Keep an open mind, Annandale school boundary committee urged

Several members of the Annandale Regional Planning Study Committee said they are cautiously optimistic about the group’s ability to come up with workable solutions for readjusting school boundaries to relieve overcrowding at Annandale High School. At the group’s second meeting, last night at Annandale High School, there seemed to be a general feeling that committee members appreciated the opportunity to have input in the process but there was concern about their ability to carry out their mission within a very tight deadline. The committee is charged with presenting its findings by the end of the year.

Fairfax County School leaders and community members who’ve been through the process before urged committee members to keep an open mind and consider what’s best for everyone—and not just focus on fighting any attempt to have their children reassigned to another school.

The ad hoc committee was created by the school board to explore options for addressing overcrowding at Annandale High School and determining the boundaries and grade configuration (K-5 or K-6) at the new school on the site of the Lacey Center on Crest Drive, Annandale. There are two representatives from each of the 21 schools in the Annandale area on the committee.

The committee split into two groups last night to select leaders. The group dealing with overcrowding at the high school selected Jennifer McGarey, representing Poe Middle School, and Timi Barwick (Edison High School) as co-chairs and Ramona Morrrow (Lake Braddock High School) as program facilitator. The Lacey group selected Sandra Miracle (Annandale Terrace Elementary) as a co-chair and Laura Coates (Beech Tree Elementary) as facilitator.

Mason District school board member Sandy Evans says the process has “tremendous potential to bring in as many people as possible to look at different solutions.” In the past, boundary changes were “very difficult,” she says, “and people were not aware of what was going on.”

“It will take a while to figure out the best way to make it work,” Evans says, noting that some of the people on the committee who were assigned to consider boundary issues for the Lacey school are just as much interested in the Annandale High School overcrowding issue. “The group will have to figure out how all their views will be heard.” She hopes that by the end of the process, we’ll have “many great ideas and solutions, and people will feel that their ideas were heard.”

Speaking for herself and not for the school board, Evans says she “would like to see the people involved in this process continue to be available throughout the decision-making process” after the committee completes its work at the end of the year. Evans also says she would be interested in giving parents some sort of incentive to allow them to transfer to a particular school.

The work of the committee is just the first step in a long effort to change the boundaries. Braddock school board member Tessie Wilson explained that after the committee submits “comments and suggestions,” the FCPS staff will review them and come up with “several scenarios.” The public will then have a chance to comment, the school board will hold hearings, and then the board will make a final decision.

“We cannot sustain the status quo,” Wilson says. “This has to be done. A 14-room modular is coming to Annandale High School, and there are kids at Annandale who can’t take biology because there isn’t enough lab space.” Annandale is the most overcrowded high school in the county. Enrollment is currently at 120 percent of capacity and is expected to reach 127 percent by the 2014-15 school year if the boundaries are not readjusted.

Wilson urged committee members to be very careful in how they present the committee’s work to the public. “The worst thing that can happen is if people get bad information,” she says. If that happens, you “could spend a lot of time correcting misinformation.”

Dean Tistadt, chief operating officer for Facilities and Transportation Services at FCPS, called the regional planning study “a great concept,” but questioned whether it places too many demands on FCPS staff and resources. “Is the outcome worth the investment? I’m very optimistic but it remains to be seen,” he says.

This is just the second time FCPS has created a regional planning study committee to consider school boundary issues. Three members of the Southwestern Regional Planning Study spoke at the meeting about their experiences addressing boundary issues in the Centreville/Clifton areas.

“It has to be a big-picture process,” says Cassie Eatmon of Virginia Run Elementary School. “It can’t be about just looking out for your own school. Leave your school outside the room. Look for as many choices as possible.” Another representative from that effort advised the group to think about “creating the best school system for everyone,” and not just be concerned about your own school. “Look at every angle; look at every idea, even if it sounds crazy.”

Don’t be so concerned about whether your child will have to transfer to another school, Eatmon added. “Kids bloom where they’re planted. They are incredibly resilient.”