Citizens gathered this past Sunday in the GMHS auditorium for another Q&A session on the referendum.  The session began with a pitch for a new school from Peter Noonan, Superintendent of Schools, citing research that indicates better outcomes for students with high ceilings and better ventilation. This was followed by financing details by City Manager Wyatt Shields.  School Board candidates Greg Anderson,  Alison Kutchma, Richard Crispin, Shannon Litton and Shawna Russell were in attendance.  Good questions were posed and more back up and tax implication information was requested.  FACTS will post the information requested when it becomes available. The session was videotaped. Click here forRead More →

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Falls Church FACTS is co-sponsoring the Community Issues Forum (CIF) for City Council and School Board candidtates:  7:30 PM, Wed, September 27th – City Council Candidates: Marybeth Connelly, Ross Litkenhous, Spencer Parsons, Dan Maller, David Snyder, & Dan Sze 7:30 PM, Wed, October 25th – School Board Candidates: Greg Anderson, Richard Crespin, Alison Kutchma, Shannon Litton, Shawna Russell, and Lawrence Webb Both events will be held at the American Legion Hall Post 130, 400 North Oak Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 For question please contact Sally Ekfelt at Ekfelt@gmail.com        Read More →

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Open letter to City Council Members regarding the increasing operating costs for the schools.  Dear Council Member, Thank you for your service. I am concerned about the forecasted operational costs presented by Dr. Noonan and Mr. Shields at the Town Hall meeting. Below are the calculations that include the:   4% annual increase that Dr. Noonan said is required through 2030 2.5% city revenue growth that Mr. Shields said is forecasted for the same period.  The 2.5% takes into account all development in the pipeline. *  Note : this chart was revised based on input from Dr. Noonan; the school receives State and Federal subsidiesRead More →

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A school district in Texas had a budget shortfall and used community input to find cost-saving strategies.  Falls Church City may want to take a similar approach to cut expenses.  Some interesting cost cutting measures found by the Frisco focus group: The focus group studying central administration identified savings by creating efficiencies, seeking partnerships and exploring cost-sharing opportunities. Pay to Play – increase fees for certain programs Library service sharing between the city and school Assess cost by course level (e.g. remedial, regular, gifted, AP, IB) and use results for possible reduction of low participation areas Use PTA volunteers for library aides and other laborRead More →

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The FCCPS School Board convened this past Tuesday, January 10, to reorganize as it does every January. Lawrence Webb was voted in as Chair.  All members present voted for Mr. Webb with the exception of John Lawrence, who abstained. He offered no explanation. Phil Reitinger was unanimously voted in as Vice Chair. They did not choose advisory committee liaisons as former-chair Justin Castillo suggested; it is the tradition that the Vice Chair weigh in on those choices and by waiting, the incoming vice-chair Phil Reitinger will be afforded the opportunity to do so. They moved on to the budget work for the upcoming year. The principals of ourRead More →

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When I went to high school in the late 70s in New England, coursework was straight-forward. College bound students took four years each of English, Math and Science (earth science, biology, chemistry and physics) and a foreign language( French, Spanish or Latin).  The curriculum was basic, but challenging. Graduates headed off to a variety of adventures, vocations and post-secondary educational institutions, including Ivy League universities and highly ranked liberal arts colleges. At GMHS, we have several college tracks and many options.  We offer a standard diploma; an advanced studies diploma; and an IB diploma. Students can take classes at the Arlington career center,  AP (AdvancedRead More →

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