Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
You were never going to get an equivalent education at Lewis and WS, starting with the fact that Lewis has a leadership program that WS doesn't have and WS has an AP curriculum that Lewis hasn't had.
So tell us again, what is it that you really want? Do you think a few hundred WS kids will put Lewis on the same footing as WS, or will it just make you feel better about having bought in the Lewis district if a few hundred more kids are similarly stranded there?
Not sure what you are getting at. I don’t need to “feel better about buying in the Lewis pyramid. I love my home and we bought before we had children. And yes, we knew how the school was rated back then but like many in our community, we figured we’d evaluate when the time came for our kids to attend HS. So yes, I am enthusiastic about the boards interest in improving the conditions at Lewis. And if that means adding a few hundred students from other schools to make it happen, so be it.
Again, tell that to my child. Thank her for her service to your child. Her college applications will be less robust, the next few years will be one change after another. One high school freshman year, a different one the following. All to boost up your child’s chances of getting a better class schedule.
Don’t expect us to cheer this as you throw our kids under the bus.
I don’t expect you to do anything but cry and complain as you’ve been doing for the last 300 pages.
And quite frankly, I couldn’t care less about your kid. In the same way that you clearly don’t care about mine.
What a wonderful welcome to the Lewis community. I’m not throwing your kid under, you bought your house knowing you were going to revisit in the high school years. We didn’t. You ARE actively throwing our kids and community under to boost up your own. That is much more malicious than you dealing with consequences you already knew when you bought your house.
YOU knew that boundaries were not guaranteed, and yet you still purchased your home. And now that the SB is exercising their right (and duty!) to make adjustments, you are howling about being thrown under the bus. Spare me.
There are negative outcomes associated with moving kids in the middle of high school.
And no actually, boundaries apparently weren’t redrawn at the whim of the board (the community had to ask) until this board started.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of saber rattling by Langley parents at the board meeting last night threatening litigation if the School Board adopts revisions to the boundary policy.
They are the definition of “privilege hoarders” and they should be ordered to pay FCPS’s legal fees if they do bring a frivolous lawsuit.
I heard it way differently than your spin. But I guess to someone who is a trying to foment class warfare, you gotta spin it your way.
It’s really sad how much some folks on this board hate their neighbors based on a perception that didn’t even align with reality.
Be well.
The head of the Langley group definitely made veiled threats last night about litigation if the board adopts the policy revisions later this month.
They are bullies who don’t care about anyone else and can’t believe they might not always get their way.
It’s actually not a Langley group, but you know that already, just trying to add your spin to the SB’s unpopular policies.
Your definition of bullying is really weird -not sure when advocating for all of Fairfax county kids became bullying.
These people don’t advocate for kids in our pyramid. It’s mostly Langley parents advocating for Great Falls to stay out of Herndon with a few West Springfield parents along for the ride.
You are just straight up lying. The group includes members across the county and invites everyone in the county to join.
You are just making assumptions based on your own prejudices and biases.
Of course they invite other people to join their group to try and give them more credibility but those behind the group and calling the shots are Great Falls parents seeking to avoid a redistricting to Herndon.
DP. I'm not sure why you think that's somehow a secret? GF parents are organized and responsive to what's going on within FCPS. Of course they don't want to be redistricted to Herndon - who would? As the PP said, ALL parents are welcome to join that FB group.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
You were never going to get an equivalent education at Lewis and WS, starting with the fact that Lewis has a leadership program that WS doesn't have and WS has an AP curriculum that Lewis hasn't had.
So tell us again, what is it that you really want? Do you think a few hundred WS kids will put Lewis on the same footing as WS, or will it just make you feel better about having bought in the Lewis district if a few hundred more kids are similarly stranded there?
Not sure what you are getting at. I don’t need to “feel better about buying in the Lewis pyramid. I love my home and we bought before we had children. And yes, we knew how the school was rated back then but like many in our community, we figured we’d evaluate when the time came for our kids to attend HS. So yes, I am enthusiastic about the boards interest in improving the conditions at Lewis. And if that means adding a few hundred students from other schools to make it happen, so be it.
Again, tell that to my child. Thank her for her service to your child. Her college applications will be less robust, the next few years will be one change after another. One high school freshman year, a different one the following. All to boost up your child’s chances of getting a better class schedule.
Don’t expect us to cheer this as you throw our kids under the bus.
