FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm all for the KAA site being used as a "traditional" high school. But why does it have to have the same capacity as the rest of the HS? Can't we just benefit from the 1200 or 1300 extra seats to relieve overcrowding in the region without waiting and spending to make it hold 2500?

Yes. Of course, they could. And, remember, Reid suggested opening it with just 9th and 10th and adding grades. I think that Westfield opened with 9-11, but I'm not sure that is the correct memory.
But, especially in this situation, this makes sense. It gives them time -and budget adjustments--to, perhaps, fit one of the other buildings with classrooms, if needed.

So, this could relieve overcrowding and shorten bus trips for lots of kids.

Yes, Westfield opened as a 9-11 school, not 9-10.

When you say “budget adjustments,” you’re still talking about allowing KAA to chew up much of the capital budget for several years, just spreading it over a few years. People will see through that, when they previously claimed this was a $150 million purchase that would save FCPS almost $300 million.

So you’re just acknowledging this was misleading, but saying FCPS can cover it up better by spreading out the real cost over a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm all for the KAA site being used as a "traditional" high school. But why does it have to have the same capacity as the rest of the HS? Can't we just benefit from the 1200 or 1300 extra seats to relieve overcrowding in the region without waiting and spending to make it hold 2500?

Yes. Of course, they could. And, remember, Reid suggested opening it with just 9th and 10th and adding grades. I think that Westfield opened with 9-11, but I'm not sure that is the correct memory.
But, especially in this situation, this makes sense. It gives them time -and budget adjustments--to, perhaps, fit one of the other buildings with classrooms, if needed.

So, this could relieve overcrowding and shorten bus trips for lots of kids.

Yes, Westfield opened as a 9-11 school, not 9-10.

When you say “budget adjustments,” you’re still talking about allowing KAA to chew up much of the capital budget for several years, just spreading it over a few years. People will see through that, when they previously claimed this was a $150 million purchase that would save FCPS almost $300 million.

So you’re just acknowledging this was misleading, but saying FCPS can cover it up better by spreading out the real cost over a few years.

Absolutely not! What I am saying is that it can open "as is" with 9th and 10th. Fitting one of those additional buildings with classrooms would not eat up any more than adding trailers at other schools and would not be needed immediately. They could reduce the number of trailers at Chantilly and use them elsewhere. That would be a savings, now wouldn't it? We are not talking about a renovation, we are talking about making normal sized classrooms within an existing--and relatively new--building. Certainly better than a modular or trailers. You do know that modulars and trailers do not come free?

And, certainly, if FCPS does not get its act together on Centreville, there will be extra funds. But, hopefully, they can act soon on that. And, scaling back the size should save $$--or , at least it would, if they used common sense.

Someone said the hold up at Centreville is that the county wants the Cub Run space. Is that so they can sell it for another data center?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

I don't kow. I am asking the question because I don't know. I am guessing, I wouldn't even say hypothesizing, that it should be a lot less expensive to take down existing, non-weight bearing walls, and put up new walls that would reconfigure the layout then a full remodel/renovation of an existing school that has issues that have to be fixed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm all for the KAA site being used as a "traditional" high school. But why does it have to have the same capacity as the rest of the HS? Can't we just benefit from the 1200 or 1300 extra seats to relieve overcrowding in the region without waiting and spending to make it hold 2500?

Yes. Of course, they could. And, remember, Reid suggested opening it with just 9th and 10th and adding grades. I think that Westfield opened with 9-11, but I'm not sure that is the correct memory.
But, especially in this situation, this makes sense. It gives them time -and budget adjustments--to, perhaps, fit one of the other buildings with classrooms, if needed.

So, this could relieve overcrowding and shorten bus trips for lots of kids.

Yes, Westfield opened as a 9-11 school, not 9-10.

When you say “budget adjustments,” you’re still talking about allowing KAA to chew up much of the capital budget for several years, just spreading it over a few years. People will see through that, when they previously claimed this was a $150 million purchase that would save FCPS almost $300 million.

So you’re just acknowledging this was misleading, but saying FCPS can cover it up better by spreading out the real cost over a few years.

Absolutely not! What I am saying is that it can open "as is" with 9th and 10th. Fitting one of those additional buildings with classrooms would not eat up any more than adding trailers at other schools and would not be needed immediately. They could reduce the number of trailers at Chantilly and use them elsewhere. That would be a savings, now wouldn't it? We are not talking about a renovation, we are talking about making normal sized classrooms within an existing--and relatively new--building. Certainly better than a modular or trailers. You do know that modulars and trailers do not come free?

And, certainly, if FCPS does not get its act together on Centreville, there will be extra funds. But, hopefully, they can act soon on that. And, scaling back the size should save $$--or , at least it would, if they used common sense.

