Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York (I-At Large) appeared before the School Board for the second time in as many months, and on both occasions spoke of possible options to address the need for schools in Ashburn. Last week, York sought support for the resolution supervisors adopted earlier in February addressing four possible options. The supervisors’ resolution asks school board members to consider four possible school projects—two new schools and the conversion/expansion of two existing schools.
York explained that a sense of agreement from the School Board was required before the supervisors agreed to finance over $200,000 to study the alternatives.
“I am an optimist at heart,” York said. “I hope we can agree to look at these properties as possible solutions, continued York, “If as a body you would support going forward with these studies … and I am in no way holding you to making those realities. You have to figure if these options work with your programs … and then we have to see if we have the money to make these realities.”
York added both boards must wait for the results of the studies.
The supervisors’ resolution grew from discussions by members of both boards at meetings last year of the Joint School Board/Board of Supervisors Committee and recommendations made last fall by the Joint Sub Committee on Capital Facility Planning Needs regarding schools in the Ashburn area. In a January 2010 letter, newly elected School Board Chairman John Stevens (Potomac) wrote York for four possible projects which merited further discussion and analysis. At that point only Stevens and York were speaking to possible solutions. Since then, York has found unanimous support from his board to at least explore the options.
It remains to be seen if Stevens can muster majority support from his board for the supervisors’ resolution. Supervisors and School Board members serving on the Joint Committee did agree last fall that schools were needed to address growing student enrollment in Ashburn.
Paul Brown, division manager of the Loudoun County Department of Construction and Waste Management, and Dr. Sam Adamo, director of LCPS Department of Planning and Legislative Services, prepared a report presented to supervisors and school board members on the four possible projects. Questions included the size of schools, feeder system and which staff would compile and address questions and problems. Also addressed was the “decision tree” that would determine the final result.
“You keep coming back to those points,” added LCPS Superintendent Ed Hatrick, “If you don’t agree that we should build a high school that serves 2,000 students then that closes that option.”
Four Possible School Projects
The County-Owned ISA/Farmwell Property
Costs of Studies -- $55,000
The first proposal is construction of up to two schools on the 101-acre county-owned property at the intersection of Ashburn Farm Parkway and Waxpool Road often referred to as the former Islamic Saudi Academy (ISA)/Farmwell site in Ashburn. Preliminary analysis suggests it might be possible to build two public schools on the site, to possibly include an Advanced Technology Academy.
The School Board has repeatedly asked supervisors for a portion of the ISA site for construction of a new advanced technology academy, but without success. Widely regarded as one of the Loudoun’s most valuable property holdings, the ISA site was purchased by Loudoun supervisors in 2004 at a cost of $13 million and was at the time earmarked for schools. Today, the economic development potential of the ISA site weighs heavily on any discussion regarding its future use.
Environmental regulations concerning wetlands and the potential impacts of the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance are studies identified for the ISA site. Development of the site would also require $25,000 to obtain a “Letter of Jurisdictional Determination” from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and $30,000 to determine the feasibility of locating an elementary school adjacent to the county park. Legislation approvals, including a commission permit and special exception, would be required before a school was built on the ISA site.
A Second School on the Newton Lee Elementary School Site
Costs of Studies -- $55,000
The second proposal is to build another school on the existing Newton Lee Elementary School site, provided the County can acquire an adjacent 5-acre parcel owned by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA). The NVRPA has indicated a preliminary willingness in a land exchange/acquisition.
Conversion of Belmont Ridge Middle School to a High School
Costs of Studies -- $95,000
Conversion of a middle school to a high school has the largest price tag and represents the most controversial proposal of the four. More studies are needed, and instructional considerations are crucial given the necessity of housing current students during the conversion.
The report addressed the design differences between a middle and high school and requested guidance from LCPS Department of Instruction. Loudoun middle schools are designed with a three sub–schools concept, which effectively separates the three grade levels. Loudoun high schools are designed around departments and content areas. Differences were also noted between middle and high school science, technical education and art laboratories as well as core facilities, cafeterias, libraries and gyms.
Brown clarified that the Belmont Ridge Middle School conversion was a proposed conversion. “Demolition of the existing school is not in this proposal…there is no option to demolish the building,” he said.
School Board Vice Chairman Priscilla Godfrey (Blue Ridge) said she could see herself supporting conversion of Belmont Ridge Middle into a smaller than 1,600 student high school, but would want to hear from the public regarding such a design. Godfrey noted that the smaller high school size might translate to fewer advanced courses and extracurricular opportunities.
While York acknowledged “You cannot convert Belmont Ridge without building another middle school to take its place…that will not diminish the need for the other middle schools that has been under discussions,” School board member Warren Geurin (Sterling) asked York where the money for these schools and money for schools in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget would come from. Before York could respond Brown said the county would “Raise taxes,” to which York quickly responded “You’re fired.” School board members, county and LCPS staff, and those in the audience joined York, Brown and Geurin in on the laughter before York provided the answer.
“There is no question there will be fiscal challenges. Ultimately, both bodies have recognized that the schools system continues to grow and seats are needed and schools need to be built. Both boards will need to determine priorities,“ York said. Mentioning the county’s “ Triple A bond rating,” York advised that “One of the equations will be the CIP and our ability to pay for what needs to be done.” “Unfortunately people think they can vote for schools and not pay taxes on the debt,” York said adding that currently Loudoun’s “Debt service is about 24 cents on the tax rate.”
Expansion of Stone Bridge High School
Study Costs – Zero
LCPS has already conducted an evaluation of the expansion of Stone Bridge High and concluded that the campus can support either a 200 or 400 student addition. School policy and concerns about agreeing to create a permanent increase were noted.
School board member Jennifer Bergel (Catoctin) quickly responded and announced her opposition to building high schools in Loudoun with more than 1,800 students. Bergel cautioned that overcrowded schools are already approaching 2,000 students and if the mark is 2,000 then the reality could be 2,200 students.
After thanking York and his colleagues of the exchange and discussions, Stevens said the proposals under considerations included, “The potential of building different types of schools and sizes of schools,” and then suggested the “possibility of offering a school on one of these sites that is different but not less and would allow parents to choose which school is best for their child.
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