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Good Morning, Franconia District!
I hope you’re enjoying a peaceful Sunday as we head into Thanksgiving week. I wanted to take a moment of your time to share the below statement and update on the ongoing situation involving the Hayfield football team. This is a complex and challenging matter, and I truly appreciate the community input and passion. I hear you.
At the same time, I want to ensure that the information I share is accurate, measured, and grounded in reality—not rumors or innuendo.
My focus is on all students who contribute to the football experience, including athletes, band members, cheerleaders, color guards, Junior ROTC, and others working hard to create a vibrant community spirit. They have dedicated themselves all season and deserve recognition for their efforts.
I have actively engaged with students, staff, and families in the Hayfield community to understand concerns about student residency requirements and staff conduct. I’ve listened to perspectives from all sides and have consistently shared these concerns with FCPS leadership.
The Facts
- The initial investigation in August focused specifically on student residency requirements and personnel matters. While other issues have emerged, the investigation remained centered on these core concerns.
- FCPS conducted a thorough investigation. Outside legal counsel Cynthia Hudson of Eppes-Hudson Law, PLLC reviewed the findings. Her analysis confirmed that the new student-athletes met the residency requirements. A summary is available on the FCPS website.
- The Virginia High School League (VHSL) VHSL has sole authority over student-athlete eligibility, including transfer cases. FCPS’s role is to verify student residency.
- Due to increased attention on the volume of student-athlete transfers, Hayfield Secondary School staff proactively met with VHSL in August to review the eligibility of each student-athlete before submitting the official Master Eligibility List. VHSL then conducted its standard eligibility review and approved the eligibility of all student-athletes who participated on the Hayfield football team this season.
- However, two months later, VHSL declared the entire team ineligible for postseason play without providing clear evidence or explanation.
- On November 15th, a judge granted the Hayfield student-athletes and parents a temporary injunction allowing the team to participate in postseason play citing ambiguities in VHSL’s policies and rules. Further hearings for a final ruling are scheduled for December 4.
Moving Forward
The Hayfield football situation has raised community concerns about the treatment of student-athlete transfers, adherence to the VHSL Proselytizing Rule, fairness, and sportsmanship. This feedback highlights the need for a broader discussion on preserving the core values of high school athletics—integrity, teamwork, and personal growth.
I support Superintendent Dr. Reid’s announced plans for a comprehensive, independent review of student-athlete transfer and eligibility practices across ALL FCPS sports and schools including Hayfield. Two community conversations will help inform updates to FCPS protocols, policies, and regulations. I invite you to participate in these conversations.
Your voice matters, and I’m committed to keeping you informed with transparency and accuracy.
Kind Regards,
Statement
"We would like to thank the many community members who have reached out to express concerns over recent events involving high school athletic programs in Fairfax County. Like you, we believe all students should have equal access to every aspect of public education, including athletics. We fully recognize and regret that recent events may have eroded public trust and have led to direct and collateral impacts on many students and families across FCPS. As leaders in the system, we recognize and acknowledge that FCPS has a responsibility to ensure fair sport and competition, and we take that charge seriously.
We appreciate your patience as we have given Superintendent Michelle Reid the necessary time to work through the initial aspects of the action plan she identified earlier this week. Our colleagues signed below have been in close communication with Dr. Reid throughout this matter and support her efforts to ensure this unfortunate situation is not repeated and that we have a better path forward. We recognize that while FCPS has abided by current policies and practices, including those administered by the Virginia High School League (VHSL), these policies and practices must be reviewed and updated to reflect the current reality of high school athletics.
We strongly support Dr. Reid’s plan for a comprehensive, independent, and external review of FCPS athletics and hope that VHSL and others will collaborate with us to address the issues before us. We share the same commitment to supporting the students and families we serve, and we fully anticipate a positive resolution."
Sandy Anderson, Springfield
Seema Dixit, Sully
Karl Frisch, Providence
Robyn Lady, Dranesville
Kyle McDaniel, At-Large
Marcia St. John-Cunning, Franconia
Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Braddock
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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