LAST APS meeting on new high school and countywide rezoning (4/4, 7 pm Yorktown)

[Anonymous]

Lander is a politician, but he's also been willing to do what it takes to get votes. Most of the other SB members don't care what the people want.

I'm not impressed with O'Grady and her love of choice schools. In fact, she's so out of touch that she is suggesting to the Westover voters that Reed can have neighborhood preference, but anyone watching the current policy changes knows that neighborhood preference is a thing of the past.

What's most important is someone to stand up to Nancy. She's on a huge power trip and she doesn't make good decisions. I've watched her in meetings claim to recap what Tania and Barbara say, but actually say the exact opposite. Tania is letting Nancy walk all over her right now, so I hope she develops a backbone. I'm not sure what to think of Barbara. Reid gets involved with the community more than anyone I've seen, but I'm not sure that it's much more than lip-service. Friends who have met with him says he takes the time to listen, but they don't get the impression he cares to actually make change. He's also a fan of choice schools.

I know who's getting my vote as I bide my time to try (again) to voite out Nancy.

[Anonymous]

We need to make shirts and a website championing a 4th comprehensive high school and how that is best for the county. Good schools are what drive EVERYONE property value and that means money for the county and budget which should get board members attention.

[Anonymous]

I know a (previously) huge Nancy supporter, very vocal and visible in pushing her for school board. During neighborhood gatherings she now feels compelled to distance herself; she is obviously embarrassed about her earlier enthusiastic support.

Nancy is smart and talks a good game on specific issues (hello special needs) but is not good at addressing the big picture. I agree that she needs to go.

That said, I don't envy anyone on the school board.

[Anonymous]

This just shouldn't be so complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This just shouldn't be so complicated.

What shouldn't? Running a school district with a half-billion dollar budget?

That's bound to be complicated. The problem is not that people can't learn to deal with complications, it's that they don't choose to., but Setting definable goals for a project and comparing goals to what's achieved would be a huge help, but that would require people to occasionally admit that they made a bad choice. I think Arlington voters could accept that if it came with an explanation, but that's not the board way. Have an idea, implement the idea, stand by the idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just shouldn't be so complicated.

What shouldn't? Running a school district with a half-billion dollar budget?

That's bound to be complicated. The problem is not that people can't learn to deal with complications, it's that they don't choose to., but Setting definable goals for a project and comparing goals to what's achieved would be a huge help, but that would require people to occasionally admit that they made a bad choice. I think Arlington voters could accept that if it came with an explanation, but that's not the board way. Have an idea, implement the idea, stand by the idea.

cause 80% residents don't use APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just shouldn't be so complicated.

What shouldn't? Running a school district with a half-billion dollar budget?

That's bound to be complicated. The problem is not that people can't learn to deal with complications, it's that they don't choose to., but Setting definable goals for a project and comparing goals to what's achieved would be a huge help, but that would require people to occasionally admit that they made a bad choice. I think Arlington voters could accept that if it came with an explanation, but that's not the board way. Have an idea, implement the idea, stand by the idea.

cause 80% residents don't use APS.

I'm not talking about county residents. I'm talking about the school board members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just shouldn't be so complicated.

What shouldn't? Running a school district with a half-billion dollar budget?

That's bound to be complicated. The problem is not that people can't learn to deal with complications, it's that they don't choose to., but Setting definable goals for a project and comparing goals to what's achieved would be a huge help, but that would require people to occasionally admit that they made a bad choice. I think Arlington voters could accept that if it came with an explanation, but that's not the board way. Have an idea, implement the idea, stand by the idea.

cause 80% residents don't use APS.

I'm not talking about county residents. I'm talking about the school board members.

Besides, school quality impacts every resident via property values and tax revenue. Arlington has a premium over Alexandria despite similar proximity; we are gambling with that value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just shouldn't be so complicated.

What shouldn't? Running a school district with a half-billion dollar budget?

That's bound to be complicated. The problem is not that people can't learn to deal with complications, it's that they don't choose to., but Setting definable goals for a project and comparing goals to what's achieved would be a huge help, but that would require people to occasionally admit that they made a bad choice. I think Arlington voters could accept that if it came with an explanation, but that's not the board way. Have an idea, implement the idea, stand by the idea.

cause 80% residents don't use APS.

I don't use senior centers. I don't use public transportation. I don't use affordable housing vouchers. We are a community. We can't just screw over one segment of the population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lander is a politician, but he's also been willing to do what it takes to get votes. Most of the other SB members don't care what the people want.

I'm not impressed with O'Grady and her love of choice schools. In fact, she's so out of touch that she is suggesting to the Westover voters that Reed can have neighborhood preference, but anyone watching the current policy changes knows that neighborhood preference is a thing of the past.

