APS School Bd Mtg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live further east but are moving out of the area. I don't have faith, and can't gamble with my kids education.

If you're further east, you'll probably be pulled into whatever it is that they build at the Career Center. I'd be fine with that if they could show that they have a plan for equitable facilities and a way to execute it before my kids are already there. Im going to sit tight and hope for the best and save some $$ for private school just in case.

BTW, has anyone from the Montessori community weighed in on this talk of moving their program? Seems like if it's so inappropriate for a HS to be located adjacent to an ES at Kenmore, it will be an issue at the Career Center, too.

Not far enough east. Looking at the map, my neighborhood would likely be cut in half. Half going to a "less than" HS at the career center with better demographics, and half going to GS 2 Wakefield. It will be interesting to see the home prices on either side of the line. I'll be following with interest - from elsewhere. We aren't in a financial position to risk our largest asset/ investment.
This has the potential to lower property values in areas like Claremont and Douglas Park.
It's a shame. I was very optimistic about Wakefield in the long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of vacant office space in Ballston/Rosslyn corridor. The Career Center can move there.

So can the library.

Look I am all for a 4th high school and may be fine with the career center location but if you want low income children to succeed do not take away their libraries. The Columbia Pike library has the second most use in the county after Central. Sure move it elsewhere where there is a need (maybe into empty space in Arlington Mill where they wanted to put it around 8 years ago) but don't take a heavily used resource from S Arlington and put it in the north. Maybe the career center could move to the R/B corridor if the county labs can actually move there. Teenagers can get around more easily than young kids and it pulls from all over the county.

Also I think some people are in denial about the usefulnesss of trade and technical skills. I heard an interview recently with a MD state politician who is an electrician and did an apprenticeship after high school. He was taking about being 23 and making 80k (more than 5 years ago) and being debt-free while his friends were graduating college searching for entry-level jobs with no debt. Some of those skilled trades are going to be slower to be replaced by robots too. The career center has great programs. Just food for thought.

Yes to all of this, but especially the bolded part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the Arlington Heights folks made a really good point about being afraid that if we blew this $150M on two short-term high schools, we likely wouldn't have enough money left afterwards to start building the comprehensive high school that we really need, and that we should use the money now to do that.

I had been in favor of a 4th comprehensive at Kenmore, but the Arlington Heights folks have convinced me that they are right and we should try to build it there. Their more central location should be better for the project, anyway. The only thing is that they don't really have open fields or a pool and I agree with them that they would need (expensive) underground parking -- I want a TRUE, equal 4th comprehensive high school so spend all the money there and do it right.

Maybe Arlington Tech could be moved to the Ed Center?

Right, space is the issue with the site. I don't see how it wouldn't be a "less than" school based on size of the site alone. I personally went to a HS without its own pool or football field (we didn't even have a team) and am no worse off for it, but it does seem a bit unfair. But, as compared to the hybrid option, I'd get on board. I was supportive of Kenmore as the best option as well, but seems like that's just not going to happen.

Same here I went to a magnet Science HS in NYC. It was a trade off. We still had a swim team even without a pool. If people know what they are opting into I don't think it is an issue. Perhaps the 4th HS has a program that parents and kids want more than a pool or football team. Maybe it has an amazing auditorium and stage and kids who prefer performing arts could opt to go there. Not everyone wants swimming or sports fields. I am sure we could fill a HS with student who don't care for either if we give them what they do care for.

But they won't even say what it's going to be. A culinary school? A technical school? A second HB? They want to vote on location before the community can weigh in with what program they'd be willing to forgo amenities and participation inactivities for. You're also asking the neighborhood to take on the burden of additional traffic and use without any benefits (like guaranteed acces as a neighborhood school and/or the fields and pool and community space that other schools of comparable size have). There's little upside for them to acquiesce to a choice program that may be undesirable.

[Anonymous]

Question: won't *any* comprehensive new high school, no matter where it's placed, mean Wakefield's numbers will slide? Absent some crazy boundaries which would not go over politically, that is? Is that why WF people are pushing for a choice program for those seats?

What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question: won't *any* comprehensive new high school, no matter where it's placed, mean Wakefield's numbers will slide? Absent some crazy boundaries which would not go over politically, that is? Is that why WF people are pushing for a choice program for those seats?

What am I missing?

Kenmore could address demographics. I disagree that it's politically not possible. It made a huge stink this past fall when the SB wimped out. I don't think it would be politically possible to not address it, if they went with Kenmore.
The county has made a legitimate mess of all of this.
Concentrating poverty, ignoring student projections, mismanagement of our new buildings. It's shocking. I would never have thought this would happen here. We've always had such amazing county services. I'm truly at a loss.

