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Dear Community Members,
Summer break is drawing to a close for our students and faculty, though our principals and school leaders, select school-based employees, and central office staff have remained working throughout the summer, planning and preparing for students and employees to thrive in the months ahead. On August 4, our teachers and school-based staff joined them to officially launch the school year in each building!
Driving by and visiting schools over these hot weeks, I’ve seen FCPS custodians mowing lawns; students attending FCPS academic programs; and children at summer camps run by Fairfax County and private providers. There was even a public election held at schools in June! Our public buildings don’t close once school is out for summer!
Speaking of a public election - there is a special election happening on Tuesday, September 9, to select our next Congressional Representative to represent most of Fairfax County, in Congressional District 11. Please vote early in-person, absentee, or on September 9. Information is here.
National and state policy activities have been top-of-mind, and will continue to be, for the Fairfax County School Board and Superintendent. The upheaval of policies and traditions has challenged public education in delivering its mission: to prepare children to be successful in their own right in the workforce and society. However, the focus of this school division remains on fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for every student and staff member.
With official back-to-school events beginning later this month, I am excited to see for myself so many children, families, and staff members. I aim to visit many of the schools where Hunter Mill students attend. Please say hello if you see me at your school! I’m happy to hear your feedback or questions, and share information as I’m able.
All the best wishes to our parents and family members who are sending their precious children to FCPS for a new year of learning and growing. As my own family leaves our elementary school years behind, I see for myself how the role of children’s first teachers - parents and guardians - must evolve alongside our students. See you in school year 2025-26!
School Board Updates and Recent Work
New Policy gives more Choice to Families during Boundary Change
Families will now have a choice on whether to move students in specific grades into a newly-assigned boundary, under the updated boundary policy 8130 adopted in July. Working with Mason District Representative, Dr. Ricardy Anderson, we returned to the School Board for action our 2024 proposal that then had been voted down. This time, the Board unanimously adopted this update, which will be used for all future boundary changes to phase students into new assignments.
Critically, families and students now have the choice to remain in their base high schools if already enrolled there and receiving instruction, for grades 10 and 11. With this update, students would only be required to change prior to beginning the 9th grade year, so students remain in the same high school for the duration of 9 through grade 12.
Similarly, the change allows the choice for middle school students to remain in their school for the duration of the grades at the school: attendance in the new boundary will be mandatory at grade 7 for middle schools with grades 7-8, and mandatory at grade 6 for middle schools with grade 6-8.
For elementary students, the change provides the choice for students in the uppermost grades of an elementary school (grades 5 and 6 for most schools, but also grades 4 and 5 for K-5 schools that feed to grade 6 in a middle school).
There was also a similar provision to all students in our secondary schools, with grades 7-12, to opt to remain at their school for the duration from 7th grade onward.
Overall, I think this is a reasonable way to phase students into new school communities as families see best for their children.
Leadership Updates on the School Board
Each July, the School Board selects a new Chair and Vice Chair, and sets leadership for committees and community liaison roles. To manage the workload of the School Board, the members organize themselves into committees and share the leadership responsibilities of chairing them and serving as liaisons to other organizations. For school year (SY) 2025-26, the Chair is Sandy Anderson, of Springfield, and the Vice Chair is Robyn Lady, of Dranesville.
For a second time during my almost 6-year tenure on the Board, I’m Chair of the Governance Committee, which is responsible for ensuring the Board’s policies are current, reflect best practices and the law, and reflect the desires of the community who elected us. This is a core responsibility of a School Board - policies are the voice of the Board reflecting the community, and these guide the Superintendent to create regulations that put those policies into practice (“operationalize”). I served on Governance this past school year, and you can read more about that below. Policy is my jam! 😀
My interest and knowledge of facilities will continue expanding, as this year I'm serving on the Board’s Comprehensive Planning Development Committee. which oversees planning related to the $8.7 billion of FCPS’ public facilities assets. I’m also appointed to a new Joint Facility Review Committee with the County Board of Supervisors. I’ve already begun the work to fulfill our charge - to identify cost savings and efficiencies ahead of this year’s budget development process - as established by Chairman Jeff McKay.
