FCPS comprehensive boundary review

[Anonymous]

When I was in FCPS years ago, we got redistricted to a new high school in the spring of 8th grade. We'd already signed up for courses at one HS and got told to re-register for different courses at the other HS. Very few kids from our MS got moved, so the only kids we already knew at the second HS were kids from ES (our ES was a split feeder) or some kids we knew from the neighborhood pool.

We were redistricted because the enrollment at the second school had been declining and the local School Board member probably wanted more MC/UMC kids at the school. No one ever used the word "equity" to describe the purpose of the boundary change.

So this stuff is not new even if it hasn't happened recently. People were upset in the short term, and freshman year of HS wasn't great socially, but it worked out fine in the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a copy of the leaked map showing WMES changing to Fairfax HS?

+1


Would like to see the maps as well.

They’re not real. Just some dcum poster making stuff up. Nothing has been proposed yet. You need to wait for facts and not believe the crazy stories on an anonymous website.

At least one FCPS SB rep has publicly shared comments addressing this:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/3d1f239

Other, less public, assurances have also been made. In every instance that I have seen, FCPS firmly disclaims the existence of any “secret maps.” FCPS also firmly denies that any formal proposals have been made.

However, among those who have seen these statements, it is widely believed that the leaks reflect some level of internal, informal discussions. Those informal discussions will lead to maps and proposals if you do not reach out to your representatives and let your voice be heard now.

I’ll believe that “there’s nothing to see here” when FCPS drops their actual proposals in June.

That’s right, June. We won’t get “formal” confirmation until June. Maybe all those angry people calling their reps will just calm down and forget about all of this by June.

FCPS states they plan to release the proposals in June, allow time for comments, then make decisions in the fall. That means that the time that affected communities will have to review and respond to proposed changes has been limited to summer, after the school year ends, and when engagement and focus on school matters is typically lower.

Reach out to your representatives now, before informal discussions become maps and proposals. Organize your community now before families get distracted this summer. When this hits, your community needs to be ready to respond.

FCPS always drops bad news in June because people are going on vacation and not paying attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the virtual boundary review meetings. If you haven’t, the breakout rooms are facilitated by FCPS staff members. The last section is “what questions do you want answered?” and one participant asked for more info on Thru Consulting. I felt like our staff member was a little naive to the sensitivity this entire exercise and explained they are starting with a clean slate and using GIS to redraw. This consulting firm is from up north - they have NO idea about the regional breakdown or impacts of Northern Virginia changes.

The staff member did say their preliminary suggestions will be released for more community feedback. They are going to be eaten alive!! But I also fear very minimal changes will be made post that draft release.

I also attended one where similar questions were asked. They explained they’ll look at the community feedback as well but when you review said feedback online, it’s not very actionable for Thru to implement anything - just a lot of “don’t rezone”. I also fear them basically finger painting new boundaries and then dipping out because it doesn’t impact their neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was in FCPS years ago, we got redistricted to a new high school in the spring of 8th grade. We'd already signed up for courses at one HS and got told to re-register for different courses at the other HS. Very few kids from our MS got moved, so the only kids we already knew at the second HS were kids from ES (our ES was a split feeder) or some kids we knew from the neighborhood pool.

We were redistricted because the enrollment at the second school had been declining and the local School Board member probably wanted more MC/UMC kids at the school. No one ever used the word "equity" to describe the purpose of the boundary change.

So this stuff is not new even if it hasn't happened recently. People were upset in the short term, and freshman year of HS wasn't great socially, but it worked out fine in the end.

Were the schools radically different in quality and educational outcomes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the virtual boundary review meetings. If you haven’t, the breakout rooms are facilitated by FCPS staff members. The last section is “what questions do you want answered?” and one participant asked for more info on Thru Consulting. I felt like our staff member was a little naive to the sensitivity this entire exercise and explained they are starting with a clean slate and using GIS to redraw. This consulting firm is from up north - they have NO idea about the regional breakdown or impacts of Northern Virginia changes.

The staff member did say their preliminary suggestions will be released for more community feedback. They are going to be eaten alive!! But I also fear very minimal changes will be made post that draft release.

Mine said they were using “AI software” which made me roll my eyes. But agreed, fear that it’s going to be a complete new slate vs all these tiny movements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the virtual boundary review meetings. If you haven’t, the breakout rooms are facilitated by FCPS staff members. The last section is “what questions do you want answered?” and one participant asked for more info on Thru Consulting. I felt like our staff member was a little naive to the sensitivity this entire exercise and explained they are starting with a clean slate and using GIS to redraw. This consulting firm is from up north - they have NO idea about the regional breakdown or impacts of Northern Virginia changes.

The staff member did say their preliminary suggestions will be released for more community feedback. They are going to be eaten alive!! But I also fear very minimal changes will be made post that draft release.

