FCPS comprehensive boundary review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Lewis is 500 students under the Design Capacity. Program Capacity can be changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Lewis is 500 students under the Design Capacity. Program Capacity can be changed.

Key facts are missing from the CIP and transfer data. 1 is isolating Edison STEM. Boundary review meeting input pointed out IB Mount Vernon is sending for STEM to IB Edison. IB Lewis also sends to IB Edison. 2 undercapacity schools and FCPS plops STEM at Edison???

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foe thise that keep repeating they left the Dem party because of boundaries, or are staunch repub and against "equity ".....i really belive you'll be shocked at the outcomes. Dems might care a little bit about your feelings and the fact that you bought your house for a school, but repubs will be ruthless and make it painful for all. Will say that a few years of pain is worth it to right size everything.
Translation = don't care about you or your house value or why you bought your house, and don't even think about grandfathering. Will really just look at numbers and cut and move students to course correct.

Signed,
An independent that sees false grandstanding on both sides of the political spectrum

If the all Democratic school board is going to sabotage my family’s choice of school pyramid, then I’ll happily support the alternative party that defunds public schools to give me more money when I send my kids elsewhere.

It’s the adult version of taking my ball and going home. Thing is, the Dems absolutely need families like mine to make public schools work, and we are the exact families that they are targeting with the boundary changes.

Righ, take your ball and go home....and find out you'll get $100 per kid as a voucher. Good luck with the wishful thinking.

Oh sorry, I guess my post wasn’t clear. We can afford private without any vouchers.

We are happy to have our kids go public and support public schools, but when the school board sabotages our choice of school pyramid, we’ll be a lot less charitable, and that translates into us no longer supporting the public school system. Btw, I’ve always been a staunch supporter of public schools, but the school board has called that into question. I’ve talked to others in my area who have expressed similar sentiments.

How would you go about “no longer supporting the public school system”?

You don’t really have a choice in that regard. You will go to jail if you don’t pay your taxes.

We support our public school by being involved in the PTA and so many other things. Our school is great because of parent involvement. Kids with parents who are not involved also benefit from parents who are. When those families go private it makes a difference.

It’s fascinating to see certain posters argue until they’re blue in the face about how we need to lower farms rates at certain schools by bringing in mc and umc families, and then somehow try to argue that those families aren’t needed anyway.

Very transparent, but doesn’t change the fundamental fact that the school board and democrats are (and will continue) hemorrhaging support over the boundary study.

DP. Here a trial balloon for you.

The draft CIP for 2026-30 includes $86M in funding for a new Dunn Loring ES for which there is clearly no need. That $86M could be funding expansions to both Chantilly HS and McLean HS, which would make at least some of these boundary change discussions moot.

During a work session a week or two ago about half the School Board members finally expressed misgivings in public about whether there was any need for this school. Karl Frisch, who is the School Board Chair and the big proponent of the wasteful Dunn Loring project, did not attend that work session.

They are now scheduled to vote on that CIP on February 6th. If Frisch somehow gets them to go ahead and approve the CIP with the unnecessary Dunn Loring project included, despite the public acknowledgment by half the SB members that it’s the wrong school in the wrong location, that will demonstrate just how little this School Board cares about paying any attention to public opinion or exercising responsible stewardship of FCPS’s capital resources. It would be a clear sign that they will also go ahead and do whatever the hell they want with boundaries because they really don’t think enough people will ever pay attention to the School Board’s decisions to vote them out of office, pull their kids out of FCPS, etc.

Stay tuned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foe thise that keep repeating they left the Dem party because of boundaries, or are staunch repub and against "equity ".....i really belive you'll be shocked at the outcomes. Dems might care a little bit about your feelings and the fact that you bought your house for a school, but repubs will be ruthless and make it painful for all. Will say that a few years of pain is worth it to right size everything.
Translation = don't care about you or your house value or why you bought your house, and don't even think about grandfathering. Will really just look at numbers and cut and move students to course correct.

Signed,
An independent that sees false grandstanding on both sides of the political spectrum

If the all Democratic school board is going to sabotage my family’s choice of school pyramid, then I’ll happily support the alternative party that defunds public schools to give me more money when I send my kids elsewhere.

