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Anonymous wrote:If they were really doing the right thing they’d move Fox Mill to Western and the rest of Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes.

Doesn’t that continue Carson as a split feeder?

It’s more important to provide capacity relief to Chantilly and reduce the length of commutes to Oakton than to eliminate Carson as a split feeder.

And sending Fox Mill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy Island to South Lakes accomplishes this?

Sending Oak Hill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes accomplishes this, and sending Fox Mill to Western enables it, since otherwise South Lakes would be overcrowded.

Interesting point but why switch Fox Mill and Crossfield/ the Navy Island in this scenario? Sending Oak Hill, Crossfield, and the Navy Island all to Western accomplishes the previously mentioned tasks.

Fox Mill is closer to Western so it’s more efficient. Anyone can look at Option B and see it results in the most compact boundaries for Western. Just add the rest of Floris.

Oooho you're the lady who thinks this is about where the school is in relation to Western and not where families live in relation to Western aren't you?

DP.

Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.

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Anonymous wrote:If they were really doing the right thing they’d move Fox Mill to Western and the rest of Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes.

Doesn’t that continue Carson as a split feeder?

It’s more important to provide capacity relief to Chantilly and reduce the length of commutes to Oakton than to eliminate Carson as a split feeder.

And sending Fox Mill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy Island to South Lakes accomplishes this?

Sending Oak Hill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes accomplishes this, and sending Fox Mill to Western enables it, since otherwise South Lakes would be overcrowded.

Interesting point but why switch Fox Mill and Crossfield/ the Navy Island in this scenario? Sending Oak Hill, Crossfield, and the Navy Island all to Western accomplishes the previously mentioned tasks.

Fox Mill is closer to Western so it’s more efficient. Anyone can look at Option B and see it results in the most compact boundaries for Western. Just add the rest of Floris.

Oooho you're the lady who thinks this is about where the school is in relation to Western and not where families live in relation to Western aren't you?

DP.

Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.

quote: Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.
------

As do some Fox Mill families.

Only the ones that place in from out of boundary for the JI program.
None in Fox Mill boundary are far from Western.

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Anonymous wrote:If they were really doing the right thing they’d move Fox Mill to Western and the rest of Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes.

Doesn’t that continue Carson as a split feeder?

It’s more important to provide capacity relief to Chantilly and reduce the length of commutes to Oakton than to eliminate Carson as a split feeder.

And sending Fox Mill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy Island to South Lakes accomplishes this?

Sending Oak Hill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes accomplishes this, and sending Fox Mill to Western enables it, since otherwise South Lakes would be overcrowded.

Interesting point but why switch Fox Mill and Crossfield/ the Navy Island in this scenario? Sending Oak Hill, Crossfield, and the Navy Island all to Western accomplishes the previously mentioned tasks.

Fox Mill is closer to Western so it’s more efficient. Anyone can look at Option B and see it results in the most compact boundaries for Western. Just add the rest of Floris.

Oooho you're the lady who thinks this is about where the school is in relation to Western and not where families live in relation to Western aren't you?

DP.

Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.

quote: Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.
------

As do some Fox Mill families.

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Anonymous wrote:Shocked she’s willing to move Fox Mill to Hughes, figure that’s going to cause uproar. Makes sense from a pyramid perspective, but a bit of a last minute rug pull.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/4002236 Meren is telling Fox Mill in boundary not to opt in. 32% of the 522 base school students on SPAs live west of the FX Cty Parkway- was on Coates boundary study. This mess should become the shining moments for the at large members. Was Meren the stumbling block to getting form boundaries on a timely basis? Meren as Hunter Mill rep does not address the scenario 4 Marshall Westbriar Island or her Langley/Madison feeds.

Floris and Fox Mill used to have JIP and now it's at Fox Mill, a successful program whereas Great Falls likely requires extra resources for staffing. Adding Fox Mill to Hughes for base + any AAP doesn't work. 1011+ 152 Fox Mill=1163/1022 capacity=1.14% utilization.

Hughes got 101 AAP from Herndon for SY2024-25. Eventually removing them and adding Fox Mill base school put Hughes at 104%. Still too high. Meren was the NO vote on all MS have in boundary AAP.

Meren issued a correction email.

I see now that I confused advocacy regarding the Fox Mill Woods community to be the overarching advocacy regarding Fox Mill Elementary School.

I’d further like to share the input I’ve received and considered for this geographical area, from different neighborhoods in our community:

I have indeed heard residents request to keep Fox Mill Elementary School in the South Lakes pyramid, as I stated below. My goal in my communication below was to reinforce that I support Fox Mill ES remaining in the South Lakes pyramid as it currently is. If new boundaries are proposed that suggest that Fox Mill ES students go to the Western HS, I will carefully consider the recommendation and community input at that time, in the first part of 2026.

I’ve heard from the Fox Mill Woods community, which is in the Crossfield Elementary boundary. Parents here ask to keep as-is their Crossfield students already assigned to Langston Hughes MS and South Lakes HS, as per the current scenario. I believe this is where I erred in my newsletter communication, suggesting the Fox Mill Elementary School assignment into Langston. Again, I do apologize for that mistake.

She pulled some crap like this with the Western HS, using wording that suggested the opening would be delayed and then “clarified” her position after the fact. I am not convinced she isn’t doing this on purpose. And if she is not doing it on purpose, she is really not very smart and in way over her head with this job. It’s not hard to check your own writing to make sure you are communicating clearly.

I don’t think it’s a mistake.

The original email stated:

Fox Mill Elementary School: the school should be retained in the South Lakes pyramid, and split feeder remedied so students attend Langston.

The current split feeder issue at Carson will be fixed/relieved if Fox Mill ES kids moved from Carson to Langston. Fox Mill Woods kids already attend Langston so keeping them at Langston won’t fix any split feeder issue.

Fox Mill ES parents better watch out.

Fox Mill parents should fight to move to Western.

Apparently Meren cancelled her meeting with the FMES PTA while meeting with others. Then she sends an email that she wants FMES moved to Hughes, which doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I know some Fox Mill parents want to stay and I myself was torn between SLHS and Western, but realize that there is a significant risk of moving to Hughes if we stay with SLHS and Meren stays in office.

We will be better with Western High.

Honest question - why are Fox Mill parents so against Hughes when those are the kids your kids will go to high school with?

Because we should have never been rezoned to SLHS in the first place.

Why are we still dwelling on something that happened 15+ years ago? South Lakes was MUCH different than it is now. Meren sucks but there was obviously enough people who wanted to stay at South Lakes from Fox Mill that she’s recommending they stay.

That or she is choosing to ignore the people who have contacted her asking to be moved to Western and pretending the majority wants SLHS. That’s is what annoys me about this whole thing. If they wanted to collect actual data from families at the different elementary schools, they could easily do so through a secure survey. But they don’t. They want to tell people to form groups and advocate, and speak up at meetings, and email/call, and use a stupid online tool where one person can comment 100 times, so they only have some nebulous idea of how many people within a community want a certain outcome. That allows them to do whatever they feel like doing and say “well I heard from a lot of people who wanted this”. Actual data would force them to be accountable and they don’t want that.

There's your problem. You think your small group of less than one ES of parents' opinions matter in the boundary issue that affects all the taxpayers in the county. It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what makes the most sense, optimizing FCPS dollars and effort for everyone - not just you.

DP. Isn’t it kind of a crap shoot whether it’s more efficient to assign Fox Mill or Crossfield to Western? It would be better if they just made a decision sooner and stuck with it, rather than pretend there’s going to be some perfect decision that has unanimous support.

