Dr. Noonan, We realize that you are new to our community and you have inherited all the challenges that we face at GMHS.  We were very discouraged to hear a former school board member confess at a public forum that “the board probably didn’t pay attention to maintenance as it should have.”  Perhaps our maintenance budget went to Apple products. That said, we are where we are and the question is before the community for a vote on November 7th.  In the meantime, I believe the school board pledged to be neutral on the issue.  However, to many in the community your tweets are notRead More →

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Do we really need to spend $ 120 million on a new high school? The Basic information on Huguenot High School (pictured above) Brand New $ 64 million high school completed in 2015 Located about 100 miles away in Richmond, VA 250,000 square feet, Certified LEED Gold Serves 1,385 students now, can flex to 1,700 student (we have 850 now, need to plan for 1,500) Auditorium with seating for 1,000 Dining Commons for 500 3 court gymnasium with seating for 2,000 Media Center, Television Studio, Distance Learning Center Administration Spaces State-of-Art technology, Construction, Architecture Field house & Stadium with seating for 3,500 (we already theRead More →

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Reprinted from John R. Butcher blog post.  Richmond, VA has a referendum to provide a school modernization plan with no tax increase.  This blogger is making a point that education is more important then physical facilities. However, it is interesting to note that the new Huguenot high school has: 250,000 square feet, educates 1700 students, wired with state of the art technology, 1000 seat auditorium, 2500 seat 3 court gym and 2500 seat football stadium All for $63 Million.   —————————————————————————————————————- Structures and SOLs John R. Butcher October 16, 2017 Paul Goldman’s referendum that would seek to place a school modernization plan in the city charter isRead More →

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Saying No Thanks does not mean:  That we have to spend $40MM to repair the schools.  We can look for less risky and less pricey new-build alternatives and do another referendum vote. That you are anti-school.  It means you care about the schools and the city and want a fiscally responsible plan before moving forward. That you can’t have a different opinion from the School Board.  It means you want the School Board to provide more detail and give you more choices. A taxpayer who has purchased signs indicates they are free and they even deliver! Send a message to fallschurchfacts@gmail.com if you are interested.Read More →

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This is a Citizens for a Better City (CBC) position paper and Mark Quave provided an alternative view.  Please see his comments in red.   Citizens for a Better City               https://www.fallschurchcbc.net/ School Bond Referendum – All agree that George Mason High School must be extensively renovated or replaced.After lengthy deliberation and the presentation of CBC President Richard McCall’s appointed Advisory Committee on the School Bond Referendum, the CBC Executive Committee voted at its September 14, 2017 meeting to publicly support the School Bond Referendum.  Following is a summary of the information that informed our decision. A Yes vote on the SchoolRead 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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