It’s the adult version of taking my ball and going home. Thing is, the Dems absolutely need families like mine to make public schools work, and we are the exact families that they are targeting with the boundary changes.

Righ, take your ball and go home....and find out you'll get $100 per kid as a voucher. Good luck with the wishful thinking.

Oh sorry, I guess my post wasn’t clear. We can afford private without any vouchers.

We are happy to have our kids go public and support public schools, but when the school board sabotages our choice of school pyramid, we’ll be a lot less charitable, and that translates into us no longer supporting the public school system. Btw, I’ve always been a staunch supporter of public schools, but the school board has called that into question. I’ve talked to others in my area who have expressed similar sentiments.

How would you go about “no longer supporting the public school system”?

You don’t really have a choice in that regard. You will go to jail if you don’t pay your taxes.

We support our public school by being involved in the PTA and so many other things. Our school is great because of parent involvement. Kids with parents who are not involved also benefit from parents who are. When those families go private it makes a difference.

It’s fascinating to see certain posters argue until they’re blue in the face about how we need to lower farms rates at certain schools by bringing in mc and umc families, and then somehow try to argue that those families aren’t needed anyway.

Very transparent, but doesn’t change the fundamental fact that the school board and democrats are (and will continue) hemorrhaging support over the boundary study.

DP. Here a trial balloon for you.

The draft CIP for 2026-30 includes $86M in funding for a new Dunn Loring ES for which there is clearly no need. That $86M could be funding expansions to both Chantilly HS and McLean HS, which would make at least some of these boundary change discussions moot.

During a work session a week or two ago about half the School Board members finally expressed misgivings in public about whether there was any need for this school. Karl Frisch, who is the School Board Chair and the big proponent of the wasteful Dunn Loring project, did not attend that work session.

They are now scheduled to vote on that CIP on February 6th. If Frisch somehow gets them to go ahead and approve the CIP with the unnecessary Dunn Loring project included, despite the public acknowledgment by half the SB members that it’s the wrong school in the wrong location, that will demonstrate just how little this School Board cares about paying any attention to public opinion or exercising responsible stewardship of FCPS’s capital resources. It would be a clear sign that they will also go ahead and do whatever the hell they want with boundaries because they really don’t think enough people will ever pay attention to the School Board’s decisions to vote them out of office, pull their kids out of FCPS, etc.

Stay tuned.

Yep. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of confidence that the school board is capable of enough self-reflection. They operate in a big echo chamber.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foe thise that keep repeating they left the Dem party because of boundaries, or are staunch repub and against "equity ".....i really belive you'll be shocked at the outcomes. Dems might care a little bit about your feelings and the fact that you bought your house for a school, but repubs will be ruthless and make it painful for all. Will say that a few years of pain is worth it to right size everything.
Translation = don't care about you or your house value or why you bought your house, and don't even think about grandfathering. Will really just look at numbers and cut and move students to course correct.

Signed,
An independent that sees false grandstanding on both sides of the political spectrum

If the all Democratic school board is going to sabotage my family’s choice of school pyramid, then I’ll happily support the alternative party that defunds public schools to give me more money when I send my kids elsewhere.

It’s the adult version of taking my ball and going home. Thing is, the Dems absolutely need families like mine to make public schools work, and we are the exact families that they are targeting with the boundary changes.

Righ, take your ball and go home....and find out you'll get $100 per kid as a voucher. Good luck with the wishful thinking.

Oh sorry, I guess my post wasn’t clear. We can afford private without any vouchers.

We are happy to have our kids go public and support public schools, but when the school board sabotages our choice of school pyramid, we’ll be a lot less charitable, and that translates into us no longer supporting the public school system. Btw, I’ve always been a staunch supporter of public schools, but the school board has called that into question. I’ve talked to others in my area who have expressed similar sentiments.

How would you go about “no longer supporting the public school system”?

You don’t really have a choice in that regard. You will go to jail if you don’t pay your taxes.