[Anonymous]

Just in case everyone hasn't seen it, there is a stock letter on Facebook (on the Arlington Citizens for Responsible School Planning page) toend yo the SB asking for more neighborhood seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live further east but are moving out of the area. I don't have faith, and can't gamble with my kids education.

If you're further east, you'll probably be pulled into whatever it is that they build at the Career Center. I'd be fine with that if they could show that they have a plan for equitable facilities and a way to execute it before my kids are already there. Im going to sit tight and hope for the best and save some $$ for private school just in case.

BTW, has anyone from the Montessori community weighed in on this talk of moving their program? Seems like if it's so inappropriate for a HS to be located adjacent to an ES at Kenmore, it will be an issue at the Career Center, too.

I'm a Montessori parent (and a NP) and I have no idea why it would be inappropriate to have a HS adjacent to an ES. I actually thought the concern with Kenmore/Carlin Springs was the traffic and the unsafe crossing of Carlin Springs Road. Since it's Arlington, though, I'm sure there's some NIMBY concern I haven't thought of yet.

A few people spoke at the school board meeting to give reasons why Kenmore cannot possibly be considered to build a high school on its site, and one reason laid out extensively was, that it is bad to have high school students and elementary students on the same site.
(I'm just the messenger here.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live further east but are moving out of the area. I don't have faith, and can't gamble with my kids education.

If you're further east, you'll probably be pulled into whatever it is that they build at the Career Center. I'd be fine with that if they could show that they have a plan for equitable facilities and a way to execute it before my kids are already there. Im going to sit tight and hope for the best and save some $$ for private school just in case.

BTW, has anyone from the Montessori community weighed in on this talk of moving their program? Seems like if it's so inappropriate for a HS to be located adjacent to an ES at Kenmore, it will be an issue at the Career Center, too.

I'm a Montessori parent (and a NP) and I have no idea why it would be inappropriate to have a HS adjacent to an ES. I actually thought the concern with Kenmore/Carlin Springs was the traffic and the unsafe crossing of Carlin Springs Road. Since it's Arlington, though, I'm sure there's some NIMBY concern I haven't thought of yet.

A few people spoke at the school board meeting to give reasons why Kenmore cannot possibly be considered to build a high school on its site, and one reason laid out extensively was, that it is bad to have high school students and elementary students on the same site.
(I'm just the messenger here.)

All those big, bad teenagers!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the Arlington Heights folks made a really good point about being afraid that if we blew this $150M on two short-term high schools, we likely wouldn't have enough money left afterwards to start building the comprehensive high school that we really need, and that we should use the money now to do that.

I had been in favor of a 4th comprehensive at Kenmore, but the Arlington Heights folks have convinced me that they are right and we should try to build it there. Their more central location should be better for the project, anyway. The only thing is that they don't really have open fields or a pool and I agree with them that they would need (expensive) underground parking -- I want a TRUE, equal 4th comprehensive high school so spend all the money there and do it right.

Maybe Arlington Tech could be moved to the Ed Center?

Right, space is the issue with the site. I don't see how it wouldn't be a "less than" school based on size of the site alone. I personally went to a HS without its own pool or football field (we didn't even have a team) and am no worse off for it, but it does seem a bit unfair. But, as compared to the hybrid option, I'd get on board. I was supportive of Kenmore as the best option as well, but seems like that's just not going to happen.

Same here I went to a magnet Science HS in NYC. It was a trade off. We still had a swim team even without a pool. If people know what they are opting into I don't think it is an issue. Perhaps the 4th HS has a program that parents and kids want more than a pool or football team. Maybe it has an amazing auditorium and stage and kids who prefer performing arts could opt to go there. Not everyone wants swimming or sports fields. I am sure we could fill a HS with student who don't care for either if we give them what they do care for.

But they won't even say what it's going to be. A culinary school? A technical school? A second HB? They want to vote on location before the community can weigh in with what program they'd be willing to forgo amenities and participation inactivities for. You're also asking the neighborhood to take on the burden of additional traffic and use without any benefits (like guaranteed acces as a neighborhood school and/or the fields and pool and community space that other schools of comparable size have). There's little upside for them to acquiesce to a choice program that may be undesirable.

Arlington needs a 4th neighborhood high school. There is just no way around it. We will be over 2200 or so high school seats short over the next years.
And there is NO NEED to forgo amenities. A full stadium and a pool should fit on the Career Center site. The site is almost as big as Washington Lee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the Arlington Heights folks made a really good point about being afraid that if we blew this $150M on two short-term high schools, we likely wouldn't have enough money left afterwards to start building the comprehensive high school that we really need, and that we should use the money now to do that.

