To the Editor:
In their letter to the editor "Where was Cathy Belter" on Oct. 23, Ms. Manville et al. state that Springfield District schools, specifically Greenbriar East Elementary, Greenbriar West Elementary and West Springfield High, have been "left out" in the school bond funding process. This is not true, and as the Springfield District representative to the Fairfax County Citizens for the School Bond 2003 committee, I write to correct these inaccuracies and set the record straight.
Left out? Not at all. Just one look at the FCPS [Fairfax County Public Schools] Capital Improvement Plan shows that the renewals of both Greenbriar East and Greenbriar West elementary schools have already been both planned and funded. Both were on the 1999 bond for planning funds, and then on the 2001 bond for funding, and are now scheduled for construction. Left out? West Springfield High School was funded through the 2001 bond for its needed electrical and technology upgrades, with the work scheduled to begin in FY ‘05. Add those bond projects to: recent renewals at Orange Hunt Elementary, Hunt Valley Elementary, Irving Middle and Chantilly High; the new Liberty Middle; a funded addition to Silverbrook Elementary; and funded electrical and technology upgrades to Centreville High and Rocky Run Middle. It seems that Springfield District schools have been not left out, but quite to the contrary, have been well-supported by bond funding.
But, what about this year? Is, as these writers also stated, Springfield District left out of the 2003 Bond program? Not at all. There is $1.3 million dollars in the bond designated for planning a new elementary school in our district, as well as $2.6 million in funding for a 14-room addition at Chantilly High, which serves children from both Sully and Springfield districts. Among other projects, the bond program will also fund school security upgrades, physical plant upgrades and an adult education center, which will benefit students of all ages county-wide.
It is truly regretful that some would spread false information and seek to undermine Springfield District voter support for this critical and ongoing capital improvement program in order to further a partisan political agenda. School bonds have historically received strong, bipartisan support and are a cost-effective and well-considered method of meeting the ongoing capital improvement needs of all of our county schools based on an independent analysis of need. Springfield District schools have benefited and will continue to benefit from this funding source. Well-equipped and safe schools benefit our children, our community and our local economy when businesses locate here and stay here. Anyone interested in the facts on the bond programs, past and present, may visit our committee Web site at www.fairfaxschoolbond.org. I urge you to vote yes on the school bond referendum on Nov. 4.
Jennifer Heinz
Springfield District Representative
Fairfax County Citizens for the School Bond 2003