Anonymous wrote:If their parents live here and pay rent (which includes property taxes) then they are entitled to be in the schools and get the services they need.

If they are “unaccompanied minors” how can their parents live here?

I wouldn't be so quick to assume these folks are undocumented, not least because Virginia's not the most friendly place for undocumented immigrants.

Lots of English Language Learners came to the US legally, but didn't happen to speak English before they got here. FCPS has a reputation for being the best in the region, so people (including immigrants) are flocking there. These populations being unique needs, but also contribute to a diverse school population, and one in which parents are willing to make financial sacrifices to get a good education for their kids.

If their parents live here and pay rent (which includes property taxes) then they are entitled to be in the schools and get the services they need.

Anonymous wrote:
People in the immigrant/FARMS groups tend to have children younger and have more of them. The people in the non-immigrant groups tend to have fewer children and tend to move out as soon as their children finish school and/or they retire so that they can save for retirement.

The immigrant/FARMS groups double or triple up in housing so you have more people per real estate tax dollar.

So the situation is getting worse as more taxes have to be generated from the existing housing stock.

It's a downward spiral as those who are middle class leave due to higher and higher taxes. You are left with only the rich and the poor, which is a very urban scenario. The county will eventually confront city like problems in financing its schools. The old style "suburbs" are becoming the areas further out.

It's actually the areas further out that have more difficulty financing their schools as they have few businesses to tax. The residential rates are higher and they still build schools without playgrounds and with only a fraction of the programs that the closer-in districts like Fairfax and Arlington offer. But as long as the schools are new and the kids are white, you probably think it's heaven.

People in the immigrant/FARMS groups tend to have children younger and have more of them. The people in the non-immigrant groups tend to have fewer children and tend to move out as soon as their children finish school and/or they retire so that they can save for retirement.

The immigrant/FARMS groups double or triple up in housing so you have more people per real estate tax dollar.

So the situation is getting worse as more taxes have to be generated from the existing housing stock.

It's a downward spiral as those who are middle class leave due to higher and higher taxes. You are left with only the rich and the poor, which is a very urban scenario. The county will eventually confront city like problems in financing its schools. The old style "suburbs" are becoming the areas further out.

Here is what it means:

1. FFX is seeing a population surge in the number of school age kids. While the county may be flat lining with respect to population growth, it is getting younger (kids getting born while old people move out) and adding to FCPS numbers.

2. The incoming students will need more ESOL services than what was previously provided. FARMS doesn't increase FCPS costs, but ESOL does as it cascades down into other areas. Do undocumented students add to this ESOL burden? Yes.

3. More parents are getting their kids diagnosed with LDs - ADHD, etc. etc. Students with visual and neurological impairments as those terms are used in the educational sector are some of the most expensive students to educate. ADHD, dyslexia, et al. that give rise to IEPs also give rise to increased costs to FCPS.

It seems like a lot of people jump on #2 on these forums. Hardly anyone acknowledges #3. And I bet #3 costs more too.

Not all special needs, FARMS or ESOL students are undocumented.

True. But, the recent increase (up 1000 this year) is most likely undocumented.

Do we even have access to that information?

Anonymous wrote:

$22.1 million to cover the cost of enrollment increases and demographic changes.

What is that? The pc way to say undocumented immigrants?

Bingo

Not all special needs, FARMS or ESOL students are undocumented.

$22.1 million to cover the cost of enrollment increases and demographic changes.

What is that? The pc way to say undocumented immigrants?

Bingo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See slides 15 & 22:

http://www.fcps.edu/fs/budget/documents/proposed/FY16/FY16ProposedBudgetPresentation.pdf

Demographic adjustments = English for Speakers of Other Languages, Free and Reduced?Price Meals Eligibility, and Special Education

Knew it. They should just point out the obvious. Sad to see our system go down in flames, teachers are all moving to Arlington but that ship has also hit the undocumented iceberg with business taxes way down.

Oh, please. Arlington has a higher percentage of ESOL and FARMS kids than Fairfax.

So I guess this answers the question from the other thread.

Anonymous wrote:See slides 15 & 22:

http://www.fcps.edu/fs/budget/documents/proposed/FY16/FY16ProposedBudgetPresentation.pdf

Demographic adjustments = English for Speakers of Other Languages, Free and Reduced?Price Meals Eligibility, and Special Education

Knew it. They should just point out the obvious. Sad to see our system go down in flames, teachers are all moving to Arlington but that ship has also hit the undocumented iceberg with business taxes way down.

See slides 15 & 22:

http://www.fcps.edu/fs/budget/documents/proposed/FY16/FY16ProposedBudgetPresentation.pdf

Demographic adjustments = English for Speakers of Other Languages, Free and Reduced?Price Meals Eligibility, and Special Education

Here is the first bullet point

"a growing student population with diverse needs."

Please explain, is this aap, undocumented immigrants or special needs?

$22.1 million to cover the cost of enrollment increases and demographic changes.

What is that? The pc way to say undocumented immigrants?