I continue to be the School Board Liaison to the Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC), and once again am the Board’s liaison to the Fairfax County Athletics Council - a role I held in 2020 at a crucial time when access to athletic fields was uncertain during COVID. This year, the AAPAC will review AAP services for elementary and middle school students, which gives students the opportunity for more challenging and enriching instruction. The Athletics Council advises the Board of Supervisors on policies related to sports in Fairfax County. Both of these are public committees.
Last, but certainly not least, I have been renewed for a second year as the School Board’s State Legislative Liaison. Among many important legislative matters, the work to Get The Money continues, to reverse the chronic underfunding of Virginia’s public schools.
Welcome to our new Student Representative on the School Board
The Fairfax County School Board values students’ voice as we consider the impactful decisions before us. Our Board has a student representative who is a nonvoting member, who joins us at the meeting dais and engages with us throughout the year. The student representative is elected by members of the FCPS Student Advisory Council, which is composed of four students from each high school and secondary school.
Faith Mekonen, a senior at South County High School in Mount Vernon District, is the Student Representative to the Fairfax County School Board for the 2025-26 school year! I am delighted to work with her, as she brings an important and unique perspective to our work. The position was previously held by Megan Sawant, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and who will start her first semester of college at Harvard University this fall.
Ms. Mekonen identified her three priorities as: reducing discipline disproportionality, elevating student voice in policy decisions, and following implementation of the revised grading and cell phone policies. Read more about Faith Mekonen at the FCPS news page.
Langston Hughes Student Sings National Anthem
Alison Korb, a student at Langston Hughes Middle School, sang the National Anthem at the July 17 Regular Meeting. Alison is not only an outstanding singer, but also a writer, as she earned distinction in the Rotary District 7610 Student Essay Contest. Well done, Alison!
💰Get the Money
Working on financial management year-round is the School Board’s duty - it’s more than just building an annual operating budget. This work requires long-term vision and planning for the health of our public education system and taxpayers’ investment in FCPS. Key to this is partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, as the primary funders of public education in the county and our #1 partner to Get The Money from the Virginia General Assembly. Watch my remarks at the July 17 Regular Meeting in which I discuss our duty to this important work. You can also read my prepared remarks below:
“I am particularly inspired to do this, not only in the face of very trying economic times in our region and the nation, but also because I recently attended a conference for School Board leaders that identified how Board policy can meaningfully drive financial management.
And to that end, expanding our view from just budget, to more financial oversight. This includes multi-year planning as best as possible, and also reviewing more closely year-over-year data.
This also includes intentional meeting and work with our Board of Supervisors. While we voted on our calendar last week, with that in hand, the Board can approach the Supervisors and align where we can meet together, and create a roadmap for collaborative financial planning and management. I’d like the Board early in the school year to have a more specific workplan in conjunction with the Supervisors, not only to focus on our local Fairfax resources, but also working together to get the money from the General Assembly, which is really the ultimate goal for sustaining our public schools for the long term.
I would like the Board to hear more from the Superintendent frequently about the precarious situation with our federal funds, including the reduction of funds outright and the reduction of funds contingent on meeting stated requirements whose merit has not yet shown to be legal.
I’d love to see the Board give itself the time to really deliberate with data and public discussion about the future of this school division. The operational actions that deal with the day-to-day are what I entrust our Superintendent to do. I’m eager for the Board to work on the long term health of this school division and a consistent decision-making approach using thoughtful policies.”
Community Advisory Committees Honored with Proclamation
Each year, dozens of community members serve as appointees to the Board’s community advisory committees to help FCPS review and improve the way we do business, including expanding opportunities for all students while tending to their well-being. Read more about their work in the 2024-2025 school year.
🌎Outdoor Classrooms Forthcoming in Phase 2 Installation
The School Board approved a $2.1 million construction contract to build outdoor classrooms at 15 schools servicing 27,000 students. The work follows efforts from my first term, where the Board secured $6 million in state construction funds to build outdoor learning spaces. The construction of these outdoor learning spaces are an anticipated addition to school campuses. Studies show that outdoor learning boosts children's engagement, as well as social and cognitive development.
McNair Elementary School to receive New HVAC System
The School Board approved the installation of a new air-cooled chiller system at McNair Elementary School, at a cost of $368,775. Read more details here.
