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June 27, 2008

FairfaxCAPS Push Forward with Lawsuit

By Leslie Perales
Observer Staff Writer

Fairfax Coalition of Advocates for Public Schools, a group of parents who oppose redistricting plans in the western part of Fairfax County, struggled to raise the last few thousand dollars needed to go forward with a lawsuit against the Fairfax County School Board, but the group received the remaining $15,000 that it needed for legal fees last week.

FairfaxCAPS Director Scott Chronister said, “Everyone that we’ve talked to is amazed at the public response.” Chronister said that last week the group raised about $1,000 each day, which was “absolutely tremendous.” FairfaxCAPS and the Fairfax County School Board are scheduled to meet in court on July 3.

FairfaxCAPs formed in opposition to plans to redistrict schools in the western portion of Fairfax County, and in March a group of parents filed a lawsuit against the school board after it approved a plan that impacts about 225 students next school year. The plan transfers students from the Fox Mill Elementary School attendance area and a portion of the Floris Elementary School attendance area to South Lakes High School. The plan also brings students from the Madison High School attendance island to South Lakes, and reroutes some students from Chantilly High School to Oakton.