I don’t expect you to do anything but cry and complain as you’ve been doing for the last 300 pages.
And quite frankly, I couldn’t care less about your kid. In the same way that you clearly don’t care about mine.
What a wonderful welcome to the Lewis community. I’m not throwing your kid under, you bought your house knowing you were going to revisit in the high school years. We didn’t. You ARE actively throwing our kids and community under to boost up your own. That is much more malicious than you dealing with consequences you already knew when you bought your house.
Advocating for my kids = throwing yours under the bus? Please. You just expect me to care more about your kids more than I care about mine, and it ain’t happening.
And you expect our children to give up leadership opportunities, friendship groups etc so that yours has a better schedule. Those two things are NOT the same thing. It isn’t equal.
You KNEW these consequences when you bought your house as you said before. We did not. Funnily enough, 16 years ago we had contracts on 2 houses in the Lewis area that fell through before we got the one in WSHS district. At the time it didn’t matter to me, I know my kids would be fine.
But kids aren’t fine if they get switched in the middle of high school. It can have mental health effects AND can lead to disengagement AND not as many leadership opportunities because those kids are moving in the middle of their high school career. If PARENTS want that and willingly move, that is one thing. To have it forced upon you is completely different.
I know you don’t care about my kid. But to pretend that these are not consequences for my children or to claim that the consequence for your child of getting access to 1 or 2 more classes is worth those consequences to my kid is callous and irrational. Those two consequences are NOT the same, they just aren’t. One involves a lot of sacrifice from a kid and yes, that should absolutely be acknowledged by parents who are cheering for a small positive outcome for their child.
But you DID in fact know that boundaries could change, even for you. So what’s your point?
I acknowledge that a change like this would be disruptive to the impacted kids, but I still support it. Both things can be true.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of saber rattling by Langley parents at the board meeting last night threatening litigation if the School Board adopts revisions to the boundary policy.
They are the definition of “privilege hoarders” and they should be ordered to pay FCPS’s legal fees if they do bring a frivolous lawsuit.
I heard it way differently than your spin. But I guess to someone who is a trying to foment class warfare, you gotta spin it your way.
It’s really sad how much some folks on this board hate their neighbors based on a perception that didn’t even align with reality.
Be well.
The head of the Langley group definitely made veiled threats last night about litigation if the board adopts the policy revisions later this month.
They are bullies who don’t care about anyone else and can’t believe they might not always get their way.
It’s actually not a Langley group, but you know that already, just trying to add your spin to the SB’s unpopular policies.
Your definition of bullying is really weird -not sure when advocating for all of Fairfax county kids became bullying.
This is hilarious. Yes, great falls folks are well known for their concern about others in the county.
Welcome back, SJW! Did you go somewhere nice for your summer vacation?
Ah, the name caller is back!
And you're the one calling other parents bullies? How typically hypocritical of you.
DP
Anonymous wrote:Lots of saber rattling by Langley parents at the board meeting last night threatening litigation if the School Board adopts revisions to the boundary policy.
They are the definition of “privilege hoarders” and they should be ordered to pay FCPS’s legal fees if they do bring a frivolous lawsuit.
I heard it way differently than your spin. But I guess to someone who is a trying to foment class warfare, you gotta spin it your way.
It’s really sad how much some folks on this board hate their neighbors based on a perception that didn’t even align with reality.
Be well.
The head of the Langley group definitely made veiled threats last night about litigation if the board adopts the policy revisions later this month.
They are bullies who don’t care about anyone else and can’t believe they might not always get their way.
It’s actually not a Langley group, but you know that already, just trying to add your spin to the SB’s unpopular policies.
Your definition of bullying is really weird -not sure when advocating for all of Fairfax county kids became bullying.
These people don’t advocate for kids in our pyramid. It’s mostly Langley parents advocating for Great Falls to stay out of Herndon with a few West Springfield parents along for the ride.
You are just straight up lying. The group includes members across the county and invites everyone in the county to join.
You are just making assumptions based on your own prejudices and biases.
The FB group is small and spends most of its time asking for money for eventual law suits. There might be more active school specific FB groups but those are also likely to be small. And the people who mention what school their kids are in or will attend tend to be SHS and Langley. The people who are most upset about this and are most vocal about it tend to be from those specific schools. the Oakton, Centerville, Chantilly, SLHS parents I know don't seem to be all that worried. Most think that something needs to be done because of over crowding.
