Honey - you ain't in Kansas anymore.


We are talking about Arlington Va, with an 8 min commute to the pentagon from south Arlington, and you aren't buying a small crappy house in my south arl neighbor under 620k.
The town homes and condos are an investment as well.

This area isn't poor because it's poor.

It's poor because the county is lending money to AHC for free to build subsidized housing.
If left alone those areas would gentrify quite nicely. This is policy, not the market.

Here's a thought. ATS, Claremont and Key are choice schools and they are already mixed in terms of demographics. If ASFS being a "special" school is causing so many problems, why don't you take away the extra science education and just have it be the regular neighborhood school that it mostly is. Most people at this point probably aren't buying there for the science; they're buying there because the test scores are high and it's close-in to DC and Clarendon, and they're not interested in Key immersion.

Then you could put another "choice" school in South Arlington, giving preference to South Arlington addresses. Then put a science/tech magnet program into one of the South Arlington middles and into Wakefield.

That, plus more affordable housing along Lee Hwy or wherever else, should help balance things a bit. But you're never going to get a truly integrated county. Wherever you go in this country (and others), there are richer and poorer areas. In my Kansas hometown, there are richer, whiter schools and poorer schools with more FARMS and more minorities. The real estate in the richer school boundaries is expensive for the area and almost solely SFH. The poorer schools include lots of apartments, townhouses and smaller, older homes in their boundaries. I think it's just harder for people here to accept that even if they're spending $500K on a house, that doesn't put them in the richer school boundary, because anywhere else, $500K is a lot of money.

I don't even know how you integrate the numbers of children we are talking about. You certainly won't convince much of north Arlington to take enough to be effective.

Randolph is 81% FARMs.
So what if Jamestown takes on 8 %?


We will still have schools with well over half their school in poverty.

No one wants to admit it, but we are talking about a population of people that isn't tenable. It is not easliy absorbed- not that they want to be absorbed. They are very vocal about not wanting to be integrated.
if you want your kids in a higher performing school-
17.7%- of what will be an even more densely populated Arlington- isn't realistic.
You can't have both.

We just had an election and it seems the county has made its choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about putting ALL the choice schools (except Key) in South Arlington?

A South only choice school, like a magnet or science focus would be an option, since South Arlington children can't go to ASFS.

I'd argue that one of the big differences between North and South schools, choice or not, is the money that the PTA can raise to help fund programs and teacher support. And when teachers have extra resources (read:$) they stay longer. That kind of stability in a school helps performance.

Look at what Jamestown raised and spent in the past year: http://jamestownpta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014.2015-Approved-Budget.pdf Over $45,000 went to Instructional Support alone!

Want to guess what Barcroft spent on Instructional Support? Just under $7,000.

Could a South only choice school raise funds like a North school? Maybe, I don't know.

What PP describes here is the key!
These numbers are staggering!
Don't be fooled: tons of choice schools (like charters?!) in the south will not make the huge difference.
Economic integration would.

!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:West south Arlington:


It's not really new. This is the area everyone is referring to on this thread when it all boils down to it.

If you are driving down Columbia Pike toward Fairfax you get into this area. There is debate on where the line is, but most would say south George Mason. Some might argue Glebe- but there has been more gentrification through those blocks and the older garden style apartments are smaller and better maintained ( I believe some no longer count as MARKS). some of them are quite charming honestly.
There is no question that you have hit the area in question once you get to four mile run.
I could be wrong, but the big complex that the affordable housing lobby is concerned about losing is BARCROFT apartments.
And I guess further down is green briar.

They house a large amount of people, and I think that is why we are getting targeted for CAF's.
Thing is- are either of those ( or any other huge complexes that I'm not thinking of) on the chopping block?
I don't think there are any plans to tear them down.
So what the hell is the rush?

I have lived along the Pike for 10 years on and off and my first apartment was in Barcroft, back when I had student loans to pay off. That place was a pit stop for me, but a salvation for a lot of the folks there. Back when I was there, what is not West Shirlington Village was a similar large market rate AH complex. Barcroft's owners said they would never sell, but they must be tempted to maybe chop off one of the blocks closer to Shirlington and turn into higher end units. I think that place, while historic is well past its prime. Plus, the leases are all month to month, which lets the owners raise rent when they feel like it.

