Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
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WASHINGTON — From playgrounds and transportation to schools and affordable housing, officials in Fairfax County are taking new steps to ensure that minorities, those who live in poorer communities and other disadvantaged groups get the same opportunities as other county residents.
A new policy adopted Tuesday by the county’s Board of Supervisors will consider the “equity” of all decisions going forward.
“We’re looking through the lens of equity to make sure that all people within our community have … the same potential for opportunity, including workforce development, education, employment, affordable housing … [and] healthy living,” Chairman Sharon Bulova said.
The development of turf playing fields was brought up as a specific example of how equity could have been better factored into prior county decisions. Many of the fields were initially funded by booster clubs or large sports organizations that could afford to offset the cost.
“I got news for you,” Supervisor Jeff McKay said. “In some parts of the county they’re paying for scholarships for kids to be able to play on a team. They’re not building turf fields because they’re just letting kids have an opportunity to play.”
“I think it’s very clear that there are different opportunities in this county depending on where you live and depending on what school you go to,” McKay said.
Supervisor Catharine Hudgins cited the presence of turf fields in wealthier areas of the county and concerns about the juvenile justice system as two of the clearest examples of why the county needs to put a new focus on equal opportunity.
“We sometimes are not the best that we can be,” she said.
Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors decides which county plans are funded and approved. The school board decides how money in the schools budget is spent.
County Executive Ed Long Jr. said the county will have metrics to measure the potential impacts of changes and the benefits new opportunities could provide.
While those metrics are important, Supervisor John Cook said less-tangible benefits may provide some of the greatest boosts.
“It matters when a child is 5, or 6, or 8, or 10 years old, whether that child believes he or she has an opportunity to achieve a dream,” Cook said. “[You] can’t measure that with a number, but it’s a concept we want to work towards.”
The resolution, which is also supported by the school board, passed without opposition — but not without some criticism. Linda Smyth was among supervisors who expressed concern that the measure may be too broad to have an impact.
“This is a lovely statement, nice words, but in some ways you do sort of sit back and say, ‘Where do we go from here?’” Smyth asked.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
Section_8_Sharon
()
Date: July 15, 2016 07:19PM
New Fairfax Co. policy puts stronger focus on ‘equity’ for underprivileged
WASHINGTON — From playgrounds and transportation to schools and affordable housing, officials in Fairfax County are taking new steps to ensure that minorities, those who live in poorer communities and other disadvantaged groups get the same opportunities as other county residents.
A new policy adopted Tuesday by the county’s Board of Supervisors will consider the “equity” of all decisions going forward.
“We’re looking through the lens of equity to make sure that all people within our community have … the same potential for opportunity, including workforce development, education, employment, affordable housing … [and] healthy living,” Chairman Sharon Bulova said.
The development of turf playing fields was brought up as a specific example of how equity could have been better factored into prior county decisions. Many of the fields were initially funded by booster clubs or large sports organizations that could afford to offset the cost.
“I got news for you,” Supervisor Jeff McKay said. “In some parts of the county they’re paying for scholarships for kids to be able to play on a team. They’re not building turf fields because they’re just letting kids have an opportunity to play.”
“I think it’s very clear that there are different opportunities in this county depending on where you live and depending on what school you go to,” McKay said.
Supervisor Catharine Hudgins cited the presence of turf fields in wealthier areas of the county and concerns about the juvenile justice system as two of the clearest examples of why the county needs to put a new focus on equal opportunity.
“We sometimes are not the best that we can be,” she said.
Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors decides which county plans are funded and approved. The school board decides how money in the schools budget is spent.
County Executive Ed Long Jr. said the county will have metrics to measure the potential impacts of changes and the benefits new opportunities could provide.
While those metrics are important, Supervisor John Cook said less-tangible benefits may provide some of the greatest boosts.
“It matters when a child is 5, or 6, or 8, or 10 years old, whether that child believes he or she has an opportunity to achieve a dream,” Cook said. “[You] can’t measure that with a number, but it’s a concept we want to work towards.”
The resolution, which is also supported by the school board, passed without opposition — but not without some criticism. Linda Smyth was among supervisors who expressed concern that the measure may be too broad to have an impact.
