Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

I actually align pretty closely with the politics you laid out above and I still think FCPS is going the way of vouchers. What you lay out I think really motivates about 5% of people.


But most parents have jobs. All the narrative about school not being childcare is fine— but most parents have jobs and want their kids in school five days per week. Early dismissal Monday’s when no other local district did that totally ruined FCPS’ credibility for me.

You know they provide free childcare on early release monday, right? Do try to keep up.

https://fairfaxgop.org/limited-early-release-mondays-for-2024-25-school-year/

We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their student take their normal route home (bus, walk, kiss and ride) on early dismissal days. While these are designated as early release days — where necessary — we will ensure that every student has supervised enrichment activities at the school and returns home at the regular time if that is what works best for your family. Licensed educators from central office will support schools as well. High-impact tutoring will be available for identified students.

This is a great example of how FCPS alienates parents.

You could take one second to think about the experience of a working parent given the choice between taking 6 more days off from work (which they may or may not have) or let their kid be stuffed into an auditorium on a laptop for four hours, which is what the “free childcare” was.

Or you can double down on how no one has a right to want more from their taxpayer-funded system. And that doubling down leads to support for vouchers. Because parents do want more.

Do you even know what they do in those 4 hours. Stop making up stuff.

It’s Wednesday this year. You can see sample schedules for student activities:

https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/safety-and-transportation/limited-early-release-wednesdays

Last year, the justification was oh this horrible state mandate that has been dropped on us (look at the threads here about it) and we couldn’t possible manage it any other way.

Now? It’s a “successful pilot” which leads to working parents needing 8 more days off per year if they don’t want their kids warehoused. My kid didn’t need 8 more days off this year. No one asked parents whether this “pilot” (which wasn’t advertised as a pilot) was a success for us.

Private school would keep my kid in school, learning, five days per week. If I took a voucher or voted for them it would be because of this issue. You can be as dismissive as you want, the alienation of parents leads to support for vouchers.

Um. So I guess you are very wealthy and this doesn’t matter to you, but taking a voucher and paying for private school would be waaaaay more expensive than just getting a babysitter for those 4 hours a month. Not to mention, many private schools have more vacations.

It is like you have conjured up this idea that a private school and vouchers will solve all your problems. It is a fantasy, just like Trump is to his supporters.

Anonymous wrote:I see MAGA is back at it.

This. Republicans have demonstrated they don’t care about education, more like the less educated the populace, the better it is for them in terms of election outcomes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

I actually align pretty closely with the politics you laid out above and I still think FCPS is going the way of vouchers. What you lay out I think really motivates about 5% of people.


But most parents have jobs. All the narrative about school not being childcare is fine— but most parents have jobs and want their kids in school five days per week. Early dismissal Monday’s when no other local district did that totally ruined FCPS’ credibility for me.

You know they provide free childcare on early release monday, right? Do try to keep up.

https://fairfaxgop.org/limited-early-release-mondays-for-2024-25-school-year/

We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their student take their normal route home (bus, walk, kiss and ride) on early dismissal days. While these are designated as early release days — where necessary — we will ensure that every student has supervised enrichment activities at the school and returns home at the regular time if that is what works best for your family. Licensed educators from central office will support schools as well. High-impact tutoring will be available for identified students.

This is a great example of how FCPS alienates parents.

You could take one second to think about the experience of a working parent given the choice between taking 6 more days off from work (which they may or may not have) or let their kid be stuffed into an auditorium on a laptop for four hours, which is what the “free childcare” was.

Or you can double down on how no one has a right to want more from their taxpayer-funded system. And that doubling down leads to support for vouchers. Because parents do want more.

Do you even know what they do in those 4 hours. Stop making up stuff.

It’s Wednesday this year. You can see sample schedules for student activities:

https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/safety-and-transportation/limited-early-release-wednesdays

Last year, the justification was oh this horrible state mandate that has been dropped on us (look at the threads here about it) and we couldn’t possible manage it any other way.

