Timeline of Events
A history of the issues.
Sep 21, 2019
VOICES sets the record straight
VOICES quickly response to Superintendent Brabrand's blast message to the community about boundaries. It was an abuse of power, attempting to influence an election and calm any valid fears around boundary policy and intentions to bus children. Watch to see for yourself.
VOICES quickly response to Superintendent Brabrand's blast message to the community about boundaries. It was an abuse of power, attempting to influence an election and calm any valid fears around boundary policy and intentions to bus children. Watch to see for yourself.
Sep 19, 2019
Superintendent Scott Brabrand emailed a video about the current boundary policy discussions to all FCPS across the county.
Both the email and the video are misleading and disingenuous.
During each of the four school board work sessions where policy 8130 has been discussed, both Brabrand and the school board members use the terms “One Fairfax”, “equity lens”, “One Fairfax equity lens”, and “socio-economic equity” many, many, many times. Interestingly, Brabrand does not mention any of these terms AT ALL in this memo or video.
The precipitating cause for this 8130 policy to be reviewed at all was the adoption of the One Fairfax policy in November 2017 by both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. “This joint policy commits both boards to consider equity in decision-making and in the development and delivery of future policies, programs, and services” (source: https://www.fcps.edu/onefairfax).
The fact that the superintendent felt the need to produce and send out a video/email that seemingly obfuscates the role that One Fairfax is playing in this discussion should be a cause for ALARM for us all.
Both the email and the video are misleading and disingenuous.
During each of the four school board work sessions where policy 8130 has been discussed, both Brabrand and the school board members use the terms “One Fairfax”, “equity lens”, “One Fairfax equity lens”, and “socio-economic equity” many, many, many times. Interestingly, Brabrand does not mention any of these terms AT ALL in this memo or video.
The precipitating cause for this 8130 policy to be reviewed at all was the adoption of the One Fairfax policy in November 2017 by both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. “This joint policy commits both boards to consider equity in decision-making and in the development and delivery of future policies, programs, and services” (source: https://www.fcps.edu/onefairfax).
The fact that the superintendent felt the need to produce and send out a video/email that seemingly obfuscates the role that One Fairfax is playing in this discussion should be a cause for ALARM for us all.
Sep 12, 2019
Again, Jane Strauss proposes amendment to CIP to move some McLean students into Langley
The School Board, tries to slip in a CIP amendment as New Business:
"I move to amend the FY2020-2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) by including Langley and McLean High Schools on the list of Priority Recommended Boundary Adjustments, as noted on page 46 of the CIP. "(Strauss)
January 14 2019, the school board had quickly shut this same proposal down, claiming it would break their process and would set a precedence to also help other suffering schools! They complained that it came with only 10 days to review and vote.
Ironically, the school board is now acting like heroes in the last hours before Nov 5 elections trying to get this amendment in without a review and only 2 weeks to vote on the amendment.
The community was loud and demanding with signs pushing for more innovative solutions like "Open Enrollment" that could help McLean students sooner, help other overcrowded schools as well, still guarantee students a seat in their current community school, and continue to help with overcrowding indefinitely.
Sholtz was the only board member who recognized that we could be looking at more innovative solutions like Open Enrollment (listening to the community with their signs). Tamara and others shut the idea down because "some students oppose having to switch schools" - which makes no logical sense. A boundary change does just that with force, yet Open enrollment gives the choice to those willing to move.
"I move to amend the FY2020-2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) by including Langley and McLean High Schools on the list of Priority Recommended Boundary Adjustments, as noted on page 46 of the CIP. "(Strauss)
January 14 2019, the school board had quickly shut this same proposal down, claiming it would break their process and would set a precedence to also help other suffering schools! They complained that it came with only 10 days to review and vote.
Ironically, the school board is now acting like heroes in the last hours before Nov 5 elections trying to get this amendment in without a review and only 2 weeks to vote on the amendment.
The community was loud and demanding with signs pushing for more innovative solutions like "Open Enrollment" that could help McLean students sooner, help other overcrowded schools as well, still guarantee students a seat in their current community school, and continue to help with overcrowding indefinitely.
