Dear School Board Members, Superintendent Braband, and school officials: 
 
My name is (___) and my child/children are in (___) grade at  (___) school. 

McLean High School continues to face serious overcrowding, but is not included in the school system’s draft five-year school facilities building and renovation plan.
 
I urge you to review the facts and figures and amend the 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program to include concrete measures to address the school’s overcrowding.
 
Despite a challenging physical environment, McLean HS has motivated students, dedicated faculty and staff, provides strong academics and support and furnishes an education that serves students and graduates throughout life.
 
McLean HS requires an expansion to continue that success and ensure an adequate amount of permanent, protected, quality learning space for its current and future students.  Here are the facts:
 
* Among the 25 high schools in FCPS, McLean HS is third worst in square footage with 120 sq. ft. per student – district wide median space per high school student is 166 sq. ft.  (1).
 
* In 2023 McLean HS with a projected 2,500 students will be number one as the worst in square footage per student and one of the most crowded at 28 percent over its 1,993 student capacity (2).
 
* More than 540 students -- 22 percent of the current 2,350 student body – now travel outside at least 50 yards to attend classes in 18 trailers beyond the safety and security of the main building.
 
* As noted by several school board members, the situation calls for a two-prong approach: a targeted boundary adjustment with Langley HS and an expansion to McLean HS (3).
 
* While a boundary adjustment may be a necessary step, it will not be enough to completely solve overcrowding and get students out of trailer classes or detached classroom complexes and into a safe and secure building.
 
* In 2016-2017 when McLean HS enrollment was only 2,053 students, and roughly 60 students over capacity, there were 10 trailer classes on campus.  The count today is 2,350 students and 18 trailer classes (4).
 
* Similar growth rates and overcrowding have prompted the school board to approve additions at high schools that were not part of the renovation cycle (5).
 
* The “One Fairfax” policy is meant for all schools and neighborhoods to be treated fairly – McLean HS should be treated the same (6).
 
McLean High students need your help keeping them safe and secure in a 1950s era building plagued by cramped classrooms, crowded halls, clogged doorways and the potential inability to safely get students into or out of the school building during an emergency.
 
Do not leave McLean HS overcrowded and overlooked. Make the investment and take steps today to guarantee McLean High students have the permanent, protected, quality learning space they need and deserve. 
 
I am a member of McLean High Students, Parents and Community Expect Sensible School Size (McSPaCES). 
 
SOURCES: 1. https://mcspaces1955.wixsite.com/mclean/overcrowding-table; 2. CIP p. 103;  3.  https://mcspaces1955.wixsite.com/mclean/tholen (statement of Dranesville District member Elaine Tholen); https://mcspaces1955.wixsite.com/mclean/frisch (statement of Providence District member Karl Frisch); https://mcspaces1955.wixsite.com/mclean/heizer (statement of At-Large member Rachna Sizemore Heizer); 4. FCPS Monthly Membership Reports and  https://fairfaxcountygis.maps.arcgis.com/; 5. FCPS 2019 Bond Issue https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/facilities-planning-future/2019-school-bond-referendum; 6. https://www.fcps.edu/onefairfax/