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Board Meeting Recap: March 13, 2025
Dear Neighbor,
Last Thursday at the Fairfax County School Board’s Regular Meeting (agenda | video), we discussed several important topics, including an update on new athletic programs and a report on career and transition services for students who have IEPs.
We also approved local investments in new playground equipment at Marshall Road Elementary and sports lighting replacements at McLean High School, both attended by many Providence District students.
On another note, we are looking for someone to fill the Providence District seat on the School Board’s Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC), which addresses issues affecting minority student academic achievement. For more information or to apply before the March 25, 2025, 5:00 PM deadline, click here.
As always, you are welcome to attend School Board meetings (schedule) and register to share your thoughts with us during community participation (sign-up).
In service,
Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents
Strategic Plan Goal 4 Update: Equitable Access and Opportunity
Video | Meeting Materials
For the update on Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity, the Superintendent discussed the importance of consistent availability of and accessibility to electives, extracurricular, co-curricular, and enrichment activities, noting that participation in out-of-classroom activities is linked to a number of positive outcomes, such as consistent attendance, academic achievement, and college going, as well as increased self-esteem, mental health, feelings of belonging, and decreased likelihood of risky behavior.
As part of her presentation, the Superintendent shared this video, which highlights girls’ wrestling and boys’ volleyball, two new sports offered this year, and emphasized the board’s commitment to excellence, equity, and opportunity in insisting that these new programs be available at all 25 high schools.
Academic Matters: Career and Transition Services (CTS)
Video | Meeting Materials
For Academic Matters, the Superintendent provided a report on Career and Transition Services (CTS), which support students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as they prepare to move on to a variety of postsecondary options after high school. Every high school in Fairfax County has at least one employment and transitions representative who is responsible for working with families and students and providing input to the IEP transition plan.
In addition to classroom opportunities, real-world, work-based learning experiences with over 50 business and community partners offer opportunities for our students to gain valuable workplace and life readiness skills. Our Postsecondary Planning and Transition Services also help increase student access to college and trade and technical opportunities through college visits, job-shadowing field trips, and career fairs.
Superintendent Performance Review
The School Board judges the overall success of the Superintendent on the school division’s reasonable progress toward achieving the 2023-30 Strategic Plan goals and adherence to a set of thirteen Executive Limitations found on pages 14-31 of the Board’s Strategic Governance Manual. The Superintendent provides annual monitoring reports to the Board for each Executive Limitation. The Board then votes on whether the provided reports are in compliance with the given Executive Limitation. If the report is found not to be in compliance, the Superintendent provides a corrective action memo addressing the Board’s concerns.
Executive Limitation 6: Financial Administration
Video | Meeting Materials
The Superintendent provided her annual monitoring report on Executive Limitation 6: Financial Administration. As outlined on page 21 of the Board’s Strategic Governance Manual, Executive Limitation 6 stipulates that the Superintendent shall not fail to take reasonable steps to avoid allowing any fiscal condition that places the long-term financial health of the Division in jeopardy, causing a material deviation in spending from the budget adopted by the Board, or spending that is inconsistent with achieving the Division’s Strategic Plan goals. Additionally, the Superintendent shall not fail to be fiscally responsible and ensure all expenditures are kept within projected revenues of the Division. Nor shall the Superintendent fail to provide strong financial controls and an accurate, full, and transparent accounting of how taxpayer dollars are spent in support of the Division. Following the Superintendent’s presentation and a thorough discussion, the Board found that the monitoring report was in compliance with EL-6.
Motion: S. Anderson, Second: R. Anderson / Vote: Yes 11, No 1
Local Investments: Marshall Road Elementary and McLean High
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Marshall Road Elementary School: The Board approved a $386,993.75 contract for school-aged playground equipment installation at Marshall Road Elementary School, which many Providence District students attend. Funding for this project will be provided from the ADA Playground Improvement Fund and Site Improvement Fund. The contractor was selected and awarded per a competitively procured Job Order Construction Services Contract (details).
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McLean High School: The board approved a $371,749.00 contract for stadium sports lighting replacement for the track and field at McLean High School, which many Providence District students attend. Funding for this project will be provided by the Sports Lighting Replacement Fund. The contractor was selected and awarded per a competitively procured Sports Lighting Solutions with Related Technology, Equipment, and Services Contract (details).
Women’s History Month Proclamation
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board proclaimed March 2025 as Women’s History Month, a time to remember and honor the countless women who have fought relentlessly for the rights of all women in our nation, commonwealth, and county. This year’s theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” recognizes and celebrates the invaluable contributions women have made to the American educational system.
Motion: Lady, Second: Dunne / Vote: Yes 12, No 0
Disability Acceptance Month Proclamation
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board proclaimed March 2025 as Disability Acceptance Month in recognition of the many contributions and strengths of people with disabilities and to promote inclusive school communities across Fairfax County Public Schools.
Motion: Dunne, Second: McDaniel / Vote: Yes 12, No 0
Honoring Gerry Hyland Proclamation
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board honored and remembered Gerald W. (Gerry) Hyland, former Fairfax County Supervisor for the Mount Vernon District from 1988 to 2015, for his outstanding contributions, exemplary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the community and extended its deepest sympathies to his family on their loss.
Motion: Dunne, Second: Moon / Vote: Yes 12, No 0
Neurodiversity Affirmation Week Proclamation
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board proclaimed March 17-23, 2025, as Neurodiversity Affirmation Week in recognition of the cognitive brilliance that every student brings to our schools and communities and renewed its commitment to creating neurodivergent-affirming schools.
Motion: Sizemore Heizer, Second: Meren / Vote: Yes 12, No 0
Student Performance of the National Anthem
The Board meeting began with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by the Forestville ES 5th/6th Grade Chorus under the direction of Stephanie Patterson:
Board Matters: Providence District Update
At the end of most meetings, School Board Members provide updates from their communities about school visits, activities, upcoming events, and more. Here is a video of my update from the meeting:
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. (Goal 5 Report and SR&R)
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español: Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español.
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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