Anonymous wrote:Maybe, the plan is to operate like any other new school. There is a policy/process for that. Seems like I read somewhere that would be coming--maybe in an interview with Dunne? No time tonight. I'll look tomorrow.

As far as funds: scale back Centreville is a possibility. People were complaining about the 3000 seats before KAA came up.
I don't know about Dunn Loring--I am not familiar with that area, but many on this forum have said it is not needed. Certainly, I guess they could delay it. They have shifted these things before.

The point is: there is a need. Chantilly has been overcrowded for years. Westfield has lots of new construction and is currently full. Neighborhoods adjacent to Centreville are being sent to Fairfax.

But, you have heard this before.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ The decision to purchase a new high school (KAA) in the middle of the process and then play dumb about the implications of that acquisition for the ongoing boundary review only further underscores the deep incompetence of those currently running FCPS or charged with its oversight.

Strongly disagree. It is the only competent thing they have done lately. Some of the worst boundaries suggested by THRU are in this area. And the boundaries in this area are like a spider web--they have been adjusted in this manner because there was no where else to go.
This is the area that needs the space.

If the School Board were smart, they would take advantage of the KAA decision and drop this current boundary study. It gives them a great excuse to do so. They will necessarily need to make adjustments in boundaries due to KAA, but there are logical options that do not involved splitting neighborhoods down the middle and sending kids thirty minutes away. It should enable school communities.

Right? This is the only smart thing FCPS has done in ages. It just makes so much sense, now middle schools can all go to the same high school and not be split up. All of Carson can go to the KAA building, all of Stone can go to Westfield, all of Hughes can go to South Lakes, all of Franklin can go to Chantilly. It just makes sense.

I

Agree.

It will not quite work that way, but it should be an improvement.

Of course it won't work that way, because not everyone who currently goes to Carson is likely to end up at KAA, and Stone is not big enough to be the sole feeder to Westfield. But the people who want the KAA purchase to go through don't want to acknowledge any possible complications or messiness associated with new boundaries for a school at the KAA site, because they see that as potentially souring someone on the deal. It's a bit childish, especially when just about everyone is in favor of the purchase.

I don't see how turning 4 way and 3 way split feeders into 2 way splits is a complication or messiness. An improvement is an improvement. One poster is trying to say "all Carson to KAA" likely because they are at Fox Mill ES (which goes to Carson) and want to go to KAA instead of South Lakes.
It would be nice to hear from the school board how KAA will affect the expansion plans at Centreville and other spending going forward, but acting like that had to be figured out before making the purchase is why you get so much resistance to your posts. It's blatantly obvious that they got a great deal on a school that had been needed and planned for a long time - and one that solves more problems than those future projects that may or may not be delayed. I doubt the school board gives us any answers about future budgets until next year's CIP update forces them to put it in writing. It sucks, but complaining about it incessantly here won't make it happen any sooner.

You’re conflating multiple posters who’ve suggested FCPS would be better served by addressing, or at least acknowledging, some fairly basic questions associated with the KAA purchase.

All I’ll add at this point is that when you suggest that FCPS deserves nothing but unmitigated praise for proceeding as it has with this deal you come across as both selfish and also dismissive of those who’d expect more transparency from School Board members who’ve spent years telling people they are cash strapped and can’t possibly fund needed projects in other parts of the county - only to suddenly commit to spending at least $150 million on this school (and we all know the final number will be higher).

Again, most intuitively see the logic for this acquisition, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be providing more details as to where the money will come from, what other projects will be bumped, and how it will affect a boundary review that had already been underway for well over a year. They’ve had time now to come up with answers, or at least commit to providing them, and basically are just leaving people guessing instead. That’s not good governance.

It seems to me that things are progressing as they should. I have not seen any indication that they have closed on the sale yet. I would think that we will here more after that.

Now, let's just say this went the way some think it should have:



The first I knew KAA was closing was on DCUM--specifically: February 13 is when it was first posted here.
When did SB become aware? I don't know.
But, let's just say, it was presented at the next SB meeting. How would you think they should have done it? Mateo: "Gee, I hear KAA is for sale. Should we buy it?" "How much should we pay?"

