Info Meeting with Priscilla Godfrey Tonight June 9 @ 6pm LVHS library re: Loudoun Valley HS exodus to Woodgrove HS

[Stinger]

A concerned parent has requested that I forward their message below to our SmallTownSchools email network.   I'm sorry I don't have additional information.  If you are unable to attend and have any questions, suggest you contact your School Board representative.

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Info Meeting Tonight June 9 @ 6pm Loudoun Valley HS library with Blue Ridge District School Board Representative Priscilla Godfrey

ALERT:  Disturbing New Developments in the Opening of Woodgrove HS; Unannounced Meeting  for Wednesday, 9 June

Concerns are mounting on several fronts around a growing number of students and a second wave of teachers transferring to WoodgroveHS.  These student transfers are being allowed under LCPS policies meant to address overcrowding run the risk of turning LVHS from the largest County high school into the smallest in a single year.  In addition, these transfers mean at least four additional car trips on Purcellville and surrounding roads per student per day as bus transportation is not offered.  This would make the traffic study used to project costs for the school even more invalid and violate the intent of the settlement to have all in Town students attend LVHS.

 

The real issue is the disparate treatment being afforded LVHS students in the coming years.  Already dealing with facilities long neglected when improvement funds were frozen to influence public opinion, lack of funds for overdue maintenance to sports and practice fields and now facing an exodus of many of the best and brightest teachers and coaches, LVHS could find itself going from a school teachers and students seek to one not making the grade.  This was not what anyone had in mind when seeking to think of the children in placing the second high school within a mile of the existing school.

 

Some parents have asked for answers. Priscilla Godfrey, Blue Ridge School Board member, has set a date and time (LVHS, Wednesday, June 9th at 6 p.m. in the library) to talk with parents interested in transferring.  Note, the purpose was not about maintaining parity, addressing how to allow students who wish to remain but were denied the right to stay LV, siblings separated, or the plans to rebuild the accelerated decay of the LV physical plant due to overcrowding.  The meeting has not published, placed on LV's website, nor did Ms. Ross send out a voice message letting everyone know it was scheduled.  Instead, in the course of asking for some explanations, the meeting came to light from Ms. Godfrey (unfortunately, Jennifer Bergel was not included in Ms. Godfrey's planning either having learned late this weekend about the plan).

 

I encourage anyone with students remaining at LVHS, scheduled to attend or concerned about community based schools to go out on Wednesday to ask questions about how our students will be taken care of during this transition.  The two high schools can work cooperatively to ensure parity or become bitter rivals through mismanagement of the process.  LCPS has not handled any other opening of a HS with this much disregard for the long term effects.  Parents have requested Ms. Godfrey provide information on policies, numbers of transfers to date, and plans for addressing and delivering the promised facility upgrades promised to LV. 

 

Add your voice to ensure our Western High Schools are both outstanding secondary education institutes and stop the neglect of a storied high school.  Our children are too important for closed door, exclusionary meetings.  Come out to help defend and preserve the Viking heritage of excellence and support the development of Woodgrove.  Let your opinions and questions be heard.