Mayor David Tarter testified before Congress yesterday to discuss the impact of the cap on the deductibility of our state and local taxes on federal tax returns, an issue that affects many in our community of Falls Church.   City of Falls Church Office of Communication provides press release.    NEWS RELEASE Mayor Tarter Testifies Before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures about New SALT Deduction Cap Wednesday, June 26, 2019 — Mayor P. David Tarter testified yesterday before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures about the impact of the cap on the deductibility of state and local taxRead More →

By
On
With 10 Comments

George Mason High School’s history teacher Tammy Chincheck has been featured in the September/October issue of Arlington magazine. In an article focusing on local educators and why they do what they do, Chincheck, a George Mason High School treasure is profiled. However she is not the only George Mason High School teacher featured in this fall issue.  Mason High School art teacher Marc Robarge can be seen standing in Howard E. Herman Park next to a public art project sponsored by The Falls Church Arts, entitled Fungus Among Us.  According to that article he enlisted the help of first graders from Mount Daniel Elementary SchoolRead More →

By
On
With 1 Comment

It is time for those of us who live and work in the 21st Century to oppose those who seem determined to support an unsustainable outdated and costly school system born in the 1950’s and nurtured by discrimination, elitism and narrow thinking!   Ira Kaylin has written articles addressing this very issue.  They are so clearly stated that even I understand the financial issues he cited.  Compare this to the information by proponents of the referendum and see how their “facts” are exaggerated , vague and at best misleading!  Example–a stated tax reduction– when is the last time we saw a reduction in any taxes?  WeRead More →

By
On
With 4 Comments

Remember interim’s School Superintendent Schiller’s February 2017 advice to build a single-phase high school for $ 60 million? What if we followed his advice? Let’s say he was off and it would cost $ 70 million. And, let’s not build a school for 1,500 students like he suggested, but a smaller school for 1,350 students. Also, don’t build an expensive 5 story school. Build a cheaper-style 2 story school that we can expand upon. Q: What are the advantages of this approach? A1. We save $ 50 million dollars and borrow $ 50 million less. A2. We can afford to keep the 10 acres ofRead More →

By
On
With 4 Comments

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 →

By
On
With 7 Comments

“This summer I spent a significant amount of time in the community wrestling with the question of ‘Who are we,’” Dr. Noonan said. “It became evident that the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is something that many hold of great importance.” “This year our teachers will seek to incorporate (the IB) traits in every classroom in FCCPS…(and) serve as an anchor for our students.” Can FCCPS provide the costs to implement this program?  Read More →

By
On
With 3 Comments