Sholtz was the only board member who recognized that we could be looking at more innovative solutions like Open Enrollment (listening to the community with their signs). Tamara and others shut the idea down because "some students oppose having to switch schools" - which makes no logical sense. A boundary change does just that with force, yet Open enrollment gives the choice to those willing to move.
Aug 30, 2019
The Dranesville District Democrats Committee (DDDC) attacks VOICES volunteers at Back to School Nights
Some of the candidates and school board members are concerned about efforts by VOICES of Fairfax getting the word out about the proposed boundary policy changes. This became extra apparent earlier this week.
The DDDC sent a message to its supporters on behalf of John Foust, Kathleen Murphy, and Elaine Tholen to encourage them to sign up for Back to School Night flyer distribution. The signup message denigrates Voices of Fairfax. The note reads:
"Note: We are expecting Voices of Fairfax/One Great Falls to also be at most of the Dranesville Back to School Nights. They have already proven to be loud and demanding at the last School Board working session. We ask that you not engage with them and just let people hear how racist they are. If necessary, just walk away."
(See image below as the site containing the message has changed 3 times since word got out about this).
Despite the chilly reception by the Foust-Murphy-Tholen campaign, VOICES volunteers have been well received by parents at the first week of Back to School Nights.
One volunteer who was at Forestville Elementary on August 28, Lauren Shupp, shared: "People campaigning for Elaine Tholen were standing right behind the VOICES of Fairfax volunteers. Within earshot, they were calling our hardworking volunteers liars and accusing us of spreading misinformation."
It's unclear why Tholen's volunteers were so frustrated with the VOICES volunteers. VOICES of Fairfax has invited Tholen to speak with the community group on these issues several times, and Tholen is backed by current members Pat Hynes and Janie Strauss, who continue to insist that boundary changes are not going to happen. According to Shupp, "Tholen claims to support us on the same issues after updating her website in June. It just doesn't add up."
Some of the candidates and school board members are concerned about efforts by VOICES of Fairfax getting the word out about the proposed boundary policy changes. This became extra apparent earlier this week.
The DDDC sent a message to its supporters on behalf of John Foust, Kathleen Murphy, and Elaine Tholen to encourage them to sign up for Back to School Night flyer distribution. The signup message denigrates Voices of Fairfax. The note reads:
"Note: We are expecting Voices of Fairfax/One Great Falls to also be at most of the Dranesville Back to School Nights. They have already proven to be loud and demanding at the last School Board working session. We ask that you not engage with them and just let people hear how racist they are. If necessary, just walk away."
(See image below as the site containing the message has changed 3 times since word got out about this).
Despite the chilly reception by the Foust-Murphy-Tholen campaign, VOICES volunteers have been well received by parents at the first week of Back to School Nights.
One volunteer who was at Forestville Elementary on August 28, Lauren Shupp, shared: "People campaigning for Elaine Tholen were standing right behind the VOICES of Fairfax volunteers. Within earshot, they were calling our hardworking volunteers liars and accusing us of spreading misinformation."
It's unclear why Tholen's volunteers were so frustrated with the VOICES volunteers. VOICES of Fairfax has invited Tholen to speak with the community group on these issues several times, and Tholen is backed by current members Pat Hynes and Janie Strauss, who continue to insist that boundary changes are not going to happen. According to Shupp, "Tholen claims to support us on the same issues after updating her website in June. It just doesn't add up."
Photo taken Aug 27, 2019
Aug 30, 2019
VOICES writes an Open Letter to Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors, County Executive, School Board, & Public Schools Superintendent
Board of Supervisors, County Executive, School Board, & Public Schools Superintendent
August 2019
FCPS releases a misleading "Fact Sheet" to the community about boundary changes to mitigate community outrage.
Voices of Fairfax "Fact Checked" the sheet to address these misleading statements by the school board View the Fact Check here
Voices of Fairfax "Fact Checked" the sheet to address these misleading statements by the school board View the Fact Check here
Aug 5, 2019
Community and School Board Members, Candidates react to first video
Voices' video quickly climbed to more than 5,000 views in the first few weeks. In response to the video, "The Truth About One Fairfax and School Boundaries" Elaine Tholen stated in an email to her subscribers:
"The Republicans are after every one of those seats and came out in full force this week against the Democrats with a video filled with statements taken out of context and an attempt to devalue Elaine's Democratic endorsement."
