Schools

County School Board Holds Off on Renovation Queue Changes

Officials say no funding for consultant as school board members say there is a 'facilities crisis and a capacity crisis.'

 

The Fairfax County School Board decided Monday to postpone re-evaluating how to determine the order in which county schools are renovated.

Heeding the recommendation of the county’s Facilities Planning Advisory Council, Board members agreed they needed more time to discuss the matter to implement any real changes.

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The board develops its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) every five years, which includes new schools, renovations, capacity enhancements, additions and infrastructure management.

Schools currently receive improvements in the order in which they're ranked on the system's renovation queue, driven by a list of weighted criteria ranging from how the buildings serve "Fundamental Educational Requirements (FER)," to their age and physical condition.

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In 2008, when the board last approved its list of criteria, it also agreed to re-evaluate schools in the queue whose projects have not yet been covered in bonds. As the board approached that five-year review period, several members and parents asked the board to reconsider how much value it places on certain items, especially whether a school is over- or under-enrolled.

But bringing in consultants to help with a re-evaluation could cost more than $200,000 — a significant obstacle in a tough budget year.

“We currently don’t have that funding,” said  Jeff Platenburg, superintendent of facilities. “That’s just a simple fact.”

School board members Patty Reed (Providence) urged the importance of doing "something differently."

“We have a facilities crisis and a capacity crisis. So I would argue that we should punt this down the road a little bit," she said.

School staff said a re-evaluation, completed by consultants, would be best during the summer of 2014. School board member Megan McLaughlin (Braddock) said she was fine with waiting,  but only so long only so long the board could commit to moving forward in time for that to happen.

McLaughlin said she would have felt even more comfortable with a four-month delay instead of six.

The board also requested more information on whether capacity should factor into the process and if high, middle and elementary schools should be considered for renovation separately.

School board member Jane Strauss (Dranesville) said it was necessary for the board to work with the county’s Board of Supervisors on a re-evaluation of the criteria as well.

A joint committee would be able to most effectively figure out what kinds of facilities were needed in what parts of the county, she said. While some community members still wanted schools on many acres of land, it might not be possible in some areas.

“It would be inappropriate of us, as stewards of taxpayer dollars, to continue to do that,” she said. “I think this joint committee is going to be critical.”

The Board will meet again in November 2013 with new superintendent Karen Garza to further analyze the renovation criteria.

Associate Regional Editor Erica R. Hendry contribtued reporting to this story.

 

What's your opinion on school renovations in Fairfax County? Tell us in the comments below.


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