Record of meeting concerning the future of Wilson School and playfield, August 2, 2006.
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Present:
Mark Antell (North Rosslyn Civic Association-NRCA)
Stan Karson (Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association-RAFOM)
Dr. Robert Smith (Superintendent of Arlington Schools)
Clarence Stukes (Assistant Superintendent for Facilities and Operation).
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> This meeting was called by NRCA and RAFOM to discuss planning for the future of the Wilson School and playfield.
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> We (Karson/Antell) thanked Dr. Smith and Mr. Stukes for sitting down with us. We emphasized that our goal in this meeting was fact-finding, plus an opportunity to express a strong community desire to be involved in the planning process early, before decisions were made on what ought to be done with this property. We further indicated that at future meetings we expected to bring along more representatives from our civic associations, plus possibly other civic associations.
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> Dr. Smith told us that the school administration has, as yet, no long-term plans for Wilson School. They have budgeted $250K in School Year 2007 to study the long-term use of several properties including Wilson School, and that they will be meeting with County staff on this topic next week. Dr. Smith indicated that green space was likely one of the purposes of this planning, but that this might be included as part of a public/private development project. Antell and Karson indicated disquiet about such development of public space.
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> Dr. Smith told us that Wilson School likely will not be used for ˜swing space' in the next school year (School Year 2007). We (Karson/Antell) requested that the school board consider maintaining at least some minimal equipment in Wilson School so that community associations could continue to hold meetings in the school building. Dr. Smith and Mr. Stukes were unaware at the amount of current community use of the school building and said they would look into the possibility of keeping the building available.
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> Also, both of us (Karson/Antell) reminded Dr. Smith and Mr. Stukes that the Wilson School playfield was the only playfield within a mile of downtown Rosslyn. For the last decade it has been covered by trailers (the school administration prefers the term relocatable classrooms). We feel that the loss of our only playfield has been a serious burden for our community and we asked that school management consider providing some relief to the community, now, by removing the trailers, now. We (Karson/Antell) did not get a response to this request, but the school management agreed that they will include civic association involvement in the planning process early-on.
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> Dr. Smith indicated that the Wilson School property might be needed as 'swing space' for the Arlington Mill young adult education program in the School Year 2008. Also there might be some need for Wilson School 'swing space' use in School Year 2009, either for the Career Center or for the Reed School.
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> Also, we (Karson/Antell) restated our belief that elimination of the Wilson School was short-sighted. Sure the demographics today may not call for a school. But who knows what the demographics will look like in a decade?
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> Respectfully submitted: Mark Antell and Stan Karson