The video came from a non-partisan group affiliated with no political party, and was comprised of board members' own statements. Tholen and other members criticized the video as out of context, but context was provided in the notes on the video. VOICES of Fairfax has volunteers who identify from every political background (Democrats, Independents, Republicans, and Libertarians) and diverse walks of life who all agree that the school board should not be preparing for massive boundary changes based on socio-economic and racial characteristics of kids, who want the board to keep communities together, be transparent, and include input from the community.
The full public recordings are available on FCPS website.
The video shows:
1. how the current Dranesville representative has not been representing her people to the school board accurately, nor has she been honest with her constituents about the school board's intentions.
2. the school board's hyper-focus on One Fairfax - an attempt to social engineer schools by choosing who to rezone based on their socio-economic or racial status
3. Conflicting statements by other board members who are publicly claiming that boundaries are not changing (they're not - the policy is what is being re-drafted)
Voices' video quickly climbed to more than 5,000 views in the first few weeks. In response to the video, "The Truth About One Fairfax and School Boundaries" Elaine Tholen stated in an email to her subscribers:
"The Republicans are after every one of those seats and came out in full force this week against the Democrats with a video filled with statements taken out of context and an attempt to devalue Elaine's Democratic endorsement."
The video came from a non-partisan group affiliated with no political party, and was comprised of board members' own statements. Tholen and other members criticized the video as out of context, but context was provided in the notes on the video. VOICES of Fairfax has volunteers who identify from every political background (Democrats, Independents, Republicans, and Libertarians) and diverse walks of life who all agree that the school board should not be preparing for massive boundary changes based on socio-economic and racial characteristics of kids, who want the board to keep communities together, be transparent, and include input from the community.
The full public recordings are available on FCPS website.
The video shows:
1. how the current Dranesville representative has not been representing her people to the school board accurately, nor has she been honest with her constituents about the school board's intentions.
2. the school board's hyper-focus on One Fairfax - an attempt to social engineer schools by choosing who to rezone based on their socio-economic or racial status
3. Conflicting statements by other board members who are publicly claiming that boundaries are not changing (they're not - the policy is what is being re-drafted)
Aug 1, 2019
Accused of spreading a "false narrative" at the July 22, 2019 School Board meeting, Voices of Fairfax lets the board's own words tell "The Truth About One Fairfax and School Boundaries"
With hours and hours of recorded meetings available for viewing, Voices of Fairfax created this video in order to provide citizens with a snapshot of the dialog and priorities at the board meetings, and to give the community an understanding of some of the concerning conversations we have seen taking place.
With hours and hours of recorded meetings available for viewing, Voices of Fairfax created this video in order to provide citizens with a snapshot of the dialog and priorities at the board meetings, and to give the community an understanding of some of the concerning conversations we have seen taking place.
Aug 1, 2019
This group changes its name to Voices of Fairfax
With the issue growing, and the potential for all high-performing schools to be affected, it became clear that this issue was much bigger than Great Falls. In order to collaborate and support all Fairfax communities, and appeal to at large board members in addition to Dranesville representatives, the group decided to rename the group "Voices of Fairfax."
With the issue growing, and the potential for all high-performing schools to be affected, it became clear that this issue was much bigger than Great Falls. In order to collaborate and support all Fairfax communities, and appeal to at large board members in addition to Dranesville representatives, the group decided to rename the group "Voices of Fairfax."
Jul 26, 2019
'One Fairfax' social, racial equity policy has some residents fearing return to forced busing
Jul 22, 2019
Fairfax County School Board Discusses Policy Changes - Reviewing Draft 8130.8 - Planning to Vote on the changes in September 2019 (with no community input and before elections)
View Draft Policy 8130.8
View Redlines highlighting the changes
(source: school board agenda)
Watch the meeting here
The board reviewed and discussed proposed changes to the criteria to determine boundary changes.
