Subject: Urgent Concerns Regarding Proposed Boundary Changes Affecting Poplar Heights/ Donna Lee Gardens Neighborhood

As a parent and a resident of the Donna Lee Gardens neighborhood (just north of Route 29), I’m writing to voice my strong opposition to the proposed boundary changes that would sever Timber Lane Elementary from the Longfellow/McLean school pyramid. This move strikes me as fundamentally at odds with the very goals of the boundary study and Policy 8130, which aim to minimize disruption, improve transportation, foster equity, and maintain community stability.

Our neighborhood, despite what a map might suggest, isn’t truly an “attendance island.” We only appear disconnected from the rest of the McLean pyramid because of a land transfer to Falls Church City back in 2014. In reality, our community is deeply integrated with the McLean schools.

This proposed change and the potential impact on transportation is a major concern. Reassigning our students to Luther Jackson Middle and Falls Church High would mean crossing Route 29, Route 50, and the Beltway—some of the most congested highways in our region. This isn’t just about longer commutes; it’s about increased complexity and significant safety risks for our children. It also directly contradicts FCPS Policy 8130, which stresses the importance of respecting natural and man-made barriers and prioritizing safe, efficient routes for school assignments.

Beyond the logistics, this proposal raises serious questions about equitable access. Moving Timber Lane, a Title I elementary school, out of the McLean pyramid effectively removes the only Title I representation from that school cluster. At the same time, it would add more enrollment pressure to Luther Jackson Middle, which is already projected to be over capacity (103% – at a 70 year old school!), while Longfellow Middle remains underutilized. This change seems to exacerbate existing disparities rather than resolve them.

We’re also quite troubled by the sudden and unexplained shift in the consultant’s recommendation. Our neighborhood was clearly shown as remaining in the McLean pyramid during the April 11 presentation. Yet, when the Boundary Explorer Tool was released on May 15, our zone had been quietly reassigned, with no public explanation or prior notice. This lack of transparency is truly concerning and undermines the community engagement process. We deserve to know what led to this change, why it happened, and to see the data that informed this new direction.

We strongly urge you to reject this boundary proposal in its current form. Instead, we ask for a more thoughtful, community-focused alternative that respects our neighborhood’s long-standing ties to the McLean pyramid, minimizes disruption, and upholds the School Board’s commitments to equity, safety, and transparency.

Sincerely,

Concerned Residents of Poplar Heights / Donna Lee Gardens Neighborhood