FCPS HS Boundary

[Anonymous]

We are told that in 2024 we can’t have nice schools any longer and must revamp boundaries because we have to spend more money on ESOL/FARMS kids and construction costs are too high.

It’s the School Board that makes this an overtly political discussion because they keep shouting from the rooftops that the fiscal and policy decisions of their own party have brought us to an unfortunate point where the people who pay the taxes and abide by the law no longer deserve nice things and should accept mediocrity or worse.

To hell with them and the candidates they support.

[Anonymous]

^ One thing I will say is that the effort to get cell phones out of the classroom is a good one. That is another thing that makes it really hard for teachers. And parents need to support this effort. Parental support is often not there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This forum feels like it has spiraled into a panic. You will feel better if you stop yelling into the void and do something.

They are passing the new policy next Thursday. Show up to the board meeting to protest.

Call your member.

Call the at large members.

Call your board of supervisors member and let them know that you are a life-long democrat that is going to turn on the party in local elections if this happens.

Call the Fairfax Dems and tell them and let them know it is because their SB endorse candidates are playing with dynamite.

They are reasonably easy to reach in my limited experience.

You won’t stop the policy change but the more vocal you are the more likely the members (and the superintendent) will receive the message that this is politically dangerous for them.

Insist that the communities have to have a say and can’t just be rolled over.

Then do it all again.

Thank you for coming to my Tedtalk.

Calling to tell them I actually support them on something for once.

Same- will encourage them to move forward.

Same!

Ha, the three SJW amigos who always respond in rapid succession and are definitely not the same person out family.

I really wish you had to post as a registered user (or that you had something else to do with your life). Your frequent posts calling people SJWs and asserting that there is only one person who disagrees with you or that they are school board members or staff are so very tiresome. If I were you, I would go through and count your posts on this stupid thread and engage in some reflection.

No, this person has a fair point. It's obviously one person posting in succession to create the impression there is more support for boundary changes than there actually is.

[Anonymous]

We are told that in 2024 we can’t have nice schools any longer and must revamp boundaries because we have to spend more money on ESOL/FARMS kids and construction costs are too high.

It’s the School Board that makes this an overtly political discussion because they keep shouting from the rooftops that the fiscal and policy decisions of their own party have brought us to an unfortunate point where the people who pay the taxes and abide by the law no longer deserve nice things and should accept mediocrity or worse.

To hell with them and the candidates they support.

We were told this in 2002 (NCLB) if you were around back then. My kid graduated from WSHS in 2014 and his education was not nearly as good as what I got (graduated 1976). Why? Because even AP classes are not the same as an honors classes were in my day. We were taking notes like in college (no handouts, no canned materials that the teacher had not even read) and writing a LOT more. I was way more ready for college. Of course the teachers had to work hard too, but they did. Now it's a whole different story. Subpar materials that are written by people who were never teachers or who are not in a classroom (not experiencing what works). No immediate feedback that is on a deeper level (maybe that will change with AI . . . we will see).

Teachers are not appreciated nor will they put in more hours on the pay they get. There is no longer the kind of excitement a person gets from being creative and watching children grow.

Teachers can no longer afford to live in the school neighborhood, yet their students can (unless they have a partner who makes bank). As a result students do not see their teachers around them as much (outside of school). Many teachers are driving in from outer areas. I know teachers who do crazy things like take the train up from Fredericksburg and then get picked up and driven to school. Teachers who live out in Warrenton and work in Centreville. If they have an inservice over in Mount Vernon they stay overnight with another teacher. That kind of stuff.

Students do not have the same respect for teachers. Common question from my students: Why are you doing this? Couldn't you get a better job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This forum feels like it has spiraled into a panic. You will feel better if you stop yelling into the void and do something.

They are passing the new policy next Thursday. Show up to the board meeting to protest.

Call your member.

Call the at large members.

Call your board of supervisors member and let them know that you are a life-long democrat that is going to turn on the party in local elections if this happens.

Call the Fairfax Dems and tell them and let them know it is because their SB endorse candidates are playing with dynamite.

They are reasonably easy to reach in my limited experience.

You won’t stop the policy change but the more vocal you are the more likely the members (and the superintendent) will receive the message that this is politically dangerous for them.

Insist that the communities have to have a say and can’t just be rolled over.

Then do it all again.

Thank you for coming to my Tedtalk.

Calling to tell them I actually support them on something for once.

Same- will encourage them to move forward.

Same!

Ha, the three SJW amigos who always respond in rapid succession and are definitely not the same person out family.

