State of our Schools Forum

Feb 2015

State of our Schools Forum

As you may know, Mason District School Board Representative Sandy Evans together with the Fairfax County School Board and MDC have been seeking the return of the former Willston School site for several years. Recently, Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza sent a formal written request to Ed Long, Fairfax County Executive and the Board of Supervisors requesting that this site be used as a school once again.

The MDC Board has sent a written endorsement of that request.

According to Supervisor Penny Gross however, the Willston site has been "tabbed" for a Human Services building. The MDC Board outlines in the attached resolution why we do not feel this would be a prudent use of the land or taxpayer funds.

We would like for member associations and PTAs to support our resolution or consider adopting a similar one.

Mason District has serious capacity issues at our schools. Responsible solutions must be discussed by the Mason District community.

Please save the date for MDC's State of Our Schools Forum with Fairfax County School Board Chairman Tamara Derenak Kaufax, Mason District School Board Representative Sandy Evans, FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza, Supervisor Penny Gross (invited) and other County facilities staff on February 10th, at 7pm at the Glasgow Middle School cafeteria where this subject will certainly come up.

State of Our Schools Forum

Feb. 2015

Thank you to the FCPS staff and the Mason District Community for coming out in force regarding the state of our schools. Thanks to your efforts on the petition, discussion is moving ahead regarding a school on the Willston site.

YouTube Video of Forum

MDC QUESTIONS TO PANEL PARTICIPANTS:

1.What are the plans to deal with overcapacity schools – such as, Stuart H.S., Belvedere, Glen Forest, etc., in all grade levels.

2. When does the school board officially weigh in on deciding if there is a need for a new school and where it should be located? Who makes the final determination?

3. When new residential development proposals are made in areas where schools are overcapacity can developer proffers be raised from $11,300 per student or can the school board vote to not approve a new development proposal?

4. Can or is the Fairfax County School Board looking at revising the student yield formula to more accurately project the number of students expected in a district?

5. MDC has an online petition to Supervisor Gross and the Board of Supervisors with over 500 signatures in support of the School Board’s request for the former Willston school site to be used for a school. We have asked that the property be returned to the School Board. How can we make this happen?

6. Accreditation is a serious issue and the Stuart community is very concerned because Stuart is on “accredited with warning” status for the second year. What are the consequences if Stuart is denied accreditation?

SEE YOU TUBE VIDEO TO HEAR THE AUDIENCE Q&A

Willston Resolution

Attention Member Associations: Please plan to discuss/vote on this resolution at our January 22nd Meeting. PTA representatives are also asked to adopt this resolution or some form thereof and send a copy to:

Penny Gross our Supervisor: mason@fairfaxcounty.gov

Sandy Evans our school board representative: ssevans@fcps.edu

CC: Masondistrictcouncil.org@gmail.com

A copy of this is also available to download at the bottom of this page.

Mason District Council of Community Associations Resolution for the

Return of the Former Willston School site

to the Fairfax County School Board

(6131 Willston Drive, Falls Church, VA)

The Mason District Council of Community Associations recommends the following resolution be adopted by a vote of our member associations on January 22, 2015.

Whereas, quality education and school facilities are essential to protect and preserve the families, residents, neighborhoods and property values of Mason District;

Whereas, almost all Mason District schools are currently at or exceed capacity and most will exceed capacity within the next five years;

Whereas, the Bailey’s Crossroads comprehensive plan amendment calls for nearly 9,000 new residences;

Whereas, the comprehensive plan recommendations by the Seven Corners Task Force include at least 5,000 new residences in Seven Corners;

Whereas, these new residences, along with other growth, will require additional school capacity;

Whereas, Mason District has limited land available for school construction;

Whereas, 6131 Willston Drive was originally the property of the Fairfax County School Board prior to 1983;

Whereas, the site of the former Willston School at 6131 Willston Drive is 5 acres and is a reasonable and suitable location for a new school;

Whereas, FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza, Mason District School Board representative Sandy Evans and the Mason District Council of Community Associations have requested the return of the Willston School site for use by Fairfax County Public Schools;

Whereas, the Seven Corners Revitalization Task Force’s responsibilities did not include looking at school issues in Mason District nor did their responsibilities include recommending individual uses for particular buildings in the opportunity areas. Consequently, it is not accurate to state the Seven Corners Task Force approved placing an East County Government Building at the site of the former Willston School;

Whereas, the new Human Services Building proposed for the Willston site would be at least 180,000 sq ft and cost at least $125 million;

Whereas, Fairfax County is facing a $179 million budget deficit;

Whereas, Fairfax County has a 17% office space vacancy rate;

Whereas, it would be more financially prudent to use the former Willston School site as a school, and for Fairfax County to acquire vacant office space to provide for human services;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Mason District Council of Community Associations, its members and many other residents do not support the construction or locating of a Human Services building at the former Willston School site;

Therefore, be it also resolved that the County should utilize current vacant office space for county human services offices;

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Mason District Council calls for Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross to take immediate and necessary steps to ensure that the Board of Supervisors return the former Willston School site to the Fairfax County School Board.