FCPS Boundary Review Updates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

The CIP is just a document, not a source of funding.

You can finesse the point but only $25M has actually been funded for a new western HS. Everything else was an unfunded commitment that FCPS had not even specified a future date to fund.

If we proceed with this now, it means deferring or canceling other projects. Scaling back the Centreville expansion and postponing Dunn Loring indefinitely could be positive developments. On the other hand, few at elementary schools like Bren Mar Park, Armstrong, and Dranesville ES that were about to be renovated will be thrilled if their renovations are now postponed.

Also, if this is really going to free up money in the long term, people near Carson shouldn't be telling others they can be moved to South Lakes and Herndon before FCPS has addressed how those savings can be put to use in other parts of the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

This is completely wrong.

If you spend $150-200M in the short term rather than $456M that you didn't plan to spend for another decade (and may have never spent), you have less money for renovations in the near future. The $150-200M isn't exactly pocket change.

You might have more money over a longer period of time, but even then only if you actually would have gone ahead and spent the $456M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

This is completely wrong.

If you spend $150-200M in the short term rather than $456M that you didn't plan to spend for another decade (and may have never spent), you have less money for renovations in the near future. The $150-200M isn't exactly pocket change.

You might have more money over a longer period of time, but even then only if you actually would have gone ahead and spent the $456M.

That’s basically admitting they’d never spend that and a western high school would never happen. Leaving crazy split feeders and increasing populations with no capacity and further commutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

This is completely wrong.

If you spend $150-200M in the short term rather than $456M that you didn't plan to spend for another decade (and may have never spent), you have less money for renovations in the near future. The $150-200M isn't exactly pocket change.

You might have more money over a longer period of time, but even then only if you actually would have gone ahead and spent the $456M.

That’s basically admitting they’d never spend that and a western high school would never happen. Leaving crazy split feeders and increasing populations with no capacity and further commutes.

They were operating on the assumption they couldn't find a suitable site and a new school would be cost-prohibitive, so they should just go ahead and expand school after school serving western Fairfax. They were tolerating split feeders and some long commutes, but capacity was added to South Lakes, Oakton, Madison, and Herndon and a large addition was planned at Centreville.

You want to spend lots of county money to eliminate your split feeder and/or commute to Oakton, but it doesn't mean (1) FCPS would have ever spent $450M on a new school or (2) there isn't or wouldn't be capacity at other schools if the sale doesn't close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

This is completely wrong.

If you spend $150-200M in the short term rather than $456M that you didn't plan to spend for another decade (and may have never spent), you have less money for renovations in the near future. The $150-200M isn't exactly pocket change.

You might have more money over a longer period of time, but even then only if you actually would have gone ahead and spent the $456M.

Yes, we see you thrashing over the loss of all that money that potentially could have gone toward keeping your kids zoned to Langley for longer. The Western High School has been planned and budgeted before all the other renovations you listed. FCPS lost the land when the Saudis got it for KAA in the shady dealings that have been detailed several times in this thread. Ever since there has been a hunt for another parcel of land appropriate for the school. Just because one hasn't come up doesn't mean you get to earmark those funds for a McLean expansion instead. Thankfully this opportunity came before you figured out a way to get your hands on it and leave the western end of the county in a cycle of constant HS redistricting every 8-10 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

This is completely wrong.

If you spend $150-200M in the short term rather than $456M that you didn't plan to spend for another decade (and may have never spent), you have less money for renovations in the near future. The $150-200M isn't exactly pocket change.

You might have more money over a longer period of time, but even then only if you actually would have gone ahead and spent the $456M.

Yes, we see you thrashing over the loss of all that money that potentially could have gone toward keeping your kids zoned to Langley for longer. The Western High School has been planned and budgeted before all the other renovations you listed. FCPS lost the land when the Saudis got it for KAA in the shady dealings that have been detailed several times in this thread. Ever since there has been a hunt for another parcel of land appropriate for the school. Just because one hasn't come up doesn't mean you get to earmark those funds for a McLean expansion instead. Thankfully this opportunity came before you figured out a way to get your hands on it and leave the western end of the county in a cycle of constant HS redistricting every 8-10 years.

It's only been budgeted in the sense that FCPS had a placeholder estimate of how much a new school - always a decade away - would cost. Only $25M is funded. Claiming it's been "budgeted" overstates any financial commitment FCPS previously has made to that school. On the other hand, they spent real money expanding South Lakes, Madison, Oakton, and Herndon.

The rest of the money will have to come from someone else's planned renovation, unless they scale back Centreville and cancel Dunn Loring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You and I both know that no one cares what goes on in the eastern or central parts of the county. Even the affluent parts. The Hayfield football scandal was the most attention anyone has paid to Alexandria in YEARS! South County or Woodson or Falls Church could be doing human sacrifice for all anyone at FCPS would notice or care.