We do know what would be inefficient, which is plowing a ton of additional money into Western and then assigning both of these schools, and possibly less of the schools closest to Western, there.

I wasn't taking a side or position either way. Just annoyed that all these posters think what they want matters. What matters is what makes logical sense for the county now and in the future. Use facts, not arguing over how many people at each school want this or that. If what people wanted mattered then Fox Mill wouldn't have been moved to SLHS back in 2008 either.

Yes but Michelle Reid just listens to the loudest person in the room - she has separate meetings with parents who are loud in meetings and tries to strike deals with them. I know this first hand. How do you think Western High Scenario E came about? It wasn't her team's idea, it was the RIO group's idea.

Why would the RIO group need scenario E if they have B?

Because Scenario E addresses the Floris issue that a lot of people were complaining about.

The RIO group petitioned FCPS to create a new scenario to address a Floris issue?

No. Scenario E is more like FCPS’s pathetic attempt to satisfy both RIO and Meren, two loudest voices.

It looks like Option E is not getting any traction. The opt in application process has already started, but FCPS hasn't published any new map.

So the choice will most likely boil down to one between Crossfield and Fox Mill and Meren is going to face two headwinds: the RIO group and angry Fox Mill parents who want to move to Western.

Conversely, I think the pro Western Fox Mill parents should join the RIO group, as their interests are aligned.

If the majority of the Crossfield community wants to stay and the majority of Fox Mill wants to move to the Western high, that would be a very convincing argument for Option B.

Obviously, at this point we don't know whether the RIO group represents the majority or how many Fox Mill parents want to move. Meren has claimed that Fox Mill parents want to stay in SLHS.

But the opt-in numbers will reveal their actual preferences.

Again, just because the majority (your claim, no proof) want something, doesn't mean it makes the most sense for FCPS and the county taxpayers. Moving Fox Mill out of SLHS just to move Crossfield in 5 years later makes no sense. They should put Crossfield and the Navy island at Western for the most stability in the future, and stability is what I keep hearing people claim is the most important thing to them in this whole process (when it suites their particular goals at least).

Disagree.

Why should Crossfield parents have to move in five years if they adopt Option B? That doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not like SLHS enrollment is going to drop below 80% if Option B is selected. We have a new school, and as a result, some schools will be below 100%. Westfield will definitely be below 90%. Is SLHS special that it shouldn’t lose students?

Community feedback is important and should be considered to the extent that it doesn’t cost too much. Otherwise, why do we even need to provide input?

I never claimed that the majority of Crossfield parents are RIO, and most Fox Mill parents want to move.

But the opt-in numbers will show the “actual” preferences, and that information should absolutely be considered for policy decision making.

The opt-in numbers won’t show “actual” preferences because people have to deal with the current uncertainty about eventual boundaries and transportation. It’s a silly basis to make a decision.

Both Fox Mill parents and Crossfield parents have to deal with the same uncertainty.

If many more Fox Mill kids opt in than Crossfield kids (or vice versa), that does show which community want to move more.

That’s still a silly basis upon which to make a decision as between those two schools. It just tells you people think less highly of South Lakes than Oakton.

They need some adults to put on their big boy pants and make a sensible decision rather than just pretend everything can and should be a plebiscite.

Nonsense

Fox Mill ES did not want to move from Oakton to SLHS 20 some years ago and would be happy to move to Western. People don’t want IB but Meren and Comp don’t care. I have no idea how Robinson got AP to go with the IB but we have not been able to get that at SLHS. we are optin in to Western because it means my kid can go to HS with the kids he has been at MS with, because it is closer, and because it as AP.

Meren has disrespected the Fox Mill community. She has not met with the PTA, when they have asked to meet with her. She has not responded to anyones letters who have said they wanted to move to Western. She has sent out two blatantly incorrect emails about Western that she has had to retract.

I have said many times that I don’t think that fox Mill will end up at Western, not because we are not close to the school but because Meren refuses to let the school move. Kids are opting in, I know at least 6 who opted in on the first day it was an option. I know others who are planning on opting in but want their kid to see the school at the Open House. I fully expect that there wlll be an increase in pupil placement to Western if Fox Mill isn’t in boundary because it is close by and parents can figure out that car pool. They might keep some of the Fox Mill kids at SLHS but that number os going to go down as people pupil place for AP and the special programs.

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Anonymous wrote:Shocked she’s willing to move Fox Mill to Hughes, figure that’s going to cause uproar. Makes sense from a pyramid perspective, but a bit of a last minute rug pull.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/4002236 Meren is telling Fox Mill in boundary not to opt in. 32% of the 522 base school students on SPAs live west of the FX Cty Parkway- was on Coates boundary study. This mess should become the shining moments for the at large members. Was Meren the stumbling block to getting form boundaries on a timely basis? Meren as Hunter Mill rep does not address the scenario 4 Marshall Westbriar Island or her Langley/Madison feeds.

Floris and Fox Mill used to have JIP and now it's at Fox Mill, a successful program whereas Great Falls likely requires extra resources for staffing. Adding Fox Mill to Hughes for base + any AAP doesn't work. 1011+ 152 Fox Mill=1163/1022 capacity=1.14% utilization.

Hughes got 101 AAP from Herndon for SY2024-25. Eventually removing them and adding Fox Mill base school put Hughes at 104%. Still too high. Meren was the NO vote on all MS have in boundary AAP.

Meren issued a correction email.

I see now that I confused advocacy regarding the Fox Mill Woods community to be the overarching advocacy regarding Fox Mill Elementary School.

I’d further like to share the input I’ve received and considered for this geographical area, from different neighborhoods in our community:

I have indeed heard residents request to keep Fox Mill Elementary School in the South Lakes pyramid, as I stated below. My goal in my communication below was to reinforce that I support Fox Mill ES remaining in the South Lakes pyramid as it currently is. If new boundaries are proposed that suggest that Fox Mill ES students go to the Western HS, I will carefully consider the recommendation and community input at that time, in the first part of 2026.

I’ve heard from the Fox Mill Woods community, which is in the Crossfield Elementary boundary. Parents here ask to keep as-is their Crossfield students already assigned to Langston Hughes MS and South Lakes HS, as per the current scenario. I believe this is where I erred in my newsletter communication, suggesting the Fox Mill Elementary School assignment into Langston. Again, I do apologize for that mistake.

She pulled some crap like this with the Western HS, using wording that suggested the opening would be delayed and then “clarified” her position after the fact. I am not convinced she isn’t doing this on purpose. And if she is not doing it on purpose, she is really not very smart and in way over her head with this job. It’s not hard to check your own writing to make sure you are communicating clearly.

I don’t think it’s a mistake.

The original email stated:

Fox Mill Elementary School: the school should be retained in the South Lakes pyramid, and split feeder remedied so students attend Langston.

The current split feeder issue at Carson will be fixed/relieved if Fox Mill ES kids moved from Carson to Langston. Fox Mill Woods kids already attend Langston so keeping them at Langston won’t fix any split feeder issue.

Fox Mill ES parents better watch out.

Fox Mill parents should fight to move to Western.

Apparently Meren cancelled her meeting with the FMES PTA while meeting with others. Then she sends an email that she wants FMES moved to Hughes, which doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I know some Fox Mill parents want to stay and I myself was torn between SLHS and Western, but realize that there is a significant risk of moving to Hughes if we stay with SLHS and Meren stays in office.

We will be better with Western High.