I really wish you had to post as a registered user (or that you had something else to do with your life). Your frequent posts calling people SJWs and asserting that there is only one person who disagrees with you or that they are school board members or staff are so very tiresome. If I were you, I would go through and count your posts on this stupid thread and engage in some reflection.

No, this person has a fair point. It's obviously one person posting in succession to create the impression there is more support for boundary changes than there actually is.

And you would be wrong. Don’t believe me, ask the mod.

I’m happy to see other posters here in support of the policy. There any many, many more of us across the county, whether you want o believe it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This forum feels like it has spiraled into a panic. You will feel better if you stop yelling into the void and do something.

They are passing the new policy next Thursday. Show up to the board meeting to protest.

Call your member.

Call the at large members.

Call your board of supervisors member and let them know that you are a life-long democrat that is going to turn on the party in local elections if this happens.

Call the Fairfax Dems and tell them and let them know it is because their SB endorse candidates are playing with dynamite.

They are reasonably easy to reach in my limited experience.

You won’t stop the policy change but the more vocal you are the more likely the members (and the superintendent) will receive the message that this is politically dangerous for them.

Insist that the communities have to have a say and can’t just be rolled over.

Then do it all again.

Thank you for coming to my Tedtalk.

Calling to tell them I actually support them on something for once.

Same- will encourage them to move forward.

Same!

Ha, the three SJW amigos who always respond in rapid succession and are definitely not the same person out family.

I really wish you had to post as a registered user (or that you had something else to do with your life). Your frequent posts calling people SJWs and asserting that there is only one person who disagrees with you or that they are school board members or staff are so very tiresome. If I were you, I would go through and count your posts on this stupid thread and engage in some reflection.

No, this person has a fair point. It's obviously one person posting in succession to create the impression there is more support for boundary changes than there actually is.

And you would be wrong. Don’t believe me, ask the mod.

I’m happy to see other posters here in support of the policy. There any many, many more of us across the county, whether you want o believe it or not.

Yes, all the people who are rooting for our kids have disruption so their kid can have a better schedule. Or the ones who have houses within walking distance of their preferred high school.

If selfishness isn’t at the root of your support, then you should be asking for generous grandfathering in this policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This forum feels like it has spiraled into a panic. You will feel better if you stop yelling into the void and do something.

They are passing the new policy next Thursday. Show up to the board meeting to protest.

Call your member.

Call the at large members.

Call your board of supervisors member and let them know that you are a life-long democrat that is going to turn on the party in local elections if this happens.

Call the Fairfax Dems and tell them and let them know it is because their SB endorse candidates are playing with dynamite.

They are reasonably easy to reach in my limited experience.

You won’t stop the policy change but the more vocal you are the more likely the members (and the superintendent) will receive the message that this is politically dangerous for them.

Insist that the communities have to have a say and can’t just be rolled over.

Then do it all again.

Thank you for coming to my Tedtalk.

Calling to tell them I actually support them on something for once.

Same- will encourage them to move forward.

Same!

Ha, the three SJW amigos who always respond in rapid succession and are definitely not the same person out family.

I really wish you had to post as a registered user (or that you had something else to do with your life). Your frequent posts calling people SJWs and asserting that there is only one person who disagrees with you or that they are school board members or staff are so very tiresome. If I were you, I would go through and count your posts on this stupid thread and engage in some reflection.

No, this person has a fair point. It's obviously one person posting in succession to create the impression there is more support for boundary changes than there actually is.

And you would be wrong. Don’t believe me, ask the mod.

I’m happy to see other posters here in support of the policy. There any many, many more of us across the county, whether you want o believe it or not.

DP. You could be right, in which case enjoy your political domination. You are gradually driving out those you expect to support these ill-conceived schemes to make every school the same. Or, stated differently, you'll get your wish and all the schools will be equally BAD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This forum feels like it has spiraled into a panic. You will feel better if you stop yelling into the void and do something.

They are passing the new policy next Thursday. Show up to the board meeting to protest.

Call your member.

Call the at large members.

Call your board of supervisors member and let them know that you are a life-long democrat that is going to turn on the party in local elections if this happens.

Call the Fairfax Dems and tell them and let them know it is because their SB endorse candidates are playing with dynamite.

They are reasonably easy to reach in my limited experience.

You won’t stop the policy change but the more vocal you are the more likely the members (and the superintendent) will receive the message that this is politically dangerous for them.

Insist that the communities have to have a say and can’t just be rolled over.

Then do it all again.

Thank you for coming to my Tedtalk.

Calling to tell them I actually support them on something for once.