Someone said the hold up at Centreville is that the county wants the Cub Run space. Is that so they can sell it for another data center?

Relocating modulars costs serious money. Relocating trailers doesn’t cost nearly as much but you don’t really save any money relocating them from Point A to Point B.

At this point claims that modifying the existing buildings at KAA won’t cost much are wishful thinking without more information from FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

I don't kow. I am asking the question because I don't know. I am guessing, I wouldn't even say hypothesizing, that it should be a lot less expensive to take down existing, non-weight bearing walls, and put up new walls that would reconfigure the layout then a full remodel/renovation of an existing school that has issues that have to be fixed.

I agree. And, if they wanted to, they could work something out. But, again, I posted earlier, they could open without accommodations in 2026 with ninth and tenth grade.

People seem to think that moving kids to other schools won't require any adjustments. Look at Westfield--it has a lot of square footage and was "expanded" but it also has trailers:
WESTFIELD HS
Region: 5
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity Enhancement: 2006
Renovation: ---
Instructional Area: 431,638 SF
Building: 422,298 SF
Temporary Classrooms: 9,340 SF (13)

Someone frequently posts that Westfield is not "at capacity." How can they accept more kids when they are at 2700 and already have trailers?

There is something going on here that smells. This is a great situation for a traditional high school. They fell in love with the "magnet" idea for some reason. Why? Brookings? Fairfax County Federation? or another citizen group? Lady sure changed her story pretty quickly after she met with a group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm all for the KAA site being used as a "traditional" high school. But why does it have to have the same capacity as the rest of the HS? Can't we just benefit from the 1200 or 1300 extra seats to relieve overcrowding in the region without waiting and spending to make it hold 2500?

Yes. Of course, they could. And, remember, Reid suggested opening it with just 9th and 10th and adding grades. I think that Westfield opened with 9-11, but I'm not sure that is the correct memory.
But, especially in this situation, this makes sense. It gives them time -and budget adjustments--to, perhaps, fit one of the other buildings with classrooms, if needed.

So, this could relieve overcrowding and shorten bus trips for lots of kids.

Yes, Westfield opened as a 9-11 school, not 9-10.

When you say “budget adjustments,” you’re still talking about allowing KAA to chew up much of the capital budget for several years, just spreading it over a few years. People will see through that, when they previously claimed this was a $150 million purchase that would save FCPS almost $300 million.

So you’re just acknowledging this was misleading, but saying FCPS can cover it up better by spreading out the real cost over a few years.

Absolutely not! What I am saying is that it can open "as is" with 9th and 10th. Fitting one of those additional buildings with classrooms would not eat up any more than adding trailers at other schools and would not be needed immediately. They could reduce the number of trailers at Chantilly and use them elsewhere. That would be a savings, now wouldn't it? We are not talking about a renovation, we are talking about making normal sized classrooms within an existing--and relatively new--building. Certainly better than a modular or trailers. You do know that modulars and trailers do not come free?

And, certainly, if FCPS does not get its act together on Centreville, there will be extra funds. But, hopefully, they can act soon on that. And, scaling back the size should save $$--or , at least it would, if they used common sense.

Someone said the hold up at Centreville is that the county wants the Cub Run space. Is that so they can sell it for another data center?

Relocating modulars costs serious money. Relocating trailers doesn’t cost nearly as much but you don’t really save any money relocating them from Point A to Point B.

At this point claims that modifying the existing buildings at KAA won’t cost much are wishful thinking without more information from FCPS.

Not suggesting moving trailers to KAA. But, also modifying buildings does not have to cost a fortune. Not sure that some expert other than FCPS staff should take a look at this. In fact, maybe someone else should take a look at the Centreville plans. But, modifying that building should be a whole lot less expensive than a renovation/expansion.

People seem to forget that there really are not a lot of alternatives of where to put these kids. THRU has some obnoxious suggestions for this area. Those won't come free. There is a need. They gave this site away once for this community without ANY input. It would be egregious if they do it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

I don't kow. I am asking the question because I don't know. I am guessing, I wouldn't even say hypothesizing, that it should be a lot less expensive to take down existing, non-weight bearing walls, and put up new walls that would reconfigure the layout then a full remodel/renovation of an existing school that has issues that have to be fixed.

I agree. And, if they wanted to, they could work something out. But, again, I posted earlier, they could open without accommodations in 2026 with ninth and tenth grade.

People seem to think that moving kids to other schools won't require any adjustments. Look at Westfield--it has a lot of square footage and was "expanded" but it also has trailers:
WESTFIELD HS
Region: 5
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity Enhancement: 2006
Renovation: ---
Instructional Area: 431,638 SF
Building: 422,298 SF
Temporary Classrooms: 9,340 SF (13)

Someone frequently posts that Westfield is not "at capacity." How can they accept more kids when they are at 2700 and already have trailers?

