Race relations are at the center of political discussions these days and that is no less true than in our little city of Falls Church, Virginia.  Signs stating  “Black Lives Matter”, “Love is Love”, and “Diversity is Caring”  have cropped up all over the city as people make visual statements about their views on these stirring issues of the day.  Divisions run deep as the community debates and considers a proposal, in public meetings and comments to the school board, to strip our high school of its name.  Community members feel strongly that it is inappropriate to have George Mason, a slave owner himself beRead More →

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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 →

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Below is the statement read by Mr. John Leimone to City Council during public comment on Monday, July 24, 2017.  Mr Lemoine has worked as an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank and the International Monetary Fund. I strongly support the VPIS recommendation in the well-argued letter to you (City Council) to postpone any decision on a GMHS referendum until citizens have been thoroughly and honestly briefed on all aspects of this project, which because of the costs involved, poses an existential threat to the City’s future financial stability. Underlying this position are at least 4 major concerns: The Council and City Manager have glossedRead 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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In November, we will probably be asked to approve a referendum for a $120 M (Million) bond issuance to finance construction of a new high school. The debt service will be approximately $7.08 M every year for 30 yearsi. Some people have warned that paying for increasing School system operating costs will be more challenging than the bond debt payment. The counter thinking is that new development and a modest real estate tax increase will pay for the need of our Schools. During the past few weeks, the City has held some meetings and issued some reports that provide enough data to allow anyone toRead 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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