We support our public school by being involved in the PTA and so many other things. Our school is great because of parent involvement. Kids with parents who are not involved also benefit from parents who are. When those families go private it makes a difference.

It’s fascinating to see certain posters argue until they’re blue in the face about how we need to lower farms rates at certain schools by bringing in mc and umc families, and then somehow try to argue that those families aren’t needed anyway.

Very transparent, but doesn’t change the fundamental fact that the school board and democrats are (and will continue) hemorrhaging support over the boundary study.

DP. Here a trial balloon for you.

The draft CIP for 2026-30 includes $86M in funding for a new Dunn Loring ES for which there is clearly no need. That $86M could be funding expansions to both Chantilly HS and McLean HS, which would make at least some of these boundary change discussions moot.

During a work session a week or two ago about half the School Board members finally expressed misgivings in public about whether there was any need for this school. Karl Frisch, who is the School Board Chair and the big proponent of the wasteful Dunn Loring project, did not attend that work session.

They are now scheduled to vote on that CIP on February 6th. If Frisch somehow gets them to go ahead and approve the CIP with the unnecessary Dunn Loring project included, despite the public acknowledgment by half the SB members that it’s the wrong school in the wrong location, that will demonstrate just how little this School Board cares about paying any attention to public opinion or exercising responsible stewardship of FCPS’s capital resources. It would be a clear sign that they will also go ahead and do whatever the hell they want with boundaries because they really don’t think enough people will ever pay attention to the School Board’s decisions to vote them out of office, pull their kids out of FCPS, etc.

Stay tuned.

Yep. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of confidence that the school board is capable of enough self-reflection. They operate in a big echo chamber.

I have no doubt that, had Karl Frisch attended the work session, he would have tried to cut off any public questions about the need for Dunn Loring ES from other School Board members. He wasn't there, so other members spoke more openly.

It's possible that since the work session on January 14th, Frisch has been working behind the scenes to defend his big waste of money and browbeat the other SB members into submission. But the cat is out of the bag. If they go ahead and approve spending over $80M more on this school over the next five years, when FCPS's own projections show no need, they would be demonstrating the contempt with which they view the public. On the other hand, if they amend the CIP to delete this waste of taxpayer money, they would be sending a signal that they are somewhat responsive to changing conditions in the county, which would be a good sign they might exercise some restraint when it comes to future boundary changes.

They engaged in some self-reflection at the January 14th work session. The question now is whether they have the courage to deal with the implications of their own remarks, or instead will just pretend it never happened and revert to business as usual because it would make Frisch happier.

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

Edisons buildings, particularly the square footage of individual classerroms, is much smaller than WSHS.

WSHS has larger classrooms, so they can fit more kids in the rooms without being or feeling overcrowded.

You are doing the simple math.

You cannot compare raw student body count, or even number of classrooms.

The square footage of the classrooms matter.

Lewis could have 1800 students, and feel far more crowded than WSHS at 2700 because of the size of the individual classrooms and hallways.

WSHS can easily handle 2800 students without trailers and without feeling overcrowded. Edison would have to bring in a complete fleet of trailers to squeeze in 2800 students.

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

The only people here all up in their feelings are those who don't want to be rezoned from WSHS to Lewis. WSHS is over capacity. Edison and Hayfield are not as overcrowded. The housing stock and prices between Lewis and WSHS is very similar. It's actually amusing to see people get in their feelings about property values while having the same as those the next zone over. The reason WSHS has higher scores is because some in your zone made sure that Lewis got the apartments and other housing with high number of ESOL kids during the last round of changes. There was a thread about it here years ago.

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

Edisons buildings, particularly the square footage of individual classerroms, is much smaller than WSHS.

WSHS has larger classrooms, so they can fit more kids in the rooms without being or feeling overcrowded.

You are doing the simple math.

You cannot compare raw student body count, or even number of classrooms.

The square footage of the classrooms matter.

Lewis could have 1800 students, and feel far more crowded than WSHS at 2700 because of the size of the individual classrooms and hallways.

WSHS can easily handle 2800 students without trailers and without feeling overcrowded. Edison would have to bring in a complete fleet of trailers to squeeze in 2800 students.

