“Good gravy, Marie!” That’s what 1970s “Match Game” panelist Brett Somers would harrumph when the world seemed upside down to her. And it is an upside-down world when we find ourselves in alignment with the Fairfax County School Board.
Or at least in alignment with those on the winning end of a 9-2 vote that provides more guardrails for school-system staff to follow during future school-redistricting efforts.
The proposal was not without controversy, although listening to the multitude of speakers and School Board members who came out against it, we’re still not sure there was a singular reason for the opposition except that it’s not the status quo.
We who scribble the editorials here have been watching school systems across Northern Virginia for decades, and have witnessed how ugly redistricting can get. And how those who have the power – connections to School Board and top staff – or raise their voices the loudest often get their way.
Hopefully, and at this point it is just a hope, what was adopted July 18 by School Board members will take much of that out of the process. Fingers crossed.
In the end, it will still be School Board members voting on any future boundary changes, so the public is not being cut out of the loop. Assuming, that is, School Board members aren’t simply handed take-it-or-leave-it recommendations from staff.
To those furious with what transpired, we get it. But we ask you to take a breath and consider the big picture. Though far from perfect, the new arrangement seems an improvement from the old. If it proves not to be, it can be adjusted or scrapped, or those who voted for it replaced.
