Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Let's be brutal - the School Board is not going to do jack squat about boundaries. If their solution for West Potomac overcrowding was to add a giant addition rather than move students to Mt. Vernon, which has hundreds of empty seats and is projected to continue to have hundreds of empty seats, then they are never going to move students to a poorer high school again. WP and Mt. Vernon are literally right next to each other and the Board refused to make the move. It makes you think that School Board members are making deals with each other so as to not make these changes. They talk a big game, but nothing every happens. The work sessions on boundaries are just more big talk with no action.

Boundary changes have been made in the last few years, but they only moved students to wealthier schools. So this problem of disparity is only getting worse. Way to go Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be brutal - the School Board is not going to do jack squat about boundaries. If their solution for West Potomac overcrowding was to add a giant addition rather than move students to Mt. Vernon, which has hundreds of empty seats and is projected to continue to have hundreds of empty seats, then they are never going to move students to a poorer high school again. WP and Mt. Vernon are literally right next to each other and the Board refused to make the move. It makes you think that School Board members are making deals with each other so as to not make these changes. They talk a big game, but nothing every happens. The work sessions on boundaries are just more big talk with no action.

Boundary changes have been made in the last few years, but they only moved students to wealthier schools. So this problem of disparity is only getting worse. Way to go Fairfax.

I am not familiar with those schools, so I really cannot speak to it--but, it sounds almost as stupid as expanding Westfield right before they decided that a school should be at @ "2000." It's almost like the people in engineering and construction (or whatever they call it in FCPS) want to justify their jobs by running projects, while the other side is playing with maps.

One thing, though, that really is not being discussed here is the "elephant in the room." Fairfax County has had a huge influx of very poor non-English speaking kids into the schools over the last few years. This was not predicted. And, from what I see, these families settle in communities that are ill-equipped to absorb them. I live in Western Fairfax, and there is a very large pocket in Herndon. I would guess there are also pockets along Rt 1 that affect Mt Vernon/West Potomac. I'm not talking about second generation, I'm talking about very recent.

We should and must educate these children. But, it is not going to be resolved by shifting boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be brutal - the School Board is not going to do jack squat about boundaries. If their solution for West Potomac overcrowding was to add a giant addition rather than move students to Mt. Vernon, which has hundreds of empty seats and is projected to continue to have hundreds of empty seats, then they are never going to move students to a poorer high school again. WP and Mt. Vernon are literally right next to each other and the Board refused to make the move. It makes you think that School Board members are making deals with each other so as to not make these changes. They talk a big game, but nothing every happens. The work sessions on boundaries are just more big talk with no action.

Boundary changes have been made in the last few years, but they only moved students to wealthier schools. So this problem of disparity is only getting worse. Way to go Fairfax.

What you describe has absolutely been the behavior of the School Board for the past decade. The more that members like Hynes, Palchik, McElveen, Corbett Sanders and Keys Gamarra talked about equity and fairness, the less they actually did to counter the growing segregation within FCPS. And in some cases they were directly responsible for the increasing concentration of poverty.

But sometimes the pendulum shifts in the other direction. That’s how Stu Gibson got FCPS to move kids from wealthier schools to South Lakes back in 2008. And the SB now basically has a superintendent who has told them he’s not going to spend staff resources on boundary changes until they stop talking out of both sides of their mouths and decide how what their priorities are. So I’m not as sure as you are that we’re not in for a change in direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be brutal - the School Board is not going to do jack squat about boundaries. If their solution for West Potomac overcrowding was to add a giant addition rather than move students to Mt. Vernon, which has hundreds of empty seats and is projected to continue to have hundreds of empty seats, then they are never going to move students to a poorer high school again. WP and Mt. Vernon are literally right next to each other and the Board refused to make the move. It makes you think that School Board members are making deals with each other so as to not make these changes. They talk a big game, but nothing every happens. The work sessions on boundaries are just more big talk with no action.

Boundary changes have been made in the last few years, but they only moved students to wealthier schools. So this problem of disparity is only getting worse. Way to go Fairfax.

I am not familiar with those schools, so I really cannot speak to it--but, it sounds almost as stupid as expanding Westfield right before they decided that a school should be at @ "2000." It's almost like the people in engineering and construction (or whatever they call it in FCPS) want to justify their jobs by running projects, while the other side is playing with maps.

One thing, though, that really is not being discussed here is the "elephant in the room." Fairfax County has had a huge influx of very poor non-English speaking kids into the schools over the last few years. This was not predicted. And, from what I see, these families settle in communities that are ill-equipped to absorb them. I live in Western Fairfax, and there is a very large pocket in Herndon. I would guess there are also pockets along Rt 1 that affect Mt Vernon/West Potomac. I'm not talking about second generation, I'm talking about very recent.

