Officials examine overcrowding at Belvoir Elementary

Fort Belvoir and Fairfax County Public Schools officials said they are concerned about the overcrowded conditions at Fort Belvoir Elementary School and will work closely to address this in time for the 2009-2010 school year.

According to Denise James, director of Facilities and Planning Services for the FCPS, the school board will discuss the possibility of a boundary study and the scope of a study at a meeting today. An official vote on whether to do the study would follow April 2.

"Fairfax County Public Schools, the school board and the Army will explore all possible solutions on this matter,"James said. "While Fort Belvoir Elementary School is over its enrollment capacity by more than 200 students, nearby Woodlawn Elementary School is more than 200 students below its capacity. This is not the ultimate solution, but a potential first step towards alleviating overcrowding."

Though the FCPS planning staff has focused on a particular area for consideration in the scope of study, James said other boundary solutions will also be considered. She noted the school board may elect to expand the study to include other schools or Fort Belvoir areas.

Whatever the outcome, Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt is confident in the course of action from here on out.

"We will continue to work with Fairfax County Public Schools and the school board at offering the best quality education for our Soldiers and their families,"Blixt said. "This has no easy solution, but we will develop a plan together and determine what is best for those students."

If the school board votes to conduct a boundary study, James said the FCPS Web site will list frequently asked questions and their answers for interested residents.

Currently, information about the existing boundaries and general information about the FCPS boundary study can be found online at www.fcps.edu/fts/faq.htm .

In addition to capacity, transportation and school programs, officials said the study could include an examination of the number of students being dropped off at the Markham

School Age Services Building before and after school.

Public meetings on the topic will be held and scheduled as early as next month, James said.

(Fairfax County Public Schools contributed to this story.)