It's pretty much an eyesore now, and placing tons of kids in about two schools.
Even if they can raise the rent, I don't see the demographics changing anytime soon.
Interesting that Delashmutt ( owners of Barcroft and much of the properties on the pike) have said they won't sell.
Wonder if they would still be saying that if the streetcar had actually happened, or if they will be saying that after the food star strip mall is redeveloped in the image of penrose.
I know it's probably been really helpful to the people living there, but I would not be sad to see it go.

I used to live there and I won't miss them either. I think eventually the money will be too good to keep from upgrading.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the PP asking about to the county owned land along 4 mile run, yes you are correct. Plan for thousands of affordable density there. That is one of the reasons developers were quietly supporting the mi Voz Cuenta group, bc without the new plan the way it is writtem they would lack a mandate. I heard a developer at the board meeting approving the housing plan say whew, glad we made to through that. There is also a plan for 1k units in columbia hills. First 250 family units recently approved by then board.

Katie cristol supports all of this by the way. No ways of stop any of it unless you want to be publicly labeled a racists. Your voice as a homeowner in west south arlington does NOT count.

What do we define as West South Arlington? I know where Middle Arlington is, but this is new.

West of George Mason?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:West south Arlington:


It's not really new. This is the area everyone is referring to on this thread when it all boils down to it.

If you are driving down Columbia Pike toward Fairfax you get into this area. There is debate on where the line is, but most would say south George Mason. Some might argue Glebe- but there has been more gentrification through those blocks and the older garden style apartments are smaller and better maintained ( I believe some no longer count as MARKS). some of them are quite charming honestly.
There is no question that you have hit the area in question once you get to four mile run.
I could be wrong, but the big complex that the affordable housing lobby is concerned about losing is BARCROFT apartments.
And I guess further down is green briar.

They house a large amount of people, and I think that is why we are getting targeted for CAF's.
Thing is- are either of those ( or any other huge complexes that I'm not thinking of) on the chopping block?
I don't think there are any plans to tear them down.
So what the hell is the rush?

I have lived along the Pike for 10 years on and off and my first apartment was in Barcroft, back when I had student loans to pay off. That place was a pit stop for me, but a salvation for a lot of the folks there. Back when I was there, what is not West Shirlington Village was a similar large market rate AH complex. Barcroft's owners said they would never sell, but they must be tempted to maybe chop off one of the blocks closer to Shirlington and turn into higher end units. I think that place, while historic is well past its prime. Plus, the leases are all month to month, which lets the owners raise rent when they feel like it.

It's pretty much an eyesore now, and placing tons of kids in about two schools.
Even if they can raise the rent, I don't see the demographics changing anytime soon.
Interesting that Delashmutt ( owners of Barcroft and much of the properties on the pike) have said they won't sell.
Wonder if they would still be saying that if the streetcar had actually happened, or if they will be saying that after the food star strip mall is redeveloped in the image of penrose.
I know it's probably been really helpful to the people living there, but I would not be sad to see it go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Are PTA contributions tax deductible?

Dues are not (I don't think), but donations are.

Correct that donations are deductible (like check writing campaign). Payment for goods are not. So, if you buy something at the auction, the only part you can deduct is the amount over the estimated value. If you buy something for less than its value, there is no deduction.

Anonymous wrote:West south Arlington:


It's not really new. This is the area everyone is referring to on this thread when it all boils down to it.

If you are driving down Columbia Pike toward Fairfax you get into this area. There is debate on where the line is, but most would say south George Mason. Some might argue Glebe- but there has been more gentrification through those blocks and the older garden style apartments are smaller and better maintained ( I believe some no longer count as MARKS). some of them are quite charming honestly.
There is no question that you have hit the area in question once you get to four mile run.
I could be wrong, but the big complex that the affordable housing lobby is concerned about losing is BARCROFT apartments.
And I guess further down is green briar.

They house a large amount of people, and I think that is why we are getting targeted for CAF's.
Thing is- are either of those ( or any other huge complexes that I'm not thinking of) on the chopping block?
I don't think there are any plans to tear them down.
So what the hell is the rush?

