Dear Community Members,

We’re at the conclusion of the first quarter of this school year! Opportunities have abounded to learn, connect, and celebrate in our school communities. One countywide achievement of note is FCPS becoming a Purple Star School Division for consistently supporting our military-affiliated families! See more on that below. I’ve also joined students enjoying fall festivities, like when making applesauce with kindergarteners at Aldrin ES, and hosting a spot at the Langston Hughes MS Trunk or Treat. And happening after publication of this newsletter is the beloved annual Town of Vienna Halloween Parade, which I’m excited to attend.

I also want to acknowledge some challenges that we have experienced in this first quarter. The impacts of the teacher hiring freeze created concerns about the future of people’s near term jobs and long term careers. Students and families were worried about the stability of the year ahead. This is all stressful. I maintain that much of the situation could have been better handled by the school division; however, it’s no secret that public education has been weakened by national policy changes. Also, decreases in federal funding for public health and human service programs, like Medicaid, are resulting in states picking up that bill - in turn, making fewer resources available for services in Virginia. All of this impacts the most local experiences of students, teachers, and families - instructionally and emotionally.    

So what do we do? We show up and speak up. And you can do that with your vote! 

We vote every year in Virginia, and it’s that time! 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3 (reminder that it’s a student holiday November 2 and 3), but you don’t need to wait! Virginia has generous early voting options now through October 31! Here are where to find Fairfax County’s several early voting sites. If you choose to vote on Election Day, polls are open from 6:00am to 7:00pm, and voters must vote that day in their assigned precincts, which you can find on the Fairfax County Office of Elections website. There are elected offices on the ballot, Fairfax County capital bond investments, and three Virginia constitutional amendments. Your voice is needed! 

School Board Updates and Recent Work

🪙Get the Money

Understanding the changes to FCPS student membership. Our school division is undergoing a transformation. Student enrollment (also called “membership”) decreased substantially this year, with FCPS now at just under 172,000 students compared to 177,249 in 2025. These numbers will affect our budget because traditionally, federal and state funding amounts are directly linked to student membership. 

It is critical to note that while the number of students has decreased, the costs of running a school system that relies on human-provided services have increased, especially for health care employee benefits and energy used to power our buildings and transportation fleet.

Also, we are able to identify student instructional needs better than ever and offer special education services, which is wonderful because children can be taught to fulfill their highest capabilities. This prepares them to be contributing members of society and to the economy. However, this requires additional resources for proven, specialized education. As the parent of a dyslexic child, I observed the life changing - even life saving - work of special education in FCPS. My child is now thriving in general education. The investments we make in children, particularly early in life, will pay dividends.  

Nonetheless, the reality is that the School Board must prepare for what is coming. The School Board is already conducting rigorous advocacy at the legislative level to appeal for improvements to state funding formulas for education, and on a number of topics such as school facilities, education technology, and safety. In October, I worked with my colleague Dr. Ricardy Anderson of Mason District to finalize our Board’s legislative agenda.  

The School Board must also consider reductions of some sort. My top priorities are protecting classroom sizes and supporting our teachers, and I plan to explore ways to reduce spending at the Central Office. This is especially true for technology spending, which has outpaced inflation every year since at least 2021. Children learn best when teachers are valued and entrusted in the classroom, and I will carry that mindset with me as the School Board develops our budget in January and February.

Policies and Positions

Update on Technology in Education – Approved: Limited Use of Lexia for Kindergarten Reading Intervention, Opt-outs for ST Math, Lexia for All ES Grade Levels

Throughout 2026, I have firmly advocated for the deliberate use of technology in instruction, leaning toward fewer screens. The fact is that unmitigated technology harms children’s learning, social development, and mental health. The decision to use technology should be based on data that shows improved learning outcomes. This School Board never intentionally decided to give devices to elementary children as a matter of instructional approach - devices were provided as a matter of access during a pandemic.

Over just a few months, the rules about teachers using apps and devices with our youngest students have changed. In July, in response to overwhelming feedback from parents and community members, the School Board voted unanimously to restrict digital devices in pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. 

Shortly thereafter, on September 24, the Superintendent returned to the Board seeking permission to use Lexia for state-required reading intervention to help struggling students in these grades. As I see it, the Superintendent did not seriously explore alternative means of meeting this requirement to avoid using devices, such as hiring additional staff or reallocating resources, and so I opposed the recommendation. It is important for the Superintendent to take direction from the School Board and perform due diligence for tasks. That was not the case here.

The School Board needs to refocus on the core issue being raised by parents/guardians: When is instructional technology useful for students’ learning and how do we know? In absence of this information, parents want to opt their kids out of using technology. Allowing more options for opting-out isn’t getting at what’s working to instruct kids, and what’s even possible for a single teacher to manage in a classroom. As such, I objected to the vote that evening that did ultimately open a pathway to granting parents the ability to opt-out students in all elementary school grades from Lexia and ST Math. I think this is a sweeping instructional change made without data about implications for learning or feasibility in practice.  

Under Review: Draft Policies on Instructional Technologies, AI And Emergent Tools

The Governance Committee that leads review of FCPS policies is scheduled to meet on Oct. 27 to consider the current drafts regarding use of educational technology. The policies will affect how our schools approach generative AI, data security, the use of software and devices, and more. I plan to provide my feedback to the committee to ensure we set the right guardrails and guidelines for educating our children while protecting them from the harmful effects of unrestrained use.

