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Hello, Springfield District
I hope you are all having a wonderful summer! I wanted to drop you a quick note to check in about how things are progressing with the boundary work, advise you of a number of upcoming opportunities, and provide an update on the new FCPS website.
As explained below, the Board voted 9-2 in favor of the revised boundary policy at the July 18 regular meeting. I was proud of the work our board did to conclude the revision of this policy that started in 2018.
I also want to share why I personally voted no to my colleagues’ motion locking in phasing for up to seven grades depending on the school. My colleagues knew of my concerns that their proposal would cause increased crowding at some of our schools that are currently overcrowded. I supported the substitute language that was ultimately taken from the existing policy.
The amendment for the substitute language doesn't change the policy significantly from the draft I worked on in the Governance Committee over the last six months, and it does not lock the county into something we don't know is possible. It does, however, give enough flexibility to take advantage of the possibility of allowing ALL students to finish where they start if we can, which the original amendments would not have been able to ensure for elementary students.
The next phase of the process will take place with our Superintendent, Dr. Reid. She will use the updated policy to review and propose any future changes to school boundaries. One of the strongest aspects of this new policy is the required robust community engagement. No boundaries will be changed without the Board’s approval unless it’s a temporary emergency adjustment (i.e. fire, flood, etc). Not only will there be initial discussions in each region, but there will also be pyramid-level meetings once we determine if schools in a pyramid have a proposed change.
The School Board will vote on any recommended, permanent boundary changes, and there will eventually be an implementation date for the changes. All this to say, there is no set date for potential boundary changes. Whatever the timeline or the path forward, I know that all the School Board members feel strongly about keeping the public informed.
I will continue to keep you updated on the Board’s work regarding the Policy 8130 review in my monthly newsletters. I would encourage those looking for more information to be careful about where you are getting your information. Some articles and sources are posting false information meant to rile up members of our communities for their own gain. I will continue to work hard to keep you informed as I find out more about the plan.
For now, please see and continue to check the FCPS website for current information. You may also find more information about School Board meetings on our website. You may follow our work on the 2024-25 School Board Annual Work Plan.
I will be in touch soon!
Sandy Anderson
School Board Work
Boundary Policy Update
The Fairfax County School Board approved updates to the Boundary Policy (Policy 8130) at its July 18 Regular Public Meeting, completing a years-long comprehensive review of the policy for the first time in nearly four decades. The updates provide a clear roadmap for any future boundary adjustments to help ensure better student achievement through enhanced instructional quality, budget optimization, and strengthened student well-being.
The revised policy does not propose specific boundary changes, nor were specific boundaries considered during the policy review. Instead, the updates create a framework for the division superintendent to follow when considering any potential future adjustments, which must prioritize robust community engagement throughout the process. Read more about the updated policy.
School Board Seeking Applicants for Facilities Planning Advisory Council
The Fairfax County School Board invites applications from community members interested in serving on the Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) for the the Springfield District. The Springfield District representative’s term expires June 30, 2027.
FPAC advises and informs FCPS staff and the School Board in the development of comprehensive, long-term plans for facilities. The Facilities Planning Advisory Council consists of 13 members, one from each Fairfax County magisterial district, three At-Large representatives, and one representative from the City of Fairfax, each appointed for three-year terms. The end date of these council member appointments is listed above and FPAC members are eligible for reappointment.
FCPS encourages individuals with experience in construction, engineering, architecture, land use planning, development, demographics, government operations, and financing to apply. The deadline to apply is August 13, 2024. Applicants must reside in the in the Springfield magisterial district if seeking the Springfield representative seat. More information about FPAC and an application is available online. Applications must be submitted to kevin.jackson2@fcps.edu by the deadline to be considered.
FCPS News
🖥️ FCPS Website Redesign Update
FCPS is redesigning our central website, fcps.edu, and preparing for the redesign of school websites. Our primary purpose for this work is to improve user experience — helping families quickly find the tools, information, and resources they need.
We plan to launch the redesigned central site on Thursday, August 1. School sites will be rolled out in phases at a later date. Learn more about the web redesign project.
Superintendent Updates
Upcoming Job Fair
Fairfax County Public Schools wants you to be a part of our team! We are seeking educator talent with strong student engagement skills and a passion for having a positive influence on our school communities. We are hosting a job fair on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at Mount Vernon High School. There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair.
During a recent Job Fair, over 150 offers were extended to qualified candidates! You could be next!
In-person Job Fair Details
Registration is required to attend. Register and find more information online.
Our Voices, Our Future: Inspiration for Multilingual Learners
Jose Luis Zelaya will share his motivating life story at an event for middle and high school multilingual learners. Born in Honduras, he migrated to the United States and was the first in his family to graduate from high school — and attend college and earn a doctorate.
Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners Summit will take place on Thursday, August 8, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School. Information will be available on colleges and career planning.
Registration is not required, but it will help us plan. Language interpretation services will be available.
Community News
Tax-Free Weekend
Friday, August 2, through Sunday, August 4, will be a sales tax holiday in the state of Virginia. Visit Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday webpage for details.
Quick Links
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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