McSPaCES School Board Candidate Questionnaire Monday, September 9, 2019 Karl Frisch, Providence District 

​

​

1) What actions would you take to relieve overcrowding at McLean High School? 

​

    There is no question that McLean High School is severely overcrowded and in need of immediate relief. In the short term, I support moving some McLean High School neighborhoods to the Langley pyramid. Such changes must be carefully considered so that future population fluctuations and property development do not end up necessitating additional boundary adjustments. In the interest of transparency and accountability, it is critical that both high schools’ communities be involved at every stage of the conversation around any proposed boundary adjustments. There are other enhancements that should also be made to address problems stemming from these capacity concerns, including the full implementation of security cameras and upgrades for bathroom facilities. 

 

    Though it may take years to complete, we should begin scoping for a permanent addition/expansion to McLean High School to further address capacity issues. That may require adjusting the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) renovation calendar and including additional funding for planning and construction in the next school bond referendum. There has been some chatter about a modular trailer being relocated to McLean High School using funds from the 2019 school bond referendum. This would be a welcome alternative to a traditional classroom trailer, but it is important that this capacity stopgap be tied directly to plans for a physical expansion of McLean High School – and that it not be used as a permanent solution. 

​

2) What would you consider a realistic time-frame to provide overcrowding relief? 

​

    Anyone who says they will provide immediate relief for overcrowding at McLean High School is either not being honest or is woefully misinformed about the processes required for boundary adjustments and school construction. If we immediately begin scoping for a boundary adjustment with robust input from the public, we might be able to complete the process for the 2020-2021 school year. These changes are traditionally phased in with the grandfathering in of current and some future students. Those decisions will be guided by public input and proper vetting for the proposed changes. Unfortunately, it takes roughly 7 years for a permanent addition/expansion to be approved, planned, and built. Further complicating things, that clock will not even start ticking until McLean High School is moved up on the CIP calendar. 

​

3) Should the safety and security of students be a high priority when considering boundary adjustments? 

​

    The safety and security of students should always be a priority. One of the big issues with severe overcrowding is that classroom trailers leave students and teachers more exposed to security threats than their peers and colleagues in physical school buildings. 

​

​

4) How do you see the county's One Fairfax policy affecting solutions to the overcrowding at McLean High School? 

​

    The One Fairfax policy should guide us to tackle the overcrowding issues at McLean High School and other similarly situated campuses. Properly implemented, One Fairfax would push Fairfax County Public Schools to address overcrowding as a means of providing every student with the tools they need to succeed. That means making sure that campuses like McLean High School are run efficiently without capacity concerns that threaten student safety and success. 

​

​

5) Do you believe boundary adjustments between McLean High School and Langley High School should be undertaken before any comprehensive, county-wide boundary study is initiated and completed? 

​

   We should immediately begin looking at boundary adjustments between McLean and Langley high school – a process that must include input from affected communities. Such a move should not be slowed down by the school board’s countywide boundary policy review, which can happen concurrently and should also seek extensive public input every step of the way. 

​

6) Is there any further information would you like to share with the McSPaCES membership? 

​

    Many Providence District families have students at McLean High School. Addressing overcrowding and other issues for them will be among my top priorities if I am fortunate enough to be elected. I am committed to working with parents and students to get the job done with short- and long-term solutions, but without their continued involvement the changes we seek will not been accomplished. I will work closely with other school board members and county supervisors to make sure these issues are addressed as swiftly as possible.