Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

The problem with number 3 is those parents are going to be the most vocal about problems. Neither the administration nor the school board wants to deal with that

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

The problem with number 3 is those parents are going to be the most vocal about problems. Neither the administration nor the school board wants to deal with that

That may be true, but you haven't seen anything if you have never been through a redistricting. This would be simple and cheap.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

At least one of those schools is in serious discussions about ending IB- unlikely for next year but very possible for 24-25.

Anonymous wrote:There are 199 'white' students at Lewis this year. Cut that in half to get 100 'white' girls. If your pony-tailed European descent white girl is what you are looking for to fill out a softball team, then you have to reduce this number even further because 'white' includes people of Middle Eastern descent. There may not be 70 European white girls in all of Lewis. How many of them enjoy softball?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 199 'white' students at Lewis this year. Cut that in half to get 100 'white' girls. If your pony-tailed European descent white girl is what you are looking for to fill out a softball team, then you have to reduce this number even further because 'white' includes people of Middle Eastern descent. There may not be 70 European white girls in all of Lewis. How many of them enjoy softball?

I don’t agree. The Division 1 NCAA softball ranks are rife with Hispanic players. I think the issue with Lewis is that many of the kids there are from families with significant needs, and can’t spend time or resources on sports. Travel teams do dominate, and I think that a problem as it compels kids to specialize at a young age. Playing multiple sports when young has its benefits. But the sport attracts Hispanic players and broad ethnic generalizations don’t cut it. Watch the super regionals this week and there is plenty of Hispanic players. And one of the things I like about softball is that it so often connects dads with their daughters. It is a shame Lewis doesn’t have a team.

My NCAA Division 1 sport was track. It was a veritable United Nations competing, and well, there was discrimination, but thankfully only the stopwatch was discriminating.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

The problem with number 3 is those parents are going to be the most vocal about problems. Neither the administration nor the school board wants to deal with that

That may be true, but you haven't seen anything if you have never been through a redistricting. This would be simple and cheap.

Doing nothing is simpler and cheaper.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 199 'white' students at Lewis this year. Cut that in half to get 100 'white' girls. If your pony-tailed European descent white girl is what you are looking for to fill out a softball team, then you have to reduce this number even further because 'white' includes people of Middle Eastern descent. There may not be 70 European white girls in all of Lewis. How many of them enjoy softball?

I don’t agree. The Division 1 NCAA softball ranks are rife with Hispanic players. I think the issue with Lewis is that many of the kids there are from families with significant needs, and can’t spend time or resources on sports. Travel teams do dominate, and I think that a problem as it compels kids to specialize at a young age. Playing multiple sports when young has its benefits. But the sport attracts Hispanic players and broad ethnic generalizations don’t cut it. Watch the super regionals this week and there is plenty of Hispanic players. And one of the things I like about softball is that it so often connects dads with their daughters. It is a shame Lewis doesn’t have a team.

My NCAA Division 1 sport was track. It was a veritable United Nations competing, and well, there was discrimination, but thankfully only the stopwatch was discriminating.

Strong rec programs can sustain softball programs at the high school level. The teams won't be great, but they will have enough girls. Travel softball isn't big at all in the eastern part of the county, but Edison, WestPo, Hayfield, and Mt Vernon all manage to field teams

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:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

The problem with number 3 is those parents are going to be the most vocal about problems. Neither the administration nor the school board wants to deal with that

That may be true, but you haven't seen anything if you have never been through a redistricting. This would be simple and cheap.

Doing nothing is simpler and cheaper.

It won't be simpler and cheaper if FCPS ends up with another expensive lawsuit challenging the lack of equal opportunities for Lewis students. This School Board should be ashamed of itself. They have done NOTHING to meet the needs of Lewis students. Instead, we got silly hacks like Karen Keys Gamarra pushing a half-baked academy program that NO ONE wanted because it won't offer anything useful.

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:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

The problem with number 3 is those parents are going to be the most vocal about problems. Neither the administration nor the school board wants to deal with that

That may be true, but you haven't seen anything if you have never been through a redistricting. This would be simple and cheap.

Doing nothing is simpler and cheaper.

It won't be simpler and cheaper if FCPS ends up with another expensive lawsuit challenging the lack of equal opportunities for Lewis students. This School Board should be ashamed of itself. They have done NOTHING to meet the needs of Lewis students. Instead, we got silly hacks like Karen Keys Gamarra pushing a half-baked academy program that NO ONE wanted because it won't offer anything useful.

I really think that a successful case could be made showing discrimination toward students at Lewis, and likely Mount Vernon and Annandale, too. Students in an adjacent “good” school boundary receives a vastly different education with many more opportunities than a student in the “bad” school just down the road.

What needs to happen is that the courts rule FCPS policies discriminatory. All existing boundaries need to be wiped clean and start from scratch countywide.

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:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

The problem with number 3 is those parents are going to be the most vocal about problems. Neither the administration nor the school board wants to deal with that

That may be true, but you haven't seen anything if you have never been through a redistricting. This would be simple and cheap.

Doing nothing is simpler and cheaper.

