Fairfax County Public Schools

Published January 30, 2025 at 9:00AM

Justice High School cafeteria staff prepare meals for distribution to students during a snow day (courtesy Donnie Biggs/FCPS)

The Trump administration’s plan to freeze federal spending could’ve disrupted free and reduced-price meals for thousands of students if it had taken effect, according to Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid.

The directive, issued Monday (Jan. 27), ordered federal agencies to halt grants, loans, and other aid and review federal financial assistance programs to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s policy agenda, which has prioritized cutting government spending and scaling back diversity and equity efforts, among other goals.

Countywide

Fairfax officials scramble to assess impact of Trump’s federal funding freeze

By James Jarvis and Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated January 28, 2025 at 6:31PM

The White House (via René DeAnda on Unsplash)

Update: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s order freezing federal grants and loans minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m.

Earlier: Fairfax County officials are scrambling to assess how a new federal directive halting financial aid programs might impact local services and capital projects.

Countywide

FCPS superintendent requests $268M funding increase, mostly for employee pay raises

By James Jarvis

Published January 27, 2025 at 1:15PM

Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff file photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid is requesting an additional $268.3 million from the county for fiscal year 2026, with most of it going toward a 7% across-the-board pay raise for teachers and staff.

The raise, costing $213 million, is part of a newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the recently formed Fairfax Education Unions. Whether the county can afford it, however, is still an open question.

Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools calls for two-hour delay due to extreme cold

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 21, 2025 at 9:15PM

Fairfax County school buses lined up with snow (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools will join its neighbors in Arlington and Alexandria in opening two hours late tomorrow (Wednesday).

FCPS announced the two-hour delay in response to a Cold Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service, which predicts that temperatures could drop as low as 5 degrees below zero tonight (Tuesday).

Countywide

DEVELOPING: School grounds, GW Parkway close ahead of expected snow

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 19, 2025 at 8:30AM

Snow along Wolftrap Creek in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Another round of snow is expected to hit the D.C. area today (Sunday).

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the region, forecasting between 1 and 3 inches of snow for Fairfax County and other parts of Northern Virginia.

News

Reston math teacher honored with top U.S. award for STEM education

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 17, 2025 at 11:15AM

Math teacher Emily Burrell works with South Lakes High School students (courtesy Fairfax County Public Schools)

A math teacher at South Lakes High School has been recognized by the White House as one of the best science and math educators in the country.

Emily Burrell, who has taught at the Reston school for a decade, is among 336 teachers and mentors to receive this year’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), which are considered the U.S. government’s highest honor for K-12 math, science, engineering and technology teachers.

News

FCPS: Billions needed for school facility projects, even with declining enrollment

By James Jarvis

Published January 17, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated January 17, 2025 at 11:37AM

The Fairfax County Public Schools administrative center in Merrifield (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools needs $2.6 billion over the next decade to address renovations and construction projects already in its pipeline, school officials say.

While $428 million is available from past bond referendums, it’s far from enough to cover the school system’s current priorities, which were laid out in a draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2026-2030 presented to the Fairfax County School Board on Tuesday (Jan. 14).

News

Planning commission backs new Dunn Loring Elementary School

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 16, 2025 at 2:30PM

Dunn Loring Elementary School front entrance rendering (via Fairfax County Public Schools)

Fairfax County Public Schools won the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s support yesterday (Wednesday) for construction of a new Dunn Loring Elementary School.

The zoning recommendation, which now goes to the Board of Supervisors, will help support “decades of [student] growth to come,” Providence District Commissioner Jeremy Hancock said.

News

Edison HS suspends basketball coach over player eligibility issues

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 16, 2025 at 9:00AM

Thomas Edison High School in Rose Hill (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Allegations of player recruiting irregularities have engulfed another Fairfax County high school sports team.

Tre Ford, the head coach for Edison High School’s varsity boys’ basketball team, has been suspended after administrators learned that several athletes who played for the school in a tournament last summer weren’t enrolled as students at Edison, principal Mandy Burke said in a message to the community on Tuesday (Jan. 14).

Countywide

New FCPS traffic safety pilot program sparks mixed reactions from school board

By James Jarvis

Published January 15, 2025 at 3:45PM

A crossing guard watches a crosswalk outside Daniels Run Elementary School in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is rolling out a new plan to tackle traffic and pedestrian safety concerns at its 200 schools, but not everyone on the school board is sold on the idea.

The School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program, discussed during a school board work session on Tuesday (Jan. 14), aims to streamline how schools identify and address issues like clogged “Kiss and Ride” loops, bus congestion and pedestrian safety.