Boundary Review Meetings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in region 4, so it doesn't effect me...but I heard that BOTH the West Springfield BRAC members are Hunt Valley parents and they did everything the could to keep Hunt Valley at West Springfield. I'm not saying the BRAC members aren't trying their best, but that's a huge bias.

It’s insane to think that Hunt Valley should be anywhere but West Springfield (except Saratoga mom, and refer back to being insane) And the split feeder thing was said to be a mistake by Thru.

That being said, it would not shock anyone if Reid does something stupid.

I agree, but the same can we said about that West Orange Hunt neighborhood that walks to Sangster. According to the map, they are squarely within the Springfield Boundaries, closer to Irving and West Springfield, and are part of the Orange Hunt Neighborhood Association. Why move them and not others? None of the changes in Region 4 make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone on BRAC just share what the changes are at this point? They know what the changes are, just not in map form.

I don't think anyone from BRAC will share this information, since they haven't seen the revised maps and don't have any idea of the real reasons behind the delay.

It could very well be that the delay is because the maps being released are delayed because the school board made changes that are very different than what BRAC was told at their last meeting.

Then they are JUST as bad as Gatehouse. All certain BRAC members do is go on Facebook and NextDoor and complain, complain, complain without sharing any helpful information.

You know, they had to sign non disclosures to even be on the committee.

BRAC pyramid volunteers are just other parents doing a thankless job, with zero information or support from FCPS, at a scope much larger than they were told at the beginning.

If you feel you are getting a runaround from FCPS, the BRAC volunteers are experiencing this almost weekly, several times over what you feel.

No same person in their right mind would publicly release any half baked information from FCPS of what they *think* might be the plan, because they will upset prople unnecessary, especially if FCPS pulls a bait and switch, and the information that BRAC shares ends up being wrong. There have been mistakes by FCPS and Thru thoughout this process, and evasive runaround by the school board and Reid.

Why would any of the BRAC members release information on maps before they know it is accurate?

Do you trust Reid and the school board to be transparent? I suspect the answer is no. So why should BRAC volunteers, especially since they have seen up close and on a regular basis at every BRAC meeting how evasive and dishonest FCPS can be.

I have attended several rezoning meetings.

At the last one just a week ago, FCPS was openly throwing the BRAC volunteers attending the meeting under the bus. When parents brought up very legitimate complaints about their neighborhoods getting rezoned, FCPS response was they should bring their complaints to the BRAC members. When parents asked for information that FCPS was not sharing, FCPS told them they needed to ask the BRAC members (who also did not have the information and have been asking the same questions for over a year.)

After the meeting, the BRAC members stayed for 30 minutes, trying to answer questions that they had no answers for.

The meeting had no superintendent and no school board reps in attendance.

The 2 employees knew nothing about rezoning. They were not high level employees.

One was there to read the slides to us, with no answers to the questions we asked.

The other was working on the start time changes, and was there to read the start time slides to us. He didn't have any knowlege or answers to any rezoning questions.

The entire meeting was a farce. The only people there trying to sincerely answer questions were the BRAC parent volunteers.

The meeting was not videotaped.

A parent tried to video tape the Q&A for their spouse who couldn't make it to watch.

A FCPS employee came over and loudly made the parent stop.

When the parent explained why they were videptaping and pointed out that it was a public meeting so they were allowed to videotape, the FCPS employee told her no, that the rezoning meetings could not be videotaped and if a parent was unable to come in person or watch it live on zoom, they were just out of luck.

How is that even legal?

This is what the BRAC members have been dealing with.

Cut them some slack.

FCPS is showing that they are going to try to push parent anger about rezoning away from the school board and superintendent, to the parent volunteers on BRAC. They are not even trying to be transparent about this.

Why would any of the BRAC volunteers stick out their necks at this point? They went into this in good faith, have been completely railroaded and unsupported by FCPS, and are now going to get thrown under the bus when the maps come out and people are naturally upset.

FCPS is going to tell people who are upset about their neighborhoods getting rezoned that the BRAC members picked them to get rezoned. They are already starting to lay the groundwork for passing the blame to the volunteers.

Nevermind that it has bedn implied to the BRAC members that if they can't come up with enough recommendations to rezone, that Reid will pick. The BRAC members are trying their best to find the smallest number of houses to recommend for rezoning, to the most equivalent schools academically, with the most community overlap, similar sports teams, programs, and closest distance. They are trying to save as many neighborhoods as they can from rezoning, trying to lessen the sting of rezoning, and trying to prevent an outcome where Reid picks winners and losers.

Parents should be united in their support of the BRAC community volunteers, even if you don't like the outcome. They are being horribly used by FCPS.

I see I touched a nerve. We know that most BRAC members volunteered as a way to keep their children in their schools or keep their home values up. I mean, look at Great Falls and look at the guy in Fairfax who is determined to stay zoned to Oakton. I'm not saying all of them, but many of them. However thank you for your service, BRAC Member whose child alerted them to this post. I do appreciate that you are volunteering and trying to your best for the community.

Yeah... I am not on the BRAC committee and my kids are not at any risk for rezoning.

