Vienna Opposes Redistricting For Madison High School

VIENNA, VA — A school redistricting plan that moves about 100 students who live in the northeast section of town from James Madison High School to George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church was officially condemned by the Vienna Town Council Monday night.

The council passed a resolution opposing the shift in which high schools students attend, according to a news release. The school board has been considering boundary changes throughout Fairfax County for the first time in nearly 40 years to alleviate crowding at some schools and to ensure equal access to programs.

Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and members of the Town Council urged the school board to reconsider the boundary change that affects Town of Vienna residents because James Madison High School has historically been at the heart of the community as the hometown high school.

“The proposed boundary change would disrupt the sense of community all Town of Vienna residents enjoy now,” said Mayor Linda Colbert in a statement. “Moving a small segment of students to another school away from the other town residents they’ve grown up with will not only make them feel excluded; it will disrupt their sense of stability which can have a detrimental impact on their academic success and emotional well-being.”

Mayor Colbert and parents of students who would be affected by the boundary change have also met
with school system leaders to express their concerns about the redistricting proposal.

A copy of the Town Council’s resolution will be sent to the Fairfax County School Board.

School officials will hold a public meeting regarding the proposed changes on Wednesday, Oct. 29,
from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Road in McLean.

In addition, community members may submit feedback to the current, “Scenario 4” proposed
boundary changes online: https://www.fcpsboundaryreview.org.

Public comment will be accepted through Nov. 14, the city said.