McLean to Explore Separating from FC & FCPS

[Anonymous]

Just noting this...
https://www.vox.com/2019/9/6/20853091/school-secession-racial-segregation-louisiana-alabama

But the study finds that these moves largely have a racial and economic impact: the smaller districts created through the secession process are usually whiter and have more affluent residents than the districts they leave behind, which are larger, have more nonwhite students, and more students in low-income or impoverished households. Those differences mean that when a splinter district breaks off it can reinforce, and in some cases worsen, school segregation.

If you think this just happens in the South...looking at Mass (where there is an active, voluntary program (METCO) to try to integrate schools across districts), here are the Boston/Newton numbers...with METCO students included.

Boston:
42.5% Hispanic
33% Black
14% White
9% Asian

Newton: (METCO enrollment about 3% of overall total)
8% Hispanic
5% Black
61% White
19% Asian


Overview of METCO https://theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/boston-metco-program-school-desegregation/584224/

[Anonymous]

The reason this thread is at 42 pages of comments already is because (1) McLean parents are fed up with the subpar education at FCPS and (2) FCPS sycophants realize the very real threat that an independent McLean poses to their monopoly stranglehold on public education in this county, so they've come out of the woodwork to try to nip it in the bud.

I don't live in McLean (although, I'd consider moving there if they can successfully break away from FCPS) but I'm rooting for you guys to take back your children's education from the political hacks who have run FCPS into the dysfunctional clown show it is in 2020.

[Anonymous]

I support McLean. It’s about time for FCPS to shift focus from equity, school names, one Fairfax, bathroom issues, blah blah, to EDUCATION.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason this thread is at 42 pages of comments already is because (1) McLean parents are fed up with the subpar education at FCPS and (2) FCPS sycophants realize the very real threat that an independent McLean poses to their monopoly stranglehold on public education in this county, so they've come out of the woodwork to try to nip it in the bud.

I don't live in McLean (although, I'd consider moving there if they can successfully break away from FCPS) but I'm rooting for you guys to take back your children's education from the political hacks who have run FCPS into the dysfunctional clown show it is in 2020.

Agreed!! McLean resident and Langley parent here. We will join MCA. Let's get this done. Couldn't wait!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just noting this...
https://www.vox.com/2019/9/6/20853091/school-secession-racial-segregation-louisiana-alabama

But the study finds that these moves largely have a racial and economic impact: the smaller districts created through the secession process are usually whiter and have more affluent residents than the districts they leave behind, which are larger, have more nonwhite students, and more students in low-income or impoverished households. Those differences mean that when a splinter district breaks off it can reinforce, and in some cases worsen, school segregation.

If you think this just happens in the South...looking at Mass (where there is an active, voluntary program (METCO) to try to integrate schools across districts), here are the Boston/Newton numbers...with METCO students included.

Boston:
42.5% Hispanic
33% Black
14% White
9% Asian

Newton: (METCO enrollment about 3% of overall total)
8% Hispanic
5% Black
61% White
19% Asian


Overview of METCO https://theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/boston-metco-program-school-desegregation/584224/

that's why this won't happen. McLean can most likely get Town status pretty easily, but moving from Town to City status is a lot harder and much more difficult politically

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just noting this...
https://www.vox.com/2019/9/6/20853091/school-secession-racial-segregation-louisiana-alabama

But the study finds that these moves largely have a racial and economic impact: the smaller districts created through the secession process are usually whiter and have more affluent residents than the districts they leave behind, which are larger, have more nonwhite students, and more students in low-income or impoverished households. Those differences mean that when a splinter district breaks off it can reinforce, and in some cases worsen, school segregation.

If you think this just happens in the South...looking at Mass (where there is an active, voluntary program (METCO) to try to integrate schools across districts), here are the Boston/Newton numbers...with METCO students included.

Boston:
42.5% Hispanic
33% Black
14% White
9% Asian

Newton: (METCO enrollment about 3% of overall total)
8% Hispanic
5% Black
61% White
19% Asian


Overview of METCO https://theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/boston-metco-program-school-desegregation/584224/

that's why this won't happen. McLean can most likely get Town status pretty easily, but moving from Town to City status is a lot harder and much more difficult politically

But the schools impacted would not change the current racial makeup. At least not initially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just noting this...
https://www.vox.com/2019/9/6/20853091/school-secession-racial-segregation-louisiana-alabama

But the study finds that these moves largely have a racial and economic impact: the smaller districts created through the secession process are usually whiter and have more affluent residents than the districts they leave behind, which are larger, have more nonwhite students, and more students in low-income or impoverished households. Those differences mean that when a splinter district breaks off it can reinforce, and in some cases worsen, school segregation.

If you think this just happens in the South...looking at Mass (where there is an active, voluntary program (METCO) to try to integrate schools across districts), here are the Boston/Newton numbers...with METCO students included.

Boston:
42.5% Hispanic
33% Black
14% White
9% Asian

Newton: (METCO enrollment about 3% of overall total)
8% Hispanic
5% Black
61% White
19% Asian


Overview of METCO https://theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/boston-metco-program-school-desegregation/584224/

that's why this won't happen. McLean can most likely get Town status pretty easily, but moving from Town to City status is a lot harder and much more difficult politically

But the schools impacted would not change the current racial makeup. At least not initially.

But the study finds that these moves largely have a racial and economic impact: the smaller districts created through the secession process are usually whiter and have more affluent residents than the districts they leave behind, which are larger, have more nonwhite students, and more students in low-income or impoverished households.