Honestly, I found out more about Hayfield on DCUM--except, maybe, in Fairfax Times and almost nothing in WAPO. We desperately need real local news somewhere.

They gave up on local reporting back during Covid. When so much was happening locally and the pieces on it were just rehashing FCPS talking points - or MAYBE a couple random parent interviews too - it was clear the post had entirely given up on assigning anyone to actually do reporting work on local issues.

[Anonymous]

It’s quite ballsy to lock in $150 million in additional taxpayer spending this year and then claim that the taxpayers somehow made $300 million in profits. Also to be mad when taxpayers ask for a more detail.

But I would expect nothing less from the SB and the shills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s quite ballsy to lock in $150 million in additional taxpayer spending this year and then claim that the taxpayers somehow made $300 million in profits. Also to be mad when taxpayers ask for a more detail.

But I would expect nothing less from the SB and the shills.

This solves a long term problem at a relatively low expense.

Westfield will soon be overcrowded. This relieves Westfield.
Students are spending an hour a day on the bus (total) going to and from Oakton because Chantilly is overcrowded.
Neighborhoods are being split that have no major arteries dividing them. Literally houses next door from one another (on small lots) and across the street.
Students who live right behind Centreville are being sent to Fairfax on a long bus ride because there is no space. Again, almost an hour a day on a school bus.
THRU plans to split a neighborhood and add one portion on the hour slog back and forth to Oakton.

The bus rides are current and appear to continue under THRU's plans. There are some current neighborhood splits and some other neighborhoods are being added under THRU's proposals.

This solves problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s quite ballsy to lock in $150 million in additional taxpayer spending this year and then claim that the taxpayers somehow made $300 million in profits. Also to be mad when taxpayers ask for a more detail.

But I would expect nothing less from the SB and the shills.

This solves a long term problem at a relatively low expense.

Westfield will soon be overcrowded. This relieves Westfield.
Students are spending an hour a day on the bus (total) going to and from Oakton because Chantilly is overcrowded.
Neighborhoods are being split that have no major arteries dividing them. Literally houses next door from one another (on small lots) and across the street.
Students who live right behind Centreville are being sent to Fairfax on a long bus ride because there is no space. Again, almost an hour a day on a school bus.
THRU plans to split a neighborhood and add one portion on the hour slog back and forth to Oakton.

The bus rides are current and appear to continue under THRU's plans. There are some current neighborhood splits and some other neighborhoods are being added under THRU's proposals.

This solves problems.

FCPS has no projections of overcrowding at Westfield over the next five years. They have it going down from 97% to 94% by 2029.

So either you're making stuff up, or FCPS needs to improve its forecasting methodology, and that should happen before FCPS makes boundary changes for a new school or otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s quite ballsy to lock in $150 million in additional taxpayer spending this year and then claim that the taxpayers somehow made $300 million in profits. Also to be mad when taxpayers ask for a more detail.

But I would expect nothing less from the SB and the shills.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s quite ballsy to lock in $150 million in additional taxpayer spending this year and then claim that the taxpayers somehow made $300 million in profits. Also to be mad when taxpayers ask for a more detail.

But I would expect nothing less from the SB and the shills.

This solves a long term problem at a relatively low expense.

Westfield will soon be overcrowded. This relieves Westfield.
Students are spending an hour a day on the bus (total) going to and from Oakton because Chantilly is overcrowded.
Neighborhoods are being split that have no major arteries dividing them. Literally houses next door from one another (on small lots) and across the street.
Students who live right behind Centreville are being sent to Fairfax on a long bus ride because there is no space. Again, almost an hour a day on a school bus.
THRU plans to split a neighborhood and add one portion on the hour slog back and forth to Oakton.

The bus rides are current and appear to continue under THRU's plans. There are some current neighborhood splits and some other neighborhoods are being added under THRU's proposals.

This solves problems.

FCPS has no projections of overcrowding at Westfield over the next five years. They have it going down from 97% to 94% by 2029.

So either you're making stuff up, or FCPS needs to improve its forecasting methodology, and that should happen before FCPS makes boundary changes for a new school or otherwise.

94% is not considered low.

There is tons of new construction going on right now in Coates boundary which currently goes to Westfield.
There is also lots of new construction right next to Westfield by the DMV and COSTCO. Also, near Wegmann's.
And, Centreville is overcrowded and could be relieved by Westfield. It is ridiculous that a neighborhood right behind Centreville High is going to Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

The CIP is just a document, not a source of funding.

You can finesse the point but only $25M has actually been funded for a new western HS. Everything else was an unfunded commitment that FCPS had not even specified a future date to fund.

