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Board Meeting Recap: Boundary Grandfathering, Year-End Budget, and More (July 17, 2025)
Dear Neighbor,
At the Fairfax County School Board’s final regular meeting of the school year (agenda | video), the Board discussed and addressed a number of important topics, including bringing additional clarity to the way school boundary adjustments are phased in at different grade levels and approving the year-end budget review to close out the fiscal year with important investments in major maintenance needs and enhanced school safety equipment, among others.
Additionally, the Board received a presentation on the wide-ranging impact of middle school after-school programs, celebrated July as Disability Pride Month, honored the dedicated volunteers who serve on our community advisory committees, and approved the new School Board Chair’s appointments of Board members to serve on various standing committees and as liaisons to community advisory boards and other bodies.
While I continue my work and provide constituent services throughout the summer, the School Board is on recess until its first work session of the new school year on Tuesday, August 26. As always, I invite you to learn more about the topics discussed during the meeting by reviewing the updates below. And, 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
Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents:
New School Board Committee and Liaison Assignments
Video | Meeting Materials
At the final School Board meeting of the year, the new School Board Chair appoints Board Members to serve on the Board’s various standing committees and to represent the Board as liaisons on a variety of community advisory boards and other bodies. Next year, I will serve in the following capacities:
- School Board Standing Committees:
- Community Boards and Bodies:
Updated Boundary Policy Brings Added Clarity to “Grandfathering”
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board approved updates to the school division’s boundary adjustment policy (Policy 8130), bringing additional clarity to the way changes are phased in across elementary, middle, and high schools — often referred to as grandfathering. Under the revised policy:
Elementary Schools: When a boundary adjustment occurs at the elementary school level, attendance in the new school boundary shall be mandatory for rising K-3 students in schools with a K-5 grade configuration; and for rising K-4 students in schools with a K-6 grade level configuration. Currently enrolled students in grades 4-5 in schools with a K-5 configuration, and in grades 5-6 in schools with a K-6 configuration, shall be given the option to remain at the school or attend the school in the new boundary.
Middle Schools: When a boundary adjustment occurs at the middle school level, attendance in the new school boundary shall be mandatory for incoming 6th-grade students in schools with a 6-8 grade configuration and for incoming 7th-grade students in schools with a 7-8 grade level configuration. Currently enrolled students shall be given the option to remain at the school or attend the school in the new boundary.
High Schools: When a boundary adjustment occurs at the high school level, attendance in the new school boundary shall be mandatory for incoming 9th-grade students. Rising 10-12 graders shall be given the option to remain at their current school or attend the school in the new boundary.
Secondary Schools: When a boundary adjustment occurs at the secondary school level, attendance in the new school boundary shall be mandatory for incoming 7th-grade students. Rising 8-12 graders shall be given the option to remain at their current school or attend the school in the new boundary.
Motion: R. Anderson, Second: Meren / Vote: Yes 11, No 0, Absent 1
Year-End Budget Review and Federal Funding Uncertainty
Video | Meeting Materials
During the Board’s discussion of the year-end budget review, several members addressed concerns over the uncertainty of continued federal support for public education. I expressed my anger over the Trump administration’s decision to freeze millions of dollars in direct support for Virginia students who need help the most — namely, low-income students, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities:
Ultimately, the Board approved the FY 2025 year-end budget review, which recommended targeted investments using remaining funds from the past fiscal year. After accounting for all revenue and expenditure variances, flexibility reserves, and prior commitments, $36.9 million was available for reallocation in the School Operating Fund.
Adjustments for FY 2026 included funding for a health fund premium stabilization reserve, major maintenance, graduation ceremonies, and the purchase of new automated external defibrillators. These investments reflect the division’s ongoing priorities: supporting student safety, maintaining facilities, and ensuring operational continuity across schools and offices.
Additionally, as part of the year-end budget review, the Board approved expenditures from the FY 2025 School Board Flexibility Reserve to support staffing and finalize funding for a reconfiguration of the Board’s office at the Gatehouse Administration Center.
The project will provide all Board members and their staff with workspaces. Despite having ample physical space, the Board’s current office has only three workstations for its twelve Board members and six workstations for its staff. This is the first update to the Board’s office in many years.
Motion: Sizemore Heizer, Second: Dixit / Vote: Yes 10, No 1, Absent 1
Academic Matters: Middle School Athletics and Activities
Video | Meeting Materials
For Academic Matters, Superintendent Reid provided an update about middle school after-school programming. All FCPS middle schools offer free after-school activities five days a week, providing 12-15 hours of weekly programming and late bus transportation to ensure students can get home safely.
The school division offers nearly 1,000 different programs across the county, enhancing academic achievement, student behavior, social competence, and community involvement.
Data shows that participation in these programs correlates with higher passing rates across all subjects, lower chronic absenteeism, and fewer behavioral incidents. New for the 2024–25 school year is the “Let the Race Begin” initiative, further enhancing enrichment opportunities for our middle school students.
As part of her presentation, Superintendent Reid shared the following video with the Board:
Proclamation: Honoring Disability Pride Month
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board proclaimed July 2025 as Disability Pride Month, celebrating the strengths and talents of people with disabilities, promoting understanding, and advocating for inclusive practices that empower all students to thrive and be recognized for their unique contributions.
Motion: Sizemore Heizer, Second: Frisch / Vote: Yes 11, No 0, Absent 1
Proclamation: Honoring Community Advisory Committee Members
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board approved a proclamation honoring members of the School Board’s various Community Advisory Committees for their outstanding service and dedication. These volunteers provide critical insight and recommendations that help shape policies and practices supporting student success and staff well-being across the division. I would like to thank these Providence District residents for stepping up to represent our community this past school year:
Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACEAC): Sebastian Pawlowski
Advanced Academics Program Advisory Committee (AAPAC): Cara Berman
Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD): David Bean
Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC): Kara Danner
Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC): Priya Swamy
Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC): Robert Rigby
School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC): Liz Royal
Motion: St. John-Cunning Second: Meren / Vote: Yes 11, No 0, Absent 1
Student Performance of the National Anthem
The Board meeting began with a beautiful performance of the National Anthem by Allison Korb, a student from Langston Hughes Middle School:
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 other relevant information. Here is a video of my short update from our final meeting of the year:
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administrative Center)
- All Day Work Session: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
- All Day Work Session: Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.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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