Honest question - why are Fox Mill parents so against Hughes when those are the kids your kids will go to high school with?

Because we should have never been rezoned to SLHS in the first place.

Why are we still dwelling on something that happened 15+ years ago? South Lakes was MUCH different than it is now. Meren sucks but there was obviously enough people who wanted to stay at South Lakes from Fox Mill that she’s recommending they stay.

That or she is choosing to ignore the people who have contacted her asking to be moved to Western and pretending the majority wants SLHS. That’s is what annoys me about this whole thing. If they wanted to collect actual data from families at the different elementary schools, they could easily do so through a secure survey. But they don’t. They want to tell people to form groups and advocate, and speak up at meetings, and email/call, and use a stupid online tool where one person can comment 100 times, so they only have some nebulous idea of how many people within a community want a certain outcome. That allows them to do whatever they feel like doing and say “well I heard from a lot of people who wanted this”. Actual data would force them to be accountable and they don’t want that.

There's your problem. You think your small group of less than one ES of parents' opinions matter in the boundary issue that affects all the taxpayers in the county. It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what makes the most sense, optimizing FCPS dollars and effort for everyone - not just you.

DP. Isn’t it kind of a crap shoot whether it’s more efficient to assign Fox Mill or Crossfield to Western? It would be better if they just made a decision sooner and stuck with it, rather than pretend there’s going to be some perfect decision that has unanimous support.

We do know what would be inefficient, which is plowing a ton of additional money into Western and then assigning both of these schools, and possibly less of the schools closest to Western, there.

I wasn't taking a side or position either way. Just annoyed that all these posters think what they want matters. What matters is what makes logical sense for the county now and in the future. Use facts, not arguing over how many people at each school want this or that. If what people wanted mattered then Fox Mill wouldn't have been moved to SLHS back in 2008 either.

Yes but Michelle Reid just listens to the loudest person in the room - she has separate meetings with parents who are loud in meetings and tries to strike deals with them. I know this first hand. How do you think Western High Scenario E came about? It wasn't her team's idea, it was the RIO group's idea.

Why would the RIO group need scenario E if they have B?

Because Scenario E addresses the Floris issue that a lot of people were complaining about.

The RIO group petitioned FCPS to create a new scenario to address a Floris issue?

No. Scenario E is more like FCPS’s pathetic attempt to satisfy both RIO and Meren, two loudest voices.

It looks like Option E is not getting any traction. The opt in application process has already started, but FCPS hasn't published any new map.

So the choice will most likely boil down to one between Crossfield and Fox Mill and Meren is going to face two headwinds: the RIO group and angry Fox Mill parents who want to move to Western.

Conversely, I think the pro Western Fox Mill parents should join the RIO group, as their interests are aligned.

If the majority of the Crossfield community wants to stay and the majority of Fox Mill wants to move to the Western high, that would be a very convincing argument for Option B.

Obviously, at this point we don't know whether the RIO group represents the majority or how many Fox Mill parents want to move. Meren has claimed that Fox Mill parents want to stay in SLHS.

But the opt-in numbers will reveal their actual preferences.

Again, just because the majority (your claim, no proof) want something, doesn't mean it makes the most sense for FCPS and the county taxpayers. Moving Fox Mill out of SLHS just to move Crossfield in 5 years later makes no sense. They should put Crossfield and the Navy island at Western for the most stability in the future, and stability is what I keep hearing people claim is the most important thing to them in this whole process (when it suites their particular goals at least).

Disagree.

Why should Crossfield parents have to move in five years if they adopt Option B? That doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not like SLHS enrollment is going to drop below 80% if Option B is selected. We have a new school, and as a result, some schools will be below 100%. Westfield will definitely be below 90%. Is SLHS special that it shouldn’t lose students?

Community feedback is important and should be considered to the extent that it doesn’t cost too much. Otherwise, why do we even need to provide input?

I never claimed that the majority of Crossfield parents are RIO, and most Fox Mill parents want to move.

But the opt-in numbers will show the “actual” preferences, and that information should absolutely be considered for policy decision making.

The opt-in numbers won’t show “actual” preferences because people have to deal with the current uncertainty about eventual boundaries and transportation. It’s a silly basis to make a decision.

Both Fox Mill parents and Crossfield parents have to deal with the same uncertainty.

If many more Fox Mill kids opt in than Crossfield kids (or vice versa), that does show which community want to move more.

That’s still a silly basis upon which to make a decision as between those two schools. It just tells you people think less highly of South Lakes than Oakton.

They need some adults to put on their big boy pants and make a sensible decision rather than just pretend everything can and should be a plebiscite.

Nonsense

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Anonymous wrote:Shocked she’s willing to move Fox Mill to Hughes, figure that’s going to cause uproar. Makes sense from a pyramid perspective, but a bit of a last minute rug pull.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/4002236 Meren is telling Fox Mill in boundary not to opt in. 32% of the 522 base school students on SPAs live west of the FX Cty Parkway- was on Coates boundary study. This mess should become the shining moments for the at large members. Was Meren the stumbling block to getting form boundaries on a timely basis? Meren as Hunter Mill rep does not address the scenario 4 Marshall Westbriar Island or her Langley/Madison feeds.

Floris and Fox Mill used to have JIP and now it's at Fox Mill, a successful program whereas Great Falls likely requires extra resources for staffing. Adding Fox Mill to Hughes for base + any AAP doesn't work. 1011+ 152 Fox Mill=1163/1022 capacity=1.14% utilization.

Hughes got 101 AAP from Herndon for SY2024-25. Eventually removing them and adding Fox Mill base school put Hughes at 104%. Still too high. Meren was the NO vote on all MS have in boundary AAP.

Meren issued a correction email.

I see now that I confused advocacy regarding the Fox Mill Woods community to be the overarching advocacy regarding Fox Mill Elementary School.

I’d further like to share the input I’ve received and considered for this geographical area, from different neighborhoods in our community:

I have indeed heard residents request to keep Fox Mill Elementary School in the South Lakes pyramid, as I stated below. My goal in my communication below was to reinforce that I support Fox Mill ES remaining in the South Lakes pyramid as it currently is. If new boundaries are proposed that suggest that Fox Mill ES students go to the Western HS, I will carefully consider the recommendation and community input at that time, in the first part of 2026.

I’ve heard from the Fox Mill Woods community, which is in the Crossfield Elementary boundary. Parents here ask to keep as-is their Crossfield students already assigned to Langston Hughes MS and South Lakes HS, as per the current scenario. I believe this is where I erred in my newsletter communication, suggesting the Fox Mill Elementary School assignment into Langston. Again, I do apologize for that mistake.

She pulled some crap like this with the Western HS, using wording that suggested the opening would be delayed and then “clarified” her position after the fact. I am not convinced she isn’t doing this on purpose. And if she is not doing it on purpose, she is really not very smart and in way over her head with this job. It’s not hard to check your own writing to make sure you are communicating clearly.

I don’t think it’s a mistake.

The original email stated:

Fox Mill Elementary School: the school should be retained in the South Lakes pyramid, and split feeder remedied so students attend Langston.

The current split feeder issue at Carson will be fixed/relieved if Fox Mill ES kids moved from Carson to Langston. Fox Mill Woods kids already attend Langston so keeping them at Langston won’t fix any split feeder issue.

Fox Mill ES parents better watch out.

Fox Mill parents should fight to move to Western.

