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Take two
Nearly a month after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors rejected a $130 million plan to consolidate school headquarters in Falls Church, cash-strapped county residents continue to hammer school officials for ever considering such a proposal.With projected county revenue shortfalls approaching half a billion dollars, the negative public reaction to a state-of-the-art school administration building is hardly surprising.
Lost in the debate, however, is the fact that the school system's proposal represents more than marble floors, glass elevators and leather chairs.
It could also mean significant long-term savings for county taxpayers.
According to school officials, the price tag for the 275,000-square-foot building off Gallows Road is $52 million. Another $58 million is needed to renovate and furnish the building, with an additional $18 million being requested for potential cost overruns.
While those are eye-popping numbers, they shouldn't be viewed in a vacuum. Market conditions, which currently favor buyers, should also be part of the equation. There are other efficiencies to consider as well.
A new facility would allow the school system to vacate six county-owned administrative facilities, three of which would likely be converted to elementary schools and three of which would be transferred to the county. It would also allow the school system to end leases in four locations.
Assuming no cost increases, school officials insist cutting those leases and centralizing operations in Falls Church would save the county more than $20 million over the next 30 years.
If those numbers add up, the county would be wise to reconsider a plan that leads to long-term savings, streamlines numerous administrative duties and frees up additional classroom space.
After all, failing to look beyond the "here and now" contributed to the mess our economy is in today.
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