Fairfax County School Board | FFXnow

Published December 10, 2024 at 11:15AM

The Fairfax County School Board discusses a proposed review of Fairfax County Public School policies protecting student journalist rights at its meeting on Dec. 5, 2024 (via FCPS/YouTube)

A Fairfax County School Board member’s desire to affirm the defined rights of student journalists in the wake of the Hayfield Secondary School athlete-transfer uproar died on a 9-3 vote at the Dec. 5 board meeting.

At-large board member Ryan McElveen introduced the measure as part of a broader discussion of the Hayfield athletics matter. He said it was in reaction to allegations, which have not been independently confirmed, of student journalists at Hayfield having their work on the issue censored.

Countywide

‘I am sorry’: Superintendent works to make amends following uproar over Hayfield football

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 9, 2024 at 1:15PM

Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff file photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County School Board members and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid took formal steps last week to address the alleged athletic recruiting irregularities at Hayfield Secondary School that have roiled the entire community.

At the school board meeting on Thursday (Dec. 5), Reid offered her first public mea culpa for the crisis of confidence in Fairfax County Public Schools leadership sparked by its handling of the controversy around Hayfield’s football program.

Countywide

FCPS agrees to teacher pay raises in union contract, but county might struggle to fund them

By James Jarvis

Published December 6, 2024 at 9:45AM | Updated December 6, 2024 at 10:50AM

Tina Williams, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, speaks at a rally prior to a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to allow collective bargaining of county government workers (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

With Fairfax County facing another major budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, local public school leaders are once again confronting difficult decisions regarding teacher pay raises.

This time, though, there’s a twist: Fairfax County Public Schools has a tentative agreement with the Fairfax Education Unions representing teachers and other employees that includes a roughly $150 million request for a 7% across-the-board pay hike for educators and support staff.

Countywide

Fairfax City school board calls for transparency in Hayfield football investigation

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 5, 2024 at 11:15AM

Hayfield Secondary School (staff photo)

Leaders of Fairfax County Public Schools are under growing pressure from both the Fairfax City School Board and their own school board to shed light on accusations of recruiting violations at Hayfield Secondary School.

The City of Fairfax School Board approved a resolution on Monday (Dec. 2) formally requesting that FCPS contract an independent investigator “with expertise in athletic ethics and compliance to conduct a thorough review” of Hayfield’s football program.

Countywide

Ongoing boundary review complicates FCPS middle school start time debate

By James Jarvis

Published December 4, 2024 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Public Schools school bus (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board is debating whether to delay changing middle school start times until after Fairfax County Public Schools completes its review of school boundary adjustments.

At a work session yesterday (Tuesday), the school board delved into several proposals from the North Carolina-based consulting firm Prismatic Services that would push middle school start times to 8 a.m. or later. Advocates say aligning start times with adolescent sleep patterns could improve students’ mental health and academic performance.

Countywide

Fairfax County faces nearly $300 million deficit to fill in next year’s budget

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 2, 2024 at 11:15AM

Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County leaders have a nearly $300 million budget gap to fill between now and the time the fiscal 2026 budget is adopted in springtime.

“We have a lot of work to do,” County Executive Bryan Hill said last Tuesday (Nov. 26) at an occasionally testy joint meeting between the county’s Board of Supervisors and School Board.

Countywide

UPDATED: Hayfield pulls football team from playoffs as calls for outside investigation grow

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 25, 2024 at 3:45PM | Updated November 25, 2024 at 7:34PM

Hayfield Secondary School (staff photo)

Hayfield Secondary School has withdrawn its football team from playoff contention, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced tonight (Monday).

According to Reid, the decision was made by Hayfield principal Darin Thompson as questions continue to mount about the recruiting practices used by head coach Darryl Overton and his staff and how FCPS has responded to the allegations.

Countywide

More funds to evaluate facility conditions approved by Fairfax County School Board

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 19, 2024 at 9:00AM

A rendering of Armstrong Elementary School's main entrance after planned renovation (via FCPS)

Fairfax County School Board members hope an infusion of $3 million in additional cash will help create an objective evaluation of public school facilities as new renovation timetables are developed.

Board members voted 11-0, with one abstention, on Thursday (Nov. 14) to add the funding to $2 million previously appropriated. It will support upcoming work by consultants evaluating the conditions of all schools, athletic facilities and administrative buildings.

Countywide

FCPS superintendent secures early, 4-year contract extension

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 15, 2024 at 1:15PM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has had her contract extended (via Fairfax County Public Schools/YouTube)

Dr. Michelle Reid is going to stick around as superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools.

Though her existing contract was set to run through June 2026, the Fairfax County School Board voted yesterday (Thursday) to give Reid a new four-year contract that could bring her annual salary close to a half-million dollars by its conclusion.

Countywide

Fairfax County School Board seeks uniform grading standards across district

By James Jarvis

Published November 8, 2024 at 11:15AM

FCPS Central Office in Merrifield (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Facing growing concerns over inconsistent grading practices, the Fairfax County School Board is moving forward with plans for a comprehensive update of its grading policy for the first time in more than a decade.

The policy revamp comes after years of complaints from teachers, parents, and students that the current system lacks clarity and consistency.