Welcome to The TJProject -
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Expansion & Renovation Project
All information concerning this project will be located here.
TJ EXPANSION WORKING DOCUMENTS
Questions? Concerns?
Are We Forgetting Something?
March 13, 2012 - Construction Forum
June 21, 2011 - School Board Meeting - City Hall
The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 was revised in 2009 by the Commonwealth of Virginia. A previous resolution (Resolution 2002-28) was originally adopted by the City Council in October 2002 and it was used for the public-private agreement that was entered into for the construction of the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. By adopting this resolution, the City will re-adopt these guidelines, reflecting the 2009 changes to state law.
May 26, 2011 - COMMUNITY FORUM - TJ Elementary Cafeteria
VIDEO: COMMUNITY FORUM - FCC-TV Video

Proposed outline (above in black) of the new addition - source: PSA-Dewberry
FCCPS Receives $3 mil Bond for TJ Elementary Expansion
The Falls Church City School Board’s efforts to address overcapacity in its schools at the lowest cost possible to the City taxpayer received a significant endorsement from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and the Virginia Department of Education (VDE) on March 3rd, 2011, as the City won a no-interest bond to right-size and expand Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
The Virginia Department of Education awarded Falls Church City Public Schools a $3 million Qualified School Construction Bond, or QSCB. Part of the federal economic stimulus package, QSCB provides near zero interest construction loans to local school districts across the United States. Falls Church was one of only 33 school divisions in Virginia to secure awards in the $229 million round.
“We are thrilled by and grateful for the state’s decision. A year from now, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School will hit capacity. Our City needed the tremendous financial opportunity and assistance afforded through a QSCB to meet growing student populations, create a 21st century learning community, and eliminate trailers. The state’s announcement comes at a critical time for the City and will save our taxpayers an estimated $1.3 million,” said School Board Chairman Joan Wodiska. “The School Board’s application represented the culmination of many years of work and countless long hours of meetings to formulate a long-term vision and solution for school facilities. Today’s announcement will help ensure that the City of Falls Church Public Schools will have adequate school facilities capable of providing a world-class education to every student.
By winning a QSCB, the School Board will save taxpayers approximately $1.3 million in interest charges compared to a similar project funded through traditional municipal bond efforts. FCCPS’ winning application focuses on:
- Right-sizing the Thomas Jefferson cafeteria so it meets the needs of the City’s growing student population;
- Adding 12 new classrooms to the current facility;
- Removing trailers from the current TJ site; and
- Providing wireless Internet at TJ, while also providing free Wi-Fi to low-income students to support learning outside of the school building.
“By working together – the School Board, City Council, Planning Commission, and the Long Range Financial Advisory Group – produced a decisive victory for City residents,” Chairman Wodiska said. “The School Board’s strong leadership to secure this QSCB award demonstrates our firm commitment to be effective stewards of both our children’s education and our City’s dollars. I am proud of our work and deeply grateful for everyone’s contribution to produce this community victory.”
Pursuit of a QSCB was the Falls Church City School Board’s top priority this fall, as the Board and FCCPS staff worked tirelessly to assemble all plans and documents necessary for the application. As part of the process, the School Board secured the endorsement of the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Long Range Financial Planning Work Group for its plan to add classrooms to TJ, while expanding common areas to meet a growing student population. Since the full amount requested ($5.95 million) was not awarded, the School Board, City Council and Planning Commission will need to discuss how the QSCB award of $3 million can be supplemented to achieve a project that addresses the capacity needs at TJ Elementary.
Detailed planning for the TJ expansion project will begin immediately. School officials expect construction to be completed for the start of the 2013-2014 school year.
The TJ plans are part of a comprehensive long-term facilities effort led by the School Board. The full FCCPS School Board Facilities plan can be found here. Details on Falls Church’s winning QSCB application can be found here. Details on the recent work of the School Board Facilities Advisory Work Group, now known as LEAPFROG or Long-range Education, Architecture, Planning, Finance, Research and Outreach Group – a collaborative effort of the School Board, City Council, and Planning Commission – can be found here.
The FCCPS School Facility Study
FACILITY STUDY WORKING DOCUMENTS
QSCB Related Documents
FACILITIES ADVISORY WORK GROUP WORKING DOCUMENTS
Additional Documents
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ASAC - Architect Selection Advisory Committee
Architect Selection and Advisory Committees work on capital projects where the impact of educational program issues is central to the design of the project. Internal space reorganizations, or large projects, such as roof replacement, or installation of sprinkler systems, where the specifics of the educational program do not impact on the design of the project, Architect Selection and Advisory Committees would not be appointed.
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- Thomas Jefferson & Mary Ellen Henderson Staff
- Julie Custer - 2nd grade teacher
- Lisa Allan - 4th grade teacher
- Jennie Ehrenzeller - Librarian
- Maria Harbison - Music teacher
- Mary Kay Howard - Assistant Principal
- Lisa Mueller - 5th grade teacher
- Bob Palermo - Principal
- Shelly Skomra - 3rd grade teacher
- Comunity Member
- Kathy Allan
- Kathy Chandler
- Kwafo Djan
- Debbie Hiscott
- Michelle Taylor
- Ad hoc
- Technology
- Maintenance
- Elementary PTA Member
- April Rollins - President
- Shawna Russell - Vice-President
LEAPFROG -
Long-range Educational Architect Planning
Facilities Research Outreach Group
- Kieran Sharpe - Falls Church School Board
- Greg Rasnake - Falls Church School Board
- (alt) Joan Wodiska - Falls Church School Board
- Robin Gardner - Falls Church City Council
- Lawrence Webb - Falls Church City Council
- (alt) Ira Kaylin - Falls Church City Council
- Rob Meeks - Falls Church Planning Commission
- John Lawrence - Falls Church Planning Commission
- (alt) Melissa Teates - Falls Church Planning Commission
LEAPFROG SUBCOMMITTEES
- Sites to Acquire/Sell/Swap -- John Lawrence and Kieran Sharpe
- Sources and Use of Funds -- Patrick Riccards and Robin Gardner
- Prospective Partners - Rob Meeks and Lawrence Webb
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
In The News
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