Fairfax County Public Schools

Judge disqualifies Franconia District school board candidate over ballot paperwork

Published October 26, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated October 30, 2023 at 11:09AM

Franconia District school board candidate Marcia St. John-Cunning (courtesy Marcia4Schools)

(Updated at 11:10 a.m. on 10/30/2023) The Democratic-endorsed candidate for the Fairfax County School Board’s Franconia District seat has been disqualified due to an error on her petition to get on the ballot.

The Fairfax County Office of Elections has posted a notice on its website informing voters that Marcia St. John-Cunning was disqualified yesterday (Wednesday) by a Fairfax County Circuit Court order. A judge ruled that her petition was invalid because of an error in her address on its front page.

News

Groveton ES teacher arrested for exposing himself to child in Fort Hunt neighborhood

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 26, 2023 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County police believe James William Nugent II exposed himself multiple times in the Stratford Landing Elementary School area, including an Oct. 21 incident that led to his arrest (via Google Maps)

A Groveton Elementary School teacher is facing indecent liberties and child pornography charges after allegedly exposing himself to a child this weekend — an incident that police say may not be his first.

James William Nugent II, 27, of Alexandria “lured” a juvenile into his Toyota Sienna van in Fort Hunt’s Stratford Landing neighborhood early in the afternoon on Saturday (Oct. 21), the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release yesterday (Wednesday).

Countywide

More FCPS students expected to walk out in support of Palestinians

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 25, 2023 at 9:30AM

Justice High School students walked out on Monday in support of Palestinians (courtesy Justice High School Muslim Student Association)

Students at schools across Fairfax County have or are planning to walk out this week in a show of solidarity with Palestinians suffering in the latest war between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.

Dubbed a “Humanitarian Walkout Week,” the demonstrations began last Friday (Oct. 20) at Annandale High School and continued on Monday (Oct. 23) at Justice High School in Lake Barcroft. Organizers at Oakton High School reported that at least 200 students participated in their walkout yesterday (Tuesday).

News

School board advances W.T. Woodson High School renaming

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 16, 2023 at 9:30AM

W.T. Woodson High School is getting renamed (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is moving forward with a name change for W.T. Woodson High School.

The Fairfax County School Board voted 10-0 with two members absent on Thursday (Oct. 12) to drop former FCPS superintendent Wilber Tucker Woodson as the namesake of the 61-year-old school at 9525 Main Street outside Fairfax City.

News

Dranesville ES renovation approved despite questions about its scope

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 6, 2023 at 1:15PM

The renovation of the school is slated to begin next year (photo courtesy FCPS).

The renovation and expansion of Dranesville Elementary School is slated to begin next year — despite some lingering concerns.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday (Oct. 4) to approve a nearly 44,000-square-foot addition to the school at 1515 Powells Tavern Place in Herndon.

News

Police: FCPS basketball coach charged with embezzlement

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 6, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated October 6, 2023 at 11:39AM

Fairfax County police vehicle with lights (file photo)

A Fairfax County Public School basketball coach is facing embezzlement charges.

Drew Smerdzinski, 33, of Herndon, embezzled money from a school event, the Fairfax County Police Department said today (Friday).

Countywide

FCPS dominates ranking of top high schools in Northern Virginia

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 4, 2023 at 3:30PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (courtesy Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology)

Six of the 10 best high schools in Northern Virginia belong to Fairfax County Public Schools, as newly declared by Northern Virginia Magazine.

For its recently published October issue, the magazine’s editorial staff ranked the top 25 top public high schools in the region based on graduation and chronic absenteeism rates, Standards of Learning test pass rates, and other data from the 2021-2022 school year.

Countywide

FCPS settles lawsuit against Juul over its e-cigarette marketing to teens

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 28, 2023 at 1:15PM

Altria Group's headquarters in Richmond (courtesy Altria Group Inc.)

Fairfax County Public Schools will receive money to support student wellness after settling its portion of a class action lawsuit against the vaping company Juul Labs.

The Fairfax County School Board reached a settlement on Aug. 31 with Altria Group, which owns several tobacco companies — including cigarette maker Philip Morris USA — and has a 35% ownership stake in Juul, FCPS announced on Sept. 19. The news was previously reported by DC News Now.

News

School board proposes changing namesake of Woodson High School

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2023 at 3:30PM

Sign for W.T. Woodson High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Woodson High School may soon drop “W.T.” from the beginning of its name.

The Fairfax County School Board launched a formal process last week to consider renaming the school just outside Fairfax City, adding it to a growing list of local institutions and landmarks whose monikers have been reevaluated in recent years.

Countywide

Fairfax County’s speed camera pilot hits bump due to malfunctioning flashing lights

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 29, 2023 at 10:30AM

A speed camera on Kirby Road outside Chesterbrook Elementary School (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Some broken lights have unexpected challenges for Fairfax County’s speed camera pilot program, which appears to be having an effect on drivers, based on early data.

For about a week in mid-July, the Winko-Matics — flashing lights that signal when a school zone is in effect — failed to turn on at three of the eight sites involved in the pilot, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.