I have attended a lot of the rezoning meetings and spoken to several of the volunteers, from my pyramid and other pyramids, and from 2 of the different interest groups.

You could not be more mistaken with your accusations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in region 4, so it doesn't effect me...but I heard that BOTH the West Springfield BRAC members are Hunt Valley parents and they did everything the could to keep Hunt Valley at West Springfield. I'm not saying the BRAC members aren't trying their best, but that's a huge bias.

Most of the volunteers from Region 4 were from Hunt Valley.

There is nothing nefarious about the selection for Region 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Scenario 3 was not developed with BRAC input. If you read the Region 4 BRAC notes it looks like they tried to pick off smaller sections to be rezoned out of WS do they can stay as is. Some of the neighbors they offered to sacrifice to preserve look per the map closer to WS. The numbers are unclear, but it looks like they were trying to cobble together every small change they could--actually effecting more neighborhoods--they making a larger, logical change like moving Daventry back to Lewis??

The Sangster split feeder is a no brainer.

Sangster parents have bedn asking for at least a drcade or more to eliminate the split feeder and send the entire school to Lake Braddock.

This resistance is very new and is as if they are just getting caught up in the anti rezoning sentiment

If FCPS had decided to eliminate the Sangster split feeder before this 8130 BRAC mess, the families would have been thrilled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in region 4, so it doesn't effect me...but I heard that BOTH the West Springfield BRAC members are Hunt Valley parents and they did everything the could to keep Hunt Valley at West Springfield. I'm not saying the BRAC members aren't trying their best, but that's a huge bias.

Most of the volunteers from Region 4 were from Hunt Valley.

There is nothing nefarious about the selection for Region 4.

Turning Hunt Valley into a split feeder? Medford Leas remaining at HV under all the scenarios? None of that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in region 4, so it doesn't effect me...but I heard that BOTH the West Springfield BRAC members are Hunt Valley parents and they did everything the could to keep Hunt Valley at West Springfield. I'm not saying the BRAC members aren't trying their best, but that's a huge bias.

It’s insane to think that Hunt Valley should be anywhere but West Springfield (except Saratoga mom, and refer back to being insane) And the split feeder thing was said to be a mistake by Thru.

That being said, it would not shock anyone if Reid does something stupid.

I agree, but the same can we said about that West Orange Hunt neighborhood that walks to Sangster. According to the map, they are squarely within the Springfield Boundaries, closer to Irving and West Springfield, and are part of the Orange Hunt Neighborhood Association. Why move them and not others? None of the changes in Region 4 make sense.

Which map?

Because they are the closest Sangster neighborhood to Lake Braddock and already have Lake Braddock busses driving through their neighborhood. They are much closer to Lake Braddock than Irving, and equally as close to LB as WSHS.

They have always complained about being a split feeder to WSHS instead of going to LB with the other 80% of their Sangster classmates.

What changed this past year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in region 4, so it doesn't effect me...but I heard that BOTH the West Springfield BRAC members are Hunt Valley parents and they did everything the could to keep Hunt Valley at West Springfield. I'm not saying the BRAC members aren't trying their best, but that's a huge bias.

Most of the volunteers from Region 4 were from Hunt Valley.

There is nothing nefarious about the selection for Region 4.

I wouldn’t call it nefarious, but based on the limited number of seats available, they could have done a better job making sure more areas were represented. WSHS wasn’t the only pyramid where both reps were zoned to the same elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scenario 3 was not developed with BRAC input. If you read the Region 4 BRAC notes it looks like they tried to pick off smaller sections to be rezoned out of WS do they can stay as is. Some of the neighbors they offered to sacrifice to preserve look per the map closer to WS. The numbers are unclear, but it looks like they were trying to cobble together every small change they could--actually effecting more neighborhoods--they making a larger, logical change like moving Daventry back to Lewis??

The Sangster split feeder is a no brainer.

Sangster parents have bedn asking for at least a drcade or more to eliminate the split feeder and send the entire school to Lake Braddock.

This resistance is very new and is as if they are just getting caught up in the anti rezoning sentiment

If FCPS had decided to eliminate the Sangster split feeder before this 8130 BRAC mess, the families would have been thrilled.

Sorry, calling absolute BS on this. The West Orange Hunt neighborhood that walks to Sangster is super connected to West Springfield. Those families 100% bought their homes because they are part of West Springfield. They are physically closer to West Springfield and Irving, and would have the longest increased commute times in region 4 if moved. Sangster was built for the West Springfield community...far before South Run and other neighborhoods were developed. If you don't live there I suggest you stick with talking points for your own neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Maps still aren’t out, right?

Robinson and Centreville families can just take time off from work tomorrow to prepare, I guess.

For FCPS, deadlines don’t matter. Parents’ time is an afterthought.

[Anonymous]

We are part of the Sangster split feeder and we absolutely want to stay WS. And the majority of our small neighborhood does too. I understand eliminating split feeders is what some schools want. But our neighbors are all very pro staying with what we have and are extremely disappointed in the change. So I am not sure who the PP is talking to who has been wanting the split gone for “a decade”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scenario 3 was not developed with BRAC input. If you read the Region 4 BRAC notes it looks like they tried to pick off smaller sections to be rezoned out of WS do they can stay as is. Some of the neighbors they offered to sacrifice to preserve look per the map closer to WS. The numbers are unclear, but it looks like they were trying to cobble together every small change they could--actually effecting more neighborhoods--they making a larger, logical change like moving Daventry back to Lewis??

