FCPS HS Boundary

[Anonymous]

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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.

Huh? We chose the best pyramid we could afford with the shortest commute to our jobs. But if I’m following your logic, since we couldn’t afford to be in your perfect community, we should simply accept our crappy high school and shouldn’t get excited about the possibility of improvements to it. Did I get that right?

PP. So there it is. You prioritized commute. No one forced you accept a crappy high school- you made that decision. There are plenty of parents who sacrificed their commute or other things to make sure they did not compromise on their kids' high school. You are not one of them. No one is arguing about you celebrating the prospect of the SB moving better performing populations into your high school boundary, but don't expect others to agree with your expectation that you should be entitled to options other than the high school zone that you chose so you could have an easy commute.

Yes, we prioritized short commutes to preserve family time. So that means we are dammed to a sucky school foreve, amirite?

Trust me, I have zero expectation that the people on this board would agree with anything I have to say. But like you, I have an opinion and the right to express it.

What’s really got you upset is that there are ppl who actually support what the board is doing.

No, the PP is calling out your blatant hypocrisy and trying to mooch off of your neighbors. You should have to give up your nice commute, because other people in the county have longer commutes. See what I did there? Equity.

Mooch off my neighbors? Lol. Otay. Well, I guess you got me. I guess we’ll both be the losers in this fight. How’s that for equity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Huh? We chose the best pyramid we could afford with the shortest commute to our jobs. But if I’m following your logic, since we couldn’t afford to be in your perfect community, we should simply accept our crappy high school and shouldn’t get excited about the possibility of improvements to it. Did I get that right?

DP. You should do what you can to improve the school, short of forcing kids from neighboring schools to come be your kid’s classmate just so your kid can have more “opportunity”. Other kids are not just a resource for your kids, and you also stated that you don’t even care about those kids. It’s really gross.

But I’m not forcing anyone to do anything lol. I’m a parent just like you, who wants the best outcome for my kids, JUST LIKE YOU. And I’m simply showing support for our elected leaders who get to make the tough decisions.

[Anonymous]

DP - I get what the Lewis parent is saying (and no, my kids are not in the Lewis boundaries nor is it possible they’ll go there). I think what s/he is saying is all FCPS schools should be good by meeting a minimum threshold. And in the case of Lewis, what it needs is a larger number of students so that it can offer a range of APs like other schools. The SB seems to want all of the schools to be desirable and successful, which is admirable and what they should be doing. I would hope we can all agree on that. Likewise, if there are schools that are overcrowded, it makes sense to draw new boundaries to relieve that overcrowding. Thing is, I would guess most would agree with this - until they think it might affect their kid in what they perceive to be a negative way. We can’t just keep building additions when there is space. Any money available should be spent on renovations so that all schools are on similar footing. And re-drawing boundaries makes that possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fcps desperately needs more dedicated special ed classrooms. They have a huge number of kids without school placements right now just sitting at home. Empty one of these underutilized high school biildings and turn it into a special ed center.

This is a really good idea. FCPS lost access to many private day schools after the seclusion lawsuit. They have hundreds of kids sitting at home waiting for a school placement because they do not have anywhere for these kids to go. Turn one of these underenrolled high schools into a special ed center.

Turn one (or all) of the AAP centers into a special ed center. Those are the kids who really NEED a special environment, for crying out loud.

This doesn't make sense. AAP centers are part of regular elementary schools.
FCPS needs hundreds more seats at day schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP - I get what the Lewis parent is saying (and no, my kids are not in the Lewis boundaries nor is it possible they’ll go there). I think what s/he is saying is all FCPS schools should be good by meeting a minimum threshold. And in the case of Lewis, what it needs is a larger number of students so that it can offer a range of APs like other schools. The SB seems to want all of the schools to be desirable and successful, which is admirable and what they should be doing. I would hope we can all agree on that. Likewise, if there are schools that are overcrowded, it makes sense to draw new boundaries to relieve that overcrowding. Thing is, I would guess most would agree with this - until they think it might affect their kid in what they perceive to be a negative way. We can’t just keep building additions when there is space. Any money available should be spent on renovations so that all schools are on similar footing. And re-drawing boundaries makes that possible.

This exactly, thank you PP!

[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: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.

Huh? We chose the best pyramid we could afford with the shortest commute to our jobs. But if I’m following your logic, since we couldn’t afford to be in your perfect community, we should simply accept our crappy high school and shouldn’t get excited about the possibility of improvements to it. Did I get that right?

DP. You should do what you can to improve the school, short of forcing kids from neighboring schools to come be your kid’s classmate just so your kid can have more “opportunity”. Other kids are not just a resource for your kids, and you also stated that you don’t even care about those kids. It’s really gross.

But I’m not forcing anyone to do anything lol. I’m a parent just like you, who wants the best outcome for my kids, JUST LIKE YOU. And I’m simply showing support for our elected leaders who get to make the tough decisions.

You are a useful idiot, someone who is conditioned to believe the government will always even the odds so you should suffer no negative consequences for your behavior and decisions. You sound like the kind of person who drove a financed late model luxury car while carrying massive student loan debt, then expected others who prudently paid their debt off to be thrilled for you when student loan debt was forgiven.

