Request for FCPS to Provide Additional Data on Cardinal Forest/Keene Mill Boundary Review
The Issue
At this stage, we are simply requesting additional data regarding both a logical boundary adjustment option and the 2026-2027 enrollment figures, which have not yet been formally released. We have received indications that enrollment may be substantially lower than last year, and we believe it is important for all stakeholders to base discussions and decisions on accurate, complete information. Taking the time to review all available options and supporting data is a reasonable and responsible part of the process. Doing so promotes informed community feedback, transparency, and confidence that all alternatives have been thoughtfully considered. We remain open to additional conversations and discussions as more information becomes available, and personally, I am happy to speak with anyone who may be impacted by these potential changes, as we truly want to find a solution that works best.
We ask families to sign this petition simply to request the additional data to ensure we are working with current numbers and providing informed feedback. If you would like to sign a paper petition, please DM me. I will also be available at Back to School Night for discussion and other questions.
PROPOSAL
It is imperative that FCPS and the School Board evaluate and provide capacity data on the alternative boundary adjustment proposal below that more fully aligns with all objectives outlined in Boundary Policy 8130.
It is also recommended that FCPS and the School Board provide data and scenarios on capacity for both 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 (after the 9/30 enrollment deadline) to ensure the latest capacity numbers are being used for the final proposal.
Requests for community feedback should be delayed until the 2026-2027 enrollment/capacity numbers have been reported/released.
All requested data should be provided prior to the final community input period to allow informed feedback from all groups.
Completing this process ensures the FCPS and the Board are doing their due diligence on all potential options that could meet the objectives of Boundary Policy 8130 and allow for transparency in this process.
______________________________________________________________________
Boundary Adjustment Data Requested
This proposal requests data on moving only the Langbrook neighborhood, generally defined by Carrleigh Parkway to the north and west and Langbrook to the south and east, to Keene Mill Elementary School (KMES) - a map and key is located below. This approach reflects a logical and geographically cohesive adjustment consistent with FCPS Boundary 8130 objectives. Map of area under discussion:
Figure 1: Green shading shows proposed new boundary for the Langbrook neighborhood in Keene Mill. Blue shading shows existing Cardinal Forest Boundary. Yellow shading is the existing Keene Mill Boundary. This is a close up the proposed Langbrook area to move to Keene Mill.
Figure 2: Shows the area of Donset to be moved to Keene Mill shaded in green. This is a fast walking route with a path directly from the neighborhood past Irving Middle School to Keene Mill Elementary. The green shading shows areas in the Langbrook and Donset neighborhoods proposed for moving to Keene Mill. The yellow shading shows existing Keene Mill boundaries. The orange shading shows Rolling Valley existing boundaries. The blue shading shows Cardinal Forest boundaries with new changes.
Proposal Alignment with Boundary Policy 8130 Objectives
1. Access to Programming
This new map considers a balanced impact on all students and populations. It provides minimal disruption to the overall community, while meeting the other objectives outlined. This allows for community cohesion.
2. Balance Enrollment Capacity
This proposal alleviates overcrowding at CFES while also contributing to more balanced capacity across CFES, Irving Middle School, and West Springfield High School.
The movement of Langbrook to Keene Mill reduces capacity at Cardinal Forest in a more balanced approach.
3. Proximity and Reduction of an Attendance Island
Reassigning part of SPA 8816 to White Oaks Elementary eliminates an attendance island. This allows for Cardinal Forest to not incur the increased capacity that was indicated in the January study. This then creates room to add the remaining SPA 8821 and the Langbrook neighborhood at Keene Mill.
This proposal provides contiguous attendance zones with Keene Mill now stretching up to Carrleigh on the north border, to Langbrook on the Northeast, and Carrleigh Parkway on the Northwest. It maintains a contiguous zone for Cardinal Forest down Carrleigh Parkway.