I was just explaining why people tend to compare Lewis's situation with West Springfield, rather than with Edison or Hayfield.

You can agree or disagree. Personally, I hope that, if they do move any kids to Lewis, they take a hard look at enhancements to Lewis's programs that might make the school more attractive to rezoned families before doing anything.

Otherwise, it sounds like West Springfield got a nicer renovation than Edison, at a time when a West Springfield graduate (Jeff Platenberg) was heading Facilities and in charge of the renovations of both West Springfield and Edison. Meanwhile Lewis got nothing. Sounds like his favoritism towards his alma mater may come back to bite others in the ass if they get redistricted.

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

Edisons buildings, particularly the square footage of individual classerroms, is much smaller than WSHS.

WSHS has larger classrooms, so they can fit more kids in the rooms without being or feeling overcrowded.

You are doing the simple math.

You cannot compare raw student body count, or even number of classrooms.

The square footage of the classrooms matter.

Lewis could have 1800 students, and feel far more crowded than WSHS at 2700 because of the size of the individual classrooms and hallways.

WSHS can easily handle 2800 students without trailers and without feeling overcrowded. Edison would have to bring in a complete fleet of trailers to squeeze in 2800 students.

I was just explaining why people tend to compare Lewis's situation with West Springfield, rather than with Edison or Hayfield.

You can agree or disagree. Personally, I hope that, if they do move any kids to Lewis, they take a hard look at enhancements to Lewis's programs that might make the school more attractive to rezoned families before doing anything.

Otherwise, it sounds like West Springfield got a nicer renovation than Edison, at a time when a West Springfield graduate (Jeff Platenberg) was heading Facilities and in charge of the renovations of both West Springfield and Edison. Meanwhile Lewis got nothing. Sounds like his favoritism towards his alma mater may come back to bite others in the ass if they get redistricted.

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

Edisons buildings, particularly the square footage of individual classerroms, is much smaller than WSHS.

WSHS has larger classrooms, so they can fit more kids in the rooms without being or feeling overcrowded.

You are doing the simple math.

You cannot compare raw student body count, or even number of classrooms.

The square footage of the classrooms matter.

Lewis could have 1800 students, and feel far more crowded than WSHS at 2700 because of the size of the individual classrooms and hallways.

WSHS can easily handle 2800 students without trailers and without feeling overcrowded. Edison would have to bring in a complete fleet of trailers to squeeze in 2800 students.

I was just explaining why people tend to compare Lewis's situation with West Springfield, rather than with Edison or Hayfield.

You can agree or disagree. Personally, I hope that, if they do move any kids to Lewis, they take a hard look at enhancements to Lewis's programs that might make the school more attractive to rezoned families before doing anything.

Otherwise, it sounds like West Springfield got a nicer renovation than Edison, at a time when a West Springfield graduate (Jeff Platenberg) was heading Facilities and in charge of the renovations of both West Springfield and Edison. Meanwhile Lewis got nothing. Sounds like his favoritism towards his alma mater may come back to bite others in the ass if they get redistricted.

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

"When all you've ever known is privilege, equality feels like oppression."

[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:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

Edisons buildings, particularly the square footage of individual classerroms, is much smaller than WSHS.

WSHS has larger classrooms, so they can fit more kids in the rooms without being or feeling overcrowded.

You are doing the simple math.

You cannot compare raw student body count, or even number of classrooms.

The square footage of the classrooms matter.

Lewis could have 1800 students, and feel far more crowded than WSHS at 2700 because of the size of the individual classrooms and hallways.

WSHS can easily handle 2800 students without trailers and without feeling overcrowded. Edison would have to bring in a complete fleet of trailers to squeeze in 2800 students.

I was just explaining why people tend to compare Lewis's situation with West Springfield, rather than with Edison or Hayfield.

You can agree or disagree. Personally, I hope that, if they do move any kids to Lewis, they take a hard look at enhancements to Lewis's programs that might make the school more attractive to rezoned families before doing anything.

