FCPS HS Boundary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

There's the quality of the renovations, which were lousy at Annandale and Lewis in particular (also McLean) compared to other schools. Woodson didn't get a fancy renovation but it got expanded.

When those schools got overcrowded, like Annandale, or there was otherwise a pretext for doing so, single-family neighborhoods got carved out and moved to other schools (Annandale kids got moved to Falls Church, Lake Braddock, Woodson, and Edison; Lewis kids got moved to South County and West Springfield).

No one revisits whether IB turned out to be a good fit at those schools, so they continue to lose a lot of kids to pupil placements.

West Potomac got expanded to a crazy size - 3000 - so kids wouldn't have to move to Mount Vernon, whereas in theory there could be two mid-sized schools in that area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

DP. "Over the top facilities"? Schools being renovated - after waiting decades in the queue - are not somehow now "over the top." What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

DP. "Over the top facilities"? Schools being renovated - after waiting decades in the queue - are not somehow now "over the top." What are you talking about?

DP. Compared to some public schools elsewhere in the country, the more recent renovations of FCPS high schools aren't "over the top." That doesn't change the fact that schools built later in FCPS got considerably nicer renovations than schools built earlier - both in terms of the quality of the renovations and expansions - which only served to increase the disparities among schools when it comes to facilities. FCPS needs to do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

Falls Church HS will also have its exceptionally nice facility completed before too long. Some portions are already finished. There were community tours this winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

DP. "Over the top facilities"? Schools being renovated - after waiting decades in the queue - are not somehow now "over the top." What are you talking about?

DP. Compared to some public schools elsewhere in the country, the more recent renovations of FCPS high schools aren't "over the top." That doesn't change the fact that schools built later in FCPS got considerably nicer renovations than schools built earlier - both in terms of the quality of the renovations and expansions - which only served to increase the disparities among schools when it comes to facilities. FCPS needs to do better.

So "over the top" was entirely inaccurate. The schools renovated more recently simply received more up-to-date renovations, as one would expect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

DP. "Over the top facilities"? Schools being renovated - after waiting decades in the queue - are not somehow now "over the top." What are you talking about?

DP. Compared to some public schools elsewhere in the country, the more recent renovations of FCPS high schools aren't "over the top." That doesn't change the fact that schools built later in FCPS got considerably nicer renovations than schools built earlier - both in terms of the quality of the renovations and expansions - which only served to increase the disparities among schools when it comes to facilities. FCPS needs to do better.

So "over the top" was entirely inaccurate. The schools renovated more recently simply received more up-to-date renovations, as one would expect.

That’s your gloss, but it doesn’t acknowledge that the schools renovated earlier were effectively short-changed. The amounts spent on those “renovations,” even in inflation-adjusted dollars, was much lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

DP. "Over the top facilities"? Schools being renovated - after waiting decades in the queue - are not somehow now "over the top." What are you talking about?

DP. Compared to some public schools elsewhere in the country, the more recent renovations of FCPS high schools aren't "over the top." That doesn't change the fact that schools built later in FCPS got considerably nicer renovations than schools built earlier - both in terms of the quality of the renovations and expansions - which only served to increase the disparities among schools when it comes to facilities. FCPS needs to do better.

So "over the top" was entirely inaccurate. The schools renovated more recently simply received more up-to-date renovations, as one would expect.

It’s like comparing a 2010 Hyundai to a 2020 BMW… it’s not just that the newer car has more up-to-date tech and safety features “as one would expect” (though that’s a piece of it), but it is also an entirely different class of car.

[Anonymous]

For McLean’s 2005 “renovation” they ripped out the beautiful 1950s-era stained hardwood finishes among other “improvements.”

With the taxpayer approved bond money, McLean got a 1980 “Volkswagen Rabbit” or “Chrysler K Car” equivalent renovation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

DP. "Over the top facilities"? Schools being renovated - after waiting decades in the queue - are not somehow now "over the top." What are you talking about?

DP. Compared to some public schools elsewhere in the country, the more recent renovations of FCPS high schools aren't "over the top." That doesn't change the fact that schools built later in FCPS got considerably nicer renovations than schools built earlier - both in terms of the quality of the renovations and expansions - which only served to increase the disparities among schools when it comes to facilities. FCPS needs to do better.

So "over the top" was entirely inaccurate. The schools renovated more recently simply received more up-to-date renovations, as one would expect.

That’s your gloss, but it doesn’t acknowledge that the schools renovated earlier were effectively short-changed. The amounts spent on those “renovations,” even in inflation-adjusted dollars, was much lower.

Give it a rest already. It’s not like the renovations helped students. Also, unless the schools are all renovated at the same time, there will be differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For McLean’s 2005 “renovation” they ripped out the beautiful 1950s-era stained hardwood finishes among other “improvements.”

With the taxpayer approved bond money, McLean got a 1980 “Volkswagen Rabbit” or “Chrysler K Car” equivalent renovation.