It won't be simpler and cheaper if FCPS ends up with another expensive lawsuit challenging the lack of equal opportunities for Lewis students. This School Board should be ashamed of itself. They have done NOTHING to meet the needs of Lewis students. Instead, we got silly hacks like Karen Keys Gamarra pushing a half-baked academy program that NO ONE wanted because it won't offer anything useful.

I really think that a successful case could be made showing discrimination toward students at Lewis, and likely Mount Vernon and Annandale, too. Students in an adjacent “good” school boundary receives a vastly different education with many more opportunities than a student in the “bad” school just down the road.

What needs to happen is that the courts rule FCPS policies discriminatory. All existing boundaries need to be wiped clean and start from scratch countywide.

What is your remedy? The students in 'good' bad school have a vasty different education with many less opportunities than students in the real good schools on the other side of the county.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 199 'white' students at Lewis this year. Cut that in half to get 100 'white' girls. If your pony-tailed European descent white girl is what you are looking for to fill out a softball team, then you have to reduce this number even further because 'white' includes people of Middle Eastern descent. There may not be 70 European white girls in all of Lewis. How many of them enjoy softball?

I don’t agree. The Division 1 NCAA softball ranks are rife with Hispanic players. I think the issue with Lewis is that many of the kids there are from families with significant needs, and can’t spend time or resources on sports. Travel teams do dominate, and I think that a problem as it compels kids to specialize at a young age. Playing multiple sports when young has its benefits. But the sport attracts Hispanic players and broad ethnic generalizations don’t cut it. Watch the super regionals this week and there is plenty of Hispanic players. And one of the things I like about softball is that it so often connects dads with their daughters. It is a shame Lewis doesn’t have a team.

My NCAA Division 1 sport was track. It was a veritable United Nations competing, and well, there was discrimination, but thankfully only the stopwatch was discriminating.

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:The problem with Lewis not being able to field a softball team is just one minor example of how students are victims of failed School Board policies. The ACLU should examine how policies like redistricting and expansion of “better” schools (WSHS, West Po) have negatively impacted education for many students at schools like Lewis and Mount Vernon. Students at those schools don’t have the same access to courses or extracurricular activities.

I agree with those expansions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (rezone) it; build upon, literally, what already works.

A-holes like you (and Jeff Platenberg, the slimeball who used to head Facilities and made sure West Springfield got a huge expansion while seats at Lewis went unfilled and the school cratered) are responsible for the gaping disparities within FCPS.

You can’t force parents to send their kid to a particular school, particularly a failing one. I think rezoning schools should be extremely rare and an absolute last resort. It’s better to have high-performing “mega schools” (3k+ kids in one building) than to try to shuffle kids around.

Jeff Platenburg specifically rezoned schools to favor where he lived in West Springfield and he refused to build an additional school out west, he decimated Annandale. He was also part of the West Potomac expansion that also rezoned properties and pulled people away from the surrounding IB schools. I remember when he bragged about how he was able to create the least s.f. per student as if that was a benefit to students. All he cared about was budgets and his own district.

West Potomac has had the same pyramid for a very long time. It's a combination of the old Ft Hunt High and the old Groveton High and the feeder pattern hasn't really changed since

That is true. Kind of like how Annandale at one point was a combination of the old Jefferson with Annandale, except in Annandale’s case they eventually rezoned AHS neighborhoods to other schools like Lake Braddock and Woodson and whereas at West Potomac they built a huge expansion so no one would have to move to Mount Vernon.

And they did change Lewis’s boundaries as well.

This is what I meant. They had an opportunity to do something about Lewis before it started failing and decided to facilitate its demise faster. It was irresponsible just like the way they handled Annandale.

Interesting that both Annandale and Lewis have IB instead of AP.

Eliminating IB would be an easy start.
1. It would be better for the current population because AP is much more flexible than IB. There is a wider range of classes available.
2. It would save money--and, if the SB had any common sense at all, they would eliminate IB at most schools that have it.
3. It would close one of those "escape valves" that another PP mentioned.

The problem with number 3 is those parents are going to be the most vocal about problems. Neither the administration nor the school board wants to deal with that

That may be true, but you haven't seen anything if you have never been through a redistricting. This would be simple and cheap.

Doing nothing is simpler and cheaper.

It won't be simpler and cheaper if FCPS ends up with another expensive lawsuit challenging the lack of equal opportunities for Lewis students. This School Board should be ashamed of itself. They have done NOTHING to meet the needs of Lewis students. Instead, we got silly hacks like Karen Keys Gamarra pushing a half-baked academy program that NO ONE wanted because it won't offer anything useful.

I really think that a successful case could be made showing discrimination toward students at Lewis, and likely Mount Vernon and Annandale, too. Students in an adjacent “good” school boundary receives a vastly different education with many more opportunities than a student in the “bad” school just down the road.

What needs to happen is that the courts rule FCPS policies discriminatory. All existing boundaries need to be wiped clean and start from scratch countywide.

What is your remedy? The students in 'good' bad school have a vasty different education with many less opportunities than students in the real good schools on the other side of the county.