Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:52     Subject: Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:Which school in FCPS do we think has the best mix of SES and races?

This country (not just county) has resegregated, mostly among SEE lines.

And it’s really obvious in our county where the haves and have nots are.

And it really isn’t fair, especially to the have nots.

We need to figure out how to balance equity and transportation. It isn’t easy, but it has to be done. I’m not just talking about in Fairfax-it has to be done nationwide, because segregation is actually worse now than pre-Brown in many places.


No. You need to study history better.........
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:51     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Wasn't it Phil Niedzielski-Eichner who insisted that the Chantilly neighborhood move to Oakton when the Oakton neighborhood moved to South Lakes? My recollection is that it was, and that he was worried about Oakton's athletic teams suffering without the kids from Navy or Crossfield, whichever it was, moving to Oakton. But I remember people were mostly angry at Smith, since she went along with it and then later changed some of the elementary school boundaries to her advantage as well.


I think Kathy Smith had to pony up a neighborhood to justify the new and reduced number (2100) that the School Board had readopted. I don't know about the Phil part--I just know that there were options for several different neighborhoods to shift from Chantilly.

The true reason was to put affluent kids in South Lakes--the rest was just collateral damage.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:34     Subject: Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Which school in FCPS do we think has the best mix of SES and races?

This country (not just county) has resegregated, mostly among SEE lines.

And it’s really obvious in our county where the haves and have nots are.

And it really isn’t fair, especially to the have nots.

We need to figure out how to balance equity and transportation. It isn’t easy, but it has to be done. I’m not just talking about in Fairfax-it has to be done nationwide, because segregation is actually worse now than pre-Brown in many places.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:31     Subject: Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:While looking at elementary schools in Fairfax we heard rumors that the county was thinking of resdistricting that neighborhood to a different high school.

That's when we decided to move to Falls Church City. The schools are as good as the top schools in Fairfax and you have no doubt where your kid will go from Pre-school through grade 12.

Also, if you have something to bitch about, and you know you will in any school district, it's easy to find the people in charge in FCC and get them to listen to you. A school board member probably lives down the street. And if you want you can run yourself.

FCC isn't perfect but there are definitely some significant benefits.


We also looked into FCC but it’s so small. Less choices for students and IB plus MYP. These were reasons we decided to go to Fairfax County. We do not want either of those programs and there are not any other choices.


It's obviously a trade off and depends on what's important to you. It's also just as well that most people are willing to tolerate the problems in Fairfax and Arlington because FCC is full to capacity.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:23     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:
I love how posters scream and yell about long commutes and traffic, but have zero issue with the current Langley boundaries where in some cases houses are over 10 miles from Langley and less than 3 miles from Herndon. The current boundaries make no sense.


Sadly, the location of Langley requires that kids come from long distances. That's just the way it is.

Are you aware of the neighborhoods that were redistricted from Chantilly to Oakton against their will? This happened during the South Lakes redistricting. They lived less than 3 miles from Chantilly and their commute was more than doubled in length and, at least, tripled in time over winding backroads or requiring the use of I-66. The families wanted to stay at Chantilly--and, guess what? The demographics at Chantilly are nowhere near as affluent as those of Oakton. (One of the parents later "attacked" Kathy Smith when she was canvassing for Supervisor. it was in the paper.)

Making people move is not as easy as you think.


Wasn't it Phil Niedzielski-Eichner who insisted that the Chantilly neighborhood move to Oakton when the Oakton neighborhood moved to South Lakes? My recollection is that it was, and that he was worried about Oakton's athletic teams suffering without the kids from Navy or Crossfield, whichever it was, moving to Oakton. But I remember people were mostly angry at Smith, since she went along with it and then later changed some of the elementary school boundaries to her advantage as well.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:19     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
I love how posters scream and yell about long commutes and traffic, but have zero issue with the current Langley boundaries where in some cases houses are over 10 miles from Langley and less than 3 miles from Herndon. The current boundaries make no sense.


Sadly, the location of Langley requires that kids come from long distances. That's just the way it is.

Are you aware of the neighborhoods that were redistricted from Chantilly to Oakton against their will? This happened during the South Lakes redistricting. They lived less than 3 miles from Chantilly and their commute was more than doubled in length and, at least, tripled in time over winding backroads or requiring the use of I-66. The families wanted to stay at Chantilly--and, guess what? The demographics at Chantilly are nowhere near as affluent as those of Oakton. (One of the parents later "attacked" Kathy Smith when she was canvassing for Supervisor. it was in the paper.)

Making people move is not as easy as you think.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:19     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I happen to agree that it is ridiculous that some of those neighborhoods are going to Langley--but, and I cannot speak to earlier decisions--those families want to be sent to Langley. I doubt the Hutchison families would appreciate it. And, the commute would be far more brutal than the ones at Forestville.

And, all the neighborhoods in Forestville are not only six miles from Herndon High. Forestville location is actually pretty close to halfway--it's some of the neighborhoods that are closer. And, you still haven't addressed how the kids will be able to participate in all those wonderful extracurriculars at Langley.