Apparently Meren cancelled her meeting with the FMES PTA while meeting with others. Then she sends an email that she wants FMES moved to Hughes, which doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I know some Fox Mill parents want to stay and I myself was torn between SLHS and Western, but realize that there is a significant risk of moving to Hughes if we stay with SLHS and Meren stays in office.

We will be better with Western High.

Honest question - why are Fox Mill parents so against Hughes when those are the kids your kids will go to high school with?

Because we should have never been rezoned to SLHS in the first place.

Why are we still dwelling on something that happened 15+ years ago? South Lakes was MUCH different than it is now. Meren sucks but there was obviously enough people who wanted to stay at South Lakes from Fox Mill that she’s recommending they stay.

That or she is choosing to ignore the people who have contacted her asking to be moved to Western and pretending the majority wants SLHS. That’s is what annoys me about this whole thing. If they wanted to collect actual data from families at the different elementary schools, they could easily do so through a secure survey. But they don’t. They want to tell people to form groups and advocate, and speak up at meetings, and email/call, and use a stupid online tool where one person can comment 100 times, so they only have some nebulous idea of how many people within a community want a certain outcome. That allows them to do whatever they feel like doing and say “well I heard from a lot of people who wanted this”. Actual data would force them to be accountable and they don’t want that.

There's your problem. You think your small group of less than one ES of parents' opinions matter in the boundary issue that affects all the taxpayers in the county. It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what makes the most sense, optimizing FCPS dollars and effort for everyone - not just you.

DP. Isn’t it kind of a crap shoot whether it’s more efficient to assign Fox Mill or Crossfield to Western? It would be better if they just made a decision sooner and stuck with it, rather than pretend there’s going to be some perfect decision that has unanimous support.

We do know what would be inefficient, which is plowing a ton of additional money into Western and then assigning both of these schools, and possibly less of the schools closest to Western, there.

I wasn't taking a side or position either way. Just annoyed that all these posters think what they want matters. What matters is what makes logical sense for the county now and in the future. Use facts, not arguing over how many people at each school want this or that. If what people wanted mattered then Fox Mill wouldn't have been moved to SLHS back in 2008 either.

Yes but Michelle Reid just listens to the loudest person in the room - she has separate meetings with parents who are loud in meetings and tries to strike deals with them. I know this first hand. How do you think Western High Scenario E came about? It wasn't her team's idea, it was the RIO group's idea.

Why would the RIO group need scenario E if they have B?

Because Scenario E addresses the Floris issue that a lot of people were complaining about.

The RIO group petitioned FCPS to create a new scenario to address a Floris issue?

No. Scenario E is more like FCPS’s pathetic attempt to satisfy both RIO and Meren, two loudest voices.

It looks like Option E is not getting any traction. The opt in application process has already started, but FCPS hasn't published any new map.

So the choice will most likely boil down to one between Crossfield and Fox Mill and Meren is going to face two headwinds: the RIO group and angry Fox Mill parents who want to move to Western.

Conversely, I think the pro Western Fox Mill parents should join the RIO group, as their interests are aligned.

If the majority of the Crossfield community wants to stay and the majority of Fox Mill wants to move to the Western high, that would be a very convincing argument for Option B.

Obviously, at this point we don't know whether the RIO group represents the majority or how many Fox Mill parents want to move. Meren has claimed that Fox Mill parents want to stay in SLHS.

But the opt-in numbers will reveal their actual preferences.

Again, just because the majority (your claim, no proof) want something, doesn't mean it makes the most sense for FCPS and the county taxpayers. Moving Fox Mill out of SLHS just to move Crossfield in 5 years later makes no sense. They should put Crossfield and the Navy island at Western for the most stability in the future, and stability is what I keep hearing people claim is the most important thing to them in this whole process (when it suites their particular goals at least).

Disagree.

Why should Crossfield parents have to move in five years if they adopt Option B? That doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not like SLHS enrollment is going to drop below 80% if Option B is selected. We have a new school, and as a result, some schools will be below 100%. Westfield will definitely be below 90%. Is SLHS special that it shouldn’t lose students?

Community feedback is important and should be considered to the extent that it doesn’t cost too much. Otherwise, why do we even need to provide input?

I never claimed that the majority of Crossfield parents are RIO, and most Fox Mill parents want to move.

But the opt-in numbers will show the “actual” preferences, and that information should absolutely be considered for policy decision making.

The opt-in numbers won’t show “actual” preferences because people have to deal with the current uncertainty about eventual boundaries and transportation. It’s a silly basis to make a decision.

Both Fox Mill parents and Crossfield parents have to deal with the same uncertainty.

If many more Fox Mill kids opt in than Crossfield kids (or vice versa), that does show which community want to move more.

That’s still a silly basis upon which to make a decision as between those two schools. It just tells you people think less highly of South Lakes than Oakton.

They need some adults to put on their big boy pants and make a sensible decision rather than just pretend everything can and should be a plebiscite.

Nonsense

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Anonymous wrote:Shocked she’s willing to move Fox Mill to Hughes, figure that’s going to cause uproar. Makes sense from a pyramid perspective, but a bit of a last minute rug pull.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/4002236 Meren is telling Fox Mill in boundary not to opt in. 32% of the 522 base school students on SPAs live west of the FX Cty Parkway- was on Coates boundary study. This mess should become the shining moments for the at large members. Was Meren the stumbling block to getting form boundaries on a timely basis? Meren as Hunter Mill rep does not address the scenario 4 Marshall Westbriar Island or her Langley/Madison feeds.

Floris and Fox Mill used to have JIP and now it's at Fox Mill, a successful program whereas Great Falls likely requires extra resources for staffing. Adding Fox Mill to Hughes for base + any AAP doesn't work. 1011+ 152 Fox Mill=1163/1022 capacity=1.14% utilization.

Hughes got 101 AAP from Herndon for SY2024-25. Eventually removing them and adding Fox Mill base school put Hughes at 104%. Still too high. Meren was the NO vote on all MS have in boundary AAP.

Meren issued a correction email.

I see now that I confused advocacy regarding the Fox Mill Woods community to be the overarching advocacy regarding Fox Mill Elementary School.

I’d further like to share the input I’ve received and considered for this geographical area, from different neighborhoods in our community:

I have indeed heard residents request to keep Fox Mill Elementary School in the South Lakes pyramid, as I stated below. My goal in my communication below was to reinforce that I support Fox Mill ES remaining in the South Lakes pyramid as it currently is. If new boundaries are proposed that suggest that Fox Mill ES students go to the Western HS, I will carefully consider the recommendation and community input at that time, in the first part of 2026.

I’ve heard from the Fox Mill Woods community, which is in the Crossfield Elementary boundary. Parents here ask to keep as-is their Crossfield students already assigned to Langston Hughes MS and South Lakes HS, as per the current scenario. I believe this is where I erred in my newsletter communication, suggesting the Fox Mill Elementary School assignment into Langston. Again, I do apologize for that mistake.

She pulled some crap like this with the Western HS, using wording that suggested the opening would be delayed and then “clarified” her position after the fact. I am not convinced she isn’t doing this on purpose. And if she is not doing it on purpose, she is really not very smart and in way over her head with this job. It’s not hard to check your own writing to make sure you are communicating clearly.

I don’t think it’s a mistake.

The original email stated:

Fox Mill Elementary School: the school should be retained in the South Lakes pyramid, and split feeder remedied so students attend Langston.

The current split feeder issue at Carson will be fixed/relieved if Fox Mill ES kids moved from Carson to Langston. Fox Mill Woods kids already attend Langston so keeping them at Langston won’t fix any split feeder issue.

Fox Mill ES parents better watch out.