Sure. When there is a house for sale in your neighborhood --and a lot of interest in it--you would announce to everyone that you are interested in purchasing it? What do you think would happen? Would you get it at a good price or would the price go up with competitive bidders?

It has not been that long since they announced this. We will get answers. You may or may not like them, but we will get them.
My guess is that it may scale back a renovation or delay it a year. They may be able to use one of the extra buildings to fill some other real estate needs of the system and save money there.

Have you written your School Board member and asked how they are going to pay for it?

They didn’t have to announce their interest prior to voting to acquire KAA, but they could have come up with some answers or at least acknowledged the questions that needed to be answered when they voted on the purchase or in the weeks that have followed.

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

The latter doesn’t speak well to the School Board’s commitment to transparency and good governance. Nor is it necessarily in the interests of those who want the KAA property to become a neighborhood school, since it invites others to continue weigh in that a new school should serve a different purpose, as illustrated in this recent article:

https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/citizens-federation-has-a-vision-for-fcps-property-purchase/article_8e02236a-b066-48cf-b6ee-72c24d030d4c.html

Anonymous wrote:Maybe, the plan is to operate like any other new school. There is a policy/process for that. Seems like I read somewhere that would be coming--maybe in an interview with Dunne? No time tonight. I'll look tomorrow.

As far as funds: scale back Centreville is a possibility. People were complaining about the 3000 seats before KAA came up.
I don't know about Dunn Loring--I am not familiar with that area, but many on this forum have said it is not needed. Certainly, I guess they could delay it. They have shifted these things before.

The point is: there is a need. Chantilly has been overcrowded for years. Westfield has lots of new construction and is currently full. Neighborhoods adjacent to Centreville are being sent to Fairfax.

But, you have heard this before.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

The "multiple" number is 3.
Moon--who has announced his plans to run for Braddock supervisor
Rachna Sizemore-Heiser who is rumored to run for Braddock supervisor.

Both of those likely will not vote for anything that does not directly affect Braddock in a very positive way. This purchase has no effect on Braddock as far as I can tell.

Meren is the third member who abstained. South Lakes is in her district and many of the Carson students are in her district. South Lakes may lose kids to this--or place Meren in the difficult position of picking who gets to be assigned there from Hunter Mill.

Please note: No School Board member voted AGAINST the purchase.

Or maybe they are just three members with more experience on the SB who care about governance and were unsettled by the questions that were neither answered nor identified at the time of the vote.

If the absence of a specific benefit to a member’s district was the key driver, you’d have seen other members abstaining as well.

+1. And, to put a fine point on it, if some of the board members are running for something this year, then they should be proud to vote for a “bargain” as some posters call it. The fact that they abstained makes us question the transaction even more.

I’ll repeat what I and others continually say here: I’m not against the purchase of the school per se, I just don’t have enough info to base any opinion on. It’s been over a month and we’ve still heard nothing from the school board on it. This will have profound effects across the system. It’s $150 million that they have to get from somewhere, even with it on sale. I for one, and many in the county, want to know from where, and what are we giving up in the process?

Shame. On. Them.

Go listen to the School Board meeting when they voted. Remember, no one voted against it. Listen to the comments made.
The purchase is not yet complete.
This purchase will actually help students.
No one has yet said what the solution is to this area. The area is sending kids on a thirty minute bus ride, has overcrowded schools, has a very large island going to a school outside the community, etc. And, THRU is splitting tight neighborhoods, creating more split feeders, and sending even more students on a thirty minute bus ride.

What is your solution? The area has been promised a school for years, but told there was no site. Now a site has become available and you are crying "Shame?"

Where is your plan?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

The "multiple" number is 3.
Moon--who has announced his plans to run for Braddock supervisor
Rachna Sizemore-Heiser who is rumored to run for Braddock supervisor.

Both of those likely will not vote for anything that does not directly affect Braddock in a very positive way. This purchase has no effect on Braddock as far as I can tell.

Meren is the third member who abstained. South Lakes is in her district and many of the Carson students are in her district. South Lakes may lose kids to this--or place Meren in the difficult position of picking who gets to be assigned there from Hunter Mill.

