FCPS Boundary Review Updates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No matter how FCPS got here (poor planning, bad data, gerrymandering), there are very real issues with the boundaries that need to be fixed. For example, the intense overcrowding at Coates and the (single/double) split feeders that endanger students mental health. It is not right to cancel the whole review when some communities need changes. However, FCPS is going about this in the worst way possible. If they offered grandfathering, then they could make changes without sacrificing an entire generation of kids. Lots of families would be fine being rezoned, but wouldn’t be fine with their child having to switch after already attending a certain school. These kids are already a mess after Covid shutdowns. It’s so frustrating that FCPS seems to not care about the children and families when that should be their main focus.

This is egregious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what point does the school board get concerned that the outrage is intense enough that it starts to put their reelection in jeopardy?

I’d argue they’ve been playing with fire on this and at least a few of them are now vulnerable.

Even if one seat flips with an accompanying focus from that new board member on accountability it’d be fascinating to see what additional scandals might surface.

SB chair Karl Frisch had a political war-chest of over $400,000 during the last election, while every other candidate (D or R) had about $50,000. Karl donated most of his donations to other candidates, including disgraced Kyle McDaniel.

Karl only needs a simple majority on the Board to steam-roll through whatever changes he wants.

Your Board does not care what you think because they know they are invincible in FFX simply by virtue of the “D “ behind their name.

Karl Frisch does not have kids, does not have a background in education, received the majority of his financial support from California, and planned to use his original election as a one term step to higher office.

With all of this public knowledge, it is astonishing that his constituents reelected him, and even crazier that he will probably win again by large margins.

Joke's on him though. He failed at the one delegate primary he tried to win and isn't even on the list of possibles for higher offices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

[Anonymous]

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/files/DG2MYY5D976F/$file/6530.pdf

Sorry here is the link to Loudoun's policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No matter how FCPS got here (poor planning, bad data, gerrymandering), there are very real issues with the boundaries that need to be fixed. For example, the intense overcrowding at Coates and the (single/double) split feeders that endanger students mental health. It is not right to cancel the whole review when some communities need changes. However, FCPS is going about this in the worst way possible. If they offered grandfathering, then they could make changes without sacrificing an entire generation of kids. Lots of families would be fine being rezoned, but wouldn’t be fine with their child having to switch after already attending a certain school. These kids are already a mess after Covid shutdowns. It’s so frustrating that FCPS seems to not care about the children and families when that should be their main focus.

Coates is a real problem that warranted expedited relief and instead it’s being held hostage to this larger, unnecessary county-wide boundary review. Shame on Reid and the School Board for dropping the ball.

Split feeders are no big deal unless they are extremely lopsided. Claiming they endanger students’ mental health is silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

There is nothing wrong with looking every 5 years. Maybe that would have prevented some of the issues like Coates. But they came out of the gate saying the changes would impact every pyramid and be "transformational" and then said they were going to do "it" every 5 years. People are reasonably upset.

It all goes back to the root that the FCPS Board has not cared about what the community wants/needs for a long time. If they listened and responded a bit more to the people they serve, they would have more trust and be able to get more support for the changes they want to make. But when they consistently do things that are unpopular and bad for the FCPS community (most of the COVID policy, early release Mondays-now-Wednesdays, etc.), it is not surprising that the first reaction is "ugh, I'm sure this is a terrible idea."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

You are Loudoun county??

Then why are you posting in our Fairfax County rezoning discussion?

Are you posting multiple times as one of the handful of people pushing rezoning?

You, as a Loudoun County resident, have no voice in this process.

Your posts do not belong in this discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No matter how FCPS got here (poor planning, bad data, gerrymandering), there are very real issues with the boundaries that need to be fixed. For example, the intense overcrowding at Coates and the (single/double) split feeders that endanger students mental health. It is not right to cancel the whole review when some communities need changes. However, FCPS is going about this in the worst way possible. If they offered grandfathering, then they could make changes without sacrificing an entire generation of kids. Lots of families would be fine being rezoned, but wouldn’t be fine with their child having to switch after already attending a certain school. These kids are already a mess after Covid shutdowns. It’s so frustrating that FCPS seems to not care about the children and families when that should be their main focus.

Ha. You highlight Coates as the reason that the comprehensive review must go forward, but the comprehensive review has delayed any Coates relief for a year.

The right conclusion is the exact opposite of what you claim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

There was a great comment last night about how overcrowded schools generally are the ones where people actually want to send their kids and should be rewarded with additional resources and expansions, not punished by redistricting kids to lower performing schools that families are avoiding.

