Pushing Arlington County Taxpayers Too Far?
The Arlington County School Board made their annual visit to the Arlington County Civic Federation last Tuesday, March 1, to present what amounts to a “state of the Arlington Public Schools (APS)” presentation. A copy of the School Board’s slide presentation is available under "Membership Meeting" at the Civic Federation website.
School Board member Sally Baird’s opening comments addressed the school system’s “capacity challenges.” She said the “stark reality” is that APS faces “5000+ additional students by 2016.” She noted that from 2001-2005, they saw “declining” enrollment, but that began “increasing” in 2006. However, it’s “crowded everywhere” now.
On another slide, Baird noted that in the mid-1960’s, APS had 26,000+ students and 35 elementary schools. Enrollment dropped to 14,000 in the mid-late 1980’s, and it’s estimated to be 26,000 by 2016 with 22 elementary schools.
Let’s look at it another way. According to one slide, there was a system-wide shortage of 834 seats by 2013 and a shortage of 3,387 seats by 2016. In studying capacity needs, Ms. Baird explained they look at resident live births and both student generation factors from different housing types as well as from Arlington’s various neighborhoods.
Ms. Baird said staff is making various recommendations, including increasing class sizes, the use of relocatables, and various lease options. The most expensive of the staff recommendations would be to construct a new elementary school for 2016, which would provide 600 seats.
Will the School Board include in their legislative priorities for the 2012 General Assembly a recommendation for school choice? Just asking, but some taxpayers would like to know. At least school vouchers. But another $35 -- $50 million elementary school? Sheesh!