1,300 doesn’t strike me a a particularly small FB group, but do go on.
And the reason others at those schools seem indifferent is because they are ill-informed about the actual intentions of this school board where they are seeking to reset the entire map.
The school board staff poster seems to be very active this morning!
This is such a typical great falls response. Not everyone has the same opinion as you do. And we are not school board members or staff or gatehouse. We are just parents, too.
Then tell us where your kids go to school. Still waiting.
DP
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
Wont the newly-moved families and areas just pupil place out of Lewis?
Maybe, if they meet the requirements. But I suspect they’d try to close most of the loopholes that would normally allow for the transfers (ex: adding additional foreign language options).
NP here. If they try to close most of the transfer loopholes, wouldn't that also reduce the number of kids who transfer into WSHS? So you're also reducing alleged overcrowding conditions at WS...?
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
No one buys "priced out" of an entire pyramid area, much less the pyramids of several outstanding high schools in the county. 99% of us can't have it all when we make decisions about buying and renting. In my case we compromised on townhouse size so kids share rooms. In your case you chose to compromise on schools. Something made you choose to live in the Lewis pyramid, and you feel entitled to "options" for your kids to attend school elsewhere.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
You were never going to get an equivalent education at Lewis and WS, starting with the fact that Lewis has a leadership program that WS doesn't have and WS has an AP curriculum that Lewis hasn't had.
So tell us again, what is it that you really want? Do you think a few hundred WS kids will put Lewis on the same footing as WS, or will it just make you feel better about having bought in the Lewis district if a few hundred more kids are similarly stranded there?
Not sure what you are getting at. I don’t need to “feel better about buying in the Lewis pyramid. I love my home and we bought before we had children. And yes, we knew how the school was rated back then but like many in our community, we figured we’d evaluate when the time came for our kids to attend HS. So yes, I am enthusiastic about the boards interest in improving the conditions at Lewis. And if that means adding a few hundred students from other schools to make it happen, so be it.
Again, tell that to my child. Thank her for her service to your child. Her college applications will be less robust, the next few years will be one change after another. One high school freshman year, a different one the following. All to boost up your child’s chances of getting a better class schedule.
Don’t expect us to cheer this as you throw our kids under the bus.
I don’t expect you to do anything but cry and complain as you’ve been doing for the last 300 pages.
And quite frankly, I couldn’t care less about your kid. In the same way that you clearly don’t care about mine.
What a wonderful welcome to the Lewis community. I’m not throwing your kid under, you bought your house knowing you were going to revisit in the high school years. We didn’t. You ARE actively throwing our kids and community under to boost up your own. That is much more malicious than you dealing with consequences you already knew when you bought your house.
Advocating for my kids = throwing yours under the bus? Please. You just expect me to care more about your kids more than I care about mine, and it ain’t happening.
And you expect our children to give up leadership opportunities, friendship groups etc so that yours has a better schedule. Those two things are NOT the same thing. It isn’t equal.
You KNEW these consequences when you bought your house as you said before. We did not. Funnily enough, 16 years ago we had contracts on 2 houses in the Lewis area that fell through before we got the one in WSHS district. At the time it didn’t matter to me, I know my kids would be fine.
But kids aren’t fine if they get switched in the middle of high school. It can have mental health effects AND can lead to disengagement AND not as many leadership opportunities because those kids are moving in the middle of their high school career. If PARENTS want that and willingly move, that is one thing. To have it forced upon you is completely different.
I know you don’t care about my kid. But to pretend that these are not consequences for my children or to claim that the consequence for your child of getting access to 1 or 2 more classes is worth those consequences to my kid is callous and irrational. Those two consequences are NOT the same, they just aren’t. One involves a lot of sacrifice from a kid and yes, that should absolutely be acknowledged by parents who are cheering for a small positive outcome for their child.
But you DID in fact know that boundaries could change, even for you. So what’s your point?
I acknowledge that a change like this would be disruptive to the impacted kids, but I still support it. Both things can be true.
Once you acknowledge the disruption and support it, know that in your support you are actively harming kids like mine. Your child’s future classmates, you are supporting to harm them.
I’m not trying to harm your kid at all. There are many other solutions to get your kid in Calc XYZ.
