APS: Think the "no move" campaign is going to work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there are four plans for how to move schools, or set boundaries, and people were forced to vote, and 40% liked Option A and 20% liked Options B, C, and D, they would go with Option A because it is twice as popular as any other option, its a clear winner, right? Well, 60% of people--the majority--would be mad, because their preference didn't win.

And if they looked at the results from the first vote and said well, none of these got a majority, we'll adjust the plans and take another vote, and the second time around 50% liked Option A, 30% liked Option B, and 10% liked Options C and D, you would have a majority but you would still have only 50% of people happy, plus all the people who switched from C and D to B and STILL lost would be even more pissed.

Everyone needs to accept that most people aren't going to be happy and get everything they want. We have to get to where people will accept a solution that they can live with. Without all the damn dramatics.

Unfortunately people have seen that school groups that yell loud enough tend to get what they want from the SB. APS has had a hand in creating this monster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

There are a lot of base costs associated with a school, so having a lot of smaller schools eats up budget. (They all have to have a principal, asst principal, librarian, etc.) A lot of positions don't scale well. The schools that were turned into community centers are a LOT smaller than most schools now. And the costs to bring them up to speed are a lot -- they are spending $25M just to convert the former H-B building, which hadn't been updated in 50 years even though it was functioning as a school building for 700 kids, to make it a modern middle school. It's not like $5M to convert an existing building, it's closer to the cost of building new.

If there were easy solutions, they would do them. Discovery was the only easy one where APS owned a huge piece of land and the boundaries for all of the neighboring schools were demographically the same. Reed is the only easy-to-convert building and people are losing their *#&@ over boundaries. APS owned the Wilson building and look how hard it was to figure out what to put there and then how many complaints there have been about what they ended up doing. And again, it took them an extra year or two to get the neighborhood to let them build Fleet next to TJ because the County owned part of the parcel, and then people went nuts over moving boundaries in south Arlington.

The amount of energy people spend arguing over this stuff and complaining about staff and yelling at each other. There is no good solution. There is rarely a better solution. There are choices between not-great solutions that will make kids have to change schools and make families have to change their arrangements, and maybe leave some schools overcrowded for a while and maybe make some undercrowded for a while. All we are debating is which ones, and no answer is the right answer.

Yes, there are cost barriers to this solution which is why it will never happen. But generally smaller, well-distributed elementary schools are better for kids/families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone just suggested that a new school could be built where the central library is. Really?? That is outrageous to even consider taking away a public resource like that.

There’s actually a lot of land there that could probably be designed to keep the library and build a school. So I could see that as a possibility

It's half a mile from the ASFS campus. Not easy to draw a boundary that way with two neighborhood schools so close (like Reed/McK).

So make one of them an option school.

um hello - see how that's working out for Reed and McK? Seems so simple doesn't it.

It's just a bunch of whiners. Not ACTUAL problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

How do you think that would work for elderly people who really shouldn't drive anymore but want to stay engaged, yet can't get to that centrally-located community center without riding buses for an hour each way and transferring twice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

How do you think that would work for elderly people who really shouldn't drive anymore but want to stay engaged, yet can't get to that centrally-located community center without riding buses for an hour each way and transferring twice?

They can continue to use the many low-cost/free transportation options that the county offers for senior citizens. Cheaper and safer than owning/driving a car.
https://aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/resources/transportation/
https://www.arlingtontransit.com/riding-art/how-to-ride/how-to-ride-for-senior-citizens/senior-center-adult-transportation-scat/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

How do you think that would work for elderly people who really shouldn't drive anymore but want to stay engaged, yet can't get to that centrally-located community center without riding buses for an hour each way and transferring twice?

They can continue to use the many low-cost/free transportation options that the county offers for senior citizens. Cheaper and safer than owning/driving a car.
https://aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/resources/transportation/
https://www.arlingtontransit.com/riding-art/how-to-ride/how-to-ride-for-senior-citizens/senior-center-adult-transportation-scat/

Those options are pretty limited. It's basically either reduced cost mass transit (assuming it runs near your home), or a reduced-cost shuttle service where you have to know a week in advance exactly what time you'll want to go to the community center to exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

How do you think that would work for elderly people who really shouldn't drive anymore but want to stay engaged, yet can't get to that centrally-located community center without riding buses for an hour each way and transferring twice?

They can continue to use the many low-cost/free transportation options that the county offers for senior citizens. Cheaper and safer than owning/driving a car.
https://aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/resources/transportation/
https://www.arlingtontransit.com/riding-art/how-to-ride/how-to-ride-for-senior-citizens/senior-center-adult-transportation-scat/

Those options are pretty limited. It's basically either reduced cost mass transit (assuming it runs near your home), or a reduced-cost shuttle service where you have to know a week in advance exactly what time you'll want to go to the community center to exercise.

Let’s be clear, public education is a core government function. Providing extracurricular programming for bored seniors isn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

How do you think that would work for elderly people who really shouldn't drive anymore but want to stay engaged, yet can't get to that centrally-located community center without riding buses for an hour each way and transferring twice?

