In their decision to close Clifton Elementary, some members of the FCPS School Board have clearly demonstrated to the residents of Fairfax County that they continue to disregard the value of data reliability, fiscal responsibility, agency transparency and the ability to serve their constituents.
The FCPS School Board voted to CLOSE Clifton Elementary School, leaving the LARGEST GEOGRAPHICAL AREA in Fairfax Co. without a school. Closing Clifton Elementary will have a profound domino effect on the surrounding communites and their neighborhood schools.
- With respect to the School Board’s enrollment projections for Clifton ES: Those enrollment projections were based on current housing in the 20124 zip code and birth rates for the 20124 zip code for 2008. Clifton Elementary serves 3 zip codes, 20124, 22030 and 22039. Coincidentally, the portions of 22030 and 22039 that attend Clifton Elementary HAVE THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF STUDENTS IN THE CLIFTON ATTENDANCE AREA, YET THESE TWO AREAS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROJECTED ENROLLMENT.
The Board made the decision to close Clifton ES based on a freefall (18.5 percent reduction) drop in enrollments over the next five years that cannot be supported given the trend line of the last 15 years, does not take into account home sales, population movement to this area due to the Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC), AND DID NOT EVEN INCLUDE THE ENTIRE ATTENDANCE AREA!!
- Clifton Elementary serves an area consisting of approximately 2200 homes, and represents nearly 40 square miles that will be left without a school in Fairfax County.
- The FCPS School Board based one of the original arguments to close Clifton on a "contaminated well." However, approximately 1 month prior to voting to close Clifton Elementary, work was completed on the "contaminated" well which according to Dean Tisdadt, C.O.O. of Facilities and Transportation, "fixed" the problem, and the "well is now viable, and no longer an issue". Springfield District Representative, Liz Bradsher then proceeded to consult her daughter, via email, on the dangers of Radium 228. Is Ms. Bradsher's daughter an expert in the field? In addition, why were the test results NOT made public or available to the School Board prior to the meeting which the vote was to take place? Did releasing the results of the water test during the meeting provide ample time for the School Board to fully compare the costs associated with renovating Clifton Elementary now that the well is "fixed", thereby removing that expense from the renovation costs? NO! Even though the School Board did NOT have all the data necessary to make an INFORMED decision, they still proceeded to vote to close Clifton Elementary.
- The FCPS School Board started this process over 1 year ago, and conducted the SW Regional Planning Committee for 9 months, based on Renovating Clifton VS. Closing Clifton AND building a new school. The prospect of CLOSING Clifton, and NOT building a new school was NEVER presented to the SW Regional Planning Committee.
- Studies have shown that communities where a community school is closed, there is a negative impact on local housing values averaging up to 13%. The FCPS School Board admonished the Clifton Community for being concerned with home values, and repeatedly stated that home values are not a concern of the School Board. However, the following document suggests otherwise. Just the Facts
Exactly how much tax revenue for Fairfax County will be lost if property values in Clifton decline up to 13%?
"Good schools are good for everyone in Fairfax County - they attract businesses and enhance property values. The quality of schools is one of the most important items when determining the value of a home."
While the residents in Clifton are not concerned with the quality of the schools surrounding Clifton, they are concerned about the fact that the current option being considered by the School Board is to split Clifton Elementary students into the 5 surrounding schools, which each attend a different High School, thereby permanently altering the fabric of this community.
- The previously proposed site for a new school next to Liberty Middle school site is reported to be a naturally occuring ASBESTOS site. Yet, the School Board does not view that as a potential problem to building a school there.
There is NO amount of exposure to ASBESTOS that is considered safe.- Fairfax County Dept. of Zoning purposefully planned the Clifton Community to be included in the Occoquan Watershed thereby mandating Clifton remain a low density/low population area. That plan was created with a school in Clifton, serving that low density/low population area. Yet now, the School Board is disregarding that plan and closing that community school! It is by Fairfax County's OWN design that the Clifton Community defines it's community as contained to the area that is served by Clifton Elementary School.