[Anonymous]

DP - I get what the Lewis parent is saying (and no, my kids are not in the Lewis boundaries nor is it possible they’ll go there). I think what s/he is saying is all FCPS schools should be good by meeting a minimum threshold. And in the case of Lewis, what it needs is a larger number of students so that it can offer a range of APs like other schools. The SB seems to want all of the schools to be desirable and successful, which is admirable and what they should be doing. I would hope we can all agree on that. Likewise, if there are schools that are overcrowded, it makes sense to draw new boundaries to relieve that overcrowding. Thing is, I would guess most would agree with this - until they think it might affect their kid in what they perceive to be a negative way. We can’t just keep building additions when there is space. Any money available should be spent on renovations so that all schools are on similar footing. And re-drawing boundaries makes that possible.

This. I have no dog in this fight. This makes the most sense to me as a taxpayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: 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.

A one time move for some portion of WSHS kids that will benefit all the kids going through Lewis for years to come. Sounds like a good deal to me. All while fixing overcrowding at one and under-enrollment at the other. Why is it even a discussion? This should have happened yesterday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

.

Cool. Sacrifice one kid for another. Darn those who planned ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 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.

A one time move for some portion of WSHS kids that will benefit all the kids going through Lewis for years to come. Sounds like a good deal to me. All while fixing overcrowding at one and under-enrollment at the other. Why is it even a discussion? This should have happened yesterday.

How does this fix the problems at Lewis? The ESL population will not start to pass standardized tests just because a segment of previously zoned WSHS students now attend Lewis. If anything it will mask the problem: yay! Now there’s a 76% pass rate on Algebra 1 versus 65%. Meanwhile the ESL population continues to fail and is not provided the resourcing to fix the problem.

[Anonymous]

It will be interesting to watch the musical chairs.

As a school/neighborhood is rezoned for a pyramid like Lewis, prospective buyers with kids will probably avoid buying in those zones and inevitably enrollments will plummet.

I guess FCPS will adjust boundaries again?

Throw in the increasing poverty that appears to be centralized in few areas and the problem will continue to be exacerbated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP - I get what the Lewis parent is saying (and no, my kids are not in the Lewis boundaries nor is it possible they’ll go there). I think what s/he is saying is all FCPS schools should be good by meeting a minimum threshold. And in the case of Lewis, what it needs is a larger number of students so that it can offer a range of APs like other schools. The SB seems to want all of the schools to be desirable and successful, which is admirable and what they should be doing. I would hope we can all agree on that. Likewise, if there are schools that are overcrowded, it makes sense to draw new boundaries to relieve that overcrowding. Thing is, I would guess most would agree with this - until they think it might affect their kid in what they perceive to be a negative way. We can’t just keep building additions when there is space. Any money available should be spent on renovations so that all schools are on similar footing. And re-drawing boundaries makes that possible.

It’s blatant hypocrisy to wait until your own school is generously renovated and/or expanded and then say we have to move kids out of other schools because we can’t possibly keep building additions. Of course, we could - it’s just a group of people who otherwise have never met a dollar they wouldn’t spend claiming we now have to tighten our belts because that’s the narrative they’ve come up with to advance their socialist agenda. The proof is how they keep proclaiming we can’t possibly spend money on an addition to a high school, but turn a blind eye to Karl Frisch’s far more expensive, and useless, boondoggle at Dunn Loring.

Anyway, enough people see through the hypocrisy that it’s not going to end well for FCPS. As they systematically weaken neighborhoods and schools, and community ties to local schools, they’ll find themselves chasing an ever-decreasing number of students to try and cover up the problems at the growing number of declining schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The supporters don't have to organize to do anything because the School Board is doing something. They can send their emails and call their School Board member and say they appreciate the change. They don't need to raise funds for law suits or develop literature. The School Board is going to proceed with the plan and the boundaries are going to shift.

How many parents are really upset about this the the schools that are most likely to be affected? We hear from the most vocal opponents here but I suspect that those opponents don't fully speak for the entire community. I would bet that the parents who are safely within the school boundaries could careless what happens to the parents on the edge of the boundary. There might even be parents who are well within the boundaries who want the changes to happen to relieve overcrowding at the school. Their house isn't going to drop in value and their kids are not moving so they at best don't care and at worst would like to see it happen.

This is me. We bought well within a desired school boundary. I am excited at the prospect of a boundary review to fix all the overcrowding. Not only will my property value not drop, it may actually go up since there will be fewer homes available in the "good" school zone. There are many, many homeowners in this same situation. Basically everyone except the Great Falls and West Springfield homes that get moved will become part of the now smaller pool of homes that go to the currently perceived "good" schools. And the Herndon/Lewis homes will get a modest boost as well. You're really swimming upstream if you think you can stop this from happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 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.

A one time move for some portion of WSHS kids that will benefit all the kids going through Lewis for years to come. Sounds like a good deal to me. All while fixing overcrowding at one and under-enrollment at the other. Why is it even a discussion? This should have happened yesterday.

Should’ve been done years ago but, better late than never!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will be interesting to watch the musical chairs.

As a school/neighborhood is rezoned for a pyramid like Lewis, prospective buyers with kids will probably avoid buying in those zones and inevitably enrollments will plummet.

I guess FCPS will adjust boundaries again?

Throw in the increasing poverty that appears to be centralized in few areas and the problem will continue to be exacerbated.

+1. The problem is that they’ve only taken a few baby steps at best to make a school like Lewis marginally more attractive. The general inference is that it’s just the presence of redistricted kids who would do that work for FCPS, and redistricted families can frustrate that goal by refusing to send their kids there.