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Redistricting…

What is Redistricting?

Redistricting is a process used by a school board and/or school system to redistribute students from one school to another.

In citing its responsibility for redistricting matters, the Fairfax County School Board frequently quotes the Code of Virginia (22.1-79) which reads:

 “A school board shall: ….Provide for the consolidation of schools or redistricting of school boundaries or adopt pupil assignment plans whenever such procedure will contribute to the efficiency of the school division..”

When is Redistricting used?

Typically, School Boards redistrict when a new school is opening to serve a growing population.

Redistricting has taken place in recent years with the openings of Westfield High School, Rachel Carson Middle School and McNair Elementary School. It is expected that an additional redistricting will take place with the planned opening of the Coppermine Elementary School in 2009.

Is Redistricting only used to fill new schools?

No. Unfortunately, the Western Fairfax Boundary Study recently conducted by FCPS staff identified a problem of under enrollment at South Lakes High School.

FCPS Staff has only considered redistricting as its single option to address this excess capacity at South Lakes High School.

Why shouldn’t over capacity schools be redistricted into an under utilized facility like South Lakes?

According to the School Board’s own manual, attrition should be the main method of dealing with over capacity schools. Redistricting should be a last resort measure, not the first or only option.

In fact, the enrollment figures presented by FCPS indicate that the schools identified as needing relief from over capacity such as Westfield High School will self correct before the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year and will operate at slightly below capacity.  

Dean Tisdadt, FCPS Chief Operating Officer of Facilities and Transportation, has stated that, "strictly from a capacity and facility standpoint, I don't see a compelling reason for the boundary study." (FCSB work session, Nov. 12, 2007)

Why redistrict if the numbers don’t support the need to take kids from existing schools and FCPS Staff acknowledges this?

It doesn’t make sense.

South Lakes could use additional students and course offerings, but the trade off will be larger class sizes and some other negative consequences.
See our section about South Lakes HS Exodus for a more detailed discussion of the issues for this school.

Typically, redistricting is not entered into lightly since moving kids from school to school always sparks heated responses from the parents and homeowners.

The Western Fairfax Boundary Study Town Meeting PowerPoint presentations addressed some elective courses available at larger schools and not available for smaller facilities like South Lakes. These included subjects like jewelry making and guitar lessons. They also noted a greater ability at a smaller school for students to make the cheerleader squad or a sports team.

Are these compelling reasons for a redistricting?

Problems with forced redistricting

Split Families

Some families end up with kids at two different high schools.

Split friendships

Kids that have grown up and gone to school together throughout elementary and middle school will now be sent to different high schools.

Opting Out/Pupil Placement

Because of program differences like AP versus IB, many parents will choose to pupil place their kids out of South Lakes to attend an AP High School. See AP versus IB section.

Others may choose private schools.

This will reduce the number of students coming to and staying at South Lakes. 

The carrot versus the Stick

A forced redistricting to move students into an under enrolled school should not be considered because it puts students into a school they don’t want to attend with students who resent the new students for not wanting to come to their school.

Magnet programs and unique programs of study should be offered as a carrot to make students want to attend the school.

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