FCPS considers solutions for overcrowding at Parklawn Elementary School
Community meetings have been scheduled to discuss options for easing overcrowding at Parklawn Elementary School, Mason school board member Ricardy Anderson announced.
When the school board approved the Capital Improvement Program for 2025-29, the board approved an amendment by Anderson calling for staff to address the capacity deficit and large number of trailers at Parklawn. The school has 29 temporary classrooms.
A virtual meeting will be held on Nov. 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m. The school will email the Zoom link to Parklawn families.
An in-person meeting is scheduled for Dec. 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in the school cafeteria.
Related story: Anderson says Mason District will need a new school
Parklawn Elementary had enrolled 225 new students since the 2021-22 school year, as a surge of families moved to the area from Afghanistan. Fairfax County Public Schools’ facilities department had not planned for that and had to install temporary classrooms to handle the enrollment increase.
While FCPS is undertaking a district-wide comprehensive boundary study, the Parklawn situation is urgent and needs to be resolved before that study is completed.
Related story: FCPS schedules community meetings on school boundary changes
3 responses to “FCPS considers solutions for overcrowding at Parklawn Elementary School”
Leave a reply
During the Glen Forest boundary changes, Facilities pushed ~200 additional students into Glen Forest. With “Use changes”, Facilities calculated that the school would run at 98-99% capacity through this school year. Meanwhile Glen Forest plunged to under 80% capacity even without its modulars (65% with the modulars still there).
If Facilities hadn’t suggested such an overcorrection at Glen Forest in the first place we wouldn’t be having yet another capacity emergency in Mason.
https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/C43MWJ57B4F8/$file/Revised%20Justice%20Pyramid%20Boundary%20Change%20Information.pdf
FCPS Board self-inflicted. Data at the time showed that the proposed boundary changes sought would exacerbate situation at some schools and do little/nothing to alleviate ‘problems’ elsewhere. Pointed out in public meetings and comments to FCPS Board. Made no difference; they made the changes anyway.
Homeschool your children. Secretary DeVos will make homeschooling easier than it’s ever been.