Mine said they were using “AI software” which made me roll my eyes. But agreed, fear that it’s going to be a complete new slate vs all these tiny movements.

It seems like there should be more transparency in their methodology. Is that FOIA-able?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was in FCPS years ago, we got redistricted to a new high school in the spring of 8th grade. We'd already signed up for courses at one HS and got told to re-register for different courses at the other HS. Very few kids from our MS got moved, so the only kids we already knew at the second HS were kids from ES (our ES was a split feeder) or some kids we knew from the neighborhood pool.

We were redistricted because the enrollment at the second school had been declining and the local School Board member probably wanted more MC/UMC kids at the school. No one ever used the word "equity" to describe the purpose of the boundary change.

So this stuff is not new even if it hasn't happened recently. People were upset in the short term, and freshman year of HS wasn't great socially, but it worked out fine in the end.

Were the schools radically different in quality and educational outcomes?

Geez! Again, fcps offers the same curriculum. Scores do not tell the whole story.

What kind of chef is better? The one that makes an amazing meal with the most expensive cut of meat? Or the one that makes a good meal with leftovers? And no, I am not calling any students leftovers, calm down already!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the virtual boundary review meetings. If you haven’t, the breakout rooms are facilitated by FCPS staff members. The last section is “what questions do you want answered?” and one participant asked for more info on Thru Consulting. I felt like our staff member was a little naive to the sensitivity this entire exercise and explained they are starting with a clean slate and using GIS to redraw. This consulting firm is from up north - they have NO idea about the regional breakdown or impacts of Northern Virginia changes.

The staff member did say their preliminary suggestions will be released for more community feedback. They are going to be eaten alive!! But I also fear very minimal changes will be made post that draft release.

Mine said they were using “AI software” which made me roll my eyes. But agreed, fear that it’s going to be a complete new slate vs all these tiny movements.

It seems like there should be more transparency in their methodology. Is that FOIA-able?

It’s in their BRAC meeting minutes. It’s called Frontline GIS

https://www.fcps.edu/december-16-2024-superintendents-boundary-review-advisory-committee-meeting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the virtual boundary review meetings. If you haven’t, the breakout rooms are facilitated by FCPS staff members. The last section is “what questions do you want answered?” and one participant asked for more info on Thru Consulting. I felt like our staff member was a little naive to the sensitivity this entire exercise and explained they are starting with a clean slate and using GIS to redraw. This consulting firm is from up north - they have NO idea about the regional breakdown or impacts of Northern Virginia changes.

The staff member did say their preliminary suggestions will be released for more community feedback. They are going to be eaten alive!! But I also fear very minimal changes will be made post that draft release.

Mine said they were using “AI software” which made me roll my eyes. But agreed, fear that it’s going to be a complete new slate vs all these tiny movements.

It seems like there should be more transparency in their methodology. Is that FOIA-able?

Reid said no, claiming that superintendent advisory is privileged and not subject to public scrutiny, or some such nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was in FCPS years ago, we got redistricted to a new high school in the spring of 8th grade. We'd already signed up for courses at one HS and got told to re-register for different courses at the other HS. Very few kids from our MS got moved, so the only kids we already knew at the second HS were kids from ES (our ES was a split feeder) or some kids we knew from the neighborhood pool.

We were redistricted because the enrollment at the second school had been declining and the local School Board member probably wanted more MC/UMC kids at the school. No one ever used the word "equity" to describe the purpose of the boundary change.

So this stuff is not new even if it hasn't happened recently. People were upset in the short term, and freshman year of HS wasn't great socially, but it worked out fine in the end.

Were the schools radically different in quality and educational outcomes?

Geez! Again, fcps offers the same curriculum. Scores do not tell the whole story.

What kind of chef is better? The one that makes an amazing meal with the most expensive cut of meat? Or the one that makes a good meal with leftovers? And no, I am not calling any students leftovers, calm down already!

The one that makes an amazing meal with the most expensive cut of meat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was in FCPS years ago, we got redistricted to a new high school in the spring of 8th grade. We'd already signed up for courses at one HS and got told to re-register for different courses at the other HS. Very few kids from our MS got moved, so the only kids we already knew at the second HS were kids from ES (our ES was a split feeder) or some kids we knew from the neighborhood pool.

We were redistricted because the enrollment at the second school had been declining and the local School Board member probably wanted more MC/UMC kids at the school. No one ever used the word "equity" to describe the purpose of the boundary change.

So this stuff is not new even if it hasn't happened recently. People were upset in the short term, and freshman year of HS wasn't great socially, but it worked out fine in the end.

Were the schools radically different in quality and educational outcomes?

Geez! Again, fcps offers the same curriculum. Scores do not tell the whole story.