Please note: No School Board member voted AGAINST the purchase.

Or maybe they are just three members with more experience on the SB who care about governance and were unsettled by the questions that were neither answered nor identified at the time of the vote.

If the absence of a specific benefit to a member’s district was the key driver, you’d have seen other members abstaining as well.

+1. And, to put a fine point on it, if some of the board members are running for something this year, then they should be proud to vote for a “bargain” as some posters call it. The fact that they abstained makes us question the transaction even more.

I’ll repeat what I and others continually say here: I’m not against the purchase of the school per se, I just don’t have enough info to base any opinion on. It’s been over a month and we’ve still heard nothing from the school board on it. This will have profound effects across the system. It’s $150 million that they have to get from somewhere, even with it on sale. I for one, and many in the county, want to know from where, and what are we giving up in the process?

Shame. On. Them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

The "multiple" number is 3.
Moon--who has announced his plans to run for Braddock supervisor
Rachna Sizemore-Heiser who is rumored to run for Braddock supervisor.

Both of those likely will not vote for anything that does not directly affect Braddock in a very positive way. This purchase has no effect on Braddock as far as I can tell.

Meren is the third member who abstained. South Lakes is in her district and many of the Carson students are in her district. South Lakes may lose kids to this--or place Meren in the difficult position of picking who gets to be assigned there from Hunter Mill.

Please note: No School Board member voted AGAINST the purchase.

Or maybe they are just three members with more experience on the SB who care about governance and were unsettled by the questions that were neither answered nor identified at the time of the vote.

If the absence of a specific benefit to a member’s district was the key driver, you’d have seen other members abstaining as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

The "multiple" number is 3.
Moon--who has announced his plans to run for Braddock supervisor
Rachna Sizemore-Heiser who is rumored to run for Braddock supervisor.

Both of those likely will not vote for anything that does not directly affect Braddock in a very positive way. This purchase has no effect on Braddock as far as I can tell.

Meren is the third member who abstained. South Lakes is in her district and many of the Carson students are in her district. South Lakes may lose kids to this--or place Meren in the difficult position of picking who gets to be assigned there from Hunter Mill.

Please note: No School Board member voted AGAINST the purchase.

Or maybe they are just three members with more experience on the SB who care about governance and were unsettled by the questions that were neither answered nor identified at the time of the vote.

If the absence of a specific benefit to a member’s district was the key driver, you’d have seen other members abstaining as well.

The others aren't getting ready to run for BOS this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

The "multiple" number is 3.
Moon--who has announced his plans to run for Braddock supervisor
Rachna Sizemore-Heiser who is rumored to run for Braddock supervisor.

Both of those likely will not vote for anything that does not directly affect Braddock in a very positive way. This purchase has no effect on Braddock as far as I can tell.

Meren is the third member who abstained. South Lakes is in her district and many of the Carson students are in her district. South Lakes may lose kids to this--or place Meren in the difficult position of picking who gets to be assigned there from Hunter Mill.

Please note: No School Board member voted AGAINST the purchase.

Or maybe they are just three members with more experience on the SB who care about governance and were unsettled by the questions that were neither answered nor identified at the time of the vote.

If the absence of a specific benefit to a member’s district was the key driver, you’d have seen other members abstaining as well.

Anonymous wrote:

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

The "multiple" number is 3.
Moon--who has announced his plans to run for Braddock supervisor
Rachna Sizemore-Heiser who is rumored to run for Braddock supervisor.

Both of those likely will not vote for anything that does not directly affect Braddock in a very positive way. This purchase has no effect on Braddock as far as I can tell.

Meren is the third member who abstained. South Lakes is in her district and many of the Carson students are in her district. South Lakes may lose kids to this--or place Meren in the difficult position of picking who gets to be assigned there from Hunter Mill.

Please note: No School Board member voted AGAINST the purchase.

They didn’t, which led to multiple SB members abstaining from the vote to purchase KAA, questions from BRAC members and community groups that remain unanswered, and continued uncertainty as to FCPS’s plans for KAA.

