.

The kids will be older preteens and teens, and people will choose it because it is walkable to Lewis as well as to the mall for free babysitting entertainment for their middle schoolers while the parents work.

Okay so you made that up. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“In the case of WSHS, the next closest under capacity school is South County, not Lewis. SCHS is under capacity by a similar percentage as Lewis.”

Not for everyone. We’re WSHS and there are 3 high schools closer than SC.

True.

Daventry and much if Keene Mill Elementary are much closer to Lewis than WSHS.

Good point.

Nope. Keene Mill is safe. Closer to WSHS than HVES. Also closer to Irving.

Nice try Hunt Valley mommy.

[Anonymous]

Attended the 1st virtual boundary meeting today. The feedback seemed focus on

- Show us the data / why is this even needed?
- We want diversity / equity
- Grandfather current kids in
- Property values

Will the school board listen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attended the 1st virtual boundary meeting today. The feedback seemed focus on

- Show us the data / why is this even needed?
- We want diversity / equity
- Grandfather current kids in
- Property values

Will the school board listen?

Not great that they’ve been manipulating the program capacities which now look worse than even last year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attended the 1st virtual boundary meeting today. The feedback seemed focus on

- Show us the data / why is this even needed?
- We want diversity / equity
- Grandfather current kids in
- Property values

Will the school board listen?

The bullet points that you listed are in conflict, so they can do what they want and say that they listened

[Anonymous]

Yes - they are in conflict and who knows how they will weigh the feedback. Seems like a charade and that they will do exactly what they want to do - feedback be damned

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes - they are in conflict and who knows how they will weigh the feedback. Seems like a charade and that they will do exactly what they want to do - feedback be damned

Consistent feedback at the in person sessions were that families wanted consistency and didn’t want moves unless super necessary.

Families also want accurate data, but as we learned from the CIP release, FCPS is intentionally undercounting student projections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lewis has a big new housing building going in by the mall with dozens of units that will be filled with families with kids. It appears that it will be operational in a matter of months.

Isn't there also a big housing development going in where Lewis, Hayfield and Edison meet? And a housing development near edison?

The mall development is zoned for Lewis already.

The one between the 3 high schools should be zoned for Lewis.

FCPS can easily make up capacity at Lewis with just those 2 new developments.

Edison is full. There could be some adjustments on that end with special programs or new housing.

FCPS can increase Lewis enrollment with minimum rezoning and disruption, just by new housing plus closing the IB program at Lewis.

How do you know the apartments going in by the mall will be filled with families with kids?

Because DINKS don't live in Springfield.

Springfield is boring.

It is a place where people move to raise kids. Singles, college students, young adults starting their careers, empty nesters and young professionals will not choose to live in those apartments. Prove me wrong.

The new apartments will be filled with lower income families with kids, some with multiple families, and divorced single moms with kids.

The kids will be older preteens and teens, and people will choose it because it is walkable to Lewis as well as to the mall for free babysitting entertainment for their middle schoolers while the parents work.

Okay so you made that up. Thanks.

Twll us you don't know anything about the area without saying it.

Dinks are not moving to Springfield.

Those apartments will be filled with families with school aged kids.

[Anonymous]

Historically, the new build, 1-2 bedroom apartments haven’t been too popular with families with older kids (MS/HS age). It will be a bunch of older singles, yes some DINKS especially if they have jobs in the suburbs, and young families with babies and young children. You’ll still see some increase to the enrollment at Lewis just by sheer volume though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new housing at Springfield Mall is going to be filled with families and will push Lwis to full capacity in the next couple of years.


"...2 million square feet of commercial space and up to 2,736 residential units, in addition to the Springfield Mall, were approved for the area where the apartment building and hotel will be located. .."



https://northernvirginiamag.com/home/real-estate/2023/01/03/springfield-town-center-apartements-hotel/

FCPS should not rezone anyone to Lewis right no, ad should focus on eliminating IB and standing up a solid AP proram at Lewis these next couple of years.

You left out the part where it's noted this approval of up to 2,736 units occurred back in 2007. Gosh, maybe approval and actual construction are different things.

In any event, FCPS already estimates that, if all these approved units were actually built, the yield to Lewis would be in the vicinity of 52-66 students, which would still leave Lewis significantly under-enrolled.