My Position on Weapons Detection Duties

Teachers and non-security staff should not be performing weapons detection duties that monitor students’ arrival and departure through the OpenGate security system at our middle and high schools. I trust our educators, and many are telling the School Board that being assigned weapons detection duties is a distraction from their core roles as educators. Ultimately, this approach isn’t meeting the goal of improving safety for students and everyone in school buildings.

The School Board approved the purchase of the equipment; however, to my knowledge, there is no funded plan for trained security professionals to oversee the daily activity. Educators are filling this need, and I don’t think that’s the right solution.

I am eager for the School Board to improve this situation at the earliest opportunity so teachers can do the job they were hired to do - instructing students.

Upcoming Public School Board Meetings

Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• Thursday, November 12, 7pm - Regular Meeting

Committee Meetings (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• Tuesday, October 27, 4:30pm - Governance Committee
• Monday, November 16, 4:30pm - Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee
• Tuesday, November 17, 4:30pm - Public Engagement Committee

Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• Tuesday, November 10, 11:30am 

Public Hearing (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• Tuesday, November 10, 6pm - Middle School AAP Phase 2 Public Hearing

To find the current School Board calendar and agenda, please visit the FCPS School Board Meetings website. 

Hunter Mill Happenings

Spooktacular Spirit at Langston Hughes Middle School

What a fantastic evening at Langston Hughes MS’s Trunk or Treat! Seeing students, families, and teachers all gathered together for a night of fall fun, vibrant costumes, and community spirit was absolute magic. Dedicated teachers kept the energy high while serving up fresh popcorn and fluffy cotton candy, while the principal fired up the grill to feed the hungry crowd. Thank you to everyone at Langston Hughes for opening your doors to students and the community. This is public education! 

A Sweet Morning of Learning at Aldrin Elementary

Aldrin ES is fortunate to have dedicated educator Ellen Keyser, who has been inspiring young minds at the school for 36 years! I joined her kindergarten students for apple-themed learning in literacy and numeracy, and with practicing fine motor skills from chopping apples and placing stickers. The result? Learning, and applesauce! I’ve since heard glowing stories from former students who fondly remember her decades later are a true testament to the lasting warmth and care she brings to her teaching. Teachers have a life-long impact!

Forest Edge Elementary Gets Plants and a Roof 

Forest Edge ES is the latest partner with the Fairfax County Stormwater Management office, to jointly install plants on a school campus. That office provides 10 school plantings annually across the county (five in the fall, five in the spring). The installation helps control stormwater runoff, attract local pollinators, and beautify the school! I joined students, educators, parent volunteers, and County staff on a bright fall day to enjoy placing hundreds of plants into the soil. Outdoor education for the win!  

Furthermore, at the October 22 School Board meeting, the Board approved a new roof for the elementary school. Lots of great things are happening for the Forest Edge community!

FCPS Students Create Safer School Routes App

After noticing that standard navigation apps sometimes send pedestrians along unsafe roads, three Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology seniors created SafeWalkr. Among the talented team is Hunter Mill's own student, Isaac Leetyn. The tool considers sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic to help families find safer walking routes to school. FCPS is piloting SafeWalkr at 14 schools, with support from the district’s Safe Routes to School team. The students hope their project will make walking to school safer and more accessible for families. Read the full story here.  Other Info of Interest 🪖Fairfax County Public Schools now a Purple Star School Division 🎖️ Northern Virginia has a massive concentration of military and veteran families, and FCPS serves over 12,000 military-connected students. Those students have unique needs, as many of them have moved several times throughout their lives, and their parents travel and deploy more frequently than in most civilian households. Recognizing the need to provide world-class education to our military community, Virginia established the Purple Star program to recognize school divisions who meet three criteria: Retain a staff point of contact for military-connected students, and the person must have completed training through the Virginia Department of Education. Have at least 70% of school staff complete training every three years. Maintain a student-led transition program and peer support for new and withdrawing students. Since all FCPS schools met the requirement, we were designated as a Purple Star Division. It means a lot to me to serve our military community, as many of my friends and constituents have military affiliations, including my district director and staff assistant. Well done to the teachers and staff who made this happen! October 27: Calling All Dads! Learn how to Advocate for your Children

Dads are invited to join Dads for ALL DMV, and me, for a Dadvocacy workshop! Together, Dads will hear about strategies to advocate for their children and speak up for them in Fairfax County Public Schools. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Bear Branch Tavern in Vienna. Join with other dads for camaraderie and the opportunity to enjoy food and drinks together. If interested, please register at the event page.

October 29: Safer Together: A Family Event for Online Safety

Join Sophie’s Light Foundation for Safer Together: A Community Event for Online Safety, a free, in-person event for all ages on Thursday, October 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Thoreau MS in Vienna.  Programming is providing separately for adults and children. Parents and caregivers will participate in an insightful fireside chat with online safety experts from National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Fairfax County Police Department, and Bark, a parental controls application for children’s electronic devices, to discuss current online trends, risks, and practical safety tips. Meanwhile, students (Grades K–12) will enjoy fun, hands-on teacher-led activities to help them build healthy digital habits. Register your family here

November 15: World Traffic Safety Day of Remembrance

Join Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) and its Fairfax FSS chapter on Sunday, November 15, at 10:30 AM at Woodson HS for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Their call to action is for smarter street design, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, and stop sign cameras in school zones to help save lives. Attending this event will allow you to connect with other advocates who want to improve traffic safety in Fairfax County. I have written a proclamation to this topic that I’ll read at the November 12 public School Board meeting.

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 expressed herein represent the personal thoughts and ideas of the undersigned, crafted without the use of artificial intelligence, and do not reflect an official position of the FCPS School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

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