Anonymous wrote:I meant to quote the
"Classic mooch who demands $150 million of taxpayers money and demands no questions be asked."
post above for my reply, but I suspect both were the same person anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ The decision to purchase a new high school (KAA) in the middle of the process and then play dumb about the implications of that acquisition for the ongoing boundary review only further underscores the deep incompetence of those currently running FCPS or charged with its oversight.

Strongly disagree. It is the only competent thing they have done lately. Some of the worst boundaries suggested by THRU are in this area. And the boundaries in this area are like a spider web--they have been adjusted in this manner because there was no where else to go.
This is the area that needs the space.

If the School Board were smart, they would take advantage of the KAA decision and drop this current boundary study. It gives them a great excuse to do so. They will necessarily need to make adjustments in boundaries due to KAA, but there are logical options that do not involved splitting neighborhoods down the middle and sending kids thirty minutes away. It should enable school communities.

Right? This is the only smart thing FCPS has done in ages. It just makes so much sense, now middle schools can all go to the same high school and not be split up. All of Carson can go to the KAA building, all of Stone can go to Westfield, all of Hughes can go to South Lakes, all of Franklin can go to Chantilly. It just makes sense.

I

Agree.

It will not quite work that way, but it should be an improvement.

Of course it won't work that way, because not everyone who currently goes to Carson is likely to end up at KAA, and Stone is not big enough to be the sole feeder to Westfield. But the people who want the KAA purchase to go through don't want to acknowledge any possible complications or messiness associated with new boundaries for a school at the KAA site, because they see that as potentially souring someone on the deal. It's a bit childish, especially when just about everyone is in favor of the purchase.

I don't see how turning 4 way and 3 way split feeders into 2 way splits is a complication or messiness. An improvement is an improvement. One poster is trying to say "all Carson to KAA" likely because they are at Fox Mill ES (which goes to Carson) and want to go to KAA instead of South Lakes.
It would be nice to hear from the school board how KAA will affect the expansion plans at Centreville and other spending going forward, but acting like that had to be figured out before making the purchase is why you get so much resistance to your posts. It's blatantly obvious that they got a great deal on a school that had been needed and planned for a long time - and one that solves more problems than those future projects that may or may not be delayed. I doubt the school board gives us any answers about future budgets until next year's CIP update forces them to put it in writing. It sucks, but complaining about it incessantly here won't make it happen any sooner.

You’re conflating multiple posters who’ve suggested FCPS would be better served by addressing, or at least acknowledging, some fairly basic questions associated with the KAA purchase.

All I’ll add at this point is that when you suggest that FCPS deserves nothing but unmitigated praise for proceeding as it has with this deal you come across as both selfish and also dismissive of those who’d expect more transparency from School Board members who’ve spent years telling people they are cash strapped and can’t possibly fund needed projects in other parts of the county - only to suddenly commit to spending at least $150 million on this school (and we all know the final number will be higher).

Again, most intuitively see the logic for this acquisition, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be providing more details as to where the money will come from, what other projects will be bumped, and how it will affect a boundary review that had already been underway for well over a year. They’ve had time now to come up with answers, or at least commit to providing them, and basically are just leaving people guessing instead. That’s not good governance.

It seems to me that things are progressing as they should. I have not seen any indication that they have closed on the sale yet. I would think that we will here more after that.

Now, let's just say this went the way some think it should have:



The first I knew KAA was closing was on DCUM--specifically: February 13 is when it was first posted here.
When did SB become aware? I don't know.
But, let's just say, it was presented at the next SB meeting. How would you think they should have done it? Mateo: "Gee, I hear KAA is for sale. Should we buy it?" "How much should we pay?"

Sure. When there is a house for sale in your neighborhood --and a lot of interest in it--you would announce to everyone that you are interested in purchasing it? What do you think would happen? Would you get it at a good price or would the price go up with competitive bidders?

It has not been that long since they announced this. We will get answers. You may or may not like them, but we will get them.
My guess is that it may scale back a renovation or delay it a year. They may be able to use one of the extra buildings to fill some other real estate needs of the system and save money there.