Now? It’s a “successful pilot” which leads to working parents needing 8 more days off per year if they don’t want their kids warehoused. My kid didn’t need 8 more days off this year. No one asked parents whether this “pilot” (which wasn’t advertised as a pilot) was a success for us.

Private school would keep my kid in school, learning, five days per week. If I took a voucher or voted for them it would be because of this issue. You can be as dismissive as you want, the alienation of parents leads to support for vouchers.

The lack of a common educational foundation for most of our children will cause even more degradation of our society. Private schools don’t have to test or meet educational standards. They can teach nonsense like evolution and get taxpayer funds for it with vouchers.

Fair or not... Vouchers would essentially destroy the FCPS budget. Every child that is currently in private schools would now be a deduction of budget to FCPS. Currently they benefit from not having to provide education services. This would dwarf the amount of people that might then exit. The only saving grace would be the capacity limits. This would work to drive up the demand for private and (at least in short term), increase the private schools profits as they will be able to raise tuition due to demand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic-

The threat of vouchers is real, and rather than alienate key constituencies, the school board should really put a pause to the comprehensive changes and instead focus on the one or two schools that actually need relief now.

I, too, have problems with the boundary study. However, there are a lot of parents who have concerns far beyond boundaries. Title IX, for example.

Sure, happy to discuss those too. Vouchers and the threat of vouchers will serve as a check on this school board’s worst impulses.

I don't think it will. If vouchers actually cause people to leave FCPS (debatable), those leaving will largely be the people opposed to the board. Therefore remaining parents are more likely to agree with board, or to not care.

- NP who opposes vouchers AND a lot of what FCPS does, but wouldn't mind if a certain segment of complainers left

Did you read the article? Pretty compelling evidence that vouchers do cause families to go private.

And, before you celebrate UMC families leaving FCPS, you might want to have a think about the impacts that the loss of those families might cause. (Again, might be worth reading that article).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paid property taxes that supported FCPS before I had kids, continued to pay them as my first two kids went through FCPS (saw FCPS decline for over two decades now) and will continue to pay taxes after final child leaves the FCPS system. Am absolutely fine with those tax dollars converted to vouchers so kids can attend schools that make more effective use of the money.

Spending money on unnecessary positions to support school board members, a bodyguard for the superintendent and money wasted on an unnecessary full boundary studies, not to mention the administrative bloat at Gatehouse show that FCPS no longer deserves the tax dollars it receives.

Not MAGA, just tired of incompetent grifters benefitting while kids and teachers suffer.

Well said. If only they'd listen and start mitigating the damage they've been causing.

Easy for you to say when your children are not in FCPS anymore and you don;t really have to address any of the problems charters and vouchers cause personally. You are simply addressing your anger at “bloat” because the consequences for you are solely that you need to pay less in taxes. I can see your point, but we would ALL be better off if you advocated for property tax relief for seniors rather than attacking and destroying the school system.

Looks like you're conflating posters again. Sigh.

That is definitely one down side to the anonymous forum!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paid property taxes that supported FCPS before I had kids, continued to pay them as my first two kids went through FCPS (saw FCPS decline for over two decades now) and will continue to pay taxes after final child leaves the FCPS system. Am absolutely fine with those tax dollars converted to vouchers so kids can attend schools that make more effective use of the money.

Spending money on unnecessary positions to support school board members, a bodyguard for the superintendent and money wasted on an unnecessary full boundary studies, not to mention the administrative bloat at Gatehouse show that FCPS no longer deserves the tax dollars it receives.

Not MAGA, just tired of incompetent grifters benefitting while kids and teachers suffer.

Well said. If only they'd listen and start mitigating the damage they've been causing.