This puts a natural geographical boundary around an area of walkers in the Langbrook area to Keene Mill. The addition to Keene Mill from the Langbrook neighborhood neatly fits into a street and geographical division, outlined by Carrleigh at the north and west and Langbrook at the south and east. A stream to the southeast of the Cardinal Forest boundary on eastern Carrleigh nicely delineates between Cardinal Forest and Keene Mill boundaries.
4. Transportation
The proposed neighborhood section is fully located within exactly a mile or less of Keene Mill Elementary from all points and is connected via Greeley Boulevard without major “no cross” streets. This creates a safe and viable walking zone, reducing reliance on bus transportation and aligning with FCPS walkability criteria. Similar proximity benefits apply to the Donset neighborhood.
Figure 4: Donset neighborhood walkability to Keene Mill - blue line shows alternative walking path behind Irving and away from Old Keene Mill
Figure 5: Shows walking distance from most western part of Langbrook to Keene Mill at .9 miles.
Figure 6: Shows walking distance from most eastern part of Langbrook to Keene Mill at .7 miles.
Figure 7: Shows walking distance from northernmost part of boundary at .7 miles.
Neighborhoods outside this proposed boundary zone generally exceed one mile in distance (most are 1.5 miles or more). All homes east of Merryvale are outside the 1 mile walk option and all homes north of Carrleigh are a “no cross” street, meaning they would require bussing. The movement of this neighborhood section to Keene Mill reduces transportation needs for FCPS.
For those further east on Cardinal Forest and north of Carrleigh past Carrleigh Park, they will need a bus regardless of they where they go. The time it takes to get to Cardinal Forest from Carrleigh Parkway outside the Langbrook neighborhood is equally as fast by bus to Cardinal Forest and is a more direct route, meaning keeping them at Cardinal Forest aligns with Boundary Policy 8130. This keeps the part of Carrleigh Parkway that would be bussed no matter which school they would go to at Cardinal Forest, helping maintain a cohesive community that balances concerns around the adjustments.
There are no direct routes to Keene Mill for eastern Carrleigh without going through the Keene Mill Heights neighborhood, making the straight shot to Cardinal Forest an easier and safer transportation maneuver of equal time.
Figure 8: Two images showing an equal distance at 8:45 a.m. to both elementary schools from the easternmost point on Carrleigh.
Figure 9: Indicates the more straightforward transportation route to Cardinal Forest compared to Keene Mill for those past the proposed neighborhood section. Carrleigh to Keene Mill has more stops and turns, including a left turn, than it does to Cardinal Forest. Red squares indicate stop signs. Yellow circles indicate right turns. Red circles indicate left turns. This indicates the ease of transportation to Cardinal Forest compared to Keene Mill.
2026-2027 Enrollment Numbers
At the 9/14/2026 Boundary Review Meeting, it was brought to the group’s attention that capacity is significantly lower now at Cardinal Forest for the 2026-2027 year. FCPS indicated that they are waiting on the final enrollment data deadline of 9/30 to provide 2026-2027 numbers. FCPS should provide these updated numbers to community members before the next community input period. It is also requested that the deadline for community feedback be released until after the 9/30 data is shared to allow for informed input from the community. This allows for accurate proposals and final decisions moving forward.
Conclusion and Recommendation for Review
This request for data and proposal evaluation represents a balanced and practical approach to addressing capacity challenges while maintaining focus on transportation, proximity, and long-term stability. It offers the potential for a clear opportunity to relieve overcrowding at CFES and meets all objectives of Boundary Policy 8130.
It is recommended that FCPS staff and decision-makers conduct a site visit and further evaluate this proposal in detail, providing the requested capacity and AAP data before the next community input period, as it presents a potential logical, policy-aligned solution that supports both operational efficiency and outcomes for students. It is also recommended that FCPS provide data on capacity impact of this proposal using the new 2026-2027 data before the next community input period.
It is important for the FCPS and the Board to do their due diligence in the Boundary Review and explore any potential options that meet Boundary 8130 in full. It is also imperative that FCPS and the Board provide the requested data before the final community input period for transparency in the process.