I don’t think Loudoun should be our model. Their schools aren’t that great academically, and they only get away with the constant redistricting because of all the new schools they’re opening. FCPS is largely built out and very rarely opens new schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No matter how FCPS got here (poor planning, bad data, gerrymandering), there are very real issues with the boundaries that need to be fixed. For example, the intense overcrowding at Coates and the (single/double) split feeders that endanger students mental health. It is not right to cancel the whole review when some communities need changes. However, FCPS is going about this in the worst way possible. If they offered grandfathering, then they could make changes without sacrificing an entire generation of kids. Lots of families would be fine being rezoned, but wouldn’t be fine with their child having to switch after already attending a certain school. These kids are already a mess after Covid shutdowns. It’s so frustrating that FCPS seems to not care about the children and families when that should be their main focus.

Ha. You highlight Coates as the reason that the comprehensive review must go forward, but the comprehensive review has delayed any Coates relief for a year.

The right conclusion is the exact opposite of what you claim.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

Shame on Loudoun for rezoning a kid 3x in middle school.

I am calling BS on that claim, but if it is true, how terrible for the affected students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

You are Loudoun county??

Then why are you posting in our Fairfax County rezoning discussion?

Are you posting multiple times as one of the handful of people pushing rezoning?

You, as a Loudoun County resident, have no voice in this process.

Your posts do not belong in this discussion.

This made me laugh. First time posting on this thread, so not serial posting. Sorry I don't agree with you. I grew up in FCPS and have three kids in it now. I said "I have a friend whose son is in Loudoun".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

Shame on Loudoun for rezoning a kid 3x in middle school.

I am calling BS on that claim, but if it is true, how terrible for the affected students.

Yeah, it's pretty awful. Not made up, though. At least he has been with a fairly sizeable cohort of other kids that are moving together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No matter how FCPS got here (poor planning, bad data, gerrymandering), there are very real issues with the boundaries that need to be fixed. For example, the intense overcrowding at Coates and the (single/double) split feeders that endanger students mental health. It is not right to cancel the whole review when some communities need changes. However, FCPS is going about this in the worst way possible. If they offered grandfathering, then they could make changes without sacrificing an entire generation of kids. Lots of families would be fine being rezoned, but wouldn’t be fine with their child having to switch after already attending a certain school. These kids are already a mess after Covid shutdowns. It’s so frustrating that FCPS seems to not care about the children and families when that should be their main focus.

Ha. You highlight Coates as the reason that the comprehensive review must go forward, but the comprehensive review has delayed any Coates relief for a year.

The right conclusion is the exact opposite of what you claim.

+1.

No. I'm the poster who highlighted it. You misinterpreted what I meant.
I meant that it is egregious that they are not doing something about Coates. From my point of view, that is the only boundary that needs to be addressed.
I'm strongly against this comprehensive boundary review.

And, I am against an "every 5 year review." If a school is dramatically overcrowded (as is Coates) they should not wait five years to address it.

As for Coates, (I live in the area--but not in the boundary) the new construction in that area is massive. FCPS should have planned for this long, long ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure would be nice if the Timber Lane crew gave other communities the chance to have their voices heard tonight!

Top comments continue to be "don't do this" and "start by checking residency." I think the vibe of the community is coming through fine.

Anyone else notice a pattern from literally every community feedback session that they’ve done over the last seven months. No matter the pyramid, every stop is filled with parents who oppose the boundary changes.

that is the norm for nearly every boundary change that ever was. People do not like change.

+1

FCPS should make boundary changes more often so the community understands that it is a normal process for growing communities. They waited too long and now everyone is being a big fat whiny baby about it.

BS.

The majority of school districts across the country do not rezone in the way FCPS is attempting to do because stability for kids is crucial.

The vast majority of school districts across the country only rezone when new schools are built or when schools are closed.

I don't know where you are getting "the vast majority of school districts" but here is Loudoun county's policy and it states they will review every 5 years. This is absolutely a problem in FCPS because they waited WAY too long to do this review. School populations change as kids age up and out and they need the ability to adjust boundaries to prevent schools from being overcrowded.

They are doing some really stupid stuff right now, for sure. But the process is necessary, and they need to get the community on board. From my POV that means they should have gone easy this time around- instead they have made mis-steps and kicked the hornets nest. I have friends in Loudoun whose son will go to three different middle schools because of a new school being built and redistricting. She's annoyed, but also resigned, because that's just the policy.

There is nothing wrong with looking every 5 years. Maybe that would have prevented some of the issues like Coates. But they came out of the gate saying the changes would impact every pyramid and be "transformational" and then said they were going to do "it" every 5 years. People are reasonably upset.

It all goes back to the root that the FCPS Board has not cared about what the community wants/needs for a long time. If they listened and responded a bit more to the people they serve, they would have more trust and be able to get more support for the changes they want to make. But when they consistently do things that are unpopular and bad for the FCPS community (most of the COVID policy, early release Mondays-now-Wednesdays, etc.), it is not surprising that the first reaction is "ugh, I'm sure this is a terrible idea."

FCPS releases a CIP each year which includes 5 year projections for every school. Coates has been on their radar since at least 2023, but the situation ballooned fairly quickly, because they’re projections are rarely accurate.