🏦Navy Federal Credit Union Recognized for Partnership with FCPS
The School Board recognized Vienna-based Navy Federal Credit Union for inclusion on the Virginia School Board Association’s Business Honor Roll. A longtime supporter of our schools, Navy Federal Credit Union and its employees have supported drives for school supplies and clothing, student mentorship programs, and direct donations for Virginia schools, including within Hunter Mill District. Thank you to this reliable and generous community partner!
School Board Revises Policies to Lead FCPS
Establishing and revising policies is one of the School Board's most important responsibilities, in addition to hiring and retaining the Superintendent, and financial oversight of taxpayer resources.
The Board’s Governance Committee, on which I served last year and will Chair this coming year, identified an ambitious slate of policies for review 24-25. We also deliberated on improving our review process, so that we provide optimal guidance to the Superintendent to ultimately bring the best instructional experience to our students. All told, the School Board approved updates to over a dozen policies that the Committee reviewed, updated, and put forth for Board action. This includes updating the grading policy, which is a seminal policy impacting every secondary student in FCPS. You can find all Board policies on the Board Docs website, in the Policies section.
Updated Policies:
P 2108 HIV policy; P 2232 Student Attendance at School; P 4450 Communication Between the School Board and Its Employees; P 4510 Communication with Employee Organizations; P 3280 Controversial Issues; P 2301 Psychological Testing, Screening, Student Evaluation, and Placement; P 2671 Multi-Agency Placements for Children with Disabilities; P 2401 Academic Placement of Students in Grades K-8; P 3012 Operational Guidelines—School Libraries; P 2220 Admission of Postgraduate Students; P 2115 Child Abuse Reporting Procedures; P 1710 Community Advisory Committees to the School Board; P 2625 Physical Restraint and Seclusion; P 1705 Employee Advisory Committees to the Superintendent; P 2418 Reporting Student Progress to Parents and Guardians; P 8258 Building Evaluation, Building Renovations, and Infrastructure Maintenance; P 2745 Commencement Activities; P 2670 Programs for Students With Disabilities; P 2720 Student Lists; and P 2620 Students with Physically Aggressive or Violent Behavior (retired).
Upcoming Public School Board Meetings
Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, August 28, 7:00pm - Regular Meeting
Hunter Mill Happenings
Region 1 Principals and Assistant Superintendent Prepare for School Year at Leadership Kickoff Week
School principals from Region 1 gathered for the annual Fairfax County Public Schools Leadership Kickoff Week, the inaugural event for the new school year. The event gave attendees the opportunity to spend time with our new Regional Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Jameile Choice. It also prepared them to work together while learning about current issues and policies.
FCPS is divided into six administrative regions to manage the work of educating our children; most of Hunter Mill residents attend schools that fall within Region 1; Region 5 includes the next-highest number of Hunter Mill residents. Led by an Assistant Superintendent, each regional office supports school Principals in their important work to oversee instruction and daily operations. Region offices also can assist with individual matters that are not resolved at the school level. When School Board Members receive requests for help from constituents, we partner with regional office leaders to address the matter. Thanks to Carlos Seward from South Lakes High School for sharing this great photo.
Appointments to Community Advisory Committees
As noted above, the Board’s Community Advisory Committees provide a necessary voice in our work. I’m pleased and grateful to announce these individuals as appointees, which have been approved by the School Board’s public vote.
Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACE)
Susan Wagoner retired from FCPS with over 20 years of experience, including seven years in communications with the Instructional Services Department, which oversees Adult and Community Education. She is also a longtime nonprofit volunteer.
Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC)
Mel Keppel returns for a second term on AAPAC. She is a graduate of Herndon High School and an FCPS parent, having served many years within parent-teacher associations.
Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD)
Joy Ramsey Charles is the parent of current FCPS children who received over 13 years of special education. She works for Our Stomping Ground, which works to build inclusive communities and strengthen neighborhoods through diverse programming, sustainable, affordable housing and social spaces for people of all abilities.
Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)
Renee Small comes to CTEAC after serving a year on the Board’s Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee. She served as the PTA president of Hunters Woods Elementary School and Langston Hughes Middle School. She served in a number of organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Capital Speakers Club, Federal Career Connections, and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC)
Winston Tracy holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, complementing his leadership experience in sales and business development at Google, Glassdoor, and Infosys Limited. He is the founder and CEO of a real estate investment firm and also founded a nonprofit. His commitment to education is further demonstrated by his board service at Tysons Corner Children's Center and prior roles at New York University and Georgetown University. Mr. Tracy is eager to explore how FCPS can ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.
