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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Conversely, diversity issues were deemed one of the most important factors by the SAWG.  And I don't think that the SB deliberately is seeking to create a less diverse school, but when they talk about walkability, and stress the importance of neighborhood schools, it's not a stretch to imagine they might rezone the kids living in SF homes in Alcova Heights to the new school, because they are physically closer to TJ, leaving very few SF homes feeding Barcroft.  In theory, this move would alleviate overcrowding at Barcroft also, but I hope they have information about where the overcrowding in each particular school is coming from.  Is it the SF homes in Alcova Heights (where many transfer out)? The ones in Barcroft (where many transfer out)? Or multi-family housing? And then I hope they take that info into consideration.  Lastly, thinking about this in terms of only seats doesn't work in the South the same way it might in the North, where contiguous neighborhoods and housing types are homogeneous.  Ultimately, intent matters less than outcome, and segregated neighborhoods mean segregated neighborhood schools.  And the SB should be very careful not to further any such segregation, even if it means really creative boundaries and kids riding buses vs. being able to walk to school.  [/quote]

It would be really important to involve the Latino community in these discussions. Was that group represented in SAWG? Right now they are opposed to busing and/or gerrymandered boundaries in order to integrate schools, despite the fact that busing of Latino neighborhoods and gerrymandered boundaries have worked fine for the two N Arlington high schools. But what if the various affected communities work together to find a solution that could result in more demographically balanced schools? That's the hope, but the past 30 years in APS has proved otherwise. I tend to think that proximity and walkability will trump concerns about diversity and integration. And the school board will likely steer the discussion away from the "potential" demographic makeup of the schools. It has always been too controversial and divisive of an issue in Arlington. [/quote]

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