News Release:

FCPS Priorities Wrong on $100 Million Backroom Deal for New Administration Building, Says FairfaxCAPS

February 16, 2009, Fairfax County, Virginia — Fairfax County Public Schools’ plan to purchase a second headquarters building is deeply flawed, and is an unjustifiable use of taxpayers’ money, according to the school advocacy group, FairfaxCAPS.

Scott Chronister, President of FairfaxCAPS, said, “We have teachers forced to educate students in more than 900 trailers.  We have 63 schools waiting to be renovated.  We have a severe budget crisis that will result in pay freezes and larger class sizes.  Given these circumstances, it is mind-boggling that our School Board and Superintendent want to use almost $100 million on the central administration.”

FairfaxCAPS also criticized the lack of public notice and input on the revised proposal, noting that both the School Board’s and Board of Supervisor’s upcoming meetings are scheduled to be in closed session.

“There is no legitimate reason for one hundred million taxpayer dollars to be committed to any project when all the decisions are being made behind closed doors,” said Chronister.

FairfaxCAPS is asking citizens to contact their Supervisors and urge them to oppose this proposal, or, at a minimum, hold a public hearing before a final vote.  For information about how to contact the Board of Supervisors Chairman and your Supervisor, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board.

“In the current budget environment, if the Board of Supervisors believes that the county can afford another $100 million-plus bond, then its proceeds should be used to renovate schools already waiting for repairs, and to expand capacity so that the use of trailers can be eliminated,” said Chronister.

FCPS resurrected its plan to purchase Gatehouse II on February 3, the same day a new Chairman was elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.  The first “community outreach” meeting will be on February 23, the same day the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider approval of the project.

FairfaxCAPS has posted financial analyses and other significant information about Gatehouse II at www.FairfaxCAPS.org.

Summary of Shortcomings of Gatehouse II Proposal

Lack of Openness and Transparency

• No public hearings
• Approvals will be in closed sessions

Purchase Price

• FCPS will pay $45 million for a building that sold for $43.5 million at the height of the real estate market in 2006
• FCPS will pay $5 million for previously completed renovations

Impact on Schools

• Bond money could be used to renovate schools, or to expand capacity to eliminate trailers
• Renovation projects were suspended in the recently approve Capital Improvement Plan

Financing

• Bond payment will come out of school operating budget
• Anticipated cash savings will disappear when debt repayment begins
• Properties turned over to Fairfax County would still be supported by county taxpayers

Alternatives

• FCPS has only looked at “buy” and “build” options
• It has not looked at other alternatives, such as leasing at Gatehouse II or elsewhere, or renovating or reconfiguring existing space

Business Case for Gatehouse I Was Wrong

• Most anticipated cost savings did not materialize
• Others are undocumented