The Sangster split feeder is a no brainer.

Sangster parents have bedn asking for at least a drcade or more to eliminate the split feeder and send the entire school to Lake Braddock.

This resistance is very new and is as if they are just getting caught up in the anti rezoning sentiment

If FCPS had decided to eliminate the Sangster split feeder before this 8130 BRAC mess, the families would have been thrilled.

Sorry, calling absolute BS on this. The West Orange Hunt neighborhood that walks to Sangster is super connected to West Springfield. Those families 100% bought their homes because they are part of West Springfield. They are physically closer to West Springfield and Irving, and would have the longest increased commute times in region 4 if moved. Sangster was built for the West Springfield community...far before South Run and other neighborhoods were developed. If you don't live there I suggest you stick with talking points for your own neighborhood.

Lake Braddock is closer to them than Irving.

Sansgter does all their stuff with Lake Braddock (like the pyramid events) not WSHS.

All the community activities such as little league, soccer, scouts, theater, dance and churches are a combination of Lake Braddock and WSHS families. There is SOOOO much overlap socially between Lake Braddock and Sangster.

I had a kid at Sangster, and it blows my mind that out of the blue the families in that Sangster neighborhood are acting like Lake Braddock is some far off location with no connection to the Sangster community. Until this year, most of those families would have been thrilled to get sent to the same high school as 80-90% of their classmates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maps still aren’t out, right?

Robinson and Centreville families can just take time off from work tomorrow to prepare, I guess.

For FCPS, deadlines don’t matter. Parents’ time is an afterthought.

Rachna Sizemore-Heizer posted on FB this afternoon encouraging Robinson and Centreville parents to attend the meeting tomorrow night.

She must really have checked out from being a School Board member because that's some tone-deaf stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are part of the Sangster split feeder and we absolutely want to stay WS. And the majority of our small neighborhood does too. I understand eliminating split feeders is what some schools want. But our neighbors are all very pro staying with what we have and are extremely disappointed in the change. So I am not sure who the PP is talking to who has been wanting the split gone for “a decade”

YES! We live in West Springfield Sangster split too and our 7th grader bikes to Irving. I hate the thought of him having to change schools, and not being connected to his Irving/WS friends. I've reached out to Sandy Anderson and it's like she doesn't care about us at all. I know changes are hard, but our neighborhood is not insignificant and should be a pawn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scenario 3 was not developed with BRAC input. If you read the Region 4 BRAC notes it looks like they tried to pick off smaller sections to be rezoned out of WS do they can stay as is. Some of the neighbors they offered to sacrifice to preserve look per the map closer to WS. The numbers are unclear, but it looks like they were trying to cobble together every small change they could--actually effecting more neighborhoods--they making a larger, logical change like moving Daventry back to Lewis??

The Sangster split feeder is a no brainer.

Sangster parents have bedn asking for at least a drcade or more to eliminate the split feeder and send the entire school to Lake Braddock.

This resistance is very new and is as if they are just getting caught up in the anti rezoning sentiment

If FCPS had decided to eliminate the Sangster split feeder before this 8130 BRAC mess, the families would have been thrilled.

Sorry, calling absolute BS on this. The West Orange Hunt neighborhood that walks to Sangster is super connected to West Springfield. Those families 100% bought their homes because they are part of West Springfield. They are physically closer to West Springfield and Irving, and would have the longest increased commute times in region 4 if moved. Sangster was built for the West Springfield community...far before South Run and other neighborhoods were developed. If you don't live there I suggest you stick with talking points for your own neighborhood.

Lake Braddock is closer to them than Irving.

Sansgter does all their stuff with Lake Braddock (like the pyramid events) not WSHS.

All the community activities such as little league, soccer, scouts, theater, dance and churches are a combination of Lake Braddock and WSHS families. There is SOOOO much overlap socially between Lake Braddock and Sangster.

I had a kid at Sangster, and it blows my mind that out of the blue the families in that Sangster neighborhood are acting like Lake Braddock is some far off location with no connection to the Sangster community. Until this year, most of those families would have been thrilled to get sent to the same high school as 80-90% of their classmates.

Many, many Lake Braddock/Sangster families are flabbergasted, and actually insulted, about that neighborhood being so up in arms over potential rezoning to Lake Braddock. It make no sense whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are part of the Sangster split feeder and we absolutely want to stay WS. And the majority of our small neighborhood does too. I understand eliminating split feeders is what some schools want. But our neighbors are all very pro staying with what we have and are extremely disappointed in the change. So I am not sure who the PP is talking to who has been wanting the split gone for “a decade”

You’re walking distance to Sangster. You can say you feel more emotionally connected to WSHS all you want but physically, you’re closer to Sangster. At least LBSS is as good if not better than WSHS. Daventry and other neighborhoods could be looking at going to Lewis. You’re really not in a good place to argue this one.