Have you written your School Board member and asked how they are going to pay for it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ The decision to purchase a new high school (KAA) in the middle of the process and then play dumb about the implications of that acquisition for the ongoing boundary review only further underscores the deep incompetence of those currently running FCPS or charged with its oversight.

Strongly disagree. It is the only competent thing they have done lately. Some of the worst boundaries suggested by THRU are in this area. And the boundaries in this area are like a spider web--they have been adjusted in this manner because there was no where else to go.
This is the area that needs the space.

If the School Board were smart, they would take advantage of the KAA decision and drop this current boundary study. It gives them a great excuse to do so. They will necessarily need to make adjustments in boundaries due to KAA, but there are logical options that do not involved splitting neighborhoods down the middle and sending kids thirty minutes away. It should enable school communities.

Right? This is the only smart thing FCPS has done in ages. It just makes so much sense, now middle schools can all go to the same high school and not be split up. All of Carson can go to the KAA building, all of Stone can go to Westfield, all of Hughes can go to South Lakes, all of Franklin can go to Chantilly. It just makes sense.

I

Agree.

It will not quite work that way, but it should be an improvement.

Of course it won't work that way, because not everyone who currently goes to Carson is likely to end up at KAA, and Stone is not big enough to be the sole feeder to Westfield. But the people who want the KAA purchase to go through don't want to acknowledge any possible complications or messiness associated with new boundaries for a school at the KAA site, because they see that as potentially souring someone on the deal. It's a bit childish, especially when just about everyone is in favor of the purchase.

I don't see how turning 4 way and 3 way split feeders into 2 way splits is a complication or messiness. An improvement is an improvement. One poster is trying to say "all Carson to KAA" likely because they are at Fox Mill ES (which goes to Carson) and want to go to KAA instead of South Lakes.
It would be nice to hear from the school board how KAA will affect the expansion plans at Centreville and other spending going forward, but acting like that had to be figured out before making the purchase is why you get so much resistance to your posts. It's blatantly obvious that they got a great deal on a school that had been needed and planned for a long time - and one that solves more problems than those future projects that may or may not be delayed. I doubt the school board gives us any answers about future budgets until next year's CIP update forces them to put it in writing. It sucks, but complaining about it incessantly here won't make it happen any sooner.

You’re conflating multiple posters who’ve suggested FCPS would be better served by addressing, or at least acknowledging, some fairly basic questions associated with the KAA purchase.

All I’ll add at this point is that when you suggest that FCPS deserves nothing but unmitigated praise for proceeding as it has with this deal you come across as both selfish and also dismissive of those who’d expect more transparency from School Board members who’ve spent years telling people they are cash strapped and can’t possibly fund needed projects in other parts of the county - only to suddenly commit to spending at least $150 million on this school (and we all know the final number will be higher).

Again, most intuitively see the logic for this acquisition, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be providing more details as to where the money will come from, what other projects will be bumped, and how it will affect a boundary review that had already been underway for well over a year. They’ve had time now to come up with answers, or at least commit to providing them, and basically are just leaving people guessing instead. That’s not good governance.

It seems to me that things are progressing as they should. I have not seen any indication that they have closed on the sale yet. I would think that we will here more after that.

Have you written your School Board member and asked how they are going to pay for it?



The first I knew KAA was closing was on DCUM--specifically: February 13 is when it was first posted here.
When did SB become aware? I don't know.

Did you really expect them to make an announcement that they were seeking to purchase the property? Have you ever purchased real estate?

It has been one month since they announced the purchase. We will get answers. You may or may not like them, but we will get them.
My guess is that it may scale back a renovation or delay it a year. They may be able to use one of the extra buildings to fill some other real estate needs of the system and save money there.

DP. Trying to flood the zone with multiple posts, eh?

I’ve never met an sb apologist as intense as you, but it is quite clear that you want no questions because you want your kids to benefit.

Classic mooch who demands $150 million of taxpayers money and demands no questions be asked.

As opposed to the mooch who demands the county spend that money expanding McLean instead and transporting their kids from the western edge of the county all the way to Langley in perpetuity.

DP. That comment takes conflating posters to a new level. Congratulations.

I’m starting to think your goal is not simply to benefit from a new school, but also to see other pyramids degraded.