Same- will encourage them to move forward.

Same!

Ha, the three SJW amigos who always respond in rapid succession and are definitely not the same person out family.

I really wish you had to post as a registered user (or that you had something else to do with your life). Your frequent posts calling people SJWs and asserting that there is only one person who disagrees with you or that they are school board members or staff are so very tiresome. If I were you, I would go through and count your posts on this stupid thread and engage in some reflection.

No, this person has a fair point. It's obviously one person posting in succession to create the impression there is more support for boundary changes than there actually is.

And you would be wrong. Don’t believe me, ask the mod.

I’m happy to see other posters here in support of the policy. There any many, many more of us across the county, whether you want o believe it or not.

Yes, all the people who are rooting for our kids have disruption so their kid can have a better schedule. Or the ones who have houses within walking distance of their preferred high school.

If selfishness isn’t at the root of your support, then you should be asking for generous grandfathering in this policy.

Yep, I’d support generous grandfathering (because I’d want the same consideration, if it were my kids). Not sure how generous they can be given the desire to reduce transportation costs, but one can hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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!

Um... Lewis is an IB school.

They aren't going to have a full slate of AP classes no matter how many WSHS students you pull from their neighborhood school.

Well yes, that’s true as of right now. But more kids will translate to additional offerings. Plenty of runway between now and the 2026/2027 school year to make some positive changes at Lewis (don’t see how this could be accomplished any sooner, but I guess we will see)

So basically, you want to screw the WSHS 9th, 10th and 11th graders who lose the draw and have to move to IB Lewis, then in 5 years do it again.

WSHS has one of the most compact boundaries in all of FCPS. In 2 rezoning cycles, you could end up with only 3 feeders to WSHS if you get your way.

They are not changing boundaries every 5 years. They are reviewing them every 5 years. Big difference.

Here is the thing: you have to trust them that this is what they mean. Here is their track record;

1. Running for school board without talking about boundaries. Then redoing boundaries

2. Saying this is just about a new boundary policy and they aren’t redoing boundaries. And then saying they have to do something

3. Referring to having a boundary study done when there was one recently that said no parents wants to redo boundaries. Then saying they are holistically redoing boundaries

So no I’m not so sure they will just “review” the boundaries. Why are you?

1. They’ve been working on boundary-related activities since before the pandemic. The current board is just picking up where the old board left off.

2. They NEVER SAID they weren’t adjusting boundaries. They said that revisions to 8130 was the first step and that no boundary decisions had been made, which is true.

3. The study didn’t conclude that “no parents want to redo boundaries”. It affirmed that the parents who responded so the survey were not in favor of adjustments. There is a difference.

Sounds like you’re upset now because you made a lot of assumptions about what the board would or wouldn’t do.

Regular assessments of the boundaries will help ensure that school resources (buildings, not students) are used in the most efficient way and to the benefit of the FCPS student community at large.

Actually, the consultant report was strongly against rezoning, in spite of the fact that the consultant was hired specifically to justify rezoning, with pro rezoning surveys and very pro rezoning community meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s amazing that after McAuliffe went down in flames after denigrating the importance of listening to parents we have a local school board not just embracing that view, but doing so on steroids.

They are listening to parents. Plenty of parents are okay with the new policy.

[Anonymous]

Grandfathering should be allowed, but you should have to provide your own transportation if you decide to stay at your old school rather than the one you are zoned for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s amazing that after McAuliffe went down in flames after denigrating the importance of listening to parents we have a local school board not just embracing that view, but doing so on steroids.

They are listening to parents. Plenty of parents are okay with the new policy.

You and your spouse = “plenty of parents”. Clown show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2003
Lee - 2092 students
Roughly 23% F/R lunch, 42% white, medium ESL rate (17.3%)

WS - 2259 students
Roughly 7% F/R lunch, 64% white, low ESL rate (7.5%)

2024
Lewis - 1675 students
Roughly 63% F/R lunch, 12% white, high ESL rate (30%)

WS - 2761 students
Roughly 17% F/R lunch, 48% white, low ESL rate (5%)

In 2003 Lee was middle of the road in FCPS. What happened?

IB put into Lee and several other schools

IB actually enabled easier transfer out with the liberal pupil placement policy

Immigrants concentrated in certain schools

2005 boundary change - removed hundreds of students from Lee just as it was getting expanded - some to South County, some to West Springfield; students that departed were on the wealthier end of the spectrum. FCPS knew this was the case

Pupil placement accelerated - FCPS refuses to budge on dropping IB and Lee

2015 boundary change - removed Daventry students - a relatively wealthy neighborhood

In the middle of all of this Great Schools came along and created winners and losers - English speaking Americans, particularly white, just stopped choosing houses in the Lee/Lewis boundary

That is how we got here. Notice the total number of students in 2003 at the two schools. Only different by 167 students. Now in 2024 - different by 1086 students.

