Fairfax County School Board

Published October 27, 2026 at 1:45PM

A Fairfax County Public Schools bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County School Board is asking lawmakers in Richmond to increase state funding for K-12 programs, provide state-funded universal Pre-K programs, and make changes to Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act as part of its 2027 Legislative Program.

In preparation for the General Assembly’s coming session in January, the school board voted unanimously (with the exception of one absent member) on Oct. 8 to adopt eight priority positions for the state legislature and another 11 at the federal level.

Countywide

Fairfax school board refines policy limiting kindergarten tech use, orders app reviews

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published October 20, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated October 20, 2026 at 10:31PM

The sign in front of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Gatehouse Administration Center (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools will examine its use of instructional apps and software, following two recent unanimous votes from the school board.

At its Oct. 8 meeting, the Fairfax County School Board, by an 8-4 vote, approved a carve-out in the division’s digital device restrictions to allow kindergarteners in need of additional reading support to use the literacy program Lexia during this academic year — a move that affects about 30% of kindergarteners.

News

Skyview HS quantum computer could be ‘incubator’ for future FCPS programs

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published October 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

Skyview High School in Herndon (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools has acquired a quantum computer, touted as the world’s first for kindergarten through 12th-grade students, for its new Skyview High School in the Floris area south of Herndon.

Roughly the size of a small refrigerator, the computer is expected to be installed in December and become available next spring to FCPS students, enabling them to explore quantum concepts, understand how the machine differs from a traditional computer, and test problems.

Countywide

State legislators ask for more ‘respectful’ dialogue on K-12 funding from Fairfax leaders

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 8, 2026 at 8:30AM

Del. Kathy Tran, D-18, discusses local leaders' language on education funding (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Members of Fairfax County’s General Assembly delegation are asking county supervisors and school board members to lower the rhetoric when it comes to state funding for local K-12 education.

“Be thoughtful about the way you talk,” Del. Laura Jane Cohen (D-16) told the Board of Supervisors during an Oct. 6 joint work session between the board and the county’s state legislative representatives.

News

Lake Braddock teachers push back against weapons detection duty with union grievance

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 30, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated October 6, 2026 at 11:21AM

Lake Braddock staff rally outside the school during Back to School night Sept. 1. (courtesy of FCFT)

Some teachers at Lake Braddock Secondary School are pushing back against a relatively new job duty: weapons detection.

The staff members say that they are not qualified nor the appropriate personnel to screen for weapons as students pass through OpenGate security systems at the Burke school. As part of the ongoing dispute, the Fairfax Education Unions — a partnership between the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers and Fairfax Education Association, the labor unions representing non-managerial employees — has filed a formal grievance against FCPS.

News

School board bans Flock-style license plate readers on FCPS property

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 28, 2026 at 8:30AM

The sign in front of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Gatehouse Administration Center (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously Thursday (Sept. 24) to ban the use of Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers (ALPRs) on school property.

The motion, introduced by at-large member Kyle McDaniel and seconded by Springfield District representative Sandy Anderson, prohibits the “installation, procurement, or leasing” of ALPRs on property owned by the school board. It has no impact on the school system’s internal video cameras, speed cameras or school bus stop-arm cameras.

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax supervisors restore crossing guard funding after residents rally for action

By Scott McCaffrey, Mary Stachyra Lopez and Angela Woolsey

Published September 15, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated September 16, 2026 at 9:07AM

Hunter Mill District School Board Representative Melanie Meren speaks at a rally to call for crossing guard funding on Sept. 15, 2026 outside the Fairfax County Government Center in support of restoring crossing guards (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted today (Sept. 15) to restore funding for crossing guard services at a number of public high schools.

The board unanimously approved a fiscal year 2026 budget carryover review package that included $707,908 in funding and 11 full-time police positions to restore coverage of 11 crossings at 10 high schools for the remainder of fiscal year 2027, which began on July 1 and will end on June 30, 2027.

Countywide

Fairfax school board considers naming rights sales, but warns against getting too corporate

By Nolan Stout

Published September 14, 2026 at 1:45PM

Chantilly High School athletic facilities (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools officials are willing to at least explore the idea of selling naming rights to high school athletic facilities.

At its Sept. 8 work session, the Fairfax County School Board directed county staff to gather more information from the business community, while the elected officials try to hammer out policy guardrails.

Countywide

FCPS officials warn funding cuts likely needed with difficult budgetary year ahead

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 14, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County School Board logo (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Like the county government, Fairfax County Public Schools is preparing for a challenging financial year ahead — one that could require further reductions to staffing and other cuts.

With spending commitments for fiscal year 2028 outweighing anticipated revenue, the school board and superintendent will need to identify cost savings and potential reductions, according to FCPS Chief Financial Officer Leigh Burden.

Countywide

Kiss-and-ride congestion a growing safety concern at Fairfax County schools, report finds

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 9, 2026 at 11:45AM

Vehicle traffic at Oakton High School during dismissal (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The “kiss and ride” pick-up and drop-off sections at many Fairfax County Public Schools are overextended to the point of becoming the school system’s “most significant operational concern districtwide,” a new staff report found.

The results of a Safe Routes to Schools assessment conducted over the past year and a half were presented to the Fairfax County School Board yesterday (Sept. 8) as part of a discussion of pedestrian and traffic safety around schools, just one week after a student was hit by a car while walking to South Lakes High School in Reston.