Fox Mill parents should fight to move to Western.

Apparently Meren cancelled her meeting with the FMES PTA while meeting with others. Then she sends an email that she wants FMES moved to Hughes, which doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I know some Fox Mill parents want to stay and I myself was torn between SLHS and Western, but realize that there is a significant risk of moving to Hughes if we stay with SLHS and Meren stays in office.

We will be better with Western High.

Honest question - why are Fox Mill parents so against Hughes when those are the kids your kids will go to high school with?

Because we should have never been rezoned to SLHS in the first place.

Why are we still dwelling on something that happened 15+ years ago? South Lakes was MUCH different than it is now. Meren sucks but there was obviously enough people who wanted to stay at South Lakes from Fox Mill that she’s recommending they stay.

That or she is choosing to ignore the people who have contacted her asking to be moved to Western and pretending the majority wants SLHS. That’s is what annoys me about this whole thing. If they wanted to collect actual data from families at the different elementary schools, they could easily do so through a secure survey. But they don’t. They want to tell people to form groups and advocate, and speak up at meetings, and email/call, and use a stupid online tool where one person can comment 100 times, so they only have some nebulous idea of how many people within a community want a certain outcome. That allows them to do whatever they feel like doing and say “well I heard from a lot of people who wanted this”. Actual data would force them to be accountable and they don’t want that.

There's your problem. You think your small group of less than one ES of parents' opinions matter in the boundary issue that affects all the taxpayers in the county. It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what makes the most sense, optimizing FCPS dollars and effort for everyone - not just you.

DP. Isn’t it kind of a crap shoot whether it’s more efficient to assign Fox Mill or Crossfield to Western? It would be better if they just made a decision sooner and stuck with it, rather than pretend there’s going to be some perfect decision that has unanimous support.

We do know what would be inefficient, which is plowing a ton of additional money into Western and then assigning both of these schools, and possibly less of the schools closest to Western, there.

I wasn't taking a side or position either way. Just annoyed that all these posters think what they want matters. What matters is what makes logical sense for the county now and in the future. Use facts, not arguing over how many people at each school want this or that. If what people wanted mattered then Fox Mill wouldn't have been moved to SLHS back in 2008 either.

Yes but Michelle Reid just listens to the loudest person in the room - she has separate meetings with parents who are loud in meetings and tries to strike deals with them. I know this first hand. How do you think Western High Scenario E came about? It wasn't her team's idea, it was the RIO group's idea.

Why would the RIO group need scenario E if they have B?

Because Scenario E addresses the Floris issue that a lot of people were complaining about.

The RIO group petitioned FCPS to create a new scenario to address a Floris issue?

No. Scenario E is more like FCPS’s pathetic attempt to satisfy both RIO and Meren, two loudest voices.

It looks like Option E is not getting any traction. The opt in application process has already started, but FCPS hasn't published any new map.

So the choice will most likely boil down to one between Crossfield and Fox Mill and Meren is going to face two headwinds: the RIO group and angry Fox Mill parents who want to move to Western.

Conversely, I think the pro Western Fox Mill parents should join the RIO group, as their interests are aligned.

If the majority of the Crossfield community wants to stay and the majority of Fox Mill wants to move to the Western high, that would be a very convincing argument for Option B.

Obviously, at this point we don't know whether the RIO group represents the majority or how many Fox Mill parents want to move. Meren has claimed that Fox Mill parents want to stay in SLHS.

But the opt-in numbers will reveal their actual preferences.

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Anonymous wrote:Shocked she’s willing to move Fox Mill to Hughes, figure that’s going to cause uproar. Makes sense from a pyramid perspective, but a bit of a last minute rug pull.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/4002236 Meren is telling Fox Mill in boundary not to opt in. 32% of the 522 base school students on SPAs live west of the FX Cty Parkway- was on Coates boundary study. This mess should become the shining moments for the at large members. Was Meren the stumbling block to getting form boundaries on a timely basis? Meren as Hunter Mill rep does not address the scenario 4 Marshall Westbriar Island or her Langley/Madison feeds.

Floris and Fox Mill used to have JIP and now it's at Fox Mill, a successful program whereas Great Falls likely requires extra resources for staffing. Adding Fox Mill to Hughes for base + any AAP doesn't work. 1011+ 152 Fox Mill=1163/1022 capacity=1.14% utilization.

Hughes got 101 AAP from Herndon for SY2024-25. Eventually removing them and adding Fox Mill base school put Hughes at 104%. Still too high. Meren was the NO vote on all MS have in boundary AAP.

Meren issued a correction email.

I see now that I confused advocacy regarding the Fox Mill Woods community to be the overarching advocacy regarding Fox Mill Elementary School.

I’d further like to share the input I’ve received and considered for this geographical area, from different neighborhoods in our community:

I have indeed heard residents request to keep Fox Mill Elementary School in the South Lakes pyramid, as I stated below. My goal in my communication below was to reinforce that I support Fox Mill ES remaining in the South Lakes pyramid as it currently is. If new boundaries are proposed that suggest that Fox Mill ES students go to the Western HS, I will carefully consider the recommendation and community input at that time, in the first part of 2026.

I’ve heard from the Fox Mill Woods community, which is in the Crossfield Elementary boundary. Parents here ask to keep as-is their Crossfield students already assigned to Langston Hughes MS and South Lakes HS, as per the current scenario. I believe this is where I erred in my newsletter communication, suggesting the Fox Mill Elementary School assignment into Langston. Again, I do apologize for that mistake.

She pulled some crap like this with the Western HS, using wording that suggested the opening would be delayed and then “clarified” her position after the fact. I am not convinced she isn’t doing this on purpose. And if she is not doing it on purpose, she is really not very smart and in way over her head with this job. It’s not hard to check your own writing to make sure you are communicating clearly.

I don’t think it’s a mistake.

The original email stated:

Fox Mill Elementary School: the school should be retained in the South Lakes pyramid, and split feeder remedied so students attend Langston.

The current split feeder issue at Carson will be fixed/relieved if Fox Mill ES kids moved from Carson to Langston. Fox Mill Woods kids already attend Langston so keeping them at Langston won’t fix any split feeder issue.

Fox Mill ES parents better watch out.

Fox Mill parents should fight to move to Western.

Apparently Meren cancelled her meeting with the FMES PTA while meeting with others. Then she sends an email that she wants FMES moved to Hughes, which doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I know some Fox Mill parents want to stay and I myself was torn between SLHS and Western, but realize that there is a significant risk of moving to Hughes if we stay with SLHS and Meren stays in office.

We will be better with Western High.

Honest question - why are Fox Mill parents so against Hughes when those are the kids your kids will go to high school with?

Because we should have never been rezoned to SLHS in the first place.

Why are we still dwelling on something that happened 15+ years ago? South Lakes was MUCH different than it is now. Meren sucks but there was obviously enough people who wanted to stay at South Lakes from Fox Mill that she’s recommending they stay.

That or she is choosing to ignore the people who have contacted her asking to be moved to Western and pretending the majority wants SLHS. That’s is what annoys me about this whole thing. If they wanted to collect actual data from families at the different elementary schools, they could easily do so through a secure survey. But they don’t. They want to tell people to form groups and advocate, and speak up at meetings, and email/call, and use a stupid online tool where one person can comment 100 times, so they only have some nebulous idea of how many people within a community want a certain outcome. That allows them to do whatever they feel like doing and say “well I heard from a lot of people who wanted this”. Actual data would force them to be accountable and they don’t want that.

