Update on Wilson School

1. School Board Candidates to Tour Wilson School.
NRCA has invited the two announced candidates for APS Board, Abby Raphael and Mark Dorfman, to tour the Wilson School.
Abby will join us first, this Saturday 3/10 at 9AM
Mark will join us on Saturday 3/31 at 9AM.
Join us. The 2007 local elections may be our best chance to influence ˜deciders' about the future of Wilson School.
http://www.markdorfman.org/
http://www.abbyraphael.org/

2. MultiSite Study Committee (MSSC) to complete its work.
The School Board commissioned a study group, composed of principals and teachers, plus community representatives, to review plans for several sites owned by APS. Wilson School is among those sites. Several options are under consideration, with the most likely, alas, being development of most of the site via 60 year ground lease. The committee holds its last meeting on 3/7. A consultant to the School Board will report recommendations to the School Board in early April.
A number of activists from our community have made statements before the MSSC calling for preservation of green space plus the school building.
http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/facilities/planning/mss.shtml

3. Film to Save Wilson School.
Wayne Westbrook who lives in the Atrium has been shooting a film to discuss the importance of the Wilson School Many residents of North Rosslyn have helped out. We expect to make this film available on Public Access Channel 69, and on YouTube.

4. Citizen Reactions.
A number of civic activists have expressed support for preservation of Wilson School. I understand that several home owners and condo associations are discussing resolutions. Also, the Parks Committee of the Arlington County Civic Federation has proposed a resolution that the Wilson School green space be preserved. This will be discussed at a multi-committee meeting on March 26 and then taken up by the Civic Federation in early April. The draft resolution plus information on upcoming meetings are posted on Civic Federation website.
http://www.civfed.org/

5. Historic Preservation.
The Arlington County Historic Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) has received a petition from to declare Wilson School an historic site. Initial reactions seem positive. The HALRB should come to some decision on this by the end of the month. That recommendation then faces review by APS and the County Board.
http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/Commissions/Histo...AffairsLandmark.aspx