If we proceed with this now, it means deferring or canceling other projects. Scaling back the Centreville expansion and postponing Dunn Loring indefinitely could be positive developments. On the other hand, few at elementary schools like Bren Mar Park, Armstrong, and Dranesville ES that were about to be renovated will be thrilled if their renovations are now postponed.

Also, if this is really going to free up money in the long term, people near Carson shouldn't be telling others they can be moved to South Lakes and Herndon before FCPS has addressed how those savings can be put to use in other parts of the county.

I got the impression they were planning to originally pay for the 450m western high school with one of those bond referendums, which would pause other renovations in the queue at that time for 2 years. Since this sale is happening NOW, I don't know the specifics and legality of how they could fund it now though without a bond referendum. But assuming they find funding in a similar manner, it would only pause 150m in renovation funding for presumably less time than 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching the working session at 2:30 today? Will be interesting to see what they have to say about the $150 million in new obligations and how that might impact the CIP.

The newspaper articles I have read have said that the moeny for the purchase will come from the CIP. I take that to mean some projects will be pushed back but in the long run, there will be more money for renovations because the purchase of the existing land and building is far less expensive than purchasing the land and building a new building. I thought I saw a number that the projected cost of a new HS was in the $400 million range and this building was $150 million.

If it means that you don't need the Centerville expansion, that saves something like $40 million.

Once they decide what schools will be attending the new HS, they will see where there is space in the schools that lost students and can shift kids from Centerville and Chantilly, if it is needed. Since most people have been pointing to the fact that enrollments in both schools are declining, that might mean that there are fewer moves anyway. If Oakton or Langley or McLean see a bump in enrollment, due to new construction, there is space in SLHS and Herndon to absorb some of those moves.

The immediate impact is that the schools that were at 99%-105% capacity in the area will drop to the low 90%. Carson should not be a split feeder problem child. And there will be more money for renovations in the near future because the new school costs less than expected.

The CIP is just a document, not a source of funding.

You can finesse the point but only $25M has actually been funded for a new western HS. Everything else was an unfunded commitment that FCPS had not even specified a future date to fund.

If we proceed with this now, it means deferring or canceling other projects. Scaling back the Centreville expansion and postponing Dunn Loring indefinitely could be positive developments. On the other hand, few at elementary schools like Bren Mar Park, Armstrong, and Dranesville ES that were about to be renovated will be thrilled if their renovations are now postponed.

Also, if this is really going to free up money in the long term, people near Carson shouldn't be telling others they can be moved to South Lakes and Herndon before FCPS has addressed how those savings can be put to use in other parts of the county.

I got the impression they were planning to originally pay for the 450m western high school with one of those bond referendums, which would pause other renovations in the queue at that time for 2 years. Since this sale is happening NOW, I don't know the specifics and legality of how they could fund it now though without a bond referendum. But assuming they find funding in a similar manner, it would only pause 150m in renovation funding for presumably less time than 2 years.

“Only pause 150m in renovation funding”. Oh boy, that’s glossing over a pretty damn large number. You’re talking about delaying not just this year’s renos but the ones the following year, and the ones the following year.

There are obviously posters on this thread that are so giddy that they are willing to have taxpayers pay for the school no questions asked, but we really do need a thorough accounting of what the knock on effects are of this.

Turns out those nextdoor Langley posters might be in to something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s quite ballsy to lock in $150 million in additional taxpayer spending this year and then claim that the taxpayers somehow made $300 million in profits. Also to be mad when taxpayers ask for a more detail.

But I would expect nothing less from the SB and the shills.

This solves a long term problem at a relatively low expense.

Westfield will soon be overcrowded. This relieves Westfield.
Students are spending an hour a day on the bus (total) going to and from Oakton because Chantilly is overcrowded.
Neighborhoods are being split that have no major arteries dividing them. Literally houses next door from one another (on small lots) and across the street.
Students who live right behind Centreville are being sent to Fairfax on a long bus ride because there is no space. Again, almost an hour a day on a school bus.
THRU plans to split a neighborhood and add one portion on the hour slog back and forth to Oakton.

The bus rides are current and appear to continue under THRU's plans. There are some current neighborhood splits and some other neighborhoods are being added under THRU's proposals.

This solves problems.

FCPS has no projections of overcrowding at Westfield over the next five years. They have it going down from 97% to 94% by 2029.

So either you're making stuff up, or FCPS needs to improve its forecasting methodology, and that should happen before FCPS makes boundary changes for a new school or otherwise.

94% is not considered low.

There is tons of new construction going on right now in Coates boundary which currently goes to Westfield.
There is also lots of new construction right next to Westfield by the DMV and COSTCO. Also, near Wegmann's.
And, Centreville is overcrowded and could be relieved by Westfield. It is ridiculous that a neighborhood right behind Centreville High is going to Fairfax.

94% may not be low but it is not overcrowded, either.

Three other schools have more upside growth potential than Westfield according to the county.