There's your problem. You think your small group of less than one ES of parents' opinions matter in the boundary issue that affects all the taxpayers in the county. It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what makes the most sense, optimizing FCPS dollars and effort for everyone - not just you.

DP. Isn’t it kind of a crap shoot whether it’s more efficient to assign Fox Mill or Crossfield to Western? It would be better if they just made a decision sooner and stuck with it, rather than pretend there’s going to be some perfect decision that has unanimous support.

We do know what would be inefficient, which is plowing a ton of additional money into Western and then assigning both of these schools, and possibly less of the schools closest to Western, there.

I wasn't taking a side or position either way. Just annoyed that all these posters think what they want matters. What matters is what makes logical sense for the county now and in the future. Use facts, not arguing over how many people at each school want this or that. If what people wanted mattered then Fox Mill wouldn't have been moved to SLHS back in 2008 either.

Yes but Michelle Reid just listens to the loudest person in the room - she has separate meetings with parents who are loud in meetings and tries to strike deals with them. I know this first hand. How do you think Western High Scenario E came about? It wasn't her team's idea, it was the RIO group's idea.

Why would the RIO group need scenario E if they have B?

Because Scenario E addresses the Floris issue that a lot of people were complaining about.

The RIO group petitioned FCPS to create a new scenario to address a Floris issue?

No. Scenario E is more like FCPS’s pathetic attempt to satisfy both RIO and Meren, two loudest voices.

It looks like Option E is not getting any traction. The opt in application process has already started, but FCPS hasn't published any new map.

So the choice will most likely boil down to one between Crossfield and Fox Mill and Meren is going to face two headwinds: the RIO group and angry Fox Mill parents who want to move to Western.

Conversely, I think the pro Western Fox Mill parents should join the RIO group, as their interests are aligned.

If the majority of the Crossfield community wants to stay and the majority of Fox Mill wants to move to the Western high, that would be a very convincing argument for Option B.

Obviously, at this point we don't know whether the RIO group represents the majority or how many Fox Mill parents want to move. Meren has claimed that Fox Mill parents want to stay in SLHS.

But the opt-in numbers will reveal their actual preferences.

Again, just because the majority (your claim, no proof) want something, doesn't mean it makes the most sense for FCPS and the county taxpayers. Moving Fox Mill out of SLHS just to move Crossfield in 5 years later makes no sense. They should put Crossfield and the Navy island at Western for the most stability in the future, and stability is what I keep hearing people claim is the most important thing to them in this whole process (when it suites their particular goals at least).

Disagree.

Why should Crossfield parents have to move in five years if they adopt Option B? That doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not like SLHS enrollment is going to drop below 80% if Option B is selected. We have a new school, and as a result, some schools will be below 100%. Westfield will definitely be below 90%. Is SLHS special that it shouldn’t lose students?

Community feedback is important and should be considered to the extent that it doesn’t cost too much. Otherwise, why do we even need to provide input?

I never claimed that the majority of Crossfield parents are RIO, and most Fox Mill parents want to move.

But the opt-in numbers will show the “actual” preferences, and that information should absolutely be considered for policy decision making.

The opt-in numbers won’t show “actual” preferences because people have to deal with the current uncertainty about eventual boundaries and transportation. It’s a silly basis to make a decision.

Both Fox Mill parents and Crossfield parents have to deal with the same uncertainty.

If many more Fox Mill kids opt in than Crossfield kids (or vice versa), that does show which community want to move more.

That’s still a silly basis upon which to make a decision as between those two schools. It just tells you people think less highly of South Lakes than Oakton.

They need some adults to put on their big boy pants and make a sensible decision rather than just pretend everything can and should be a plebiscite.

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Anonymous wrote:Shocked she’s willing to move Fox Mill to Hughes, figure that’s going to cause uproar. Makes sense from a pyramid perspective, but a bit of a last minute rug pull.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/4002236 Meren is telling Fox Mill in boundary not to opt in. 32% of the 522 base school students on SPAs live west of the FX Cty Parkway- was on Coates boundary study. This mess should become the shining moments for the at large members. Was Meren the stumbling block to getting form boundaries on a timely basis? Meren as Hunter Mill rep does not address the scenario 4 Marshall Westbriar Island or her Langley/Madison feeds.

Floris and Fox Mill used to have JIP and now it's at Fox Mill, a successful program whereas Great Falls likely requires extra resources for staffing. Adding Fox Mill to Hughes for base + any AAP doesn't work. 1011+ 152 Fox Mill=1163/1022 capacity=1.14% utilization.

Hughes got 101 AAP from Herndon for SY2024-25. Eventually removing them and adding Fox Mill base school put Hughes at 104%. Still too high. Meren was the NO vote on all MS have in boundary AAP.

Meren issued a correction email.

I see now that I confused advocacy regarding the Fox Mill Woods community to be the overarching advocacy regarding Fox Mill Elementary School.

I’d further like to share the input I’ve received and considered for this geographical area, from different neighborhoods in our community:

I have indeed heard residents request to keep Fox Mill Elementary School in the South Lakes pyramid, as I stated below. My goal in my communication below was to reinforce that I support Fox Mill ES remaining in the South Lakes pyramid as it currently is. If new boundaries are proposed that suggest that Fox Mill ES students go to the Western HS, I will carefully consider the recommendation and community input at that time, in the first part of 2026.

I’ve heard from the Fox Mill Woods community, which is in the Crossfield Elementary boundary. Parents here ask to keep as-is their Crossfield students already assigned to Langston Hughes MS and South Lakes HS, as per the current scenario. I believe this is where I erred in my newsletter communication, suggesting the Fox Mill Elementary School assignment into Langston. Again, I do apologize for that mistake.

She pulled some crap like this with the Western HS, using wording that suggested the opening would be delayed and then “clarified” her position after the fact. I am not convinced she isn’t doing this on purpose. And if she is not doing it on purpose, she is really not very smart and in way over her head with this job. It’s not hard to check your own writing to make sure you are communicating clearly.

I don’t think it’s a mistake.

The original email stated:

Fox Mill Elementary School: the school should be retained in the South Lakes pyramid, and split feeder remedied so students attend Langston.

The current split feeder issue at Carson will be fixed/relieved if Fox Mill ES kids moved from Carson to Langston. Fox Mill Woods kids already attend Langston so keeping them at Langston won’t fix any split feeder issue.

Fox Mill ES parents better watch out.

Fox Mill parents should fight to move to Western.

Apparently Meren cancelled her meeting with the FMES PTA while meeting with others. Then she sends an email that she wants FMES moved to Hughes, which doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I know some Fox Mill parents want to stay and I myself was torn between SLHS and Western, but realize that there is a significant risk of moving to Hughes if we stay with SLHS and Meren stays in office.

We will be better with Western High.

Honest question - why are Fox Mill parents so against Hughes when those are the kids your kids will go to high school with?

Because we should have never been rezoned to SLHS in the first place.

Why are we still dwelling on something that happened 15+ years ago? South Lakes was MUCH different than it is now. Meren sucks but there was obviously enough people who wanted to stay at South Lakes from Fox Mill that she’s recommending they stay.

That or she is choosing to ignore the people who have contacted her asking to be moved to Western and pretending the majority wants SLHS. That’s is what annoys me about this whole thing. If they wanted to collect actual data from families at the different elementary schools, they could easily do so through a secure survey. But they don’t. They want to tell people to form groups and advocate, and speak up at meetings, and email/call, and use a stupid online tool where one person can comment 100 times, so they only have some nebulous idea of how many people within a community want a certain outcome. That allows them to do whatever they feel like doing and say “well I heard from a lot of people who wanted this”. Actual data would force them to be accountable and they don’t want that.