School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
Anisha Reddy is a child of educators and now an FCPS elementary school parent. Her professional work in health care policy intertwines with her interest in children thriving. She’s held local leadership roles in childcare and the school community. Anisha's experience has prepared her to contribute her perspective to the important work of nurturing our students' health. As a member of the SHAC, Anisha will study the sleep habits of students and the relationship of sleep to screen time at school and home.
📚Temporary Library Opens in Vienna, replaces Patrick Henry Library
A temporary library branch is now open in the Cedar Park Shopping Center, located at 262 Cedar Lane, Vienna - near Thoreau Middle School and Cunningham Park Elementary School. This temporary location will serve the community while the new Vienna-Carter Library is under construction, replacing the Patrick Henry Library, which closed in May. The new library is scheduled to open in mid-2027.
Other Info of Interest
🏃➡️Middle School Track and Field Returns to FCPS🏃♀️
Middle school students can for a second year compete in track and field on their schools’ team in the Spring, in addition to Cross Country in the Fall. Running sports offer students the opportunity for personal growth, friendship, and preparation for high school athletics. Each middle school offers students after-school activities during weekdays, which develops their academic achievement, behavior, social competence, relationship building, and community involvement. Watch the YouTube video on middle school track and field.
💬English Language Instruction in Action
Fairfax County Public Schools educate over 27,000 multi language learners, presenting an opportunity for our School Division to dramatically improve their academic achievement when we cultivate their English language proficiency. Our Superintendent has focused on meeting and exceeding Virginia state standards for English language proficiency, with 57.1% of students meeting that standard– a traditionally higher rate than the overall Virginia rate. Their progress is measured by the WIDA ACCESS tests, a suite of exams to measure English language proficiency. Investing in all of our children pays off, with higher overall academic achievements and graduation rates. Learn more about multi language learning in this video.
💯 Secondary Grading Updates
There will be new secondary grading policies in 2025-26. The goal of these changes is to increase consistency and clarity of grading practices. Learn about middle and high school grading policy updates.
Public Safety Updates
👮👮♀️Sharing Public Service with Students at Metro Transit Police Department Youth Program 🚓
People who ride public buses and trains count on law enforcement officers to keep them safe. The law enforcement arm within these facilities are Metro Transit Police, who have jurisdiction in Virginia, DC, and Maryland as part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The Metro Transit Police welcomed me and my aide, Jacob, to present to their Youth Program. I shared my experience on the school board and its role in keeping children safe, as well as career opportunities within school divisions.
Continuous Background Checks to Begin at FCPS
Maintaining a safe learning environment for our students and staff continues to be a priority for FCPS. To this end, we will soon have access to a continuous background check monitoring system called Rap Back. New legislation in Virginia authorizes all public schools to enroll employees, volunteers, and contractors into this system. FCPS will enroll all employees, volunteers, and independent contractors within Rap Back over the next year. Of note, as the largest school division in Virginia, FCPS is paving the way for this critical enhancement across the state. This work extends far beyond FCPS, and will go on to ensure that employees, volunteers, and contractors are enrolled in continuous monitoring in school divisions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, ultimately keeping nearly 1.3 million K-12 students safe.
🚶➡️Pedestrian Safety Improved with New Law 🚶♀️
Senate Bill 1416 passed the General Assembly and was signed into law this year, significantly enhancing pedestrian safety. This new law mandates that drivers must stop for pedestrians within their lane or an adjacent lane at crosswalks, regular pedestrian crossings, and intersections with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Crucially, it also prohibits passing a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian, and violations resulting in serious injury or death to a vulnerable road user can now be a Class 1 misdemeanor. You can read the law at the Virginia LIS website.
Contacting Me
I prioritize responses to Hunter Mill constituents, so please be sure to identify yourself as such if you contact me. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.
To contact me, it is most helpful to please use the official School Board contact form via my website (click "Submit a Question"). This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. Thank you for your cooperation.
Best,
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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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