Dear Community Members,
The School Board is in its summer recess from public meetings, so I’m sharing here the outcomes of significant work that concluded OUR annual schedule.
In the month ahead until school begins on August 24, I am planning for my strategic work to continue in the new year with focuses on:
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Student safety: online, AND pedestrian safety around our schools
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Intentional use of technology for instruction
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School facilities that are safe, modern, and accessible
Also during recess, I’ll be attending a unique leadership development experience. Be sure to read my next newsletter and follow my social media posts to get the full story. 😀
Enjoy the remainder of summer!
Updates on School Board Work
💻Instructional Technology Changes Beginning Fall 2026
Our School Board has directed that the youngest students in FCPS, those in kindergarten and preschool programs, will not be issued an FCPS-device (tablet nor laptop), effective this coming school year.
The culminated months of advocacy by parents and concerned citizens who showed up and spoke up to protect our children. I appreciate the support of my colleagues, who unanimously approved this change. Here are my remarks.
Further, the Board directed that Generative AI shall be unavailable for students in elementary grades. Although the Superintendent and her staff have said publicly, repeatedly, that “students in FCPS are not using Generative AI”, the majority of the Board was hesitant to extend that prohibition to middle and secondary grades. I think this is curious. Ultimately, the Board allowed for GenAI to be used by middle and high school students, with limitations. Here is the motion language:
“I move that the Fairfax County School Board direct the Superintendent to provide a comprehensive inventory of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools and solutions (as defined by FCPS) provided by or through FCPS on FCPS-issued laptops and tablets by January 14, 2027, and to prohibit the use of such Generative AI tools and solutions by Elementary School students, and will only be permissible for secondary students unless specifically authorized in writing by a School Principal or the Superintendent (or their designee) for specialized student projects or particular uses, until a formal policy is adopted by the School Board to govern such usage.”
The Superintendent will be providing to the Board in November several pieces of information regarding educational technology and its intentional use for students’ learning. While I’ll be glad to have that information, better would have been the Board approving similar and more actionable motions in June. Our kids can’t wait - technology has to be intentionally used, and sparingly for children who are developing emotionally, physically, and socially.
📚 New Math Textbooks in Secondary Grades
The School Board approved the purchase of new mathematics basal materials for use in the upcoming school year (next month!), for middle school grades plus courses in Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry! That’s printed textbooks! I’ve already heard from hundreds of parents who are thrilled at this improvement.
In response to parent advocacy, and what’s best for students’ learning, hard copy textbooks will be provided to every student, in addition to digital resources! More info about the adopted resources and the selection process are found here.
Thank you to educators for transitioning to this new resource!
🗓️School Calendars Have More Five-Day Weeks
More five-day instructional weeks are scheduled for the next three school years, with the calendars approved by the School Board on July 9. The calendars for 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 add between two and four more full weeks. My work to update the division’s calendar policy on June 11, Board work at several meetings, and advocacy from families and staff buoyed this change to completion.
Though I voted to approve these calendars, there is more work to do. The updated policy could further provide calendars with instructional continuity that also provide predictable schedules, year after year.
Boundaries Set for Skyview HS - Students Arrive this Fall!
After much analysis and consideration, I voted to approve the Superintendent’s proposal during the School Board’s July 16 public Regular Meeting. The process run by the Superintendent should have been better, including with communications to inform and engage residents. I also sought stronger data about housing projections, which are key for establishing boundaries that assign future students to areas that can welcome increased attendance. All this said, the action for me was clear.
The overwhelming majority of residents I’d heard from support moving students in Hunter Mill into Skyview High School. Specifically, for the Fox Mill and Floris elementary school attendance areas, and parts of the Crossfield ES attendance area. Also, the split feeder situation at Carson MS will be reduced and this is an overdue adjustment that benefits children.
Beginning in just a few weeks, students will be entering a facility that is modern, safe, and accessible. Educators and staff will have their new spaces ready for instruction! What a gorgeous place to learn and work! I am eager to see this new chapter begin for FCPS and Fairfax County.
The purchase of this public school facility asset remains a financially wise decision that will save FCPS and the County government hundreds of millions of dollars for years to come. This purchase had been projected in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for over 10 years. The unexpected availability of the facility in summer 2025 accelerated the investment.