- Results from the SW Regional Planning Study Ad Hoc focus groups suggest that the MAJORITY of community members from surrounding communities are highly supportive of renovating Clifton Elementary, rather than closing it. Again, the FCPS School Board demonstrating a complete disregard for their constiuent's desires.
- The School Board staff has said that Clifton Elementary CAN be renovated.
- History - There has been a neighborhood school in or around Clifton since 1869 - for 141 years! We are entering year 99 on our current site. The Clifton community is grateful for the support we have received from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Preservation Virginia. A recent presentation was also made to the Fairfax County Planning and Zoning Department's History Commission, through which their additional assistance has been offered. We are on the National Trust's website THIS PLACE MATTERS photography slide show.
- The School Board has voted to CLOSE A SCHOOL, WITH NO CLEAR PLAN as to where those children will attend school after their's is closed! That will not be determined until AFTER an extensive SW Boudary Study to determine how to shift boundaries for the entire region in order to solve overcrowding along the Rt. 29 corridor, almost 6 miles away from Clifton. The Clifton community will be left in limbo not knowing where the children in Clifton will attend school while it may take months to conduct a Boundary Study. This is clearly not what is best for Clifton students OR county TAXPAYERS!
Click HERE to write our ELECTED OFFICIALS now!
To view the FCPS School Board Meeting from 7/8/10 where the Board voted to close Clifton, click here
This page was last updated: August 22, 2010
Please submit your e-mail address to receive updates from Save Clifton Elementary as they become available.
Save Clifton Elementary would like to thank the Clifton PTA
For information about the Clifton PTA, please visit their website at: Clifton PTA
This website contains external links which may or may not express the views and opinions of Save Clifton Elementary. Save Clifton Elementary is in no way responsible for content on websites reached through external links.
Please feel free to sign our Guest Book. Thank you for your support!
Please join us in our efforts to Save Clifton Elementary School. This school is a vital and integral part of this Historic community.
Make a Donation to Save Clifton Elementary. Thank you!
All donations to SaveCES and Friends of Community Schools will be used to support efforts to Save Clifton Elementary School until this issue is resolved.
Home of the Clifton Cardinals
Click to enlarge
And special Thanks to Clifton RED for their advocacy efforts to save Clifton Elementary School.
Click to enlarge
UPDATE 7/8/2010
The FCPS School Board voted to CLOSE Clifton Elementary, with a closure date to be determined after an extensive Boundary Study has been completed. Closure is expected for the 2011 - 2012 school year.
Most recent Media Coverage
To view the June 28, 2010 Public Hearing - Clifton Elementary Facilities Issues, please click here .
UPDATE 8/8/10
Friends of Community Schools is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people in Fairfax County advocate for and protect community-centered schools by encouraging leaders, including elected officials, to retain, enhance and develop community-centered schools for the betterment, enjoyment and well-being of the residents and in support of the preservation and vitality of surrounding neighborhoods.
We're sorry, donations are not tax deductible. 501(c)4 status pending
Clifton Elementary is featured on the National Trust for Historic Preservation slide show "This Place Matters".
Order your Advance Tickets for Sept. 5th, Paradise Springs Wine Tasting and Bonefish Grill of Centreville SeafoodFest Fundraiser HERE
The Southwestern Boundary Study, involving 28 schools is scheduled to begin in September. Get involved! There is NO PLAN as to where the
children from Clifton will be sent after the 2010-2011 school year. This Boundary Study will not only determine where the children will be sent, but
also a possible closure date for Clifton Elementary.
| ||||||
Help Save Historic Clifton Elementary School! Vote NOW to help us win $25,000 for our school. Clifton Elementary is entered in the
Click the link above to vote NOW!
Save Clifton Elementary
and
Please Join
In our fight to Save Clifton Elementary from Closure!