What's most important is someone to stand up to Nancy. She's on a huge power trip and she doesn't make good decisions. I've watched her in meetings claim to recap what Tania and Barbara say, but actually say the exact opposite. Tania is letting Nancy walk all over her right now, so I hope she develops a backbone. I'm not sure what to think of Barbara. Reid gets involved with the community more than anyone I've seen, but I'm not sure that it's much more than lip-service. Friends who have met with him says he takes the time to listen, but they don't get the impression he cares to actually make change. He's also a fan of choice schools.

I know who's getting my vote as I bide my time to try (again) to voite out Nancy.

Well, problem is that he makes so many promises to so many different groups, often with competing interests, that he can't be trusted. He's also not really interested in being a school board member. I'd rather have someone there who wants this specific job, and who wants to know all the details in order to come to an informed and well-reasoned decision, even if it's one that I don't always agree with.

[Anonymous]

Anyone saying we need MORE choice schools is not making an informed and well-reasoned decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone saying we need MORE choice schools is not making an informed and well-reasoned decision.

This is all subterfuge on the part of APS and the SB to act as if they're doing something. Without real numbers, how can you trust that the programs will accommodate all of these students? A lot of the ES's and MS's are already severely overcrowded. Do they really think that the schools who are already in demand will have more room to squeeze in these new programs? I watched the 3/30 last night as I was unable to attend the other sessions. One of the APS people Dr. N or something caveated her language by saying something like, "If there is demand for a second IB middle school..." and "if there is room..." Show us the real analysis.

Not some BS about how the survey showed the HS parents wanted a 1300 seat option school over a comprehensive HS. No, honey, i'm sorry that's not what the survey asked. It just asked what types of programs would parents like at an option school. I also read the posted FAQs last night and almost choked.

Why isn’t there an option for creating another H?B Woodlawn style school for the 1,300 seat high school, based on the over?subscription of applications at H?B Woodlawn?

A: We are not proposing creating of any new countywide option at the elementary or secondary level because the data gathered from our recent feedback form, Community Feedback: School Options, as well as the review of current and past application and wait list data does not suggest a demand for another countywide option at either level.

Specifically to H?B Woodlawn, we believe the ongoing work at the state and local level concerning the restructuring and redesign of high schools and graduation requirements will actually result in all of our high schools containing many of the key elements of H?B Woodlawn.

BS. Sign me up for the waitlist for both my kids. Maybe they should honestly say b/c they've already committed way too much money for so few students, so they can't create a 2nd HB. Also, HB refuses to take in more students in their new school saying it takes away from their specialness.

[Anonymous]

I have been totally unimpressed with Maura. She can't state her position clearly and she doesn't seem to understand how the SB works. I really wanted to like her, but even when asked directly about 4th comprehensive, she hedged. She talks about diversity with no specific action plan.

Monique O'Grady is 150% for Choice schools. Very welll spoken, but clearly stated that Choice schoools are the answer, the "safety valve" (in her words) for Capacity.

Even if you don't like Lander personally, he has actually stood for some important decisions. He was the ONLY SB member to vote AGAINST renewing Murphy's contract! He voted for neighborhood school at Stratford and tried hard to push for the Wilson/HB site to co-locate with more students, such as Montessori or Pre-K. He has been open to listening and has changed his mind when the facts support a better decision. And he shut down the BS accusations by the HB people that moving them to Wilson was racist. He is a strong supporter of neighborhood schools and has said he is in favor of a 4th comprehensive in the mid-term plan. He says we need 1300 seats short-term PLUS a 4th comprehensive.

With who we have on the ballot, if you favor neighborhood schools and a 4th comprehensive, you should vote for James.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So glad we saw this sh** storm coming and moved to McLean. Can anyone honestly say they are happy with any of these options?

Actually yes, especially if it means we don't have to move out to McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been totally unimpressed with Maura. She can't state her position clearly and she doesn't seem to understand how the SB works. I really wanted to like her, but even when asked directly about 4th comprehensive, she hedged. She talks about diversity with no specific action plan.

Monique O'Grady is 150% for Choice schools. Very welll spoken, but clearly stated that Choice schoools are the answer, the "safety valve" (in her words) for Capacity.

Even if you don't like Lander personally, he has actually stood for some important decisions. He was the ONLY SB member to vote AGAINST renewing Murphy's contract! He voted for neighborhood school at Stratford and tried hard to push for the Wilson/HB site to co-locate with more students, such as Montessori or Pre-K. He has been open to listening and has changed his mind when the facts support a better decision. And he shut down the BS accusations by the HB people that moving them to Wilson was racist. He is a strong supporter of neighborhood schools and has said he is in favor of a 4th comprehensive in the mid-term plan. He says we need 1300 seats short-term PLUS a 4th comprehensive.

With who we have on the ballot, if you favor neighborhood schools and a 4th comprehensive, you should vote for James.

Ha, okay. Let's just reelect the guy who's been there for 8 years while this capacity sh**storm was brewing. Go ahead. See how many of the promises he makes good on. No thanks. I'm not voting FOR the other candidates so much as I'm voting AGAINST him. I mean, isn't his campaign manager an HB parent? Yeah, he's sooooo into neighborhood schools.