Easy for you to say when your children are not in FCPS anymore and you don;t really have to address any of the problems charters and vouchers cause personally. You are simply addressing your anger at “bloat” because the consequences for you are solely that you need to pay less in taxes. I can see your point, but we would ALL be better off if you advocated for property tax relief for seniors rather than attacking and destroying the school system.

Looks like you're conflating posters again. Sigh.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paid property taxes that supported FCPS before I had kids, continued to pay them as my first two kids went through FCPS (saw FCPS decline for over two decades now) and will continue to pay taxes after final child leaves the FCPS system. Am absolutely fine with those tax dollars converted to vouchers so kids can attend schools that make more effective use of the money.

Spending money on unnecessary positions to support school board members, a bodyguard for the superintendent and money wasted on an unnecessary full boundary studies, not to mention the administrative bloat at Gatehouse show that FCPS no longer deserves the tax dollars it receives.

Not MAGA, just tired of incompetent grifters benefitting while kids and teachers suffer.

Well said. If only they'd listen and start mitigating the damage they've been causing.

Easy for you to say when your children are not in FCPS anymore and you don;t really have to address any of the problems charters and vouchers cause personally. You are simply addressing your anger at “bloat” because the consequences for you are solely that you need to pay less in taxes. I can see your point, but we would ALL be better off if you advocated for property tax relief for seniors rather than attacking and destroying the school system.

Fairfax county offers property tax relief for seniors that meet certain criteria.

I hope the PP takes advantage of that. It sounds like they need help.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

+1

RWNJs pushing BS talking points to push their agenda.

You can’t deal with the merits as to why so many are disappointed with FCPS, so you resort to the usual insults, such as slurs like “RWNJ.” The irony is it only reveals your own low brows.

LOL. “public good no longer really functions as a public good” is pure BS.

If you had a serious complaint based in reality you’d get a serious response. But you get what you deserve.

One need only look at the superintendent who seeks to enrich herself at our expense, the school board that cares little about academic excellence but a lot about their future political careers, the many unnecessary expenditures (for example, Nardos King’s silly fiefdom), the waste of capital resources, the pointless and bungled ongoing boundary review, and the declining test scores to see FCPS has lost its way. These are the types of things that drive support for vouchers and raise questions as to whether FCPS truly continues to be a “public good.”

Just stop trying to engage with that PP. they see us all as nut jobs bc we are fed up with fcps leadership. There is a lot to be upset about.

I’m ready for vouchers. Let the $ follow the child. Money talks and I hope fcps will start to listen.

Explain why you want to destroy the school system to “get back at the school board”. They aren’t going anywhere. I posted a list of questions earlier that were deleted, so I’m not going there again, but so many people are just angry and unable to see that the school board itself will HAVE to exist. The members who are there now are not going to even be in office in 10 years to see the “consequences of their actions” as you want to give them.

But KIDS will and KIDS will have to pay the price. Your particular child, if they are in school now, will not benefit from charters very much. Charters in DC open and close quickly often because they are bad. Charters aren’t going to magically open for you in 26-27 that are superb. If you want a private school, the private school will raise their prices to adjust for vouchers. This isn’t going to help your problem that you are mad about.

Yes, FCPS was dumb about the boundary review. It was clear in May of 2023 when this started that it is a political mistake to start the boundary process. They didn’t care. But to think that establishing vouchers will help is ridiculous.

Have you talked to any parents about the DC lottery. How hard it is to get your kid across town to the school they matched with? How stressful the lottery process is? How difficult it is when the charter your kids go to closes? You should.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paid property taxes that supported FCPS before I had kids, continued to pay them as my first two kids went through FCPS (saw FCPS decline for over two decades now) and will continue to pay taxes after final child leaves the FCPS system. Am absolutely fine with those tax dollars converted to vouchers so kids can attend schools that make more effective use of the money.

Spending money on unnecessary positions to support school board members, a bodyguard for the superintendent and money wasted on an unnecessary full boundary studies, not to mention the administrative bloat at Gatehouse show that FCPS no longer deserves the tax dollars it receives.