They can continue to use the many low-cost/free transportation options that the county offers for senior citizens. Cheaper and safer than owning/driving a car.
https://aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/resources/transportation/
https://www.arlingtontransit.com/riding-art/how-to-ride/how-to-ride-for-senior-citizens/senior-center-adult-transportation-scat/

Those options are pretty limited. It's basically either reduced cost mass transit (assuming it runs near your home), or a reduced-cost shuttle service where you have to know a week in advance exactly what time you'll want to go to the community center to exercise.

Let’s be clear, public education is a core government function. Providing extracurricular programming for bored seniors isn’t.

Let's be clear, IPads, Small Class Sizes, Swimming, Montessori, Immersion, Pre-K FLES...are not core government functions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone just suggested that a new school could be built where the central library is. Really?? That is outrageous to even consider taking away a public resource like that.

There’s actually a lot of land there that could probably be designed to keep the library and build a school. So I could see that as a possibility

It'd be tight. The land is jam-packed with soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball court, playground, etc.

What is the smallest footprint that is feasible? Underground parking, multi-level. Could work but it'd be $$$.

They don't need another school building there. They need it by Columbia Pike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone just suggested that a new school could be built where the central library is. Really?? That is outrageous to even consider taking away a public resource like that.

There’s actually a lot of land there that could probably be designed to keep the library and build a school. So I could see that as a possibility

It'd be tight. The land is jam-packed with soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball court, playground, etc.

What is the smallest footprint that is feasible? Underground parking, multi-level. Could work but it'd be $$$.

They don't need another school building there. They need it by Columbia Pike.

That’s already in the works. This would be after that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

How do you think that would work for elderly people who really shouldn't drive anymore but want to stay engaged, yet can't get to that centrally-located community center without riding buses for an hour each way and transferring twice?

They can continue to use the many low-cost/free transportation options that the county offers for senior citizens. Cheaper and safer than owning/driving a car.
https://aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/resources/transportation/
https://www.arlingtontransit.com/riding-art/how-to-ride/how-to-ride-for-senior-citizens/senior-center-adult-transportation-scat/

Those options are pretty limited. It's basically either reduced cost mass transit (assuming it runs near your home), or a reduced-cost shuttle service where you have to know a week in advance exactly what time you'll want to go to the community center to exercise.

Let’s be clear, public education is a core government function. Providing extracurricular programming for bored seniors isn’t.

Let's be clear, IPads, Small Class Sizes, Swimming, Montessori, Immersion, Pre-K FLES...are not core government functions.

Those are all aspects of public education that Arlingtonians value and are willing to pay for.

The county wants a fairly desirable school system. Not “the best” or they’d be putting even more money into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county should reclaim community centers. Better to have smaller, well-distributed elementary schools than places for seniors to do yoga.

Build them a fancy community center at Quincy and take back the community centers.

Let us know how you feel about that 20 or 30 years from now.

+1. The answer can't be "screw everyone but parents of school-age kids," because the county simply won't go along with that and it undermines the credibility of school advocates.

When I've taken a class at the community center I often have to drive across the county. It's easier for me and my class once a week than a family with multiple children who go daily.

What's wrong with a centrally-located community center? They scale better than elementary schools do.

How do you think that would work for elderly people who really shouldn't drive anymore but want to stay engaged, yet can't get to that centrally-located community center without riding buses for an hour each way and transferring twice?

They can continue to use the many low-cost/free transportation options that the county offers for senior citizens. Cheaper and safer than owning/driving a car.
https://aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/resources/transportation/
https://www.arlingtontransit.com/riding-art/how-to-ride/how-to-ride-for-senior-citizens/senior-center-adult-transportation-scat/

Those options are pretty limited. It's basically either reduced cost mass transit (assuming it runs near your home), or a reduced-cost shuttle service where you have to know a week in advance exactly what time you'll want to go to the community center to exercise.

Let’s be clear, public education is a core government function. Providing extracurricular programming for bored seniors isn’t.

Let's be clear, IPads, Small Class Sizes, Swimming, Montessori, Immersion, Pre-K FLES...are not core government functions.

Those are all aspects of public education that Arlingtonians value and are willing to pay for.

The county wants a fairly desirable school system. Not “the best” or they’d be putting even more money into it.

Bored seniors vote...and programming for seniors makes this a fairly desirable community. Also as far as I know most of these community centers have plenty of activities and camps for bored kids.

[Anonymous]

This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone just suggested that a new school could be built where the central library is. Really?? That is outrageous to even consider taking away a public resource like that.

There’s actually a lot of land there that could probably be designed to keep the library and build a school. So I could see that as a possibility

It'd be tight. The land is jam-packed with soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball court, playground, etc.

What is the smallest footprint that is feasible? Underground parking, multi-level. Could work but it'd be $$$.

They don't need another school building there. They need it by Columbia Pike.

That’s already in the works. This would be after that.

DP, but then why are we even talking about it? The last CIP doesn't have the next elementary school (which would be the Columbia Pike one) opening until 2029, which means they probably won't even start planning for one beyond that before 2027, seven years from now, for opening no earlier than 2022. Things could look very different in seven years, making any site planning now a moot point. Sure, take an inventory and identify locations that should be preserved as potential future sites, but anything beyond that is wasted effort.