I’ve participated fully in this boundary-setting process since the inception in April - at community and School Board meetings, and at schools to engage with families, students, and staff. I’ve asked many detailed questions along the way, publicly and in private with the Superintendent and School Board Members. I’ve read and responded to hundreds of emails, and maintained my promise to inform constituents about all that I could.
The changes in school membership for South Lakes and Westfield look alarming, but may not be as dire as they seem. Certainly, the numbers alarmed me, and I looked further to understand the genesis of the data and the potential impacts for our people. Here is what I learned, including since the July 9 public meeting where I made extensive remarks:
- Even with a reduced membership to 2,000 students, that is still a very large high school population that can sustain robust programming.
- Housing will be coming onto the market, bringing students into schools.
- These changes will be phased over time, allowing for concerns to be addressed before larger problems develop.
However, I’m not leaving the future success of our schools up to chance. The Board approved my motions to monitor outcomes of the Skyview boundary-setting:
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FCPS will receive better, timely housing data projections to use for boundary decisions. The Superintendent will work with county staff to give the School Board public quarterly updates on new housing planned for Western Fairfax County over the next five years. We can see if student membership projections align with housing projections, and make adjustments if needed.
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In October 2026, the Superintendent must present a report on lessons learned from the last two years of boundary work, along with a plan to protect instructional programs at schools where enrollment has been boundaried to Skyview High School. An additional Member-brought motion established that the Superintendent must present a comprehensive analysis for establishing specialized programming pathways at Westfield High School in the areas, including but not limited to Business, Information Technology, and Skilled Trades.
Finally, I remain committed to ensuring that these high schools maintain robust offerings so students have access to the opportunities we have come to expect at FCPS, and even more. I also won’t indulge treatment or statements about any school community as better or worse than others. Every day, families depend on our schools to educate children and facilitate community activities. All our schools are worthy of respect. Please join me in supporting our public school system.
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🪙Get the Money
Possible 1% sales tax for school construction on the ballot in 2027
Fairfax County is chronically underfunded by the Virginia General Assembly, to an amount of $500,000,000 annually. This is a problem that will take focused and courageous action by state elected officials and the Governor to fix.
In the meantime, the General Assembly approved this year that local county governments (the Board of Supervisors) can seek to place a referendum on a November ballot to ask voters about whether the county should levy an additional 1% sales tax in Fairfax, which would be used to fund already-approved public schools facilities projects. Our public schools currently have a renovation queue of 45 years, and need billions of dollars to revert back to the best-practice standard of a 25 year renovation cycle. This tax would allow our local government to be less dependent on property tax revenue.
At our July 9 School Board Regular Meeting, we passed a resolution to formally ask the Board of Supervisors to enact this referendum. It was not taken up for this November, but could be for next November. Please see my full remarks on my YouTube channel.
Budget Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2026
At the end of this past Fiscal Year 2026 in June, FCPS had $54.5 Million in funds remaining in the operating fund, which were savings from salary lapses such as vacant, unfilled, or delayed positions. The School Board voted to dedicate these funds to three items:
- $28.5 Million to extend special education contracts by 30 minutes per teacher each day. This gives educators more time supporting our students.
- $25 Million to the Healthcare Premium Stabilization Reserve to cover rising costs.
- $1 Million for the School Board to retain staff assistants, who are crucial for helping our members serve their communities. As the ninth largest school division in the U.S., the School Board members represent residents in districts larger than entire school divisions in other places.
New Board Roles and Student Representative
Each July, the School Board selects a new Chair and Vice Chair, and sets leadership for Board committees and community liaison roles. For school year (SY) 2026-27, the Chair is Robyn Lady, Dranesville district representative, and the Vice Chair is Kyle McDaniel, At-Large Member.
The Board welcomed our new Student Representative, Newt Shosteck, of Hayfield Secondary School! Newt attended his first meeting in early July, with remarks stating his advocacy for students’ safety and mental health as priorities. I look forward to collaborating with Newt throughout the school year!
As for me, I am assigned to three Board standing committees:
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Audit (my first time on this committee in my 7 years!),
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Comprehensive Planning Development Committee for the second year in a row, and
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Public Engagement Committee, which I’ve served on before.
