Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) leaders sent a letter June 24 to Fairfax County School Board Chairman Karl Frisch (Providence District) detailing suggested priorities regarding proposed changes to the school system’s boundary-adjustment policy.
GFCA’s letter, signed by president John Halacy, listed five top priorities encouraging the School Board to:
• Ensure equitable access to the school system’s facilities and programs, while taking into account potential impacts on school operations and programs.
• Balance the school division’s available capacity based on projected student enrollment, use school sites in the most effective and efficient way, and whenever possible eliminate or prevent the use of “split feeder” schools.
• Advocate for contiguous attendance zones and preserve neighborhood groupings (including apartment and condominium complexes) to eliminate or discourage establishment of “attendance islands.”
• Maintain relationships within school-pyramid groupings.
• Promote continuity of instructional programs to minimize disruptions for students.
GFCA’s letter also suggested Superintendent Michelle Reid in the course of proposed boundary adjustments could:
• Minimize operational and future capital costs for the schools involved.
• Ensure efficient transportation routes for attendance areas, and enhance safety for students walking or being bused to school.
• Minimize use of modular units and temporary classrooms.
• Focus on long-term attendance-zone stability.
• Allow, within reason, all students living in adjacent communities and neighborhoods to attend the same school and take into account geographical and manmade barriers, such as highways.
• Encourage optimal family involvement.
The School Board discussed potential next steps at its June 25 work session. Only member Ricardy Anderson (Mason District) offered suggestions, but later withdrew them, GFCA leaders said.
The School Board will list the latest draft policy for boundary adjustments as “new business” at its July 11 meeting, but will not act on them officially until the board’s July 18 gathering.
