Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (1)
School admin building not off the table
The Fairfax County School Board is regrouping after the Board of Supervisors declined to approve its request to purchase a second school administration building last week.
The school board initially approved the $130 million purchase and renovation Sept. 18, continuing its plans to consolidate administrative offices in one location. Half of the administrative offices were moved to another building in the Jefferson Park office complex in Merrifield several years ago.
After the Board of Supervisors discussed the purchase in closed session, Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock) made a motion stating that the board declined to take action on the school board's request to finance the purchase.
"We were disappointed because we think it's really an excellent opportunity to save money in the long term," School Board Chairman Dan Storck (Mount Vernon) said.
The purchase would allow the school system to get rid of leased space and free up other property for sale or to return it to school use. Despite parent concerns, it would not have adverse effects on instruction or school construction, Storck said.
Bulova said the supervisors "were of 10 different minds" about the project, but generally thought that the school board could "negotiate something that was a sounder and more advantageous deal."
From her perspective, the margin of savings that could be achieved with the purchase "was smaller than I was comfortable with," she said.
"This really needs to be about cost savings and operational efficiencies," Bulova said. The proposal "looked like it wasn't getting us there to the degree we wanted."
It was also the supervisors' first chance to discuss the proposal, and both Bulova and Storck said they wish the boards had met to discuss the plan sooner, and said they believe the concerns can be addressed.
"We probably could have done a better job of communicating," Storck said.
The school board will likely discuss the county board's concerns at its Thursday meeting, Storck said. "The basic deal will stay the same because is was a good deal to begin with," he said.
It is time for Storck to go. He voted for redistricting, is opposed to changing the grading system in Fairfax County so it matches surrounding counties and supports spending $130 million for an admin. building when the country is in financial crisis. To say the admin. building purchase is a good deal given the financial mess the United States is in is absolutely absurd and shows just how out of touch with reality this man is. He needs to go as soon as he is up for re-election.
Posted by bbrown305
Report Offensive Content
You must be logged in to post a comment.