I’ll continue being the Board’s liaison to the Fairfax County Athletic Council. Having the liaison serve for a second year is actually a first! The Council appreciated my work this past year and asked that I remain for a second year. Also, I’ll return as the liaison to the Title I Parent Advisory Committee (TPAC), which connects me with work at the start of my career in the early 2000s, in the U.S. Department of Education’s Title I office.
Superintendent Contract Extended to 2030
On June 25, I voted to extend the contract of Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid, for four more years. My decision was based on my confidence in her ability to lead our school division - the ninth largest in America with an annual operating budget of $4 Billion. I appreciate her operational expertise to bring needed improvements to FCPS, especially coming out of the pandemic upon her arrival in 2022, and her expansion of more rigorous math and literacy instruction.
That said, this past year, two bodies of work led to my increased frustration with the Superintendent’s performance: school boundaries and instructional technology including AI. I turned to her as an expert and collaborator, yet too often information was missing. I conducted the annual required performance evaluation, and my input is reflected in the summary publicly posted on that meeting date (6/25/26).
Renewing the contract is about more than only performance - I considered the employment market and resources needed to conduct a new search, the stability of the school division, and School Board discourse. In conclusion, I thought extending the contact was in the best interests of my constituents at this time. To view my full remarks, please visit my YouTube channel.
☀️Board Recess through mid-August
That’s a wrap for School Year 2025-2026! The Board is on recess until mid-August. Have a nice summer everyone!
View the School Board meeting calendar and agendas at FCPS School Board Meetings website.
Hunter Mill Happenings
Leadership Changes: Farewells and Welcomes
During the summer season of transition, changes occurred with our school faculty. Please join me in sending our deepest gratitude and best wishes to our departing leaders, and a hearty welcome to those stepping into these vital roles!
Farewells and Retirements
The following FCPS leaders have recently retired. I wish them well and am thankful for their commitment to students, faculty, and families over many years!
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Liz Calvert of Madison High School, after four years as principal and 23 in FCPS. The next Warhawk Principal won’t be named by the 2026-27 school year, and so an interim Principal has been named: Michelle Makrigiorgos, the recently retired Principal of Louise Archer ES with 30 years in FCPS and a longtime Madison pyramid leader.
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John Carmichael of Vienna Elementary School, with 16 years as Principal at VES and 30 years with FCPS! Enjoy your retirement!
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Jeff Litz of Marshall High School, with 11 years as Marshall’s Principal, and over 30 years with FCPS!
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Lindsay Trout, Executive Principal of Region 1, and prior years in the South Lakes pyramid, with 30 years in FCPS! She was recognized in 2021 as the FCPS Outstanding Principal of the Year.
Welcome New Leaders!
New Principal leaders at high schools serving Hunter Mill residents took place over the summer:
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Meredith Norris, Westfield High School. Ms. Norris returns to the Westfield community, having previously been faculty there! We met in June to get acquainted. |
Dr. Sheronda Farrish, Herndon High School. Dr. Farrish arrives at Herndon from Cedar Lane School, where I engaged with her in recent years, as well as at Madison High School before that. |
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Additionally, the highest position in FCPS overseeing our 200 academic institutions is the Chief of Schools. The six Regional Assistant Superintendents (RASs) each report to the Chief, and each RAS and their region team with Executive Principals oversee and support high school principals. This summer, Megan Vroman ascended to be Chief of Schools. Ms. Vroman was previously the Region 2 RAS. |
VHSL Athletes: Spring State Winners
Congratulations to our student-athletes for their championship performances in the Spring Virginia High School League (VHSL) sports championships!
In the spotlight, two of our local teams earned state championship titles:
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Westfield High School Boys Soccer captured the Class 6 state championship.
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James Madison High School Girls Lacrosse secured the Class 6 state championship with a thrilling final victory.
See the full list of team and individual state champions on FCPS’ VHSL Championships Page.
FCPS Employee Honors 2026
I attended FCPS Honors, an annual event that celebrates the extraordinary achievements and dedication of employees across Fairfax County Public Schools.
Hunter Mill resident Melissa DeAngelo was among this year's honorees. Melissa, the Director III of Food and Nutrition Services under the Chief Operating Office, received the Outstanding Nonschool-Based Leader award. This honor recognizes an employee outside of our school buildings who demonstrates exceptional leadership and works behind the scenes to strengthen our learning environment. Thank you, Melissa, for your vital work keeping our students nourished and ready to learn, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
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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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