School Board Selects Name for New Middle School at Historic Stratford Site

Receives Recommendation from Washington-Lee High School Naming Committee

Updated Jan. 2: The Arlington School Board approved Dorothy Hamm Middle School as the name for the new middle school at the historic Stratford site. The decision to honor Dorothy Hamm was based on a recommendation from the naming committee made up of staff, students, families and community members.

Hamm was a community activist during the Civil Rights era who lived in Hall’s Hill and fought to integrate Arlington Public Schools. Hamm joined a civil action case in 1956 that sought to end segregation in Arlington schools and participated in a successful challenge to the Pupil Placement Act, which was designed to delay school integration while giving the appearance of compliance.

A tribute is being planned to be held on Mon, Feb. 4, 2019 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of integration at Stratford Jr. High which took place on Feb. 2, 1959. The new middle school will open in the Fall of 2019.

Proposed New Name for Washington-Lee High School
The renaming committee presented its recommendations to the School Board for the new name of Washington-Lee High School. The committee, made up of staff, students, alumni, parents, civic association and community representatives, is recommending Washington-Loving High School. The committee’s alternate recommendation is Washington-Liberty High School.

The Lovings won a landmark civil rights decision as the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state laws banning interracial marriage in 1967. This recommendation maintains the W-L acronym; continues to honor George Washington; adds recognition for more current history and heroes; celebrates the school’s growing diversity; aligns the W-L “brand” with today’s APS mission, vision and core values; and provides a unique opportunity for W-L to continue to discuss history and the importance of advancing civil rights and human rights for all.

The Board is expected to vote on the recommendation at the Jan. 10, 2019 meeting. To see the presentation and other information, visit BoardDocs.

APPOINTMENT:
The Board appointed Janae Rittenhouse as the Director of Counseling for Dorothy Hamm Middle School effective Jan. 10, 2019. Rittenhouse is currently the Director of Counseling at Williamsburg Middle School.

OTHER ACTION ITEMS:
The Board approved the following items:

• Summer School Fees – The School Board approved staff recommendations for Summer School Fees for 2019. The fees for elementary, middle and high school strengthening courses will remain the same as 2018. The full fee is $100 and the reduced fee is $56. To see the full presentation, click here.
• Change to the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the Fleet Elementary School – The School Board approved an increase to the GMP of $292,560. The change order is funded with project contingency funds that were included in the original budget approved by the Board, so no increase in funding is necessary. To see the initial staff presentation, click here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ITEMS:

• Revision of School Board Policy D-12.3 Travel Reimbursement – Staff presented an update to SBP D-12.3. Click here for more.
• FY 2018 Final Fiscal Status Report and CIP Quarterly Report – The Board was provided an update on FY2018 funds. To read the report and see staff recommendations, click here.
• Education Center Reuse Educational Specifications – Staff is recommending that the Board approve the educational specifications for the reuse of the Education Center at 1426 N. Quincy Street. The specifications include the project’s schedule of program spaces, capacity and detailed space requirements. Read more here.
• Change to the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Syphax Renovation – The Board is being asked to approve a revised project budget for the Syphax Education Center. The presentation is available online.

MONITORING ITEMS:Staff presented updates on the following items:

• Extended Day Update
• Policy Review Update

More information on both items are available on BoardDocs.

NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:
The School Board will hold its next Regular Meeting (2110 Washington Blvd.) on Thu, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. The agenda will be posted one week before the meeting on BoardDocs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Citizens who want to comment on any items discussed at the School Board meeting should email the Board at school.board@apsva.us or call 703-228-6015. School Board meetings are broadcast live on Comcast Cable Channel 70 and Verizon FiOS Channel 41; live-streamed on the APS website, and re-broadcast on Fridays at 9 p.m. and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. immediately following the meeting. All materials and minutes will be posted to the website at aps2016.apsva.us/schoolboard upon School Board approval at a subsequent meeting.