There's your problem. You think your small group of less than one ES of parents' opinions matter in the boundary issue that affects all the taxpayers in the county. It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what makes the most sense, optimizing FCPS dollars and effort for everyone - not just you.

DP. Isn’t it kind of a crap shoot whether it’s more efficient to assign Fox Mill or Crossfield to Western? It would be better if they just made a decision sooner and stuck with it, rather than pretend there’s going to be some perfect decision that has unanimous support.

We do know what would be inefficient, which is plowing a ton of additional money into Western and then assigning both of these schools, and possibly less of the schools closest to Western, there.

I wasn't taking a side or position either way. Just annoyed that all these posters think what they want matters. What matters is what makes logical sense for the county now and in the future. Use facts, not arguing over how many people at each school want this or that. If what people wanted mattered then Fox Mill wouldn't have been moved to SLHS back in 2008 either.

Yes but Michelle Reid just listens to the loudest person in the room - she has separate meetings with parents who are loud in meetings and tries to strike deals with them. I know this first hand. How do you think Western High Scenario E came about? It wasn't her team's idea, it was the RIO group's idea.

Why would the RIO group need scenario E if they have B?

Because Scenario E addresses the Floris issue that a lot of people were complaining about.

The RIO group petitioned FCPS to create a new scenario to address a Floris issue?

No. Scenario E is more like FCPS’s pathetic attempt to satisfy both RIO and Meren, two loudest voices.

It looks like Option E is not getting any traction. The opt in application process has already started, but FCPS hasn't published any new map.

So the choice will most likely boil down to one between Crossfield and Fox Mill and Meren is going to face two headwinds: the RIO group and angry Fox Mill parents who want to move to Western.

Conversely, I think the pro Western Fox Mill parents should join the RIO group, as their interests are aligned.

If the majority of the Crossfield community wants to stay and the majority of Fox Mill wants to move to the Western high, that would be a very convincing argument for Option B.

Obviously, at this point we don't know whether the RIO group represents the majority or how many Fox Mill parents want to move. Meren has claimed that Fox Mill parents want to stay in SLHS.

But the opt-in numbers will reveal their actual preferences.

Again, just because the majority (your claim, no proof) want something, doesn't mean it makes the most sense for FCPS and the county taxpayers. Moving Fox Mill out of SLHS just to move Crossfield in 5 years later makes no sense. They should put Crossfield and the Navy island at Western for the most stability in the future, and stability is what I keep hearing people claim is the most important thing to them in this whole process (when it suites their particular goals at least).

Disagree.

Why should Crossfield parents have to move in five years if they adopt Option B? That doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not like SLHS enrollment is going to drop below 80% if Option B is selected. We have a new school, and as a result, some schools will be below 100%. Westfield will definitely be below 90%. Is SLHS special that it shouldn’t lose students?

Community feedback is important and should be considered to the extent that it doesn’t cost too much. Otherwise, why do we even need to provide input?

I never claimed that the majority of Crossfield parents are RIO, and most Fox Mill parents want to move.

But the opt-in numbers will show the “actual” preferences, and that information should absolutely be considered for policy decision making.

The opt-in numbers won’t show “actual” preferences because people have to deal with the current uncertainty about eventual boundaries and transportation. It’s a silly basis to make a decision.

Both Fox Mill parents and Crossfield parents have to deal with the same uncertainty.

If many more Fox Mill kids opt in than Crossfield kids (or vice versa), that does show which community want to move more.

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Anonymous wrote:If they were really doing the right thing they’d move Fox Mill to Western and the rest of Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes.

Fox Mill families all live closer to Western than SLHS. The hesitation for some families is the possibility of no transportation. But I know rising 9th and 10th graders opting in.
Doesn’t that continue Carson as a split feeder?

It’s more important to provide capacity relief to Chantilly and reduce the length of commutes to Oakton than to eliminate Carson as a split feeder.

And sending Fox Mill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy Island to South Lakes accomplishes this?

Sending Oak Hill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes accomplishes this, and sending Fox Mill to Western enables it, since otherwise South Lakes would be overcrowded.

Interesting point but why switch Fox Mill and Crossfield/ the Navy Island in this scenario? Sending Oak Hill, Crossfield, and the Navy Island all to Western accomplishes the previously mentioned tasks.

Fox Mill is closer to Western so it’s more efficient. Anyone can look at Option B and see it results in the most compact boundaries for Western. Just add the rest of Floris.

Oooho you're the lady who thinks this is about where the school is in relation to Western and not where families live in relation to Western aren't you?

DP.

Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.

As do some Fox Mill families.

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Anonymous wrote:If they were really doing the right thing they’d move Fox Mill to Western and the rest of Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes.

Doesn’t that continue Carson as a split feeder?

It’s more important to provide capacity relief to Chantilly and reduce the length of commutes to Oakton than to eliminate Carson as a split feeder.

And sending Fox Mill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy Island to South Lakes accomplishes this?

Sending Oak Hill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes accomplishes this, and sending Fox Mill to Western enables it, since otherwise South Lakes would be overcrowded.

Interesting point but why switch Fox Mill and Crossfield/ the Navy Island in this scenario? Sending Oak Hill, Crossfield, and the Navy Island all to Western accomplishes the previously mentioned tasks.

Fox Mill is closer to Western so it’s more efficient. Anyone can look at Option B and see it results in the most compact boundaries for Western. Just add the rest of Floris.

Oooho you're the lady who thinks this is about where the school is in relation to Western and not where families live in relation to Western aren't you?

DP.

Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.

As do some Fox Mill families.

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Anonymous wrote:If they were really doing the right thing they’d move Fox Mill to Western and the rest of Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes.

Doesn’t that continue Carson as a split feeder?

It’s more important to provide capacity relief to Chantilly and reduce the length of commutes to Oakton than to eliminate Carson as a split feeder.

And sending Fox Mill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy Island to South Lakes accomplishes this?

Sending Oak Hill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes accomplishes this, and sending Fox Mill to Western enables it, since otherwise South Lakes would be overcrowded.

Interesting point but why switch Fox Mill and Crossfield/ the Navy Island in this scenario? Sending Oak Hill, Crossfield, and the Navy Island all to Western accomplishes the previously mentioned tasks.

Fox Mill is closer to Western so it’s more efficient. Anyone can look at Option B and see it results in the most compact boundaries for Western. Just add the rest of Floris.

Oooho you're the lady who thinks this is about where the school is in relation to Western and not where families live in relation to Western aren't you?

DP.

Some of Crossfield families live quite far from Western.

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Anonymous wrote:Shocked she’s willing to move Fox Mill to Hughes, figure that’s going to cause uproar. Makes sense from a pyramid perspective, but a bit of a last minute rug pull.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/bulletins/4002236 Meren is telling Fox Mill in boundary not to opt in. 32% of the 522 base school students on SPAs live west of the FX Cty Parkway- was on Coates boundary study. This mess should become the shining moments for the at large members. Was Meren the stumbling block to getting form boundaries on a timely basis? Meren as Hunter Mill rep does not address the scenario 4 Marshall Westbriar Island or her Langley/Madison feeds.

Floris and Fox Mill used to have JIP and now it's at Fox Mill, a successful program whereas Great Falls likely requires extra resources for staffing. Adding Fox Mill to Hughes for base + any AAP doesn't work. 1011+ 152 Fox Mill=1163/1022 capacity=1.14% utilization.