The proposed new policy for boundary changes removes the following criteria for consideration of boundary changes. In other words, they will be able to change boundaries without considering:
So, what's left?
Here is the New Considerations in the New Boundary Policy which is their first step in implementing the OneFairfax Policy.
The school board was planning to vote these changes in September 2019. This was reconsidered after massive community attendance at this July meeting.
View Draft Policy 8130.8
View Redlines highlighting the changes
(source: school board agenda)
Watch the meeting here
The board reviewed and discussed proposed changes to the criteria to determine boundary changes.
The proposed new policy for boundary changes removes the following criteria for consideration of boundary changes. In other words, they will be able to change boundaries without considering:
- the overall impact on students and families
- operating costs
- matching resources to needs
- improving operating efficiency
- the impact on neighborhoods
- busing costs
- considering school feeder alignments
- long-term costs and
- INSTRUCTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS.
So, what's left?
Here is the New Considerations in the New Boundary Policy which is their first step in implementing the OneFairfax Policy.
- “Socioeconomic and or racial composition of students in affected schools”
- “The geographic location of affected schools in relationship to the surrounding student population”
- “The safety of walking and busing routes”
- “Operational efficiency to include long-range capital plans and busing costs”
The school board was planning to vote these changes in September 2019. This was reconsidered after massive community attendance at this July meeting.
Having had no community input:
Jun 19, 2019
Jane Strauss addresses the community on possible boundary changes at Forestville ES
"There will be no impact to the Langley pyramid" - Jane Strauss
Ms. Strauss presented information on land use, capacity maps, Dranesville boundary, budgets and forecast for the Fairfax County Schools. She stated we had nothing to worry about but to look at the land use in the county.
The meeting then proceeded to open questions and she announced no changes to the Langley Pyramid. The community interpreted this to mean "for now." Armed with research, the community asked her about the board looking at county-wide boundary changes and asked for clarification on a policy change (8130-9) the board has had on their agenda in past meetings. The community believes the board wants to make changes to this policy to set the board up to have more power to make sweeping boundary changes in the near future. The current policy 8130-7 requires that any changes affecting over 15% of total enrollment of the school has to involve public engagement (e.g. vote).
Ms. Strauss stated she did not believe in implementing OneFairfax for boundary changes, despite this being the rationale for many of the recent school board discussions. Ms. Strauss didn't recall any conversations about policy changes, hinting that it may have been pushed off the agenda, then mentioning it might be about helping a "pocket" school that is under enrolled or of greater disparity needing to be filled. With a new HS planned in Herndon that would move students out of the current Herndon HS, a "pocket" develops and a convenient policy change to help with such scenario. This is alarming to a community that knows the board is pushing a larger OneFairfax agenda.
The community felt that Ms. Strauss and the school board are not being transparent about their discussions or intentions. Ms. Strauss never gave straight answers.
"There will be no impact to the Langley pyramid" - Jane Strauss
Ms. Strauss presented information on land use, capacity maps, Dranesville boundary, budgets and forecast for the Fairfax County Schools. She stated we had nothing to worry about but to look at the land use in the county.
The meeting then proceeded to open questions and she announced no changes to the Langley Pyramid. The community interpreted this to mean "for now." Armed with research, the community asked her about the board looking at county-wide boundary changes and asked for clarification on a policy change (8130-9) the board has had on their agenda in past meetings. The community believes the board wants to make changes to this policy to set the board up to have more power to make sweeping boundary changes in the near future. The current policy 8130-7 requires that any changes affecting over 15% of total enrollment of the school has to involve public engagement (e.g. vote).
Ms. Strauss stated she did not believe in implementing OneFairfax for boundary changes, despite this being the rationale for many of the recent school board discussions. Ms. Strauss didn't recall any conversations about policy changes, hinting that it may have been pushed off the agenda, then mentioning it might be about helping a "pocket" school that is under enrolled or of greater disparity needing to be filled. With a new HS planned in Herndon that would move students out of the current Herndon HS, a "pocket" develops and a convenient policy change to help with such scenario. This is alarming to a community that knows the board is pushing a larger OneFairfax agenda.