What kind of chef is better? The one that makes an amazing meal with the most expensive cut of meat? Or the one that makes a good meal with leftovers? And no, I am not calling any students leftovers, calm down already!

The one that makes an amazing meal with the most expensive cut of meat.

I was an educator for over 20 years. It takes almost zero skill to teach high achiving students. But try getting that F student to become a C student takes way more work.

I guess we use different parameters to define what a “good” school actually is.

In my view, it is not just about high scores, college admissions. It is about growth as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a copy of the leaked map showing WMES changing to Fairfax HS?

+1


Would like to see the maps as well.

They’re not real. Just some dcum poster making stuff up. Nothing has been proposed yet. You need to wait for facts and not believe the crazy stories on an anonymous website.

At least one FCPS SB rep has publicly shared comments addressing this:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/3d1f239

Other, less public, assurances have also been made. In every instance that I have seen, FCPS firmly disclaims the existence of any “secret maps.” FCPS also firmly denies that any formal proposals have been made.

However, among those who have seen these statements, it is widely believed that the leaks reflect some level of internal, informal discussions. Those informal discussions will lead to maps and proposals if you do not reach out to your representatives and let your voice be heard now.

I’ll believe that “there’s nothing to see here” when FCPS drops their actual proposals in June.

That’s right, June. We won’t get “formal” confirmation until June. Maybe all those angry people calling their reps will just calm down and forget about all of this by June.

FCPS states they plan to release the proposals in June, allow time for comments, then make decisions in the fall. That means that the time that affected communities will have to review and respond to proposed changes has been limited to summer, after the school year ends, and when engagement and focus on school matters is typically lower.

Reach out to your representatives now, before informal discussions become maps and proposals. Organize your community now before families get distracted this summer. When this hits, your community needs to be ready to respond.

FCPS always drops bad news in June because people are going on vacation and not paying attention.

The cynicism is admirable, but a lot of prior boundary changes were adopted during a school year and implemented on a delayed basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was in FCPS years ago, we got redistricted to a new high school in the spring of 8th grade. We'd already signed up for courses at one HS and got told to re-register for different courses at the other HS. Very few kids from our MS got moved, so the only kids we already knew at the second HS were kids from ES (our ES was a split feeder) or some kids we knew from the neighborhood pool.

We were redistricted because the enrollment at the second school had been declining and the local School Board member probably wanted more MC/UMC kids at the school. No one ever used the word "equity" to describe the purpose of the boundary change.

So this stuff is not new even if it hasn't happened recently. People were upset in the short term, and freshman year of HS wasn't great socially, but it worked out fine in the end.

Were the schools radically different in quality and educational outcomes?

Geez! Again, fcps offers the same curriculum. Scores do not tell the whole story.

What kind of chef is better? The one that makes an amazing meal with the most expensive cut of meat? Or the one that makes a good meal with leftovers? And no, I am not calling any students leftovers, calm down already!

The one that makes an amazing meal with the most expensive cut of meat.

I was an educator for over 20 years. It takes almost zero skill to teach high achiving students. But try getting that F student to become a C student takes way more work.

I guess we use different parameters to define what a “good” school actually is.

In my view, it is not just about high scores, college admissions. It is about growth as well.

I define it at what will produce the best outcome for my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the virtual boundary review meetings. If you haven’t, the breakout rooms are facilitated by FCPS staff members. The last section is “what questions do you want answered?” and one participant asked for more info on Thru Consulting. I felt like our staff member was a little naive to the sensitivity this entire exercise and explained they are starting with a clean slate and using GIS to redraw. This consulting firm is from up north - they have NO idea about the regional breakdown or impacts of Northern Virginia changes.

The staff member did say their preliminary suggestions will be released for more community feedback. They are going to be eaten alive!! But I also fear very minimal changes will be made post that draft release.

Mine said they were using “AI software” which made me roll my eyes. But agreed, fear that it’s going to be a complete new slate vs all these tiny movements.

It seems like there should be more transparency in their methodology. Is that FOIA-able?

It’s in their BRAC meeting minutes. It’s called Frontline GIS

https://www.fcps.edu/december-16-2024-superintendents-boundary-review-advisory-committee-meeting

From the Frontline GIS website:

“This powerful platform lets districts map the data that matters—schools, boundaries, student demographics, academic performance, staffing, and more—unlocking real-time insights that drive quicker, smarter decisions.”

https://www.frontlineeducation.com/analytics-software/school-mapping/

So, if FCPS is not redrawing boundaries based on test scores and demographics, why are they driving their boundary redraw effort using software that does exactly that?

It would be like an airline saying they do not charge different prices for passengers based on weight and then requiring all passengers to report their weight before setting individual prices for each passenger based on the “wealth of data” at their disposal.

Right.

[Anonymous]

So glad to that the “data that matters” to FCPS is demographics and test scores.