Not MAGA, just tired of incompetent grifters benefitting while kids and teachers suffer.

Well said. If only they'd listen and start mitigating the damage they've been causing.

Easy for you to say when your children are not in FCPS anymore and you don;t really have to address any of the problems charters and vouchers cause personally. You are simply addressing your anger at “bloat” because the consequences for you are solely that you need to pay less in taxes. I can see your point, but we would ALL be better off if you advocated for property tax relief for seniors rather than attacking and destroying the school system.

Fairfax county offers property tax relief for seniors that meet certain criteria.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paid property taxes that supported FCPS before I had kids, continued to pay them as my first two kids went through FCPS (saw FCPS decline for over two decades now) and will continue to pay taxes after final child leaves the FCPS system. Am absolutely fine with those tax dollars converted to vouchers so kids can attend schools that make more effective use of the money.

Spending money on unnecessary positions to support school board members, a bodyguard for the superintendent and money wasted on an unnecessary full boundary studies, not to mention the administrative bloat at Gatehouse show that FCPS no longer deserves the tax dollars it receives.

Not MAGA, just tired of incompetent grifters benefitting while kids and teachers suffer.

Well said. If only they'd listen and start mitigating the damage they've been causing.

Easy for you to say when your children are not in FCPS anymore and you don;t really have to address any of the problems charters and vouchers cause personally. You are simply addressing your anger at “bloat” because the consequences for you are solely that you need to pay less in taxes. I can see your point, but we would ALL be better off if you advocated for property tax relief for seniors rather than attacking and destroying the school system.

Anonymous wrote:Paid property taxes that supported FCPS before I had kids, continued to pay them as my first two kids went through FCPS (saw FCPS decline for over two decades now) and will continue to pay taxes after final child leaves the FCPS system. Am absolutely fine with those tax dollars converted to vouchers so kids can attend schools that make more effective use of the money.

Spending money on unnecessary positions to support school board members, a bodyguard for the superintendent and money wasted on an unnecessary full boundary studies, not to mention the administrative bloat at Gatehouse show that FCPS no longer deserves the tax dollars it receives.

Not MAGA, just tired of incompetent grifters benefitting while kids and teachers suffer.

Well said. If only they'd listen and start mitigating the damage they've been causing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

+1

RWNJs pushing BS talking points to push their agenda.

You can’t deal with the merits as to why so many are disappointed with FCPS, so you resort to the usual insults, such as slurs like “RWNJ.” The irony is it only reveals your own low brows.

LOL. “public good no longer really functions as a public good” is pure BS.

If you had a serious complaint based in reality you’d get a serious response. But you get what you deserve.

One need only look at the superintendent who seeks to enrich herself at our expense, the school board that cares little about academic excellence but a lot about their future political careers, the many unnecessary expenditures (for example, Nardos King’s silly fiefdom), the waste of capital resources, the pointless and bungled ongoing boundary review, and the declining test scores to see FCPS has lost its way. These are the types of things that drive support for vouchers and raise questions as to whether FCPS truly continues to be a “public good.”

More RWNJ propaganda. You sound like that nut bag, Asra.

You sound like that left-wing idiot Vanessa, constantly trying to ingratiate herself with Reid and her cronies. Gross.

Paid property taxes that supported FCPS before I had kids, continued to pay them as my first two kids went through FCPS (saw FCPS decline for over two decades now) and will continue to pay taxes after final child leaves the FCPS system. Am absolutely fine with those tax dollars converted to vouchers so kids can attend schools that make more effective use of the money.

Spending money on unnecessary positions to support school board members, a bodyguard for the superintendent and money wasted on an unnecessary full boundary studies, not to mention the administrative bloat at Gatehouse show that FCPS no longer deserves the tax dollars it receives.

Not MAGA, just tired of incompetent grifters benefitting while kids and teachers suffer.