We should and must educate these children. But, it is not going to be resolved by shifting boundaries.

No. This is not about people in FCPS construction and engineering jobs trying to justify their positions. It is about their trying to ensure sufficient seats for students and then being forced to propose additions at schools like West Potomac because the School Board members were cowardly and unwilling to take the heat associated with moving kids to Mount Vernon.

[Anonymous]

While looking at elementary schools in Fairfax we heard rumors that the county was thinking of resdistricting that neighborhood to a different high school.

That's when we decided to move to Falls Church City. The schools are as good as the top schools in Fairfax and you have no doubt where your kid will go from Pre-school through grade 12.

Also, if you have something to bitch about, and you know you will in any school district, it's easy to find the people in charge in FCC and get them to listen to you. A school board member probably lives down the street. And if you want you can run yourself.

FCC isn't perfect but there are definitely some significant benefits.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see why boundaries aren’t changed based on demographics. Cap all low income students at 30% and distribute everyone fairly across the county. Everything else just feels unfair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see why boundaries aren’t changed based on demographics. Cap all low income students at 30% and distribute everyone fairly across the county. Everything else just feels unfair.

Logistical nightmare. You'd be readjusting all the time and moving kids all over the county past other schools. What would be the benefit? How does this help any kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While looking at elementary schools in Fairfax we heard rumors that the county was thinking of resdistricting that neighborhood to a different high school.

That's when we decided to move to Falls Church City. The schools are as good as the top schools in Fairfax and you have no doubt where your kid will go from Pre-school through grade 12.

Also, if you have something to bitch about, and you know you will in any school district, it's easy to find the people in charge in FCC and get them to listen to you. A school board member probably lives down the street. And if you want you can run yourself.

FCC isn't perfect but there are definitely some significant benefits.

Too small for us and your high school is IB. Not worth the extra taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bus kids for the AAP program and no one bitches

It’s also the parents’ choice to accept or decline the center placement - their kids are not forced to go to the center school like they would in a boundary change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bus kids for the AAP program and no one bitches

It’s also the parents’ choice to accept or decline the center placement - their kids are not forced to go to the center school like they would in a boundary change.

Busing for AAP has come up on threads anytime there is a big budget discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have not mentioned Aldrin or Armstrong in prior posts, and know where Forest Edge is located (i.e., closer to Langley than Forestville).

So, you think it is okay to switch schools around just for the sake of demographics? Forest Edge would well more than double their current commute. (And, I just checked and that is on a Sunday. I suspect it would be much, much worse on a school day.) I have no idea how that community would feel about it. But, one thing for sure, you would be taking them out of their own community--where they shop, do sports, etc.

I agree that it is logical for Forestville to go to Herndon But, not by kicking out Aldrin and Armstrong. It sounds to me like your goal is to change the demographics of Langley.

I do agree that Langley is lopsided. But, in reality, that is due to the location and the community around it. That is just the way it is. It is at the edge of Fairfax County. My kids high school is far more diverse. It does not have as many languages offered as Langley--but. that is probably reflective of its demand. For the number of kids, the number of language teachers is probably in ratio to Langley, but fewer languages are offered.

I gather that McLean and Marshall are doing just fine. Why do you resent Langley so much? What will be the result of doing this? Taking poorer kids further away from their neighborhoods will not increase their opportunities for extra-curricular activities. I know this from experience. So, Langley kids have more extras--so what? Do you think changing its demographics will give those opportunities to others? Very likely, it will just result in fewer languages at Langley--but, I guess, to you, that's the goal.

It is not logical for Forestville to go to Herndon. There are two elementary schools in Great Falls zip code and a third in Vienna that was added. Those two schools should go to Langley, as should those at the Vienna school who are on the GF side of Route 7. There are homes on the other side of 7, and beyond Seneca towards Sterling that could also potentially be moved.

The goal of the PP is to screw Langley and Great Falls parents because 'FAIRNESS'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be brutal - the School Board is not going to do jack squat about boundaries. If their solution for West Potomac overcrowding was to add a giant addition rather than move students to Mt. Vernon, which has hundreds of empty seats and is projected to continue to have hundreds of empty seats, then they are never going to move students to a poorer high school again. WP and Mt. Vernon are literally right next to each other and the Board refused to make the move. It makes you think that School Board members are making deals with each other so as to not make these changes. They talk a big game, but nothing every happens. The work sessions on boundaries are just more big talk with no action.

Boundary changes have been made in the last few years, but they only moved students to wealthier schools. So this problem of disparity is only getting worse. Way to go Fairfax.

Why is Mt. Vernon so empty? Perhaps its the crime? How about Fairfax County clean up their own mess before subjecting others to it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have not mentioned Aldrin or Armstrong in prior posts, and know where Forest Edge is located (i.e., closer to Langley than Forestville).

