Reply to FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

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Reply to "FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think we all want what is right for all our kids.

While KAA may need some adjustment, it sounds to me like the consensus is that relief for the area from the overcrowded schools is what is needed.  A traditional school is the best solutions for starters.  That seemed to be the attitude of the School Board--and is the right thing to do.

Now, it seems to me that first things first would be to figure out how to use the current space to achieve that goal.  While it may not be ideal, the two additional buildings could provide an answer.  And, certainly, it is better than the current solution FCPS uses of trailers and modulars.

I think a better use of staff's time than pipe dreams of magnets and schools of the future, would be to come back to reality and realize why FCPS purchased this school.  They need to begin thinking of how to best use and adapt what is there.

I understand there is a similar school in Arlington designed by the same architect/designer.  If I were FCPS, I would start there--I would like to think they already have. 
1.Tour the Arlington school
2.Take a good look at the KAA space and envision ways in might be used.
2.Invite the company that designed it to suggest ways to adapt the KAA space in the most economic manner.

First:  how many classrooms are needed?  Could some be expanded/divided to make better use?  
Are two cafeterias needed?  Could one be adjusted for additional classroom space?

Hopefully, someone at FCPS has already considered this.  However, after watching the presentation yesterday, it sounds like their time was spent in brain storming schools of the future instead of creating a school for now.

[/quote]

+100000

All the ideas are great for academies to be added all through the county and a curriculum ideas that could be implemented in various ways through FCPS.

They are ideas for when the budget allows. That isn’t now. We need to get back to basics, doing them well and within a budget that can support paying our teachers what they deserve.. and then get innovative. [/quote]

Sounds great, but some of those arguing for a specialized program at KAA rather than a traditional HS are doing so because they think the existing KAA building is better suited to a smaller, specialized program.

So they may have boxed themselves in to spending a [b]lot[/b] more money:

* If they plan to open KAA as a traditional 9-12 school, they may have to spend quite a bit of capital funds over and above the initial $150 million purchase price to modify the building and add facilities so it can function as a traditional school.

* If they don't open KAA as a traditional 9-12 school because they think the current building isn't suitable for that purpose, they are going to have to add new Academy-like programs to schools in every region and/or magisterial district (which will also cost a lot of money from the operating budget), because the idea of having a specialized magnet program that is only available to students in one part of the county (Reid's non-starter of an idea) is not going to fly with School Board members and families in other parts of the county.

Unfortunately, it's unclear that they considered this before they agree to buy KAA, because they just assumed it was too good an opportunity to pass up.  
[/quote]

It was clear to from the get go that it wasn’t suited to be a traditional high school without significant renovation. As much as they may have tried to convince themselves, anyone with any common sense could see that.

Those arguing for fancy school to benefit a smaller amount of student (looking at you Robyn Lady) are out of touch and need to be voted out asap.

Fortunately Reid and Lady were alone in their delusions last night.  [/quote]

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