The community felt that Ms. Strauss and the school board are not being transparent about their discussions or intentions. Ms. Strauss never gave straight answers.
Jun 5, 2019
In a follow up community meeting to discuss the Herndon meeting with Elaine Tholen, Ardavan Mobasheri announced his candidacy as an Independent candidate.
With 3 candidates on the ballot and a need to research and share information, the community formed a grassroots organization "One Great Falls"
The community agreed to remain independent of any campaign, to remain non-partisan as to any party affiliation, and continue to research the boundary issues.
The community agreed to remain independent of any campaign, to remain non-partisan as to any party affiliation, and continue to research the boundary issues.
May 18 2019
Anastasia Karloutsos announces her candidacy
Word breaks on NextDoor that Anastasia, a candidate with the Republican endorsement from McLean, had entered the race.
Word breaks on NextDoor that Anastasia, a candidate with the Republican endorsement from McLean, had entered the race.
May 2019
Elaine Tholen updates her website from supporting One Fairfax to supporting no boundary changes for Langley students
Shortly after the meeting, Ms. Tholen's website was scrubbed of all references to One Fairfax. She sent an email to supporters referencing getting authorization from her party to adjust her talking points to increase her support in Dranesville.
May 8 2019
Meet & Greet with Elaine Tholen
Elaine Tholen was the first candidate announced to run for Dranesville representative on the Fairfax County School Board to replace Jane Strauss who is retiring. Like Strauss, Tholen is endorsed by the Democratic Party and Ms. Tholen attended at least one of the previous boundary-related work sessions. Her website advertised her top priority as One Fairfax.
Another prospective school board candidate, Ardavan Mobasheri, arranged a meet and greet at Herndon Library with Ms. Tholen. At the meeting, community members specifically asked her if she would support keeping all students currently zoned for Langley in the Langley Pyramid (Great Falls, Reston, Herndon). She claimed not to know much about the boundary issue and did not directly respond, but rather vaguely said that she would support the entire region, saying "I will support all of Dranesville." The community interpreted this to mean that she would support boundary changes, if it came to it.
Elaine Tholen was the first candidate announced to run for Dranesville representative on the Fairfax County School Board to replace Jane Strauss who is retiring. Like Strauss, Tholen is endorsed by the Democratic Party and Ms. Tholen attended at least one of the previous boundary-related work sessions. Her website advertised her top priority as One Fairfax.
Another prospective school board candidate, Ardavan Mobasheri, arranged a meet and greet at Herndon Library with Ms. Tholen. At the meeting, community members specifically asked her if she would support keeping all students currently zoned for Langley in the Langley Pyramid (Great Falls, Reston, Herndon). She claimed not to know much about the boundary issue and did not directly respond, but rather vaguely said that she would support the entire region, saying "I will support all of Dranesville." The community interpreted this to mean that she would support boundary changes, if it came to it.
Apr 2019
News Broke on NextDoor Great Falls
Word spread that the Fairfax County school board is planning boundary changes across the county to stay in line with the One Fairfax initiative to redistribute students to achieve socio-economic diversity.
Word spread that the Fairfax County school board is planning boundary changes across the county to stay in line with the One Fairfax initiative to redistribute students to achieve socio-economic diversity.
Mar 11, 2019
FCPS School Board Work Session on School Boundaries
Watch the Video Recording
Staff presented a powerpoint presentation summarizing staff suggestions around goals and/or factors (they use these terms interchangeably) for best practices for boundary adjustments. Sounds like FCPS currently uses 16 factors, 8 of which have some sort of basis in research (although the quality and age of the research was questioned by Schwartz). Superintendent complained that there is no prioritization of these factors making it very difficult for staff to make recommendations. Staff presented these three as what they see as the priority for the board to react to:
9:59 - 12:05 - Corbin Sanders is the first to comment that overcrowding is a factor but not a goal for boundary considerations and proposes taking overcrowding out and focusing on One Fairfax.