Of course it makes no sense to move Hutchison to Langley. It's west of Herndon HS, and it would be much more difficult for lower-income families who may not have cars to get back and forth to Langley when they needed to be there.

When the new high school is built, perhaps it could take Hutchison, Coates, McNair, Oak Hill, Fox Mill, and parts of Floris and/or Dogwood. And then the discussion about moving Forestville from Langley to Herndon would be timely. Before then, it's completely premature.


We need to stop focusing on the new high school - that is minimum 2030. We have problems NOW that need to be addressed NOW.

Western GF can feed to Herndon. Take out Aldrin/Armstrong from Herndon and put in South Lakes. The Herndon/Oak Hill South Lakes kids should go to Herndon. Move kids from McLean to Langley and/or bus some of the FARM Herndon kids to Langley for equity.



We should do all this because you don't like the current demographics at your Herndon schools? The Herndon/Oak Hill kids at South Lakes aren't that close to the Herndon attendance area. They are closer to South Lakes and other areas zoned for Westfield or Chantilly.

Don't see this happening any time soon.


The FARM rate at Herndon is not fair for the kids at that school. This is also the case for any fcps high school with a FARM rate over 35%. The school board should promote equity across the high schools in the best way possible.

I love how posters scream and yell about long commutes and traffic, but have zero issue with the current Langley boundaries where in some cases houses are over 10 miles from Langley and less than 3 miles from Herndon. The current boundaries make no sense.


How does it promote equity to impose longer bus rides on even more kids? It would result in a lot of people leaving Fairfax and the poor kids would still qualify for FARMS. One doesn't have to look very far for examples of public school systems where most of the higher-income families have opted out.

You should be more specific, because otherwise it just sounds like you want higher average test scores at your assigned schools in order to increase your own property value. And that's essentially a wealth transfer that others would argue is not fair.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:07     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I happen to agree that it is ridiculous that some of those neighborhoods are going to Langley--but, and I cannot speak to earlier decisions--those families want to be sent to Langley. I doubt the Hutchison families would appreciate it. And, the commute would be far more brutal than the ones at Forestville.

And, all the neighborhoods in Forestville are not only six miles from Herndon High. Forestville location is actually pretty close to halfway--it's some of the neighborhoods that are closer. And, you still haven't addressed how the kids will be able to participate in all those wonderful extracurriculars at Langley.


Of course it makes no sense to move Hutchison to Langley. It's west of Herndon HS, and it would be much more difficult for lower-income families who may not have cars to get back and forth to Langley when they needed to be there.

When the new high school is built, perhaps it could take Hutchison, Coates, McNair, Oak Hill, Fox Mill, and parts of Floris and/or Dogwood. And then the discussion about moving Forestville from Langley to Herndon would be timely. Before then, it's completely premature.


We need to stop focusing on the new high school - that is minimum 2030. We have problems NOW that need to be addressed NOW.

Western GF can feed to Herndon. Take out Aldrin/Armstrong from Herndon and put in South Lakes. The Herndon/Oak Hill South Lakes kids should go to Herndon. Move kids from McLean to Langley and/or bus some of the FARM Herndon kids to Langley for equity.



We should do all this because you don't like the current demographics at your Herndon schools? The Herndon/Oak Hill kids at South Lakes aren't that close to the Herndon attendance area. They are closer to South Lakes and other areas zoned for Westfield or Chantilly.

Don't see this happening any time soon.


The FARM rate at Herndon is not fair for the kids at that school. This is also the case for any fcps high school with a FARM rate over 35%. The school board should promote equity across the high schools in the best way possible.

I love how posters scream and yell about long commutes and traffic, but have zero issue with the current Langley boundaries where in some cases houses are over 10 miles from Langley and less than 3 miles from Herndon. The current boundaries make no sense.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 13:02     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
When the new high school is built, perhaps it could take Hutchison, Coates, McNair, Oak Hill, Fox Mill, and parts of Floris and/or Dogwood. And then the discussion about moving Forestville from Langley to Herndon would be timely. Before then, it's completely premature.


Way to early to predict--but, my guess it would pretty much be all of Carson and most of Franklin Middle schools:

Floris
Fox Mill
Crossfield
Oak Hill
Coates
McNair
Navy

of course, it depends on where they build it. If they take the Hutchison site, it would change that--but, then we will have a situation much like Langley or Oakton where they are coming from a very long distance. The Hutchison site would necessarily be at the far edge of the boundary. And, traffic would be a nightmare.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 12:57     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I happen to agree that it is ridiculous that some of those neighborhoods are going to Langley--but, and I cannot speak to earlier decisions--those families want to be sent to Langley. I doubt the Hutchison families would appreciate it. And, the commute would be far more brutal than the ones at Forestville.

And, all the neighborhoods in Forestville are not only six miles from Herndon High. Forestville location is actually pretty close to halfway--it's some of the neighborhoods that are closer. And, you still haven't addressed how the kids will be able to participate in all those wonderful extracurriculars at Langley.


Of course it makes no sense to move Hutchison to Langley. It's west of Herndon HS, and it would be much more difficult for lower-income families who may not have cars to get back and forth to Langley when they needed to be there.

