Come early for refreshments and socializing! Doors open at 6:30.
Email president@aurorahighlands.org ASAP if you will need childcare.

**Note Change In Venue!** : Aurora Hills Library, Back Room

Meeting Agenda

• Introductions
• Community Updates
  • Recent Civic Federation vote on Parkland Acquisition resolution
  • Next AHCA social event
• For Discussion
  • Planning for School CapacitySchool Board Member Emma Violand-Sanchez will speak at 7:15; come with your questions.

    By 2025, Oakridge Elementary is estimated to have 50% more students than it was built for.  One way the school board is likely to address this issue is through boundary changes.  Another potential way is through building new schools or expanding others.  Our area needs to make our voices heard about how we want the school board to address these capacity issues.  Right now, the school board is in the process of formulating its Capital Improvement Plan, which is the process by which it decides where in Arlington it will spend money for construction and building improvements for the next 10 years.  Without more community involvement, we will lose our voice in the decision-making process.  We need to advocate now for money to be spent in our area for 2025 and beyond.

    If these issues are important to you, please Come to the AHCA meeting on Wednesday and

    contact Rob Sidman at recordingsecretary@aurorahighlands.org to join the AHCA Schools Committee and learn more about what you can do to help.  We are putting together a group to strategize with our sister civic associations in 22202 about the most effective advocacy.

  • Proposal for a New Vision of Virginia Highlands ParkFunding is already in place for design replacement of the west side of VHP, with construction anticipated in 2017–2018. The County is expected to allocate funds to redo the two softball fields along Joyce St. With so much of VHP dedicated to recreational fields and courts, now is the time to consider whether the west side should be redeveloped so that it benefits all residents.

    An AHCA subcommittee has drafted a proposal to restore balance to VHP by transforming the west side into a vibrant public park with creatively designed open green space. The vision is a park that would accommodate the broad constituency represented in our diverse and rapidly growing population, and would benefit the neighborhood and the County in a multitude of ways.

    This is not a proposal for a specific park design. It is to replace the exclusive softball fields on the west side with a different sort of community park. To see the proposal, including suggestions and images of what might be included, please go to https://aurorahighlands.org/news/vhp-proposal/ .

    The AHCA will be voting on this proposal at its Feb. 10 meeting. If you want to vote, please make sure your membership dues are paid up. You can pay with PayPal at our website www.aurorahighlands.org or bring your check to the meeting.

    If the AHCA membership supports the proposal, then AHCA would reach out to our sister civic associations, other interested groups, the Parks Department, and the County Board to build support for it.