I had been in favor of a 4th comprehensive at Kenmore, but the Arlington Heights folks have convinced me that they are right and we should try to build it there. Their more central location should be better for the project, anyway. The only thing is that they don't really have open fields or a pool and I agree with them that they would need (expensive) underground parking -- I want a TRUE, equal 4th comprehensive high school so spend all the money there and do it right.

Maybe Arlington Tech could be moved to the Ed Center?

Right, space is the issue with the site. I don't see how it wouldn't be a "less than" school based on size of the site alone. I personally went to a HS without its own pool or football field (we didn't even have a team) and am no worse off for it, but it does seem a bit unfair. But, as compared to the hybrid option, I'd get on board. I was supportive of Kenmore as the best option as well, but seems like that's just not going to happen.

Same here I went to a magnet Science HS in NYC. It was a trade off. We still had a swim team even without a pool. If people know what they are opting into I don't think it is an issue. Perhaps the 4th HS has a program that parents and kids want more than a pool or football team. Maybe it has an amazing auditorium and stage and kids who prefer performing arts could opt to go there. Not everyone wants swimming or sports fields. I am sure we could fill a HS with student who don't care for either if we give them what they do care for.

But they won't even say what it's going to be. A culinary school? A technical school? A second HB? They want to vote on location before the community can weigh in with what program they'd be willing to forgo amenities and participation inactivities for. You're also asking the neighborhood to take on the burden of additional traffic and use without any benefits (like guaranteed acces as a neighborhood school and/or the fields and pool and community space that other schools of comparable size have). There's little upside for them to acquiesce to a choice program that may be undesirable.

Arlington needs a 4th neighborhood high school. There is just no way around it. We will be over 2200 or so high school seats short over the next years.
And there is NO NEED to forgo amenities. A full stadium and a pool should fit on the Career Center site. The site is almost as big as Washington Lee.

The career center site is 12 acres. The WL site plus Ed Center is 22. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/FAC-1300-seat-siting-document-draft.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the Arlington Heights folks made a really good point about being afraid that if we blew this $150M on two short-term high schools, we likely wouldn't have enough money left afterwards to start building the comprehensive high school that we really need, and that we should use the money now to do that.

I had been in favor of a 4th comprehensive at Kenmore, but the Arlington Heights folks have convinced me that they are right and we should try to build it there. Their more central location should be better for the project, anyway. The only thing is that they don't really have open fields or a pool and I agree with them that they would need (expensive) underground parking -- I want a TRUE, equal 4th comprehensive high school so spend all the money there and do it right.

Maybe Arlington Tech could be moved to the Ed Center?

Right, space is the issue with the site. I don't see how it wouldn't be a "less than" school based on size of the site alone. I personally went to a HS without its own pool or football field (we didn't even have a team) and am no worse off for it, but it does seem a bit unfair. But, as compared to the hybrid option, I'd get on board. I was supportive of Kenmore as the best option as well, but seems like that's just not going to happen.

Same here I went to a magnet Science HS in NYC. It was a trade off. We still had a swim team even without a pool. If people know what they are opting into I don't think it is an issue. Perhaps the 4th HS has a program that parents and kids want more than a pool or football team. Maybe it has an amazing auditorium and stage and kids who prefer performing arts could opt to go there. Not everyone wants swimming or sports fields. I am sure we could fill a HS with student who don't care for either if we give them what they do care for.

But they won't even say what it's going to be. A culinary school? A technical school? A second HB? They want to vote on location before the community can weigh in with what program they'd be willing to forgo amenities and participation inactivities for. You're also asking the neighborhood to take on the burden of additional traffic and use without any benefits (like guaranteed acces as a neighborhood school and/or the fields and pool and community space that other schools of comparable size have). There's little upside for them to acquiesce to a choice program that may be undesirable.

Arlington needs a 4th neighborhood high school. There is just no way around it. We will be over 2200 or so high school seats short over the next years.
And there is NO NEED to forgo amenities. A full stadium and a pool should fit on the Career Center site. The site is almost as big as Washington Lee.

The career center site is 12 acres. The WL site plus Ed Center is 22. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/FAC-1300-seat-siting-document-draft.pdf

How much is WL without the Ed center. Why include that? Go with underground parking and pool and very doable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the Arlington Heights folks made a really good point about being afraid that if we blew this $150M on two short-term high schools, we likely wouldn't have enough money left afterwards to start building the comprehensive high school that we really need, and that we should use the money now to do that.

I had been in favor of a 4th comprehensive at Kenmore, but the Arlington Heights folks have convinced me that they are right and we should try to build it there. Their more central location should be better for the project, anyway. The only thing is that they don't really have open fields or a pool and I agree with them that they would need (expensive) underground parking -- I want a TRUE, equal 4th comprehensive high school so spend all the money there and do it right.