“This is a lovely statement, nice words, but in some ways you do sort of sit back and say, ‘Where do we go from here?’” Smyth asked.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
kdmuX
()
Date: July 15, 2016 07:34PM
Section_8_Sharon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The development of turf playing fields was brought
> up as a specific example of how equity could have
> been better factored into prior county decisions.
> Many of the fields were initially funded by
> booster clubs or large sports organizations that
> could afford to offset the cost.
What does this mean? Is the upshot that even if the local boosters or community organizations are willing to pay for some improvement or equipment or supplies - unless ALL schools get the same thing it's going to be nixed?
This is exactly why school boards in Virginia should NOT be county-wide. School boards should be LOCAL to the community they are in. The way many other states do it. That way each community can look after their own interests instead of being controlled by what is happening in an altogether different area. Having a single school board controlling several 100 schools is absurd.
-------------------------------------------------------
> The development of turf playing fields was brought
> up as a specific example of how equity could have
> been better factored into prior county decisions.
> Many of the fields were initially funded by
> booster clubs or large sports organizations that
> could afford to offset the cost.
What does this mean? Is the upshot that even if the local boosters or community organizations are willing to pay for some improvement or equipment or supplies - unless ALL schools get the same thing it's going to be nixed?
This is exactly why school boards in Virginia should NOT be county-wide. School boards should be LOCAL to the community they are in. The way many other states do it. That way each community can look after their own interests instead of being controlled by what is happening in an altogether different area. Having a single school board controlling several 100 schools is absurd.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
Deal with it
()
Date: July 15, 2016 07:40PM
"What does this mean? Is the upshot that even if the local boosters or community organizations are willing to pay for some improvement or equipment or supplies - unless ALL schools get the same thing it's going to be nixed?"
Yes, that is exactly what it means. Welcome to the southern extension of Montgomery County.
Yes, that is exactly what it means. Welcome to the southern extension of Montgomery County.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
We need less not more
()
Date: July 15, 2016 07:43PM
This is exactly why school boards in Virginia should NOT be county-wide. School boards should be LOCAL
That would be a nightmare
That would be a nightmare
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
blast from the past
()
Date: July 15, 2016 08:43PM
In 2011, the "Synthetic Turf Task Force" issued a resolution stating "Fairfax County citizens benefit from the installation of artificial turf fields."
It seems they did not think that through.
Everyone participating in this expensive, elitist, and exclusionary debacle should be fired. Elected officials supporting this should resign and barred from holding further office in Fairfax.
Turf fields. What a joke.
Attachments:
It seems they did not think that through.
Everyone participating in this expensive, elitist, and exclusionary debacle should be fired. Elected officials supporting this should resign and barred from holding further office in Fairfax.
Turf fields. What a joke.
Attachments:
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
idiots abound
()
Date: July 16, 2016 04:59AM
Liberal's fuck up their communities until they can't stand to live in what they created, then they come here to a community they like, and proceed to turn it into what they just left by instituting the same liberal bullshit that never worked before. Thus turning their current community into a place they have to leave and, well, what is the definition of insanity again?
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
I got mine
()
Date: July 16, 2016 06:47AM
We need less not more Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is exactly why school boards in Virginia
> should NOT be county-wide. School boards should be
> LOCAL
>
> That would be a nightmare
Are you still angry about Brown vs. Board of Education?
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is exactly why school boards in Virginia
> should NOT be county-wide. School boards should be
> LOCAL
>
> That would be a nightmare
Are you still angry about Brown vs. Board of Education?
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
Retired Volunteer
()
Date: July 16, 2016 07:28AM
Section_8_Sharon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> “I got news for you,” Supervisor Jeff McKay
> said. “In some parts of the county they’re
> paying for scholarships for kids to be able to
> play on a team. They’re not building turf fields
> because they’re just letting kids have an
> opportunity to play.”
>
> “I think it’s very clear that there are
> different opportunities in this county depending
> on where you live and depending on what school you
> go to,” McKay said.
>
What a load of crap.