[Anonymous]

Wait, they can’t invest the same money in McLean that they are investing in other less overcrowded schools because they might want to change the demographics there so more URMs can enjoy a shitty modular and trailers like the kids at McLean? No wonder FCPS is cratering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mclean. And Langley should look like high end private schools when considering the taxes that zone pays, contributes the best students / residents to the future.

Langley parent here and the PP ^^^ is obviously a troll. Don’t fall for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason this thread is at 42 pages of comments already is because (1) McLean parents are fed up with the subpar education at FCPS and (2) FCPS sycophants realize the very real threat that an independent McLean poses to their monopoly stranglehold on public education in this county, so they've come out of the woodwork to try to nip it in the bud.

I don't live in McLean (although, I'd consider moving there if they can successfully break away from FCPS) but I'm rooting for you guys to take back your children's education from the political hacks who have run FCPS into the dysfunctional clown show it is in 2020.

+ a million

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only thing these so-called run down facilities are impacting is your snobby and deluded sense of entitlement, which makes you believe your local public high school should look more like an elite private academy or country club.

And it’s your deluded sense of entitlement that’s negatively impacting your kids, not some silly modular classroom.

As a McLean tax payer, I am not expecting McLean HS to look like an elite private school like Potomac school but I expect it to be in a good shape at least like Justice HS. Even Justice HS is in better maintenance than McLean HS. That’s not right.

'
You're not a McLean tax payer. You are a Fairfax County taxpayer who happens to live in the McLean area, which has no agreed upon definition anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, they can’t invest the same money in McLean that they are investing in other less overcrowded schools because they might want to change the demographics there so more URMs can enjoy a shitty modular and trailers like the kids at McLean? No wonder FCPS is cratering.

they just invested it in Langley. You're district got a massive renovation, now other districts get massive renovations, McLean will probably be in the next group

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, they can’t invest the same money in McLean that they are investing in other less overcrowded schools because they might want to change the demographics there so more URMs can enjoy a shitty modular and trailers like the kids at McLean? No wonder FCPS is cratering.

they just invested it in Langley. You're district got a massive renovation, now other districts get massive renovations, McLean will probably be in the next group

What "district"? The only district now is FCPS, and within FCPS Langley and McLean are in different regions (Langley - Region 1; McLean - Region 2), not that it should matter. And FCPS has steadfastly refused to offer McLean any capital investment other than a second-hand modular when less overcrowded schools built after McLean are getting architect-designed, permanent additions that will end up costly about $20M.

It's hard to take the "pipe down" posts seriously when they are based on bad assumptions. We've been trying to get FCPS's attention for years. First they lied to us, then they ignored us, and soon they will try and cram a boundary change with Langley down our throats that will leave McLean with fewer teachers, fewer electives, and an aging infrastructure. They are hurting our community and we are tired of being played. If there is ANY way to exit Fairfax County and FCPS, we will pursue it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, they can’t invest the same money in McLean that they are investing in other less overcrowded schools because they might want to change the demographics there so more URMs can enjoy a shitty modular and trailers like the kids at McLean? No wonder FCPS is cratering.

they just invested it in Langley. You're district got a massive renovation, now other districts get massive renovations, McLean will probably be in the next group

What "district"? The only district now is FCPS, and within FCPS Langley and McLean are in different regions (Langley - Region 1; McLean - Region 2), not that it should matter. And FCPS has steadfastly refused to offer McLean any capital investment other than a second-hand modular when less overcrowded schools built after McLean are getting architect-designed, permanent additions that will end up costly about $20M.

It's hard to take the "pipe down" posts seriously when they are based on bad assumptions. We've been trying to get FCPS's attention for years. First they lied to us, then they ignored us, and soon they will try and cram a boundary change with Langley down our throats that will leave McLean with fewer teachers, fewer electives, and an aging infrastructure. They are hurting our community and we are tired of being played. If there is ANY way to exit Fairfax County and FCPS, we will pursue it.

Dranesville- the electoral district that comprises Langley and McLea. Both schools have the same representative, maybe the Langley parents are better at lobbying

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, they can’t invest the same money in McLean that they are investing in other less overcrowded schools because they might want to change the demographics there so more URMs can enjoy a shitty modular and trailers like the kids at McLean? No wonder FCPS is cratering.

they just invested it in Langley. You're district got a massive renovation, now other districts get massive renovations, McLean will probably be in the next group

What "district"? The only district now is FCPS, and within FCPS Langley and McLean are in different regions (Langley - Region 1; McLean - Region 2), not that it should matter. And FCPS has steadfastly refused to offer McLean any capital investment other than a second-hand modular when less overcrowded schools built after McLean are getting architect-designed, permanent additions that will end up costly about $20M.

It's hard to take the "pipe down" posts seriously when they are based on bad assumptions. We've been trying to get FCPS's attention for years. First they lied to us, then they ignored us, and soon they will try and cram a boundary change with Langley down our throats that will leave McLean with fewer teachers, fewer electives, and an aging infrastructure. They are hurting our community and we are tired of being played. If there is ANY way to exit Fairfax County and FCPS, we will pursue it.

^ and I will say to Langley we do appreciate that you are willing to accept more kids, but we also know that you are worried about kids coming into Cooper MS in the middle of a renovation (so it would probably be a while), plus you know Langley is going to need many of its current seats because of big developments like the Arden development off Route 7, turnover in some of the Langley neighborhoods built in the 70s and 80s, and the additional kids from Cooper who will end up at Langley if they change TJ admissions.

We commiserate together about the haphazard planning; now it's time for us to take more aggressive action to maintain the quality of our schools.