There is something going on here that smells. This is a great situation for a traditional high school. They fell in love with the "magnet" idea for some reason. Why? Brookings? Fairfax County Federation? or another citizen group? Lady sure changed her story pretty quickly after she met with a group.

I cannot say this is the case at Westfield but sometimes trailers are placed at a school when there is an actual need and then left there when there is no longer a need because FCPS doesn’t have another place to store them or the school is just continuing to use them for its convenience. We do know that Westfield currently has about 500 fewer kids than it had at its peak.

I don’t think that everyone on the School Board is in love with the magnet idea. However, it appears that some members as well as Reid got more interested in the magnet idea once they started to give more thought to the work and money required to make KAA a typical neighborhood school. Isn’t Lady one of the only, if not the only, Board members who has actually worked at an FCPS high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

I don't kow. I am asking the question because I don't know. I am guessing, I wouldn't even say hypothesizing, that it should be a lot less expensive to take down existing, non-weight bearing walls, and put up new walls that would reconfigure the layout then a full remodel/renovation of an existing school that has issues that have to be fixed.

I agree. And, if they wanted to, they could work something out. But, again, I posted earlier, they could open without accommodations in 2026 with ninth and tenth grade.

People seem to think that moving kids to other schools won't require any adjustments. Look at Westfield--it has a lot of square footage and was "expanded" but it also has trailers:
WESTFIELD HS
Region: 5
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity Enhancement: 2006
Renovation: ---
Instructional Area: 431,638 SF
Building: 422,298 SF
Temporary Classrooms: 9,340 SF (13)

Someone frequently posts that Westfield is not "at capacity." How can they accept more kids when they are at 2700 and already have trailers?

There is something going on here that smells. This is a great situation for a traditional high school. They fell in love with the "magnet" idea for some reason. Why? Brookings? Fairfax County Federation? or another citizen group? Lady sure changed her story pretty quickly after she met with a group.

I cannot say this is the case at Westfield but sometimes trailers are placed at a school when there is an actual need and then left there when there is no longer a need because FCPS doesn’t have another place to store them or the school is just continuing to use them for its convenience. We do know that Westfield currently has about 500 fewer kids than it had at its peak.

I don’t think that everyone on the School Board is in love with the magnet idea. However, it appears that some members as well as Reid got more interested in the magnet idea once they started to give more thought to the work and money required to make KAA a typical neighborhood school. Isn’t Lady one of the only, if not the only, Board members who has actually worked at an FCPS high school?

There you go making things up and lying again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

I don't kow. I am asking the question because I don't know. I am guessing, I wouldn't even say hypothesizing, that it should be a lot less expensive to take down existing, non-weight bearing walls, and put up new walls that would reconfigure the layout then a full remodel/renovation of an existing school that has issues that have to be fixed.

I agree. And, if they wanted to, they could work something out. But, again, I posted earlier, they could open without accommodations in 2026 with ninth and tenth grade.

People seem to think that moving kids to other schools won't require any adjustments. Look at Westfield--it has a lot of square footage and was "expanded" but it also has trailers:
WESTFIELD HS
Region: 5
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity Enhancement: 2006
Renovation: ---
Instructional Area: 431,638 SF
Building: 422,298 SF
Temporary Classrooms: 9,340 SF (13)

Someone frequently posts that Westfield is not "at capacity." How can they accept more kids when they are at 2700 and already have trailers?

There is something going on here that smells. This is a great situation for a traditional high school. They fell in love with the "magnet" idea for some reason. Why? Brookings? Fairfax County Federation? or another citizen group? Lady sure changed her story pretty quickly after she met with a group.

I cannot say this is the case at Westfield but sometimes trailers are placed at a school when there is an actual need and then left there when there is no longer a need because FCPS doesn’t have another place to store them or the school is just continuing to use them for its convenience. We do know that Westfield currently has about 500 fewer kids than it had at its peak.

I don’t think that everyone on the School Board is in love with the magnet idea. However, it appears that some members as well as Reid got more interested in the magnet idea once they started to give more thought to the work and money required to make KAA a typical neighborhood school. Isn’t Lady one of the only, if not the only, Board members who has actually worked at an FCPS high school?

There you go making things up and lying again.

Sounds like you need to listen to the work session more carefully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

Melanie Meren took Reid to task at the work session for not getting a press release out. She said the communications had been poor and that as a result she wasn’t able to answer basic questions from her constituents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

The $281 million in savings is just repeating what staff claimed before the board voted to approve the deal. No one actually thinks that’s a real number.