Mara - I am a bit confused - what did I agree to investigate? I don't even own a deerstalker hat or a magnifying glass. If you mean that I ran on accountability, compliance and transparency, OK fine - but investigate?

Nate, I was unable to attend the meeting but watched the video of it. I cannot speak for Sherman, but perhaps it was a little bit of both?

I can believe they did not know. Sherman is not one for details or actual work. He's all about self promotion.

Nate, what do you mean "until there is a new school built up there"? Are you talking about Potomac Yard? I was under the impression there were not plans to build an elementary school in PY (unless that is a recent development), which I always thought was crazy (and par for the course). Can someone clarify? Thanks.

Brett, as it says in the last two paragraphs of the story, the land where the Simpson Stadium Park soccer fields are currently located (near Route 1 and the Monroe Avenue Bridge) is reserved for the potential future construction of a school. Though west of Route 1, this area is included in the Potomac Yard Small Area Plan.

Brett - I just viewed a school in the future as being likely (but outside the CIP horizon) although I don't have the attendance projections to know whether my opinion has any basis. I have this vague recollection of reading that projected attendance was slated to grow in the 20's (beyond when these projections are likely accurate).

Thanks Drew.

That makes more sense.

After some thought, I have two points of disagreement.

This is not a tempest - the reaction has been muted as compared to other community reactions (parking, meat at a hamburger joint, waterfront plan, del ray trolley). While some consistently call for ACPS regime change, I am not such a person. I just want to know that ACPS understands the events that led to this embarrassing quote and implements fixes if that is appropriate.

This is not a teapot - the lion's share of the decision making body of the ACPS (super and 'many' of the school board, and staff) did not know this had been unresolved. I'm not looking for a witch hunt (mistakes happen) but I think the ACPS and the city has a strong interest in doing an analysis of why this happened because those quotes are not good. My concern is less the issue that they just triaged and more the next issue that we're not dealing with yet.

I think they need to figure out:
- what was the appropriate time for this decision to be finalized, documented, and publicized? (presumably before people were buying houses in the development)
- what was the trigger that should have kicked off this process? (internal ACPS, some other city department approval?)
- Why did the trigger not take place or why didn’t it work?
- What other decisions does the ACPS have to make and how do they track those to ensure they aren't getting lost.
- What other effects from ongoing development require ACPS action or attention?

Nate-my tempest in a teapot comment was not directed at you but rather at the perennial attackers of ACPS who weigh in at every opportunity to find fault in a way that I find to be completely unproductive. With regard to the timing on a Board vote to zone PY, I think it is reasonable to have waited to see if the new JH building would be approved before voting officially on where the PY kids would go. Without a new school somewhere it is hard to fathom where those kids would fit. The planning commission approved the JH building last week and it will go before City Council on 12/15. There is theoretically space allocated for a new school building in PY, but I understand there is serious question as to whether the land area allocated is sufficient to support a school building. As for school effects of development overall--a lot of this rests with City Council and ACPS is just left with figuring out how to deal with it.

Linda - understood on the comment and I hadn't viewed your comment as targeted in particular, more a statement on the overall issue.

I view this like we just saw a water stain in the ceiling of the house. There are many possible explanations that aren't particularly problematic (a conscious decision to wait might be part of that explanation although why wouldn't that have noted as part of the board discussion) and there are many possible explanations that are problematic. I think we should find the water source, rather than painting over the stain.

Yes, Gail, you certainly are one of those people. And you spelled perennial wrong, which I find ironic given your comment above about the former TC principal--a perfect illustration of my point about being unproductive.