Hughes got 101 AAP from Herndon for SY2024-25. Eventually removing them and adding Fox Mill base school put Hughes at 104%. Still too high. Meren was the NO vote on all MS have in boundary AAP.

Meren issued a correction email.

I see now that I confused advocacy regarding the Fox Mill Woods community to be the overarching advocacy regarding Fox Mill Elementary School.

I’d further like to share the input I’ve received and considered for this geographical area, from different neighborhoods in our community:

I have indeed heard residents request to keep Fox Mill Elementary School in the South Lakes pyramid, as I stated below. My goal in my communication below was to reinforce that I support Fox Mill ES remaining in the South Lakes pyramid as it currently is. If new boundaries are proposed that suggest that Fox Mill ES students go to the Western HS, I will carefully consider the recommendation and community input at that time, in the first part of 2026.

I’ve heard from the Fox Mill Woods community, which is in the Crossfield Elementary boundary. Parents here ask to keep as-is their Crossfield students already assigned to Langston Hughes MS and South Lakes HS, as per the current scenario. I believe this is where I erred in my newsletter communication, suggesting the Fox Mill Elementary School assignment into Langston. Again, I do apologize for that mistake.

She pulled some crap like this with the Western HS, using wording that suggested the opening would be delayed and then “clarified” her position after the fact. I am not convinced she isn’t doing this on purpose. And if she is not doing it on purpose, she is really not very smart and in way over her head with this job. It’s not hard to check your own writing to make sure you are communicating clearly.

I don’t think it’s a mistake.

The original email stated:

Fox Mill Elementary School: the school should be retained in the South Lakes pyramid, and split feeder remedied so students attend Langston.

The current split feeder issue at Carson will be fixed/relieved if Fox Mill ES kids moved from Carson to Langston. Fox Mill Woods kids already attend Langston so keeping them at Langston won’t fix any split feeder issue.

Fox Mill ES parents better watch out.

Fox Mill parents should fight to move to Western.

Apparently Meren cancelled her meeting with the FMES PTA while meeting with others. Then she sends an email that she wants FMES moved to Hughes, which doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I know some Fox Mill parents want to stay and I myself was torn between SLHS and Western, but realize that there is a significant risk of moving to Hughes if we stay with SLHS and Meren stays in office.

We will be better with Western High.

Honest question - why are Fox Mill parents so against Hughes when those are the kids your kids will go to high school with?

Because we should have never been rezoned to SLHS in the first place.

Why are we still dwelling on something that happened 15+ years ago? South Lakes was MUCH different than it is now. Meren sucks but there was obviously enough people who wanted to stay at South Lakes from Fox Mill that she’s recommending they stay.

That or she is choosing to ignore the people who have contacted her asking to be moved to Western and pretending the majority wants SLHS. That’s is what annoys me about this whole thing. If they wanted to collect actual data from families at the different elementary schools, they could easily do so through a secure survey. But they don’t. They want to tell people to form groups and advocate, and speak up at meetings, and email/call, and use a stupid online tool where one person can comment 100 times, so they only have some nebulous idea of how many people within a community want a certain outcome. That allows them to do whatever they feel like doing and say “well I heard from a lot of people who wanted this”. Actual data would force them to be accountable and they don’t want that.

There's your problem. You think your small group of less than one ES of parents' opinions matter in the boundary issue that affects all the taxpayers in the county. It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what makes the most sense, optimizing FCPS dollars and effort for everyone - not just you.

DP. Isn’t it kind of a crap shoot whether it’s more efficient to assign Fox Mill or Crossfield to Western? It would be better if they just made a decision sooner and stuck with it, rather than pretend there’s going to be some perfect decision that has unanimous support.

We do know what would be inefficient, which is plowing a ton of additional money into Western and then assigning both of these schools, and possibly less of the schools closest to Western, there.

I wasn't taking a side or position either way. Just annoyed that all these posters think what they want matters. What matters is what makes logical sense for the county now and in the future. Use facts, not arguing over how many people at each school want this or that. If what people wanted mattered then Fox Mill wouldn't have been moved to SLHS back in 2008 either.

Yes but Michelle Reid just listens to the loudest person in the room - she has separate meetings with parents who are loud in meetings and tries to strike deals with them. I know this first hand. How do you think Western High Scenario E came about? It wasn't her team's idea, it was the RIO group's idea.

Why would the RIO group need scenario E if they have B?

Because Scenario E addresses the Floris issue that a lot of people were complaining about.

The RIO group petitioned FCPS to create a new scenario to address a Floris issue?

No. Scenario E is more like FCPS’s pathetic attempt to satisfy both RIO and Meren, two loudest voices.

It looks like Option E is not getting any traction. The opt in application process has already started, but FCPS hasn't published any new map.

So the choice will most likely boil down to one between Crossfield and Fox Mill and Meren is going to face two headwinds: the RIO group and angry Fox Mill parents who want to move to Western.

Conversely, I think the pro Western Fox Mill parents should join the RIO group, as their interests are aligned.

If the majority of the Crossfield community wants to stay and the majority of Fox Mill wants to move to the Western high, that would be a very convincing argument for Option B.

Obviously, at this point we don't know whether the RIO group represents the majority or how many Fox Mill parents want to move. Meren has claimed that Fox Mill parents want to stay in SLHS.

But the opt-in numbers will reveal their actual preferences.

Again, just because the majority (your claim, no proof) want something, doesn't mean it makes the most sense for FCPS and the county taxpayers. Moving Fox Mill out of SLHS just to move Crossfield in 5 years later makes no sense. They should put Crossfield and the Navy island at Western for the most stability in the future, and stability is what I keep hearing people claim is the most important thing to them in this whole process (when it suites their particular goals at least).

Disagree.

Why should Crossfield parents have to move in five years if they adopt Option B? That doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not like SLHS enrollment is going to drop below 80% if Option B is selected. We have a new school, and as a result, some schools will be below 100%. Westfield will definitely be below 90%. Is SLHS special that it shouldn’t lose students?

Community feedback is important and should be considered to the extent that it doesn’t cost too much. Otherwise, why do we even need to provide input?

I never claimed that the majority of Crossfield parents are RIO, and most Fox Mill parents want to move.

But the opt-in numbers will show the “actual” preferences, and that information should absolutely be considered for policy decision making.

The opt-in numbers won’t show “actual” preferences because people have to deal with the current uncertainty about eventual boundaries and transportation. It’s a silly basis to make a decision.

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Anonymous wrote:If they were really doing the right thing they’d move Fox Mill to Western and the rest of Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes.

Doesn’t that continue Carson as a split feeder?

It’s more important to provide capacity relief to Chantilly and reduce the length of commutes to Oakton than to eliminate Carson as a split feeder.

And sending Fox Mill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy Island to South Lakes accomplishes this?

Sending Oak Hill to Western and Crossfield and the Navy island to South Lakes accomplishes this, and sending Fox Mill to Western enables it, since otherwise South Lakes would be overcrowded.

Interesting point but why switch Fox Mill and Crossfield/ the Navy Island in this scenario? Sending Oak Hill, Crossfield, and the Navy Island all to Western accomplishes the previously mentioned tasks.

Fox Mill is closer to Western so it’s more efficient. Anyone can look at Option B and see it results in the most compact boundaries for Western. Just add the rest of Floris.

Oooho you're the lady who thinks this is about where the school is in relation to Western and not where families live in relation to Western aren't you?