12:30 - 13:02 - Strauss is perplexed and responds
14:08 - 14:29 - facilities guy responds to Corbin Sanders indicating capacity is the issue to consider
15:15 Laura asks for more predictability in the process so the community can count on boundaries not changing constantly, fiscal stewardship and her goals of student achievement, access and equity. Makes some good points but wasn’t really clear on her position.
19:36 - Evans takes over and says that SED is actually more important than capacity
24:30 - 26:29 Schwartz makes a great point about whether SED most important? And the fact that SACC rooms sit unused throughout the day! And the CIP process lacks history and accuracy of projections.
26:50 - 28:45 Braband clarifies that the SB actually already has two goals - instructional effectiveness and operational efficiency and that the three things above are just three biggest factors that influence school boundary decisions.
34:11 - Moon asks good question to SB about considering 8130 boundary changes
35:40 Gamarra suggests that they add “maintaining community” as one of the goals
39:40 - 42:50 Wilson calls out that these were not determined by the SB but rather are suggestions from staff and asserts that One Fairfax doesn’t play a role in boundary changes.
44:30 - McLoughlin brings up the psychosocial/emotional impact of boundary change. (Wake County in Raleigh NC is example of this done badly)
55:50 - Moon asks in the absence of capacity issue would you do boundary change to accomplish other goals?
1:00 - Schwartz mentions the lack of public input and the age and efficacy of the research sited and that nothing noted about cost
1:07 - Gamerra claims that we have see restoration in our schools over time. Apparently the last time the boundary policy was changes was May 2013
1:27- Wilson advocates for transparency and bringing parents into this process earlier. Talks about the importance of stability in a school community.
1:39 - Schwartz insists that utilization should be the obvious major factor to consideration. And that we need public input NOW. They are concerned about split feeders.
1:46- they talk about McLean HS and Strauss makes a comment about a Langley Community meeting about declining enrollment.
1:56 - they discuss a timeline of 5-7 years to get this done.
2:15 - they talk about 8130 and SED
Watch the Video Recording
Staff presented a powerpoint presentation summarizing staff suggestions around goals and/or factors (they use these terms interchangeably) for best practices for boundary adjustments. Sounds like FCPS currently uses 16 factors, 8 of which have some sort of basis in research (although the quality and age of the research was questioned by Schwartz). Superintendent complained that there is no prioritization of these factors making it very difficult for staff to make recommendations. Staff presented these three as what they see as the priority for the board to react to:
- Address overcrowding by utilizing existing building capacity
- Balance student socioeconomic diversity in schools
- Minimize travel time (proximity)
9:59 - 12:05 - Corbin Sanders is the first to comment that overcrowding is a factor but not a goal for boundary considerations and proposes taking overcrowding out and focusing on One Fairfax.
12:30 - 13:02 - Strauss is perplexed and responds
14:08 - 14:29 - facilities guy responds to Corbin Sanders indicating capacity is the issue to consider
15:15 Laura asks for more predictability in the process so the community can count on boundaries not changing constantly, fiscal stewardship and her goals of student achievement, access and equity. Makes some good points but wasn’t really clear on her position.
19:36 - Evans takes over and says that SED is actually more important than capacity
24:30 - 26:29 Schwartz makes a great point about whether SED most important? And the fact that SACC rooms sit unused throughout the day! And the CIP process lacks history and accuracy of projections.
26:50 - 28:45 Braband clarifies that the SB actually already has two goals - instructional effectiveness and operational efficiency and that the three things above are just three biggest factors that influence school boundary decisions.
34:11 - Moon asks good question to SB about considering 8130 boundary changes
35:40 Gamarra suggests that they add “maintaining community” as one of the goals
39:40 - 42:50 Wilson calls out that these were not determined by the SB but rather are suggestions from staff and asserts that One Fairfax doesn’t play a role in boundary changes.
44:30 - McLoughlin brings up the psychosocial/emotional impact of boundary change. (Wake County in Raleigh NC is example of this done badly)
55:50 - Moon asks in the absence of capacity issue would you do boundary change to accomplish other goals?