66
The Issue
At this stage, we are simply requesting additional data regarding both a logical boundary adjustment option and the 2026-2027 enrollment figures, which have not yet been formally released. We have received indications that enrollment may be substantially lower than last year, and we believe it is important for all stakeholders to base discussions and decisions on accurate, complete information. Taking the time to review all available options and supporting data is a reasonable and responsible part of the process. Doing so promotes informed community feedback, transparency, and confidence that all alternatives have been thoughtfully considered. We remain open to additional conversations and discussions as more information becomes available, and personally, I am happy to speak with anyone who may be impacted by these potential changes, as we truly want to find a solution that works best.
We ask families to sign this petition simply to request the additional data to ensure we are working with current numbers and providing informed feedback. If you would like to sign a paper petition, please DM me. I will also be available at Back to School Night for discussion and other questions.
PROPOSAL
It is imperative that FCPS and the School Board evaluate and provide capacity data on the alternative boundary adjustment proposal below that more fully aligns with all objectives outlined in Boundary Policy 8130.
It is also recommended that FCPS and the School Board provide data and scenarios on capacity for both 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 (after the 9/30 enrollment deadline) to ensure the latest capacity numbers are being used for the final proposal.
Requests for community feedback should be delayed until the 2026-2027 enrollment/capacity numbers have been reported/released.
All requested data should be provided prior to the final community input period to allow informed feedback from all groups.
Completing this process ensures the FCPS and the Board are doing their due diligence on all potential options that could meet the objectives of Boundary Policy 8130 and allow for transparency in this process.
______________________________________________________________________
Boundary Adjustment Data Requested
This proposal requests data on moving only the Langbrook neighborhood, generally defined by Carrleigh Parkway to the north and west and Langbrook to the south and east, to Keene Mill Elementary School (KMES) - a map and key is located below. This approach reflects a logical and geographically cohesive adjustment consistent with FCPS Boundary 8130 objectives. Map of area under discussion:
Figure 1: Green shading shows proposed new boundary for the Langbrook neighborhood in Keene Mill. Blue shading shows existing Cardinal Forest Boundary. Yellow shading is the existing Keene Mill Boundary. This is a close up the proposed Langbrook area to move to Keene Mill.
Figure 2: Shows the area of Donset to be moved to Keene Mill shaded in green. This is a fast walking route with a path directly from the neighborhood past Irving Middle School to Keene Mill Elementary. The green shading shows areas in the Langbrook and Donset neighborhoods proposed for moving to Keene Mill. The yellow shading shows existing Keene Mill boundaries. The orange shading shows Rolling Valley existing boundaries. The blue shading shows Cardinal Forest boundaries with new changes.
Proposal Alignment with Boundary Policy 8130 Objectives
1. Access to Programming
This new map considers a balanced impact on all students and populations. It provides minimal disruption to the overall community, while meeting the other objectives outlined. This allows for community cohesion.
2. Balance Enrollment Capacity
This proposal alleviates overcrowding at CFES while also contributing to more balanced capacity across CFES, Irving Middle School, and West Springfield High School.
The movement of Langbrook to Keene Mill reduces capacity at Cardinal Forest in a more balanced approach.
3. Proximity and Reduction of an Attendance Island
Reassigning part of SPA 8816 to White Oaks Elementary eliminates an attendance island. This allows for Cardinal Forest to not incur the increased capacity that was indicated in the January study. This then creates room to add the remaining SPA 8821 and the Langbrook neighborhood at Keene Mill.
This proposal provides contiguous attendance zones with Keene Mill now stretching up to Carrleigh on the north border, to Langbrook on the Northeast, and Carrleigh Parkway on the Northwest. It maintains a contiguous zone for Cardinal Forest down Carrleigh Parkway.