Take one of the youth clubs in Jeff McKay's own district: Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC). LMVSC charges the kids $1,800 to play travel soccer, plus team fees of hundreds of dollars. Their "Executive Director," Lula Bauer whines constantly about scholarship players, while pocketing $78,084 for her "services" each year. Her hard-working assistants, Tanya Barrows and Kelly Johnson, took only $6,000 and $6,490, respectively, but their part-time technical director, Estaban Maldonado takes $70,683. Even youth development director Mitchel Gore pockets $23,935. Unsurprisingly, all are members of the club's board of directors. They go to McKay with the "equity" bullshit to try to get million-dollar turf put on their fields for free. From the board's perspective, the money they pay these people is then good return on investment.
Contrast that with neighboring clubs Springfield-South County Youth Club and Annandale Boys and Girls Club. Using mostly volunteer parents, they hosted tournaments to raise money to install synthetic turf on school and park fields long ignored by the county. While ABGC does not have the money or political connections of the wealthy Mount Vernon residents, they manage to support hundreds of needy children who would not be able to afford afternoon sports. Neither of these clubs pay as much to their directors as LMVSC.
"Equity" is just another term for "give us more free stuff." It's not right. If these clubs want turf fields, let their highly-paid administrators figure out how to raise the money from within their own clubs.
-------------------------------------------------------
> “I got news for you,” Supervisor Jeff McKay
> said. “In some parts of the county they’re
> paying for scholarships for kids to be able to
> play on a team. They’re not building turf fields
> because they’re just letting kids have an
> opportunity to play.”
>
> “I think it’s very clear that there are
> different opportunities in this county depending
> on where you live and depending on what school you
> go to,” McKay said.
>
What a load of crap.
Take one of the youth clubs in Jeff McKay's own district: Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC). LMVSC charges the kids $1,800 to play travel soccer, plus team fees of hundreds of dollars. Their "Executive Director," Lula Bauer whines constantly about scholarship players, while pocketing $78,084 for her "services" each year. Her hard-working assistants, Tanya Barrows and Kelly Johnson, took only $6,000 and $6,490, respectively, but their part-time technical director, Estaban Maldonado takes $70,683. Even youth development director Mitchel Gore pockets $23,935. Unsurprisingly, all are members of the club's board of directors. They go to McKay with the "equity" bullshit to try to get million-dollar turf put on their fields for free. From the board's perspective, the money they pay these people is then good return on investment.
Contrast that with neighboring clubs Springfield-South County Youth Club and Annandale Boys and Girls Club. Using mostly volunteer parents, they hosted tournaments to raise money to install synthetic turf on school and park fields long ignored by the county. While ABGC does not have the money or political connections of the wealthy Mount Vernon residents, they manage to support hundreds of needy children who would not be able to afford afternoon sports. Neither of these clubs pay as much to their directors as LMVSC.
"Equity" is just another term for "give us more free stuff." It's not right. If these clubs want turf fields, let their highly-paid administrators figure out how to raise the money from within their own clubs.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
Vomitous
()
Date: July 16, 2016 07:35AM
idiots abound Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liberal's fuck up their communities until they
> can't stand to live in what they created, then
> they come here to a community they like, and
> proceed to turn it into what they just left by
> instituting the same liberal bullshit that never
> worked before. Thus turning their current
> community into a place they have to leave and,
> well, what is the definition of insanity again?
Stupid ass piece of shit. Conservafucks don't know their fat asses from a god-damned hole in the ground. We've had to drag you throw-back dumbshits into modernity every step of the way. We'd still be wallowing in rednecks and blue laws if you hayseed hicktards had managed to keep your hold on power. What a bunch of low-life droolers.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liberal's fuck up their communities until they
> can't stand to live in what they created, then
> they come here to a community they like, and
> proceed to turn it into what they just left by
> instituting the same liberal bullshit that never
> worked before. Thus turning their current
> community into a place they have to leave and,
> well, what is the definition of insanity again?
