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

 

The School Board began an ongoing effort over the past year .  

 

I have taken numerous steps to make sure that I understand student needs and community member concerns. This includes direct contact with constituents and reviewing correspondence. It also included listening to public comments in our Board meetings and hearing from constituents during my office hours.   As a result, I agree with parents and students that the level of current and projected overcrowding at McLean is of great concern and that such conditions hinder the ability to deliver a world class education to all students. This is essentially an equity issue and thus, the One Fairfax policy supports prompt action. For this reason, I have advocated for and supported Board Member Strauss’s motion to amend the CIP to allow scoping.    The scoping process will facilitate community discussions and input and provide an opportunity for FCPS staff to explain possible implementation. After this outreach process has been completed, FCPS staff can then make a recommendation to the Board.  It is both prudent and wise to acknowledge this problem now. I anticipate that Ms. Strauss’s recommendation for this solution will be supported by the community, and if so, will be implemented in a quick and efficient manner.     

 

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

 

I wanted to address this problem as quickly as possible and I will continue to actively participate in the process.  I believe relief should be in place by the start of the 2020/2021 school year.   

 

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

 

The safety and security of our students is always a primary concern when making decisions impacting our schools.  

 

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

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I see One Fairfax as ensuring an equitable solution to McLean High School’s overcrowding. Per the Fairfax County website, “One Fairfax commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services.  It’s a declaration that all residents deserve an equitable opportunity to succeed—regardless of their race, color, sex, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, disability, income or where they live.”

 

Under One Fairfax, which applies to McLean High School as much as it applies to any other school in the county, all residents must have the “opportunity to fully participate in the region’s economic vitality, contribute to its readiness for the future, and connect to its assets and resources.”  That is the One Fairfax promise and I fully support this approach.   

 

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? 

 

Yes.  Unfortunately, there has been a delay in addressing the McLean concern.  The delay was largely caused by concern regarding the current process for limited boundary changes that resulted in unintended, harmful consequences. Consequently, this Board went through a process to make sure that it held public meetings to discuss this concern.  After holding 5 public meetings, hearing from constituents during the citizen participation period of Board meetings, receiving numerous letters from constituents, direct conversations with residents, and the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board decided to allow both a comprehensive review of the policy and to address those areas of significant overcrowding identified as “hotspots.” The July 2019 work session resulted in the Board’s general agreement that Board members were to identify such areas of concern, submit their requests to the Superintendent in writing and allow staff to assist in developing a proposal or amendment to the CIP.  Board Member Strauss followed this process in presenting her amendment which the Board is currently considering.   

 

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

 

I want to thank the community for its patience and understanding thus far.  I also want the community to know that the Board has followed its regular processes in handling the issue of identifying criteria in policy 8130:  We have utilized the same procedure as any other issue before the Board. It is also important that Staff proposed changes to Policy 8130 at the July 2019 work session but the Board did not vote on that proposal. The concern regarding Policy 8130 was raised more than 1 year ago and the issue was the subject of 5 public, regularly scheduled work sessions. This is the customary process for reviewing policy.  I have received public input through several avenues including: 1) citizen testimony (live or recorded) at Board meetings; 2) direct correspondence; 3) individual meetings with constituents during regularly scheduled office hours; and 4) an opportunity for constituents to schedule a meeting with me at a mutually convenient location and time.  

 

The Board also holds public forums a few times a year. In the past year, I have met with numerous constituents on various issues. It’s my policy to be present in our schools and I have visited numerous schools, including McLean High School, in the past year.  I also meet with staff members and students. I make every effort to be available and will continue to do so. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns and look forward to continuing to work with the community.