Maybe Arlington Tech could be moved to the Ed Center?

Right, space is the issue with the site. I don't see how it wouldn't be a "less than" school based on size of the site alone. I personally went to a HS without its own pool or football field (we didn't even have a team) and am no worse off for it, but it does seem a bit unfair. But, as compared to the hybrid option, I'd get on board. I was supportive of Kenmore as the best option as well, but seems like that's just not going to happen.

Same here I went to a magnet Science HS in NYC. It was a trade off. We still had a swim team even without a pool. If people know what they are opting into I don't think it is an issue. Perhaps the 4th HS has a program that parents and kids want more than a pool or football team. Maybe it has an amazing auditorium and stage and kids who prefer performing arts could opt to go there. Not everyone wants swimming or sports fields. I am sure we could fill a HS with student who don't care for either if we give them what they do care for.

But they won't even say what it's going to be. A culinary school? A technical school? A second HB? They want to vote on location before the community can weigh in with what program they'd be willing to forgo amenities and participation inactivities for. You're also asking the neighborhood to take on the burden of additional traffic and use without any benefits (like guaranteed acces as a neighborhood school and/or the fields and pool and community space that other schools of comparable size have). There's little upside for them to acquiesce to a choice program that may be undesirable.

Arlington needs a 4th neighborhood high school. There is just no way around it. We will be over 2200 or so high school seats short over the next years.
And there is NO NEED to forgo amenities. A full stadium and a pool should fit on the Career Center site. The site is almost as big as Washington Lee.

The career center site is 12 acres. The WL site plus Ed Center is 22. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/FAC-1300-seat-siting-document-draft.pdf

How much is WL without the Ed center. Why include that? Go with underground parking and pool and very doable

The county doesn't want to pay for that.,$$$$$$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought the Arlington Heights folks made a really good point about being afraid that if we blew this $150M on two short-term high schools, we likely wouldn't have enough money left afterwards to start building the comprehensive high school that we really need, and that we should use the money now to do that.

I had been in favor of a 4th comprehensive at Kenmore, but the Arlington Heights folks have convinced me that they are right and we should try to build it there. Their more central location should be better for the project, anyway. The only thing is that they don't really have open fields or a pool and I agree with them that they would need (expensive) underground parking -- I want a TRUE, equal 4th comprehensive high school so spend all the money there and do it right.

Maybe Arlington Tech could be moved to the Ed Center?

Right, space is the issue with the site. I don't see how it wouldn't be a "less than" school based on size of the site alone. I personally went to a HS without its own pool or football field (we didn't even have a team) and am no worse off for it, but it does seem a bit unfair. But, as compared to the hybrid option, I'd get on board. I was supportive of Kenmore as the best option as well, but seems like that's just not going to happen.

Same here I went to a magnet Science HS in NYC. It was a trade off. We still had a swim team even without a pool. If people know what they are opting into I don't think it is an issue. Perhaps the 4th HS has a program that parents and kids want more than a pool or football team. Maybe it has an amazing auditorium and stage and kids who prefer performing arts could opt to go there. Not everyone wants swimming or sports fields. I am sure we could fill a HS with student who don't care for either if we give them what they do care for.

But they won't even say what it's going to be. A culinary school? A technical school? A second HB? They want to vote on location before the community can weigh in with what program they'd be willing to forgo amenities and participation inactivities for. You're also asking the neighborhood to take on the burden of additional traffic and use without any benefits (like guaranteed acces as a neighborhood school and/or the fields and pool and community space that other schools of comparable size have). There's little upside for them to acquiesce to a choice program that may be undesirable.

Arlington needs a 4th neighborhood high school. There is just no way around it. We will be over 2200 or so high school seats short over the next years.
And there is NO NEED to forgo amenities. A full stadium and a pool should fit on the Career Center site. The site is almost as big as Washington Lee.

The career center site is 12 acres. The WL site plus Ed Center is 22. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/FAC-1300-seat-siting-document-draft.pdf

How much is WL without the Ed center. Why include that? Go with underground parking and pool and very doable

The county doesn't want to pay for that.,$$$$$$

Cheaper than buying more land. And if schools fall in quality, home values fall and this tax revenue

[Anonymous]

No. Cheaper is doing nothing about it. When are you guys going to understand that the county doesn't want to give you underground parking and a pool.
They want to kick the can and spend money elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Cheaper is doing nothing about it. When are you guys going to understand that the county doesn't want to give you underground parking and a pool.
They want to kick the can and spend money elsewhere.

BUT THAT WILL DRIVE DOWN PROPERTY VALUES AND HURT THEIR BIGGEST CONSTITUENT : developers