February 4, 2009
Dear Constituent,
I wrote to you in December to make you aware of our neighborhood’s efforts to get our West Springfield High School on the list to be renovated. As you recall, unlike neighboring schools such as Hayfield, Lee, and Lake Braddock, our WSHS has never received a full renovation. In fact, WSHS is not the only 40-year-old school still in need of renovations. Langley, Herndon, Oakton and Falls Church are all in the same boat. Collectively, they have become known as “The Legacy 5.”
To pursue the renovation of WSHS, a parent group called Spartans Organized for Action on Renovation (SOAR) was formed. And over the past couple of months, they have worked tirelessly for our neighborhood. Because of their efforts, I am happy to report that on January 22nd the School Board voted to add WSHS into the 2010-2014 Capital Improvement (School Construction/Renovation) Plan (CIP). Your School Board Representative, Liz Bradsher, asked the School Board to include both WSHS and Langley High School since they are both of similar age and have been rated by an independent audit as the two high schools most in need of renovation.
Although the first step has been completed, there is still a lot left to do. Even with the inclusion of WSHS in the CIP, it is still an unfunded project. However, if we had not been successful on January 22, WSHS would not even be in the line for renovations.
So this is a big success, but there is still much more work to do.
The slow progress of the current renovation strategy has been brought to the attention of the School Board. In fact, FCPS Chief Operating Officer Dean Tisadt was asked to speak concerning the CIP in regards to the “Legacy 5.” He believes that new solutions need to be presented to the School Board in order to make these renovations feasible. It is taking too long for these projects to be completed under the current plans. Supervisor Pat Herrity has suggested increasing the school construction bond program. Since right now we have historically low interest rates and contractors are desperate for work, it is a great time to build! In addition, I have filed a bill to require that any “federal economic stimulus funds” received by a county school system be designated for renovation first.
At any rate, I just wanted you to know that when citizens bond together and work with legislators in a bi-partisan, solution-oriented manner, government works!
Yours for good government,
David B. Albo
If you have any questions, please call Dave Albo at (703) 451-3555 or check out WSHS Renovations.
Delegate Dave Albo's Constituent Corner 