And no, the boundaries haven’t changed in 60 years and apparently the community had to raise the issue to get it in front of the board, so I didn’t realize a SB would just try to wave a wand and redo everything.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
It is more than this. We bought our house to be in this community and go to the community school. Whether you moved my kids or kids in the community you will absolutely change the community and sense of belonging.
We have been talking about the schools my kids will attend for years. We take them to events at the school (drama performances) to get them used to it. One of my kids is approaching high school and the school board is threatening to move him, away from community, away from all things we have been looking forward to. He is upset and concerned about this. Teachers have been prepping him to be at this school, looking at electives or alternative programs and to strip this away and send him to a pyramid where teachers haven’t been communicating is pretty upsetting.
If we get moved from a high performing school to a badly performing school we will move. Absolutely positively no reason to stay in Fairfax. Housing is expensive. Literally will across the country - if the kids world gets blown up then let’s just make a grand move to a cheaper area with good schools.
Your kids doesn't attend the school so his world is not going to be blown up. He can attend drama and music performances and develop a sense of community at the school he actually attends. He will end up moving with his ES and MS classmates that he knows. He will join activities at his school with those friends and he will make new friends.
Or you an move blow up his world with an entire new area, all new people, a different home, and all the fun that comes with a move.
I have no idea how he is going to handle going to college since you are not likely to be able to prepare him by attending events at the school he is going to 4-8 years in advance and develop a sense of community before he applies.
BS
The biggest factor in buying a house is usually the schools
Quit trying to use other people's kids to fix your housing decision.
Viewing other peoples kids as commodities to right your perceived real estate wrong is very icky.
Why do the opponents always bring the topic back to real estate and property values as primary factors? That should not even be a consideration in education policy.
The top priority should be access to equitable programs for all kids. Those against boundary change like to use words such as "support all kids" but it seems like that's only a false pretext for the real reason: protect property values.
+1
-1 They AREN”T supporting my kids who have been told by teachers, principals and our community to have pride in their school and pyramid for YEARS.
So they are dragging the supports away from my kids as fast as they can. To bolster your kid I suppose.
Again, they and you should explain this to my kids face AND thank them for their service to your child since you seem to see her as a savior for your kid.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
No one buys "priced out" of an entire pyramid area, much less the pyramids of several outstanding high schools in the county. 99% of us can't have it all when we make decisions about buying and renting. In my case we compromised on townhouse size so kids share rooms. In your case you chose to compromise on schools. Something made you choose to live in the Lewis pyramid, and you feel entitled to "options" for your kids to attend school elsewhere.
You have no idea what our living situation is or what we sacrificed to live here. Just more foaming at the mouth from someone worried about protecting their property value.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
You were never going to get an equivalent education at Lewis and WS, starting with the fact that Lewis has a leadership program that WS doesn't have and WS has an AP curriculum that Lewis hasn't had.
So tell us again, what is it that you really want? Do you think a few hundred WS kids will put Lewis on the same footing as WS, or will it just make you feel better about having bought in the Lewis district if a few hundred more kids are similarly stranded there?
DP, but it will allow kids at Lewis to take more classes because more classes will be offered. If more kids want to take an AP class, it will be offered. Same for electives.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
You were never going to get an equivalent education at Lewis and WS, starting with the fact that Lewis has a leadership program that WS doesn't have and WS has an AP curriculum that Lewis hasn't had.
So tell us again, what is it that you really want? Do you think a few hundred WS kids will put Lewis on the same footing as WS, or will it just make you feel better about having bought in the Lewis district if a few hundred more kids are similarly stranded there?
Not sure what you are getting at. I don’t need to “feel better about buying in the Lewis pyramid. I love my home and we bought before we had children. And yes, we knew how the school was rated back then but like many in our community, we figured we’d evaluate when the time came for our kids to attend HS. So yes, I am enthusiastic about the boards interest in improving the conditions at Lewis. And if that means adding a few hundred students from other schools to make it happen, so be it.
Again, tell that to my child. Thank her for her service to your child. Her college applications will be less robust, the next few years will be one change after another. One high school freshman year, a different one the following. All to boost up your child’s chances of getting a better class schedule.
Don’t expect us to cheer this as you throw our kids under the bus.
I don’t expect you to do anything but cry and complain as you’ve been doing for the last 300 pages.
And quite frankly, I couldn’t care less about your kid. In the same way that you clearly don’t care about mine.