So, you think it is okay to switch schools around just for the sake of demographics? Forest Edge would well more than double their current commute. (And, I just checked and that is on a Sunday. I suspect it would be much, much worse on a school day.) I have no idea how that community would feel about it. But, one thing for sure, you would be taking them out of their own community--where they shop, do sports, etc.

I agree that it is logical for Forestville to go to Herndon But, not by kicking out Aldrin and Armstrong. It sounds to me like your goal is to change the demographics of Langley.

I do agree that Langley is lopsided. But, in reality, that is due to the location and the community around it. That is just the way it is. It is at the edge of Fairfax County. My kids high school is far more diverse. It does not have as many languages offered as Langley--but. that is probably reflective of its demand. For the number of kids, the number of language teachers is probably in ratio to Langley, but fewer languages are offered.

I gather that McLean and Marshall are doing just fine. Why do you resent Langley so much? What will be the result of doing this? Taking poorer kids further away from their neighborhoods will not increase their opportunities for extra-curricular activities. I know this from experience. So, Langley kids have more extras--so what? Do you think changing its demographics will give those opportunities to others? Very likely, it will just result in fewer languages at Langley--but, I guess, to you, that's the goal.

It is not logical for Forestville to go to Herndon. There are two elementary schools in Great Falls zip code and a third in Vienna that was added. Those two schools should go to Langley, as should those at the Vienna school who are on the GF side of Route 7. There are homes on the other side of 7, and beyond Seneca towards Sterling that could also potentially be moved.

The goal of the PP is to screw Langley and Great Falls parents because 'FAIRNESS'.

Boo hoo. I’m starting to understand why some of the School Board members apparently want to redistrict Langley soon, even though otherwise there wouldn’t be any need to revisit the LHS boundaries for a decade (apart from whatever McLean/Marshall neighborhoods get moved into Langley to relieve overcrowding at those schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people feel that because they buy a house in one school boundary that they are entitled to that same boundary for eternity? Are they so stupid that they don’t realize that populations and needs shift from time to time?

Take a lesson from the McLean fight re: the 'residential' houses in neighborhoods. It's WHY the shifting of boundaries is occurring. It's one thing to take an overcrowded school and try to solve that problem. It's another thing when your goal is to socioeconomically re-engineer the schools, as the county and board has stated they are doing. That's a class-action lawsuit waiting to happen. They've already uncovered all sorts of violations by Fairfax County/Newport and I would not be surprised if their due diligence helps this boundary fight as well. It's all for the same reasons.

Langley is NOT over-enrolled and one can make a case for shifting some of the students in McLean into Langley to alleviate overcrowding in McLean. Marshall is also under-enrolled so they can absorb new Tysons Corner students, which makes sense because Tysons is very close to Marshall. Pulling Langley students out of Langley (under-enrolled) and moving them to Herndon (over-enrolled) only makes sense if you are trying to re-engineer the student population at Herndon and at Langley to make things less "socioeconomically pure". And in doing so, you know you are destroying property values but don't care because that's the goal to begin with.

Marshall is actually over enrolled. They added a modular this year, despite their renovation, and they are closed to transfers.

The issue at McLean is that there is an island near Timber Lane elementary, that still attends Longfellow and McLean The other half of Timber Lane attends Luther Jackson and Falls Church. Shifting that neighborhood would alleviate some crowding, although I assume they don’t because of demographics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be brutal - the School Board is not going to do jack squat about boundaries. If their solution for West Potomac overcrowding was to add a giant addition rather than move students to Mt. Vernon, which has hundreds of empty seats and is projected to continue to have hundreds of empty seats, then they are never going to move students to a poorer high school again. WP and Mt. Vernon are literally right next to each other and the Board refused to make the move. It makes you think that School Board members are making deals with each other so as to not make these changes. They talk a big game, but nothing every happens. The work sessions on boundaries are just more big talk with no action.

Boundary changes have been made in the last few years, but they only moved students to wealthier schools. So this problem of disparity is only getting worse. Way to go Fairfax.

Why is Mt. Vernon so empty? Perhaps its the crime? How about Fairfax County clean up their own mess before subjecting others to it?

MV has about 2000 kids in a school designed for 2400. It’s not “empty” but it has excess capacity that FCPS might use before committing to expand West Potomac to 3000 - which was Westfield’s size when FCPS declared years ago that was “too big.”

There is a lot of poverty in the area but the school’s enrollment would be higher if MV had AP rather than IB and if FCPS moved part of WP to MV, which itself would send the message that FCPS isn’t treating the school as a pariah. There are also families in wealthier parts of the district off the GW Parkway sending their kids to privates in Alexandria.