Stupid ass piece of shit. Conservafucks don't know their fat asses from a god-damned hole in the ground. We've had to drag you throw-back dumbshits into modernity every step of the way. We'd still be wallowing in rednecks and blue laws if you hayseed hicktards had managed to keep your hold on power. What a bunch of low-life droolers.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
Less not more
()
Date: July 16, 2016 07:39AM
I got mine Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We need less not more Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is exactly why school boards in Virginia
> > should NOT be county-wide. School boards should
> be
> > LOCAL
> >
> > That would be a nightmare
>
> Are you still angry about Brown vs. Board of
> Education?
No, great decision
We have to many school districts
As I remember we have more in the US than the rest of the world combined.
We need an overall standard
Just look a Texas basically changing history in the text books.
There needs to be some local input but a national standard is needed on the basics - IMHO
-------------------------------------------------------
> We need less not more Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is exactly why school boards in Virginia
> > should NOT be county-wide. School boards should
> be
> > LOCAL
> >
> > That would be a nightmare
>
> Are you still angry about Brown vs. Board of
> Education?
No, great decision
We have to many school districts
As I remember we have more in the US than the rest of the world combined.
We need an overall standard
Just look a Texas basically changing history in the text books.
There needs to be some local input but a national standard is needed on the basics - IMHO
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
Boost this
()
Date: July 16, 2016 07:47AM
Retired Volunteer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Equity" is just another term for "give us more free stuff."
It's actually another term for cram it down the throats of these loathsome, self-centered "Me-Me-Me" assholes who think the world revolves around them and their snotty little kids. Fuck off with that shit, loser. Everybody gets their piece of the pie. You and yours are not special. You aren't worth a plug nickel more than anyone else around here. Get used to that, assfuck. Know your role and stay within it.
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Equity" is just another term for "give us more free stuff."
It's actually another term for cram it down the throats of these loathsome, self-centered "Me-Me-Me" assholes who think the world revolves around them and their snotty little kids. Fuck off with that shit, loser. Everybody gets their piece of the pie. You and yours are not special. You aren't worth a plug nickel more than anyone else around here. Get used to that, assfuck. Know your role and stay within it.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
where the money should go
()
Date: July 16, 2016 11:06AM
If people want turf fields and so on they should set up athletic clubs and build them there. It is now clear that mixing booster funds with school funds is a bad idea.
The truth of the matter is that school funds have had to be used for these projects; if the boosters had gone off and done it on their own, we probably would not be having this silly debate about the meals tax.
The same argument applies to football-related activities such as cheerleading and marching band. People who want it should pay for it. It is a "nice to have" but when FCPS can't keep spending under control, the "nice to haves" don't get had.
The truth of the matter is that school funds have had to be used for these projects; if the boosters had gone off and done it on their own, we probably would not be having this silly debate about the meals tax.
The same argument applies to football-related activities such as cheerleading and marching band. People who want it should pay for it. It is a "nice to have" but when FCPS can't keep spending under control, the "nice to haves" don't get had.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
AR-15 and High Capacity Clip
()
Date: July 16, 2016 08:16PM
idiots abound Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liberal's fuck up their communities until they
> can't stand to live in what they created, then
> they come here to a community they like, and
> proceed to turn it into what they just left by
> instituting the same liberal bullshit that never
> worked before. Thus turning their current
> community into a place they have to leave and,
> well, what is the definition of insanity again?
They are like locusts and should be dealt with as such.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liberal's fuck up their communities until they
> can't stand to live in what they created, then
> they come here to a community they like, and
> proceed to turn it into what they just left by
> instituting the same liberal bullshit that never
> worked before. Thus turning their current
> community into a place they have to leave and,
> well, what is the definition of insanity again?
They are like locusts and should be dealt with as such.
Re: Finally, the BoS recognizes the turf field issue... millions of dollars too late
Posted by:
Over It
()
Date: July 16, 2016 09:38PM
I got mine Wrote:
> Are you still angry about Brown vs. Board of Education?
Yes. It solved nothing. Look at the number of "Charter" Schools in our cities. Hell, even BHO would not send his children to public schools in D.C. It has been and always will be a class issue, not a race issue.
> Are you still angry about Brown vs. Board of Education?
Yes. It solved nothing. Look at the number of "Charter" Schools in our cities. Hell, even BHO would not send his children to public schools in D.C. It has been and always will be a class issue, not a race issue.