Centreville High School

Fairfax case alleging school-assisted abortions now in federal court

By Charlotte Rene Woods / Virginia Mercury

Published February 2, 2026 at 11:15AM

Zenaida Perez speaks during a press conference in front of the Fairfax County Courthouse on Oct. 29, 2025 (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A legal challenge alleging that a Fairfax County Public Schools employee helped minors get abortions without their parents’ consent is now in federal court in a case that hinges on a First Amendment free speech claim.

FCPS teacher Zenaida Perez, plaintiff in the case, is seeking to prove that school officials have defamed her and are in violation of the Virginia Whistleblower Protection Law. Perez alleged in 2025 that another FCPS staff member assisted minors with seeking abortions. FCPS’ internal probe refuted her claims.

Countywide

Fairfax school board stresses urgency of addressing growing maintenance backlog

By Nolan Stout

Published January 15, 2026 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Public Schools facility services and capital programs chief Erik Gordon wraps up presentation on proposed FY 2027-2031 capital improvement program to the school board at a Jan. 13, 2026 work session (via FCPS/YouTube)

Overflowing bathroom facilities and consistent mold problems are just a few of the issues making up Fairfax County Public Schools’ expansive maintenance backlog.

Maintenance and renovation needs were part of the Fairfax County School Board’s discussion of its latest draft Capital Improvement Program and a public hearing on Tuesday (Jan. 13).

News

Teacher behind Centreville HS abortion claim sues FCPS for retaliation, defamation

By Jared Serre

Published October 30, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated November 4, 2025 at 8:45AM

Zenaida Perez speaks during a press conference in front of the Fairfax County Courthouse on Oct. 29, 2025 (staff photo by Jared Serre)

The Centreville High School teacher who alleged that a social worker pressured a student to get an abortion without parental notification — a claim that school officials called “likely untrue” — is now taking her case to court.

Zenaida Perez, backed by the pro-life advocacy organization Americans United for Life (AUL), filed a civil lawsuit yesterday (Wednesday) alleging that Fairfax County Public Schools defamed and retaliated against her after she went public with her claims.

News

Teacher behind Centreville HS abortion claims placed on leave

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 22, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated October 22, 2025 at 5:27PM

Centreville High School sign (via Google Maps)

The Centreville High School teacher who alleged that a social worker had helped students obtain abortions in 2021 is now on paid leave.

Fairfax County Public Schools Director of Employee Relations William Fulton notified Zenaida Perez on Monday (Oct. 20) that she has been placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, after investigators released a report last week challenging the veracity of her claims.

News

NEW: Evidence for abortion assistance allegations appears fabricated, FCPS says

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2025 at 8:30AM

Centreville High School sign (via Google Maps)

Claims that a social worker at Centreville High School pressured students into obtaining abortions without informing their guardians appear to be baseless, attorneys hired by Fairfax County Public Schools say.

A preliminary investigation found not only that the teacher who made the allegations may have withheld and fabricated evidence, but that state officials might have been made aware of the allegations well before they were publicly reported, King & Spalding partner Sean Royall said in statements sent yesterday (Thursday) to the U.S. Department of Education and Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate education committee.

News

Youngkin tells police to investigate FCPS over abortion assistance allegations

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 14, 2025 at 9:15AM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin at a rally in Vienna (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Allegations that Fairfax County Public Schools employees helped students obtain abortions without their parents’ consent have drawn Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s attention after circulating for days on right-wing media.

The Republican governor directed the Virginia State Police yesterday (Wednesday) to open a criminal investigation into FCPS based on the report, which was originally published in the Substack-based newsletter WC Dispatch.

News

FCPS given more time to submit plans for Centreville High School expansion

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 24, 2025 at 11:15AM

Proposed Centreville High School renovation (via FCPS)

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (April 22) gave the county school system an extension totaling nearly a full year to submit planning documents for expansion of Centreville High School.

The action did not sit well with the supervisor in whose district the school is located.

Sports

Eight teams lead outright in district basketball standings

By Dave Facinoli

Published January 29, 2025 at 7:00PM

The Robinson girls are in first place (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With a little more than two weeks remaining in the regular season, there were eight outright first-place leaders through Tuesday (Jan. 28) action in the four different public-school basketball districts in the 6D North Region.

In girls play, the Langley Saxons at 8-0 were among the leaders, atop the Liberty District by two games over the McLean Highlanders.

Sports

Centreville, Chantilly girls hoop teams tied for first in district

By Dave Facinoli

Published January 18, 2025 at 9:30AM

Oakton plays defense in recent action (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The stage is set for a showdown for first in Concorde District girls basketball between neighborhood rivals Chantilly Chargers and Centreville Wildcats.

The game is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Centreville.

Sports