Families First – Youth and Family Activities

Roland Taylor serves as a member of the Fairfax County Athletic Council, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, School Board and county agencies on matters relating to sports in Fairfax County. Additionally, as Chairman of Scouting in Northwest Fairfax County. Past President Elect and Vice President of Herndon Optimist Club, former Herndon Reston Field Hockey Coach and former Youth Baseball Coach.

Roland and his wife Kathy have participated in all Herndon pyramid schools as their four children have progressed through their education. They have both been leaders in scouting programs for girls and boys, youth sports organizations, and the Herndon Band supporters. They firmly believe Herndon is a great place to raise a family.

Sadly the Town Council continues to push for higher density, low income housing, eased current restrictions on renting out spaces inside and in detached units. This has impacts to our schools and children’s education. According to recent US News reports Herndon Elementary School’s minority student enrollment is 82%. At Herndon Elementary, 65% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 54% scored at or above that level for reading. Compared with the district, the school did worse in math and worse in reading, according to this metric. In Fairfax County Public Schools, 77% of students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 84% tested at or above that level for math.

Our amazing community spirit and youth programs are what drew many to Herndon. Without high-density development Herndon is already at capacity on usage of community and county sports fields. Without any hope of new fields, Herndon and the county must invest in turf and lights on as many fields as possible to expand the usage to accommodate the demand. This will require investments that may not be possible if the town over commits in other areas. Once overcrowding and lack of sports fields begins, the sports programs and our youth will suffer.

By overcrowding our town with mass development, our school populations grow too large for current facilities. This requires more temporary buildings on campuses and ultimately, more County taxes for new expansion construction. The Town Officials must understand the cause and effect to their actions now and for years to come, both in taxes and quality of life.