Be careful what you ask for. Also, it is interesting that it was renovated to recently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

Smaller schools are more desirable. They also make them more exclusive. Why would anyone want a mega school?

Yes, those smaller, neglected schools like Annandale, Lewis, and Mount Vernon are so desirable compared to Woodson, West Springfield, and West Potomac.

Please explain what you mean by neglected and in what ways expansions will improve students overall mental health and academic outcomes.

NP I interpreted that the PP was referring to the schools that got crappy renovations, like McLean, Annandale, Lewis, and Woodson. Unlike the schools with over the top facilities such as, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, West Springfield, Langley.

DP. "Over the top facilities"? Schools being renovated - after waiting decades in the queue - are not somehow now "over the top." What are you talking about?

DP. Compared to some public schools elsewhere in the country, the more recent renovations of FCPS high schools aren't "over the top." That doesn't change the fact that schools built later in FCPS got considerably nicer renovations than schools built earlier - both in terms of the quality of the renovations and expansions - which only served to increase the disparities among schools when it comes to facilities. FCPS needs to do better.

So "over the top" was entirely inaccurate. The schools renovated more recently simply received more up-to-date renovations, as one would expect.

That’s your gloss, but it doesn’t acknowledge that the schools renovated earlier were effectively short-changed. The amounts spent on those “renovations,” even in inflation-adjusted dollars, was much lower.

Give it a rest already. It’s not like the renovations helped students. Also, unless the schools are all renovated at the same time, there will be differences.

If the renovations didn’t help students they wouldn’t bother with them at all. They’ll have to bring the older schools up to par eventually and, when they do, it will cost more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

It’s “far right” not to want to raise taxes for unnecessary expansions and new construction now.

*sigh*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

It’s “far right” not to want to raise taxes for unnecessary expansions and new construction now.

*sigh*

Your premise is wrong. Expansions are needed at a number of schools. If you don't renovate and/or expand where the kids live, you just end up bussing more kids longer distances and, when you do get around to renovating, it costs a lot more. The very expensive renovation of Falls Church HS - neglected for too long - is a case in point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

“First class” in what sense? lol

Anyway, all schools should be maintained in good repair, buildings, fields, and hardscaping. They don’t all need to be the same size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the situations are necessary. If you don’t like your kids bumping elbows with other kids, move. There are less crowded options with plenty of seats inside and outside the county.

Good luck moving for better schools when you're suddenly underwater on your mortgage because FCPS shifted your home to a school with a 30% ESL rate and your property value tanked by 25%.

Oh well. This is what we’ve voted for in our state and county. Suck it up buttercup. You’re probably wealthier than 95% of the country.

DP, but as pointed out before no one campaigned for county or state office saying they were committed to large-scale school boundary revisions in FCPS.

It's not an issue where you can predict someone's views based on party affiliation. The far left would redistrict to balance demographics in the name of equity. The far right would redistrict to minimize future taxes and spending on facilities. And most people who aren't either far left or far right would probably say only change school boundaries when it's absolutely necessary and continue to renovate and expand schools in the ordinary course to meet current needs and anticipate future ones.

No one should be expanding HS around here. They are already too large. Kids don’t even know half their classmates let alone their classmates’ names.

In any case, the SB is too politically driven to give a wit about education. They are all about their next political position and won’t actually do anything on this topic. I wish they’d stop wasting everyone’s time and emotional capital on boundaries.

Some recent expansions to a design capacity of at least 2500 seats include: Herndon (2779), Madison (2503), Oakton (2646), South Lakes (2717), West Potomac (3049), and West Springfield (2505)

Some ongoing and planned expansions include: Falls Church (2500), Justice (2500), and Centreville (3000)

Schools that were built large include: Lake Braddock (3124), Robinson (2752), South County (2500), and Westfield (2823)

So that cat is out of the bag, and they obviously struggle mightily to find acceptable sites for any new high school. Given all that, it's more than a bit late to start claiming no other schools should be expanded, regardless of their circumstances.

BS. There is no need for size equity.

It's not especially important at the ES or MS level, but it's certainly a consideration at the HS level.

Spending to expand some high schools while blowing off others with an even greater need for additional seats would be the epitome of unfair treatment.

You fill until you hit the limit. Then you decide is it better to cozy up or send your kid elsewhere. Move if you have to. Stop with your calls for equity. Stop wasting tax followers on buildings.

^tax dollars

Spending to ensure HS facilities are generally comparable is an investment in kids and communities. There are huge disparities in facilities within FCPS, just as there are among when it comes to student achievement. A School Board that wants a first-class system pays attention to both.

“First class” in what sense? lol

Anyway, all schools should be maintained in good repair, buildings, fields, and hardscaping. They don’t all need to be the same size.

If they were all the same size, that would mean expanding every school to 3000 seats like West Potomac and, soon, Centreville. Clearly that isn't going to happen.

On the other hand, several schools that are overcrowded. yet have closer to 2000 than 3000 seats, should be expanded to keep kids near their homes but get them out of the trailers and modulars.