McSpaces Survey Rachna Sizemore Heizer, candidate for FCPS School Board at Large Sept 18, 2019

 

 

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

 

    Overcrowding at McLean High School is a major concern. I believe we must address this in steps – immediate action to alleviate overcrowding with a long-term plan designed to try to prevent a similar situation from arising in the future. This is similar to what I would propose to alleviate overcrowding in the “hot spots” across the county but those with the most overcrowding such as McLean High must be addressed immediately. Initially, we would need to move some McLean High School students to the Langley pyramid, attempting to keep students in the same neighborhood together to maximize children staying in their communities as best possible. These changes should not be considered temporary as to minimize disruption for families and as such these changes must take into account growth so that future population changes and property development do not require further boundary adjustments. We must ensure that both the McLean and Langley communities are able to give input throughout the process. Schools that are overcrowded often have multiple issues. All the facilities at a school can be taxed – lunchrooms, restrooms, fields, etc. We need to ensure we address these issues also. At McLean High I know of the need to update restroom facilities and add security cameras. We must ensure that the standards at McLean are up to the quality we expect for all Fairfax County schools. In addition to the plan above, we also need to look at a longer-term solution of building greater capacity at McLean. 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. We need to look at the existing space to build, which is limited, and be creative in our options for expansion as well as take in to account growth in the Tysons and McLean areas. It is worth taking a second look at the existing Capital Improvement Program (CIP) renovation calendar and including additional funding for construction in the next school bond referendum. We need to be working towards permanent solutions at McLean High school with an eye to the growth in population that may be expected. 

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    We need to immediately address the most overcrowded schools, such as McLean High, while building towards addressing all capacity issues in a transparent, collaborative, and effective way. 

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

 

   While relief is immediately needed, all these solutions will take time to do properly. I think the earliest we could see some relief is the 2020-2021 school year. This would allow us to scope possible boundary changes with time for robust community input and transparency of process. We would need to discuss issues such as grandfathering of students and keeping communities together as best possible, review data for areas of potential growth, and gather input from both communities. A boundary adjustment alone is insufficient to address all of the overcrowding issues but it is the solution that is likely to alleviate some of the issues the fastest. Adding an addition to McLean also must be considered as a longer-term solution. In terms of building an addition to McLean to expand capacity, we are looking at 7 years to complete the planning, review, bond and building process. We may also need to look at our CIP to ensure that schools that are most overcrowded, such as McLean High, are slated to for renovations or additions sooner than currently planned. 

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

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    Safety and security of students is of vital importance and should be considered in school related decisions, including boundary decisions. There are many security risks with students in trailers, including an inability to secure trailers from intruders. In addition, there are security and safety threats for students and staff walking in and out of the buildings to the trailers. Overcrowded schools also lead to overuse of all facilities, overcrowded hallways and lunchrooms, and classrooms that may not be appropriate for the subjects taught in those classrooms. These all can also lead to safety concerns for our students. 

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

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    One Fairfax means we should use an equity lens in our decision making – we need to ask if everyone being given an opportunity to succeed in a fair and just way. The reality is being educated in overcrowded schools with trailers such as McLean High School is a form of inequity. Overcrowding at one school but not another leads to inequitable education for the students in the overcrowded school. One Fairfax means all children should have a quality school environment. That means making sure that campuses like McLean High School are not overcrowded, which harms 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? 

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     We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We must ensure our severely overcrowded schools can have relief as soon as possible while still building towards a comprehensive long-term plan. It is important that both our plans for immediate relief and our long-term comprehensive plan be developed in a transparent way with robust community input that fits the realities and needs of a 21st century Fairfax County. 

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

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    My vision for our schools is that every child in every part of the county receive an excellent education. As an at-large member of the board, my job to ensure consistency across the county. This includes consistency in facilities and access to programs. That cannot happen if some are educated in overcrowded schools while others are in schools that are underutilized. If I am elected, I am looking forward to working collaboratively with my fellow school board members, the Board of Supervisors, our families, and communities to implement immediate and long-term solutions to overcrowded schools and large class sizes. We need to be forward thinking in our plans to manage growth and provide equitable facilities where every child has an opportunity to succeed. We need to take a second look at our capital improvement process and better plan for growth to avoid future issues like the overcrowding at McLean High.