Fairfax County School Board

Published November 13, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated November 13, 2025 at 9:02AM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid discusses the upcoming budget season at a school board work session on Nov. 12, 2025 (screenshot via FCPS)

While acknowledging a request for more funding is on the horizon, the chair of Fairfax County’s School Board says she is eager to avoid a repeat of budget clashes earlier this year between her body and the Board of Supervisors.

Springfield District School Board member Sandy Anderson, who rotated in as chair over the summer, said Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) leaders need to be realistic about the current state of fiscal affairs, and considerate of the choices supervisors will need to make next spring.

News

FCPS leaders vote to delay changes to middle school start times

By Acacia James

Published October 29, 2025 at 2:45PM

A Fairfax County school bus leaving a school (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County School Board voted last week to delay consideration of new middle school start times in order to focus on ongoing school boundary adjustments and identify an option that won’t affect the school system’s budget.

Mount Vernon District Representative Mateo Dunne, who introduced the motion during the school board’s meeting last Thursday (Oct. 23), reaffirmed his support for later start times but emphasized the importance of waiting until other changes are finalized.

Countywide

FCPS students report improved mental health in new county youth survey

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 28, 2025 at 8:30AM

Students walk down a school hallway (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County school leaders see signs of improving mental health, but also some ongoing red flags, in the county’s most recent youth survey.

“This is always a bittersweet report to read,” at-large Fairfax County School Board member Kyle McDaniel said after Superintendent Michelle Reid detailed the report’s findings at the board meeting last Thursday (Oct. 23).

Countywide

FCPS seeks to prepare students for future by incorporating AI tools in schools

By Nolan Stout

Published October 20, 2025 at 10:00AM

A Cub Run Elementary School student uses Adobe Express to create an image of himself for a class (via DIT Labs/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools officials want to make sure students are using artificial intelligence as a tool rather than a crutch.

FCPS doesn’t have a comprehensive policy governing the use of AI, but officials are working on one. Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Fairfax County School Board at a work session this month (Oct. 7) that it’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page because AI is such a broad topic.

News

Former PTA president announces Braddock District school board campaign

By Jared Serre

Published October 16, 2025 at 2:20PM

Tom Dannan (courtesy Dannan for School Board)

No special election is on the calendar, but that hasn’t stopped a former PTA president from seeking a potential seat on the Fairfax County School Board.

Tom Dannan, a Democrat from Burke, is the first declared candidate looking to succeed Rachna Sizemore Heizer as the school board’s Braddock District representative, he announced yesterday (Wednesday).

News

FCPS leans toward traditional model for new western high school near Herndon

By Nolan Stout

Published October 15, 2025 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid discusses possible programming at the new western high school during a school board work session on Oct. 7, 2025 (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools officials are planning to use a traditional model for the division’s first new high school to open in 20 years.

The county school board discussed the latest updates in planning for a new high school on the western end of the county during a work session last week (Oct. 7).

Countywide

FCPS to explore adding advanced academic centers in all middle schools

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 2, 2025 at 10:00AM

Proposed boundary change to allow an AAP Center at Poe Middle School (via FCPS)

Poe Middle School is getting closer to having an Advanced Academic Program (AAP) center of its own, and other middle schools could soon follow suit.

The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously last Thursday (Sept. 25) to begin engaging with the community on a plan to open a new AAP center at Poe (7000 Cindy Lane), which would be the first middle school in the Annandale High School pyramid to offer full-time advanced academic services.

News

FCPS: Immigration raid fears may be contributing to lower student enrollment

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 1, 2025 at 8:30AM

Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County school leaders are paying careful attention to start-of-school enrollment figures, attempting to determine if the Trump administration’s immigration policies are leading some families to keep their children at home.

“Some students are a bit reluctant to be in school at this time,” Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told school board members during a Sept. 25 report on the first month of classes.

Countywide

Shrinking summer breaks a growing source of complaints, Fairfax school board says

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 30, 2025 at 1:45PM

Superintendent Michelle Reid presents her 2025-2026 opening of schools report to the Fairfax County School Board (via FCPS/YouTube)

The new school year is just over a month in, but several Fairfax County School Board members are still thinking about a summer break that some families have lamented was too short.

“Something has to change,” Mason District Representative Ricardy Anderson said at the Sept. 25 board meeting.

Countywide

FCPS bus driver vacancies down, leading to improved on-time performance

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 29, 2025 at 1:45PM

School buses lined up at South County High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools has managed to significantly reduce its bus driver vacancies, which in turn is bumping up on-time rates.

As part of her “Opening of Schools” report, Superintendent Michelle Reid reported last Thursday (Sept. 25) that 96% of bus routes were completed on time to start the current school year — a figure that astounded some School Board members.