What a wonderful welcome to the Lewis community. I’m not throwing your kid under, you bought your house knowing you were going to revisit in the high school years. We didn’t. You ARE actively throwing our kids and community under to boost up your own. That is much more malicious than you dealing with consequences you already knew when you bought your house.
Advocating for my kids = throwing yours under the bus? Please. You just expect me to care more about your kids more than I care about mine, and it ain’t happening.
And you expect our children to give up leadership opportunities, friendship groups etc so that yours has a better schedule. Those two things are NOT the same thing. It isn’t equal.
You KNEW these consequences when you bought your house as you said before. We did not. Funnily enough, 16 years ago we had contracts on 2 houses in the Lewis area that fell through before we got the one in WSHS district. At the time it didn’t matter to me, I know my kids would be fine.
But kids aren’t fine if they get switched in the middle of high school. It can have mental health effects AND can lead to disengagement AND not as many leadership opportunities because those kids are moving in the middle of their high school career. If PARENTS want that and willingly move, that is one thing. To have it forced upon you is completely different.
I know you don’t care about my kid. But to pretend that these are not consequences for my children or to claim that the consequence for your child of getting access to 1 or 2 more classes is worth those consequences to my kid is callous and irrational. Those two consequences are NOT the same, they just aren’t. One involves a lot of sacrifice from a kid and yes, that should absolutely be acknowledged by parents who are cheering for a small positive outcome for their child.
But you DID in fact know that boundaries could change, even for you. So what’s your point?
I acknowledge that a change like this would be disruptive to the impacted kids, but I still support it. Both things can be true.
Once you acknowledge the disruption and support it, know that in your support you are actively harming kids like mine. Your child’s future classmates, you are supporting to harm them.
I’m not trying to harm your kid at all. There are many other solutions to get your kid in Calc XYZ.
And no, the boundaries haven’t changed in 60 years and apparently the community had to raise the issue to get it in front of the board, so I didn’t realize a SB would just try to wave a wand and redo everything.
If you didn’t realize boundaries could or would be adjusted, it’s because you need uninformed and/or unaware of how the demographics of this county have changed dramatically in recent years. That’s a “you” problem, not a SB problem.
Anonymous wrote:Lots of assumptions being made about who does and doesn't support adjustments. This is going to be akin to the common "boomer" vs. new generation conflict. As usual, older folks want to maintain what they feel they rightfully deserve, and younger families want a slice of the same pie.
There are a lot of young, very well-educated families who are completely priced out of top 10 schools. You bet they support boundary changes that make more schools acceptable and affordable. You'd be crazy not to in that position.
spot on! Especially in 22153 (Saratoga/Newington). I’ve talked to many families over the years who either moved or are planning to move/pupil place/private school before HS. Unfortunately our little community of students isn’t large enough to help Lewis get on equal footing with other FCPS schools. Geographically, im not even sure why we are in the Lewis pyramid given that South County is closer in distance and ease of transportation. I wholeheartedly support the SB’s efforts to reasses boundaries and bring more kids to Lewis.
Why would you want people to suffer with you? You gotta sell. Luckily Saratoga is fairly desirable - decent housing stock, community pools and amenities, and convenient. And there’s plenty of “dog mom/dad” DINK buyers who like having more space vs. a condo in Arlington, as well as empty nesters, families with babies who will move out when their kid hits 1st grade, and Catholic school families, not to mention FCPS teachers who pupil place where mom or dad works. Or you could list for rent and get a nice military family to rent for a few years. Just sell and move to the other side of Pohick and your kids could be in bounds for Newington Forest and South County. Or move up the parkway to West Springfield! There’s nothing much that can help Lewis at this point as almost every other school surrounding it is high poverty or also under enrolled.
The only way Saratoga is getting out of Lewis is if ALL the development zoned for Edison comes to pass, and they decide to revisit the Lewis/Edison borders and end up shunting off Saratoga to South County, or if Lewis is closed entirely. Either scenario is AT LEAST 10 years off, conservatively.
I don’t view this as us “suffering together” rather bringing in more students and families like us, to help bring more balance (and thus, opportunities) to Lewis.
Our kids aren’t close to HS age yet, but this boundary assessment will definitely influence whether we join our neighbors in moving/pupil place/go private or if stick around and see if anything can be done to improve Lewis.
This seems like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the SB. If they move kids, people will leave. If they don’t move kids, people will move. They can’t win either way.
Aha.