1:00 - Schwartz mentions the lack of public input and the age and efficacy of the research sited and that nothing noted about cost
1:07 - Gamerra claims that we have see restoration in our schools over time. Apparently the last time the boundary policy was changes was May 2013
1:27- Wilson advocates for transparency and bringing parents into this process earlier. Talks about the importance of stability in a school community.
1:39 - Schwartz insists that utilization should be the obvious major factor to consideration. And that we need public input NOW. They are concerned about split feeders.
1:46- they talk about McLean HS and Strauss makes a comment about a Langley Community meeting about declining enrollment.
1:56 - they discuss a timeline of 5-7 years to get this done.
2:15 - they talk about 8130 and SED
Jun 26, 2018
Jane Strauss tells the School Board that she has warned her constituents
Watch the meeting here (53:40 in the video)
Jane Strauss states with a smirk on her face: "But, I've warned Langley, 'Sorry, a big chunk is going to get reboundaried. I've already told them that.'"
For context, this came as part of the following discussion
(Hunter Mill Board Member) Pat Hynes: "Every time we talk about boundaries, we definitely want to have equity and integration pretty high in those priorities, right, because we can very easily lose that. We have examples, Langley HS kids are taking a bus ride clear across the top of the county, maybe because they didn't want to go to another high school."
Strauss had to correct her: "No actually, it wasn't. It was because Herndon was overcrowded. They had to make adjustments between Herndon HS and Langley HS to make room for all the growth in Herndon."
Watch the meeting here (53:40 in the video)
Jane Strauss states with a smirk on her face: "But, I've warned Langley, 'Sorry, a big chunk is going to get reboundaried. I've already told them that.'"
For context, this came as part of the following discussion
(Hunter Mill Board Member) Pat Hynes: "Every time we talk about boundaries, we definitely want to have equity and integration pretty high in those priorities, right, because we can very easily lose that. We have examples, Langley HS kids are taking a bus ride clear across the top of the county, maybe because they didn't want to go to another high school."
Strauss had to correct her: "No actually, it wasn't. It was because Herndon was overcrowded. They had to make adjustments between Herndon HS and Langley HS to make room for all the growth in Herndon."
Feb 25, 2019
School Board Work Session on Boundary Policy
Links to materials presented related to boundary change Policy:
Jan 14, 2019
Jane Strauss proposes amendment to CIP to move some McLean students into Langley
McLean HS has been overcrowded for years. Langley HS is under-enrolled and recently remodeled.
Dranesville representative, Jane Strauss, proposed a plan to move some students from McLean HS into Langley HS. The School Board refused to discuss this plan further pending county-wide boundary policy changes.
Note, a school can not be affected by boundary changes within 3 years of a boundary change. The school board is more interested in redistributing children across the county to achieve socio-economic diversity than help students with immediate safety and academic needs.
Watch Jane's proposal here at minute 22
Then watch board members as they oppose this proposal. Links below will skip right to the timestamp to watch:
McLean HS has been overcrowded for years. Langley HS is under-enrolled and recently remodeled.
Dranesville representative, Jane Strauss, proposed a plan to move some students from McLean HS into Langley HS. The School Board refused to discuss this plan further pending county-wide boundary policy changes.
Note, a school can not be affected by boundary changes within 3 years of a boundary change. The school board is more interested in redistributing children across the county to achieve socio-economic diversity than help students with immediate safety and academic needs.
Watch Jane's proposal here at minute 22
Then watch board members as they oppose this proposal. Links below will skip right to the timestamp to watch:
- Sanders opposes and diverts conversation to wider boundary policy instead
- Tamara disagrees with helping one school in need when a holistic county-wide reboundary is what they really want
- Staff recommends looking at statistics and gathering community input
- Palchik opposes the one-off boundary change and points out it’s out of process with a vote only 10 days later
- Moon asks what approaches we should take regarding under-utilized schools. Staff responds that they would recommend (after doing the math) using those schools nearby. Moon suggests not kicking the and own the road for a long study.
- Braband goes on about a study he admits can't be applied to Fairfax County because we are more diverse, but uses it to justify the equity lens anyway.
- Tamara claims that not going after their county-wide redistribution is itself resegregation of schools