I have lived along the Pike for 10 years on and off and my first apartment was in Barcroft, back when I had student loans to pay off. That place was a pit stop for me, but a salvation for a lot of the folks there. Back when I was there, what is not West Shirlington Village was a similar large market rate AH complex. Barcroft's owners said they would never sell, but they must be tempted to maybe chop off one of the blocks closer to Shirlington and turn into higher end units. I think that place, while historic is well past its prime. Plus, the leases are all month to month, which lets the owners raise rent when they feel like it.

Anonymous wrote:

Are PTA contributions tax deductible?

Dues are not (I don't think), but donations are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about putting ALL the choice schools (except Key) in South Arlington?

A South only choice school, like a magnet or science focus would be an option, since South Arlington children can't go to ASFS.

I'd argue that one of the big differences between North and South schools, choice or not, is the money that the PTA can raise to help fund programs and teacher support. And when teachers have extra resources (read:$) they stay longer. That kind of stability in a school helps performance.

Look at what Jamestown raised and spent in the past year: http://jamestownpta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014.2015-Approved-Budget.pdf Over $45,000 went to Instructional Support alone!

Want to guess what Barcroft spent on Instructional Support? Just under $7,000.

Could a South only choice school raise funds like a North school? Maybe, I don't know.

If it majority students from the Sfh neighborhoods it could get a lot closer, that's for sure.


I'm not against having farm kids in the schools, but mi VOZ CUENTA wants to keep their together as the majority and struggling together. They feel really comfortable with that.
fine- let them have it.
I'm over caring about their needs at this point.
They have to want to help themselves

Are PTA contributions tax deductible?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about putting ALL the choice schools (except Key) in South Arlington?

A South only choice school, like a magnet or science focus would be an option, since South Arlington children can't go to ASFS.

I'd argue that one of the big differences between North and South schools, choice or not, is the money that the PTA can raise to help fund programs and teacher support. And when teachers have extra resources (read:$) they stay longer. That kind of stability in a school helps performance.

Look at what Jamestown raised and spent in the past year: http://jamestownpta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014.2015-Approved-Budget.pdf Over $45,000 went to Instructional Support alone!

Want to guess what Barcroft spent on Instructional Support? Just under $7,000.

Could a South only choice school raise funds like a North school? Maybe, I don't know.

If it majority students from the Sfh neighborhoods it could get a lot closer, that's for sure.


I'm not against having farm kids in the schools, but mi VOZ CUENTA wants to keep their together as the majority and struggling together. They feel really comfortable with that.
fine- let them have it.
I'm over caring about their needs at this point.
They have to want to help themselves

West south Arlington:


It's not really new. This is the area everyone is referring to on this thread when it all boils down to it.

If you are driving down Columbia Pike toward Fairfax you get into this area. There is debate on where the line is, but most would say south George Mason. Some might argue Glebe- but there has been more gentrification through those blocks and the older garden style apartments are smaller and better maintained ( I believe some no longer count as MARKS). some of them are quite charming honestly.
There is no question that you have hit the area in question once you get to four mile run.
I could be wrong, but the big complex that the affordable housing lobby is concerned about losing is BARCROFT apartments.
And I guess further down is green briar.

They house a large amount of people, and I think that is why we are getting targeted for CAF's.
Thing is- are either of those ( or any other huge complexes that I'm not thinking of) on the chopping block?
I don't think there are any plans to tear them down.
So what the hell is the rush?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about putting ALL the choice schools (except Key) in South Arlington?

A South only choice school, like a magnet or science focus would be an option, since South Arlington children can't go to ASFS.

I'd argue that one of the big differences between North and South schools, choice or not, is the money that the PTA can raise to help fund programs and teacher support. And when teachers have extra resources (read:$) they stay longer. That kind of stability in a school helps performance.

Look at what Jamestown raised and spent in the past year: http://jamestownpta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014.2015-Approved-Budget.pdf Over $45,000 went to Instructional Support alone!

Want to guess what Barcroft spent on Instructional Support? Just under $7,000.

Could a South only choice school raise funds like a North school? Maybe, I don't know.

Anonymous wrote:How about putting ALL the choice schools (except Key) in South Arlington?

A South only choice school, like a magnet or science focus would be an option, since South Arlington children can't go to ASFS.