Otherwise, it sounds like West Springfield got a nicer renovation than Edison, at a time when a West Springfield graduate (Jeff Platenberg) was heading Facilities and in charge of the renovations of both West Springfield and Edison. Meanwhile Lewis got nothing. Sounds like his favoritism towards his alma mater may come back to bite others in the ass if they get redistricted.

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

"When all you've ever known is privilege, equality feels like oppression."

When you live in an echo chamber like the school board does, you start believing that equality and equity are interchangeable.

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

Edisons buildings, particularly the square footage of individual classerroms, is much smaller than WSHS.

WSHS has larger classrooms, so they can fit more kids in the rooms without being or feeling overcrowded.

You are doing the simple math.

You cannot compare raw student body count, or even number of classrooms.

The square footage of the classrooms matter.

Lewis could have 1800 students, and feel far more crowded than WSHS at 2700 because of the size of the individual classrooms and hallways.

WSHS can easily handle 2800 students without trailers and without feeling overcrowded. Edison would have to bring in a complete fleet of trailers to squeeze in 2800 students.

I was just explaining why people tend to compare Lewis's situation with West Springfield, rather than with Edison or Hayfield.

You can agree or disagree. Personally, I hope that, if they do move any kids to Lewis, they take a hard look at enhancements to Lewis's programs that might make the school more attractive to rezoned families before doing anything.

Otherwise, it sounds like West Springfield got a nicer renovation than Edison, at a time when a West Springfield graduate (Jeff Platenberg) was heading Facilities and in charge of the renovations of both West Springfield and Edison. Meanwhile Lewis got nothing. Sounds like his favoritism towards his alma mater may come back to bite others in the ass if they get redistricted.

It sounds like you want to exact revenge on current students who have nothing to do with anything you are talking about.

Vengeance against kids is never a good look.

[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:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

Why does everything have to be about Lewis? Why is it the most important high school in the county? We don't care about improving Hayfield or other schools. What makes Lewis so unbelieveably special that we have to focus so much time, money and attention on it?

The one or two very loud posters on here who own homes zones for Lewis and want to see their property values go up if high income areas are rezoned into their school LOL.

But really - with Lewis’s small capacity, they can’t actually absorb that many more students to make the school’s demographics change all that much.

Property values between Lewis and WSHS are similar. No one is coveting your 70s split level.

Ok, then why are 1) certain people on here all up in their feelings about the importance of rezoning WSHS neighborhoods/schools to Lewis, and 2) insistent that it must be WS kids and not those from nearby Edison or Hayfield? It’s the property values and the perceived “prestige” of certain schools.

DP. I think it’s just because WS has over 1000 more kids than Lewis. Neither Edison nor Hayfield has as many kids in 9-12 as WSHS. If it were Edison rather than WS with 2800 kids now people would be bringing it up first.

Edisons buildings, particularly the square footage of individual classerroms, is much smaller than WSHS.

WSHS has larger classrooms, so they can fit more kids in the rooms without being or feeling overcrowded.

You are doing the simple math.

You cannot compare raw student body count, or even number of classrooms.

The square footage of the classrooms matter.

Lewis could have 1800 students, and feel far more crowded than WSHS at 2700 because of the size of the individual classrooms and hallways.

WSHS can easily handle 2800 students without trailers and without feeling overcrowded. Edison would have to bring in a complete fleet of trailers to squeeze in 2800 students.

I was just explaining why people tend to compare Lewis's situation with West Springfield, rather than with Edison or Hayfield.

You can agree or disagree. Personally, I hope that, if they do move any kids to Lewis, they take a hard look at enhancements to Lewis's programs that might make the school more attractive to rezoned families before doing anything.

Otherwise, it sounds like West Springfield got a nicer renovation than Edison, at a time when a West Springfield graduate (Jeff Platenberg) was heading Facilities and in charge of the renovations of both West Springfield and Edison. Meanwhile Lewis got nothing. Sounds like his favoritism towards his alma mater may come back to bite others in the ass if they get redistricted.

Students at the unrenovated WSHS could hold conversations with kids in the classrooms below them because walls were separating from the floors.

Sometimes a renovation is just a renovation.