Springfield District is going to find itself in the local news a lot over the next couple of months revolving around issues that have to do with land and schools.  Already in the news is the Pohick Land issue.  Soon there will be a great deal of discussion over the boundaries for the new school.  Unfortunately, despite being in the midst of the information age, often times a great deal of important information does not get distributed.

            During the public hearing regarding the Pohick land, we heard a number of concerns and ideas that, although probably valid in light of the information that the individuals had, were not something that could actually happen.  Due to the agreement that provided the land to the school system, there are only two options as to what can be done with the land.  The land can be used to build a middle school or a high school, or it can remain as it is awaiting the building of a middle school or high school.  It cannot be sold to the park.  It cannot even be “lent” to the park authority as are many pieces of school owned land in the county.  Consequently, many of the good ideas that residents brought to the School Board are not viable options.

            A large concern expressed at the hearing was the impact on the area if townhouses or condominiums were built.  The land is zoned so that no more that 3 houses can be built on an acre.  When you add the space required for roads and other access requirements, the number of new homes will probably be around 90-95.  While that will increase the demand on local roads and schools, it is not at the level that some of the residents at the hearing feared.

            The potential benefit of the additional funds to the school system is outstanding.  We have unfortunately tied all of our school construction and renovations to the school bonds.  Regardless of how large a school bond the residents approve on Election Day, in order to maintain their AAA bond rating, the Board of Supervisors limits the amount of bond funds that the school system can spend on school construction and renovations to $130M per year.  The nearly $12M additional funding will enable many projects in the Capital Improvement Plan to shift 6-9 months earlier and should move all projects ahead of their current schedule.  Since every area in the county has some construction or renovation in the plan, this has a benefit for every area in the county, including the Springfield Magisterial District.

            The next major discussion to impact the Springfield area is the south county school boundary issue.  While this will have a direct impact on those students living in the areas selected to go to the new school, it is also going to potentially impact the boundaries of Hayfield Secondary School ,and Lee and Edison High Schools.  Most people can agree that it would not make a great deal of sense to move children into the new school, greatly reducing the number of students that attend Hayfield, without looking for ways to relieve the overcrowding at nearby middle and high schools.  Communities that are impacted by the Hayfield, Lee or Edison pyramids should keep a close watch on and participate in the boundary discussions (first meeting is 10/12/04 at 7:30pm in Hayfield SS).  These are very emotional discussions.  I am hoping that the options will be discussed in an open and peaceful manner with a focus on what is best for the most number of students.