Lewis is much smaller, much poorer, and has many more ESL students. The ESL rate at WS actually went down over the years.

The quality of the school (teachers, admin) is not necessarily different or subpar, but the demographics of the students is much different.

How should this be resolved? Long time homeowner wants to know.

If you sent the 230 Lewis students pupil placing to other high schools back to Lewis, Lewis would have over 1900 students, without rezoning.

Maybe. But this doesn’t do anything to alleviate the overcrowding at WS.

And until there is a good faith effort to make Lewis more attractive, parents in my community will continue to pupil place to higher rated schools.

WSHS doesn't need to alleviate any overcrowding.

They still have empty classrooms.

I have one kid at WSHS and one at Irving and have never heard them or any parent or teacher (of which I know quite a few) complain about overcrowding. I've heard people complain it's too competitive on sports teams, which is a symptom of such a big school, but I've never heard anyone wish there were fewer students at the school or that they would change our boundary. We are just going through a swell that I think will naturally correct itself. In the early 2000s, housing prices in 22152 were fairly reasonable and a lot of families or couples intending to have kids moved here. These were (for DC area) "middle class" families. Government jobs, couples with one parent staying at home, teachers, etc. But the people moving in now are not these families. Our housing prices are too high now. I really think the CIP projections are incorrect. There is no new development in West Springfield.

Very accurate observation.

After tge 2008 housing crisis, 22152 homes were snapped up by families with kids.

That is why the class of 2026 is so huge, nearly 150 more students than a typical WSHS high school class, and 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2027 are so big, roughly 75 to 100 more kids than a typical WSHS class.

They were all born between 2005 to 2010, when 22152 was one of the few affordable zip codes in FCPS for low to middle ranking military, GS10s, teachers, firefighters, mmid range office workers, and police officers.

None of those types of families, including enlisted military through captains, can afford to buy in 22152 any more, unless they luck into a hard to find townhouse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This forum feels like it has spiraled into a panic. You will feel better if you stop yelling into the void and do something.

They are passing the new policy next Thursday. Show up to the board meeting to protest.

Call your member.

Call the at large members.

Call your board of supervisors member and let them know that you are a life-long democrat that is going to turn on the party in local elections if this happens.

Call the Fairfax Dems and tell them and let them know it is because their SB endorse candidates are playing with dynamite.

They are reasonably easy to reach in my limited experience.

You won’t stop the policy change but the more vocal you are the more likely the members (and the superintendent) will receive the message that this is politically dangerous for them.

Insist that the communities have to have a say and can’t just be rolled over.

Then do it all again.

Thank you for coming to my Tedtalk.

Calling to tell them I actually support them on something for once.

Same- will encourage them to move forward.

Same!

Ha, the three SJW amigos who always respond in rapid succession and are definitely not the same person out family.

I really wish you had to post as a registered user (or that you had something else to do with your life). Your frequent posts calling people SJWs and asserting that there is only one person who disagrees with you or that they are school board members or staff are so very tiresome. If I were you, I would go through and count your posts on this stupid thread and engage in some reflection.

No, this person has a fair point. It's obviously one person posting in succession to create the impression there is more support for boundary changes than there actually is.

And you would be wrong. Don’t believe me, ask the mod.

I’m happy to see other posters here in support of the policy. There any many, many more of us across the county, whether you want o believe it or not.

Yes, all the people who are rooting for our kids have disruption so their kid can have a better schedule. Or the ones who have houses within walking distance of their preferred high school.

If selfishness isn’t at the root of your support, then you should be asking for generous grandfathering in this policy.

Yep, I’d support generous grandfathering (because I’d want the same consideration, if it were my kids). Not sure how generous they can be given the desire to reduce transportation costs, but one can hope.

Start writing to the school board because it could be your turn in 5 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about the parents that buy properties because of schools, Do they get screwed?

Also, any idea about Chantily and Westfield boundaries? These two schools are like Night and day.

Specific schools are never promised. Boundary changes will happen at some point. It is a risk everyone takes. Houses closer to boundaries have a higher risk. People have gotten complacent in the county because the school board has been extremely reluctant to make more than tweak in respect years. As a result, we are due for an overhaul.

No, we are not due for an overhaul.