Well, first, you need to disabuse yourself of the notion that those being redistricted to Lewis are "families like us." They aren't, because they prioritized finding a house zoned to West Springfield rather than settling for Lewis.
Second, you need to anticipate that there will be a lot of attrition, because just because someone gets redistricted to Lewis doesn't mean they will passively accept this and not explore other options.
Third, you need to acknowledge that there are possibilities other than the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario you outlined. Schools can improve if the county encourages development in the surrounding area, or the school does a better job of meeting the needs of the kids who are already zoned for the school. Rezoning - just like adding IB - can be a very crude and not necessarily effective tool for trying to enhance a school's perceived quality.
Oh I see. So, because we were priced out of neighborhoods zoned for WS, our kids don’t deserve an equivalent education? Got it.
To your second point, I guess you missed the part where I suggested that families like mine also have options, and we will continue to exercise them if the SB continues to neglect the needs of the students at Lewis. Trying to stop pupil placements as a retention method ain’t gonna fly!
And as to your third point, there is quite literally no action that the SB can take that will appease everyone. So yes, damned if you do/don’t still applies.
No one buys "priced out" of an entire pyramid area, much less the pyramids of several outstanding high schools in the county. 99% of us can't have it all when we make decisions about buying and renting. In my case we compromised on townhouse size so kids share rooms. In your case you chose to compromise on schools. Something made you choose to live in the Lewis pyramid, and you feel entitled to "options" for your kids to attend school elsewhere.
You have no idea what our living situation is or what we sacrificed to live here. Just more foaming at the mouth from someone worried about protecting their property value.
Yes, what a travesty that you were forced to live in Springfield, VA, in the Lewis pyramid. There were clearly no other options within Fairfax county, in adjacent counties, or in other parts of Virginia or the DMV.
Anonymous wrote:Do the 60% of voters who don't have school age children care as much about redistricting- in favor or against? The 40% who do are probably split on boundary policy. If the SB does it sooner rather than later- they spin- we got it done- limited disruption, more efficient and saved tax payers $. I don't think you would see a republican takeover- of the SB or a successful recall effort. Litigation wise - it won't work to stop a boundary policy.
Oh they will care. The effected homes would lose $100-200k in value overnight. If you are trying to move the equivalent of an entire elementary school, call it ~1,000 homes give or take. That is $100-200 million in home equity destroyed to save expansion/renovation costs for a good school (which will eventually need to be spent anyway because the county will eventually grow because that is how civilizations work).
How well-versed are you in human geography? I would support whatever it is that experts in their fields support. FPAC is a committee of such external experts and even they have stated support of boundary changes in their guidance.
Listening to emotional laymen at community participation who primarily care about their bottom line and their own situation should not hold much weight because they are effectively the equivalent of an anecdote.
More like 1-2 thousand "anecdotes," but sure. Whatever you say.
DP
Anonymous wrote:Lots of saber rattling by Langley parents at the board meeting last night threatening litigation if the School Board adopts revisions to the boundary policy.
They are the definition of “privilege hoarders” and they should be ordered to pay FCPS’s legal fees if they do bring a frivolous lawsuit.
I heard it way differently than your spin. But I guess to someone who is a trying to foment class warfare, you gotta spin it your way.
It’s really sad how much some folks on this board hate their neighbors based on a perception that didn’t even align with reality.
Be well.
What may be more effective than litigation, folks should consider launching candidates to oppose sb members that vote in favor of the policy change in the 2027 election. It is remarkably undemocratic that these members did not make a peep about this change during their campaigns. They should be forced to defend their position at the ballot box.
The problem is that the republicans put up extremist candidates. I was fully prepared to vote for republicans for school board in the fall but each one was a culture warrior focused on things like books and trans kids instead of fixing the operational mistakes and screwed up priorities of FCPS. If they can find normal people next time around, they might win. Problem is being on the school board is a crappy job - you work all the time, get paid almost nothing and have to deal with tons of people attacking you all the time.
The Springfield district republican endorsed candidate was far more qualified than Sandy Anderson, and much more centrist/moderate.
She would not have supported rezoning, and would have fought for her constituents to stay in their neighborhood schools.
If you voted for anderson, then you chose poorly and the more fringe extreme candidate of the two.
+1
These people always complain that the Republican candidates are "too extreme" - meanwhile, they continue to vote in their own extremist candidates on the left. Rinse and repeat.
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