When the new high school is built, perhaps it could take Hutchison, Coates, McNair, Oak Hill, Fox Mill, and parts of Floris and/or Dogwood. And then the discussion about moving Forestville from Langley to Herndon would be timely. Before then, it's completely premature.


We need to stop focusing on the new high school - that is minimum 2030. We have problems NOW that need to be addressed NOW.

Western GF can feed to Herndon. Take out Aldrin/Armstrong from Herndon and put in South Lakes. The Herndon/Oak Hill South Lakes kids should go to Herndon. Move kids from McLean to Langley and/or bus some of the FARM Herndon kids to Langley for equity.



We should do all this because you don't like the current demographics at your Herndon schools? The Herndon/Oak Hill kids at South Lakes aren't that close to the Herndon attendance area. They are closer to South Lakes and other areas zoned for Westfield or Chantilly.

Don't see this happening any time soon.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 12:42     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I happen to agree that it is ridiculous that some of those neighborhoods are going to Langley--but, and I cannot speak to earlier decisions--those families want to be sent to Langley. I doubt the Hutchison families would appreciate it. And, the commute would be far more brutal than the ones at Forestville.

And, all the neighborhoods in Forestville are not only six miles from Herndon High. Forestville location is actually pretty close to halfway--it's some of the neighborhoods that are closer. And, you still haven't addressed how the kids will be able to participate in all those wonderful extracurriculars at Langley.


Of course it makes no sense to move Hutchison to Langley. It's west of Herndon HS, and it would be much more difficult for lower-income families who may not have cars to get back and forth to Langley when they needed to be there.

When the new high school is built, perhaps it could take Hutchison, Coates, McNair, Oak Hill, Fox Mill, and parts of Floris and/or Dogwood. And then the discussion about moving Forestville from Langley to Herndon would be timely. Before then, it's completely premature.


We need to stop focusing on the new high school - that is minimum 2030. We have problems NOW that need to be addressed NOW.

Western GF can feed to Herndon. Take out Aldrin/Armstrong from Herndon and put in South Lakes. The Herndon/Oak Hill South Lakes kids should go to Herndon. Move kids from McLean to Langley and/or bus some of the FARM Herndon kids to Langley for equity.

Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 12:39     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:I happen to agree that it is ridiculous that some of those neighborhoods are going to Langley--but, and I cannot speak to earlier decisions--those families want to be sent to Langley. I doubt the Hutchison families would appreciate it. And, the commute would be far more brutal than the ones at Forestville.

And, all the neighborhoods in Forestville are not only six miles from Herndon High. Forestville location is actually pretty close to halfway--it's some of the neighborhoods that are closer. And, you still haven't addressed how the kids will be able to participate in all those wonderful extracurriculars at Langley.


I'm not so sure the Hutchison families would mind feeding into Cooper/Langley
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 12:38     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:I happen to agree that it is ridiculous that some of those neighborhoods are going to Langley--but, and I cannot speak to earlier decisions--those families want to be sent to Langley. I doubt the Hutchison families would appreciate it. And, the commute would be far more brutal than the ones at Forestville.

And, all the neighborhoods in Forestville are not only six miles from Herndon High. Forestville location is actually pretty close to halfway--it's some of the neighborhoods that are closer. And, you still haven't addressed how the kids will be able to participate in all those wonderful extracurriculars at Langley.


Of course it makes no sense to move Hutchison to Langley. It's west of Herndon HS, and it would be much more difficult for lower-income families who may not have cars to get back and forth to Langley when they needed to be there.

When the new high school is built, perhaps it could take Hutchison, Coates, McNair, Oak Hill, Fox Mill, and parts of Floris and/or Dogwood. And then the discussion about moving Forestville from Langley to Herndon would be timely. Before then, it's completely premature.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 12:25     Subject: Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
Anonymous wrote:There are houses that are zoned for Langley and are 16 miles from Langley high school. Those same houses are 6 miles from Herndon high school.

For those concerned with distance and traffic, please explain why the current boundaries make sense?


They probably made more sense when there was less traffic on Leesburg Pike and Georgetown Pike. Route 7 was largely seen as a natural dividing line.

And now they make sense to the extent that Herndon, which has fairly compact boundaries, is projected to be slightly over capacity by 2023-24, even with an expansion to 2500 kids. Why would you overcrowd Herndon when Langley has space, and there are other overcrowded schools closer to Langley?

Ideally, Langley would be located off Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, not off Georgetown Pike in McLean close to Arlington. But we can't change that now, any more than we can move Oakton HS to the middle of its attendance area, which would be on Vale Road in Oakton rather than in Vienna.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2019 12:13     Subject: Re:Show me the law that says school boards cannot change boundaries.
I happen to agree that it is ridiculous that some of those neighborhoods are going to Langley--but, and I cannot speak to earlier decisions--those families want to be sent to Langley. I doubt the Hutchison families would appreciate it. And, the commute would be far more brutal than the ones at Forestville.

And, all the neighborhoods in Forestville are not only six miles from Herndon High. Forestville location is actually pretty close to halfway--it's some of the neighborhoods that are closer. And, you still haven't addressed how the kids will be able to participate in all those wonderful extracurriculars at Langley.