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Board Meeting Recap: Algebra Gains, Legal Action Against the U.S. Department of Education, and More (August 28, 2025)
Dear Neighbor,
Last night, at the Fairfax County School Board’s regular meeting (agenda | video), we celebrated the beginning of the 2025-26 school year and discussed or took action on several important topics, including student readiness for Algebra 1, suing the U.S. Department of Education to support the needs of all our students, and more.
Over the past three years, Fairfax County Public Schools has increased the number of eighth graders taking algebra or higher math by more than 16 percent while simultaneously improving Algebra SOL pass rates at three times the rate of Virginia as a whole. Here’s a video of my discussion with the Superintendent about these encouraging developments:
On Monday, we celebrate Labor Day, honoring the contributions of workers whose dedication keeps our communities strong — and the proud tradition of organized labor that fights for dignity, fairness, and opportunity on the job.
This year is especially meaningful as FCPS marks our first Labor Day with a collective bargaining contract in place for our incredible teachers and staff — a milestone that reflects the importance of giving workers a seat at the decision-making table.
I hope you and your families enjoy this long holiday weekend, and take time to reflect on the history of this important celebration of the labor movement and our workers.
As always, I invite you to learn more about last night’s meeting by reviewing the updates below. And, remember, 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:
Litigation Against the U.S. Department of Education
At last night’s meeting, the School Board voted unanimously to authorize legal action against the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Today, the Board released the following statement:
“This lawsuit is an important step in our effort to protect the health and safety of all our students in alignment with state and federal law — to ensure that hungry children are fed and that student access to multilingual, special education, and other essential services is not compromised. FCPS remains dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment for all students and staff members, including our transgender and gender-expansive community. We have a responsibility to ensure that every child has the support needed to achieve their full, unique, and limitless potential. We will not abide attempts to pit one group of students against another.”
While the Board did not speak directly to the lawsuit at the meeting, here is a video of my closing remarks from the evening, which touched on the underlying subject:
For additional information about this matter, I encourage you to read today’s letter from the Superintendent to the community, today’s legal filing, our past good faith efforts to communicate with DOE, and our letter to DOE (they did not respond) addressing the impossible position they have placed our school division — whether to violate state law and a federal court ruling regarding the support of our transgender students or risk this critical funding.
Motion: Frisch, Second: Lady / Vote: Yes 12, No 0
Superintendent Performance Review
The School Board evaluates the overall success of the Superintendent based on the school division’s reasonable progress toward achieving the 2023-2030 Strategic Plan goals and adherence to a set of thirteen Executive Limitations outlined 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 1: Global Expectations
Video | Meeting Materials
The Superintendent presented her annual monitoring report on Executive Limitation 1: Global Executive Limitations. As outlined in the Board’s Strategic Governance Manual, Executive Limitation 1 stipulates that the Superintendent shall not cause, allow, or fail to take reasonable measures to prevent any practice, activity, decision, or organizational condition that is unlawful, unethical, unsafe, disrespectful, imprudent, in violation of School Board policy, endangers the Division’s public image or credibility, leaves the Division unprepared for emergency situations, or is a conflict of interest.
Additionally, the Superintendent must maintain a data-informed system focused on continuous improvement to implement and monitor efforts toward achieving the goals defined in the Division’s Strategic Plan and the priorities of the Board’s Educational Equity Policy. Specific expectations include ensuring robust policies and internal controls, fostering safe and lawful practices, maintaining readiness for emergencies, safeguarding the Division’s reputation, and directing continuous improvement through the Strategic Plan. Following the Superintendent’s presentation and a detailed discussion, the Board found that the monitoring report was in compliance with EL-1.
Motion: St. John-Cunning, Second: Meren / Vote: Yes 11, No 1
Academic Matters: Algebra Up
Video | Meeting Materials
For Academic Matters, the Superintendent presented an overview of the Algebra Power Up program and its impact on student readiness for Algebra 1. This three-week summer program is designed for rising eighth graders, providing targeted support in fundamental math and algebraic concepts to ensure a strong foundation for success in Algebra 1.
The data presented was quite impressive: enrollment in Algebra 1 or higher math for eighth graders increased by 16.1% from the 2022-23 school year to 74.5% for the 2025–26 school year, exceeding the Strategic Plan target of 70% by 4.5%. Additionally, while Virginia averaged a 2% improvement in Algebra 1 SOL pass rates over the past three years, FCPS improved at three times that rate.
The Superintendent’s presentation highlighted the unique features of Algebra Power Up, including its comprehensive AVID curriculum, interactive student notebooks, study and organizational skill-building, literacy and academic language supports, and WICOR strategies such as focused note-taking and collaborative learning, which not only prepare students for Algebra 1 but also strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills that support long-term academic success. Superintendent Reid shared the following video about the program:
Challenged Materials Review Committee Appointment
Meeting Materials
The Challenged Materials Interdepartmental Review Committee consists of appointees representing School Board members, the School Board’s student representative, and school division staff (teachers, librarians, etc.) appointed by the respective Regional Assistant Superintendent.
The committee meets twice a year to review instructional materials that have been challenged. Last night, the School Board approved various new members of the committee, including FCPS parent Joshua Israel, who will represent Providence District families on the committee until July 31, 2026.
Student Performance of the National Anthem
The Board meeting began with a beautiful performance of the National Anthem by a West Springfield High School student:
Don’t Miss Providence Day and Back to School Celebration
I’m excited to once again co-host the Providence Day and Back to School Celebration with Providence Supervisor Dalia Palchik. Join us for a fun-filled day, with performances by the Vienna Singing Princesses, Drew Blue Shoes, and local Providence talent, plus activities for all ages like arts and crafts, bingo, corn hole, and even some furry friends!
This free, family-friendly event is a wonderful chance to celebrate our community, highlight local organizations and businesses, and bring together students, families, and neighbors from across the Providence District. It’s the perfect opportunity to gear up for a successful school year and a festive way to kick off the fall season —let us know you’ll be there!
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕔 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: George C. Marshall High School
✍ RSVP: Click Here
Now through September 5, Supervisor Palchik’s office is hosting its first-ever School Supply Drive to support local students this fall. All collected supplies will be distributed at the Providence Day & Back to School Celebration on September 20. Please consider donating essentials like notebooks, pencils, crayons, calculators, and hand sanitizer. Details, including a list of donation drop-off locations, can be found on her website.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 11:30 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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