This puts a natural geographical boundary around an area of walkers in the Langbrook area to Keene Mill. The addition to Keene Mill from the Langbrook neighborhood neatly fits into a street and geographical division, outlined by Carrleigh at the north and west and Langbrook at the south and east. A stream to the southeast of the Cardinal Forest boundary on eastern Carrleigh nicely delineates between Cardinal Forest and Keene Mill boundaries.
4. Transportation
The proposed neighborhood section is fully located within exactly a mile or less of Keene Mill Elementary from all points and is connected via Greeley Boulevard without major “no cross” streets. This creates a safe and viable walking zone, reducing reliance on bus transportation and aligning with FCPS walkability criteria. Similar proximity benefits apply to the Donset neighborhood.
Figure 4: Donset neighborhood walkability to Keene Mill - blue line shows alternative walking path behind Irving and away from Old Keene Mill
Figure 5: Shows walking distance from most western part of Langbrook to Keene Mill at .9 miles.
Figure 6: Shows walking distance from most eastern part of Langbrook to Keene Mill at .7 miles.
Figure 7: Shows walking distance from northernmost part of boundary at .7 miles.
Neighborhoods outside this proposed boundary zone generally exceed one mile in distance (most are 1.5 miles or more). All homes east of Merryvale are outside the 1 mile walk option and all homes north of Carrleigh are a “no cross” street, meaning they would require bussing. The movement of this neighborhood section to Keene Mill reduces transportation needs for FCPS.
For those further east on Cardinal Forest and north of Carrleigh past Carrleigh Park, they will need a bus regardless of they where they go. The time it takes to get to Cardinal Forest from Carrleigh Parkway outside the Langbrook neighborhood is equally as fast by bus to Cardinal Forest and is a more direct route, meaning keeping them at Cardinal Forest aligns with Boundary Policy 8130. This keeps the part of Carrleigh Parkway that would be bussed no matter which school they would go to at Cardinal Forest, helping maintain a cohesive community that balances concerns around the adjustments.
There are no direct routes to Keene Mill for eastern Carrleigh without going through the Keene Mill Heights neighborhood, making the straight shot to Cardinal Forest an easier and safer transportation maneuver of equal time.
Figure 8: Two images showing an equal distance at 8:45 a.m. to both elementary schools from the easternmost point on Carrleigh.
Figure 9: Indicates the more straightforward transportation route to Cardinal Forest compared to Keene Mill for those past the proposed neighborhood section. Carrleigh to Keene Mill has more stops and turns, including a left turn, than it does to Cardinal Forest. Red squares indicate stop signs. Yellow circles indicate right turns. Red circles indicate left turns. This indicates the ease of transportation to Cardinal Forest compared to Keene Mill.
2026-2027 Enrollment Numbers
At the 9/14/2026 Boundary Review Meeting, it was brought to the group’s attention that capacity is significantly lower now at Cardinal Forest for the 2026-2027 year. FCPS indicated that they are waiting on the final enrollment data deadline of 9/30 to provide 2026-2027 numbers. FCPS should provide these updated numbers to community members before the next community input period. It is also requested that the deadline for community feedback be released until after the 9/30 data is shared to allow for informed input from the community. This allows for accurate proposals and final decisions moving forward.
Conclusion and Recommendation for Review
This request for data and proposal evaluation represents a balanced and practical approach to addressing capacity challenges while maintaining focus on transportation, proximity, and long-term stability. It offers the potential for a clear opportunity to relieve overcrowding at CFES and meets all objectives of Boundary Policy 8130.
It is recommended that FCPS staff and decision-makers conduct a site visit and further evaluate this proposal in detail, providing the requested capacity and AAP data before the next community input period, as it presents a potential logical, policy-aligned solution that supports both operational efficiency and outcomes for students. It is also recommended that FCPS provide data on capacity impact of this proposal using the new 2026-2027 data before the next community input period.
It is important for the FCPS and the Board to do their due diligence in the Boundary Review and explore any potential options that meet Boundary 8130 in full. It is also imperative that FCPS and the Board provide the requested data before the final community input period for transparency in the process.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on September 14, 2026