Home of the Clifton Cardinals

Frequently Asked Questions

 Why was  Clifton RED formed? 

The Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Facilities and Transportation drafted two feasibility studies published in July, 2009. One study addressed overcrowding at 22 area elementary schools and the other addressed potential challenges to planned renovations of Clifton Elementary School. The Department recommended considering closing Clifton Elementary School and building a new 900+ student elementary school adjacent to Liberty Middle School as a solution to both problems.

What is the overcrowding issue?

Serious overcrowding is predicted in the northeastern region of the study area. Eagle View ES (near Route 29 and the Fairfax County Parkway) is predicted to have 374 more students than it can accommodate in 2013. That is the same number of students currently enrolled at Clifton ES! Colin Powell ES and Greenbriar ES are predicted to be overcrowded by 166 students and 135 students, respectively.

What will happen to Clifton Elementary and its students if a new school is built?

The draft study recommends considering closing Clifton ES and relocating its students to the new school as part of the solution to overcrowding at Colin Powell ES, Greenbriar West ES, and Eagle View ES.  A boundary study would likely be required in the Clifton Community Area and the areas of neighboring elementary schools to determine which students would need to be relocated to fill this new school, while addressing the overcrowding in Eagle View ES and elsewhere.

Does that mean there will no longer be a school in the Town of Clifton?

Yes, if FCPS votes to build a new elementary school at Liberty, Clifton Elementary will almost surely be shut down, resulting in no school in the immediate proximity of the town of Clifton since the 1890s. 

Are business owners in the Town of Clifton concerned?

Yes. The business owners historically experience what they call a regular “summer slump” that occurs each year after the last day of school. Foot and vehicular traffic through town slows down, as do the customers frequenting the businesses when the school is not in session. Once school starts up in September their business also picks up. Clifton's business owners are fearful of a permanent, fatal “slump” in business if the school were to close. If this were to occur, the overall quality of life in the town of Clifton and its surrounding area would be irreversibly degraded.

 Are the recommendations in these studies final? 

No. These are only draft studies. The Fairfax County School Board is establishing a Community Engagement Process to receive input from the public before it decides how to proceed. This process will seek input from community residents about: whether to close or renovate Clifton ES; whether to recommend redrawing elementary school boundaries to relieve overcrowding; whether to build a new school; whether to make additions to several overcrowded schools; whether the Liberty site is the correct site for any new school; whether programs/services should be altered; whether the School Board has considered all possible solutions. Some details about this process were announced by the School Board on September 14, when it unanimously approved the initiation of the Southwestern Regional Planning Study Committee.  Among those details is the intent to update the draft feasibility studies from July to reflect facts developed through this committee.

How extensive are the renovations needed at Clifton?

The draft feasibility study estimates the renovation costs at $19 million. We believe that renovations likely can be done for far less money. In some respects, the needs of our school and students differ from the needs of many elementary schools within the county. Some of the proposed renovations are to support programs/services that exist in other schools that we may not need. Also, beyond these program differences, there are other differences between Clifton ES and other Fairfax County elementary schools. For instance:

•  Water: Because Clifton ES is on well water, tests need to be conducted regularly to determine if the drinking water quality meets state                        requirements.  When the water quality falls below the state standards, bottled water is brought in for consumption. 
  

•  Sewer: Clifton ES is currently served by the same “pump and haul” system which serves the Town of Clifton.  
  

What exactly is Clifton RED advocating?

Clifton RED is seeking a thorough review of the renovation portion of the draft feasibility studies to ensure that they reflect the renovations to the school that are indeed needed to support its students. In addition, Clifton RED believes that the proposed Liberty school site is too far from the overcrowded schools to be able to provide a solution to the overcrowding without major boundary changes for the entire study area. We are confident that more limited, yet fully adequate, renovations to Clifton ES could reduce costs dramatically and free up funds to address overcrowding issues with solutions closer to the sites of the schools which are expected to be short of capacity.  Please see the Map below which illustrates where the worst overcrowding is predicted to occur .

I understand that Clifton RED is selling merchandise, like wrist bands and T-shirts. Why?

Clifton RED believes that the better informed and involved is the community, the better are the chances that the right decisions will ultimately be reached.  The wrist bands, T-shirts, and car magnets are all designed with this in mind – to inform the community and to encourage involvement.  There are nominal costs being charged by Clifton RED for these items for two purposes: (1) To help cover the production costs, and (2) To put some money aside in case needs develop over the next few months for consulting studies or the like to contribute to the resolution to the important technical or other issues surrounding the contemplated renovation of the unusual school that is Clifton ES.  If, at the conclusion of the process, there are any excess funds from the sale of RED merchandise, those excess funds will be donated to the non-profit Clifton Betterment Association.  

What is the next step?

On September 14th the School Board voted to ask the PTA Presidents at 23 southwest county elementary schools to name two individuals to participate in a new community engagement process that will examine issues involving our school. This ad hoc committee will participate in a regional school planning study based on: Concerns for increasing student enrollment and capacity deficits in many elementary schools in the southwestern region of the county; and challenges associated with the scheduled renovation of Clifton Elementary. It is critical that the participants selected are prepared to commit the time and effort needed to complete the assigned tasks. The individuals nominated should be willing to attend at least 75% of all meetings. The first meeting is scheduled for October 29th at 7pm at Liberty Middle School. Committee members may be required to work through the early part of 2010. If you would like to be considered for this very important position, please contact Patti Hopkins PTA President at pattihopkins@cox.net. Two individuals need to be selected by October 5th. 

Which elementary schools are involved in the study?

Bonnie Brae, Brookfield, Bull Run, Centre Ridge, Centreville, Clifton, Cub Run, Deer Park, Eagle View, Fairfax Villa, Fairview, Greenbriar East, Greenbriar West, Laurel Ridge, London Towne, Oak View, Poplar Tree, Powell, Providence, Sangster, Union Mill, Virginia Run and Willow Springs.

How can I help?

You already started by visiting our website. Sign up for email updates from this site; attend community meetings; talk to your neighbors, HOA members, civic group leaders, and PTA representatives; forward your ideas to Clifton RED; volunteer with Clifton RED.