School Board · Mar 2, 2026

Regular School Board Meeting

▶ Watch recording Agenda Minutes Read the transcript3h 12m · 7 agenda items · 3 votes, all unanimous · 11 tracked topics

What was decided

1.04
Agenda Adoption
Motion to adopt the agenda as written and distributed passed unanimously.
Passed, unanimous
not chaptered
4.01
Approval of Minutes – February 9, 2026
Motion to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2026, regular School Board meeting passed unanimously.
Passed, unanimous
not chaptered
✓4.02
Approval of Donation to FHS All Night Graduation Celebration
Motion to approve a $2,000 donation to the FHS All Night Graduation Celebration passed unanimously.
Passed, unanimous
- FHS All Night Graduation Celebrationapproved[4.02] The School Board unanimously approved a $2,000 donation to the FHS All Night Graduation Celebration.
Fairfax High Schoolin progress
not chaptered

Presented

2.01
Citizen Participation · No citizen participation.
2.02
Student Representative Report · Student Representative Abbey Lucas delivered a report covering highlights from February 2026 across city schools.
- Fairfax High Schoolin progress[2.02] FHS winter sports concluded with state finals in swim and dive, indoor track, and wrestling; DECA students competed at the State Leadership Conference; spring sports tryouts were held the week of February 22nd. [4.02] Fairfax High School's All Night Graduation Celebration received a $2,000 donation approved by the School Board. Dr. Wright met with the FHS Student Advisor Team, attended the presentation of a van donation to the FHS Auto Tech program from the FACET program, and attended the FHS Dance Academy performance where he announced that the City of Fairfax Schools will support a new dance floor for the studio.
- Katherine Johnson Middle School[2.02] KJMS continued Rising 9th Grade Course Selection activities into February, including a parent coffee on February 9, 2026, and TJHSST Techstravaganza 2026 participation. Dr. Wright visited a leadership class and an 8th grade AVID class at KJMS.
- Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved[2.02] Daniels Run held a PTA BINGO Night and will host a Cultural Celebration Night on March 12th. [2.04] Daniels Run Elementary's goals in language arts, math, and wellness, and its use of City of Fairfax supplemental funds were presented to the board. Dr. Wright visited a 2nd grade classroom at Daniels Run Elementary and served as a guest bingo caller at the Daniels Run Elementary PTA bingo night.
- Providence Elementary Schoolapproved[2.02] Providence held a PTA BINGO Night for families and community. [2.04] Providence Elementary's goals in language arts, math, and wellness, and its use of City of Fairfax supplemental funds were presented to the board. Dr. Wright noted he attended the Providence Elementary chorus and band concert and congratulated performers, and also attended Read Across America day at Providence Elementary.
2.03
FCPS Region 5 State of the Schools Report · FCPS Region 5 Assistant Superintendent Becky Baenig presented the Region 5 State of the Schools report, covering who is served, priorities, progress toward the FCPS Strategic Plan 2023-30, contextual data, and the VDOE School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) implications for city schools.
- Strategic Planin progress[2.03] Progress toward select indicators of the FCPS Strategic Plan 2023-30 was reported as part of the Region 5 State of the Schools presentation.
2.04
Elementary State of the Schools Report · Principals Susan Mullen (Daniels Run Elementary) and Andrew Pratt (Providence Elementary) presented their State of the Schools reports, covering goals in language arts, math, and wellness, and use of City of Fairfax supplemental funds.
Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved Providence Elementary Schoolapproved

Also raised

Brought up outside the numbered agenda, in member comments, reports or public comment.

Budget Processin progressDr. Wright noted there will be significant work related to the FY27 budget process throughout the month, including working with the city council.
FY 2027 Budgetin progressDr. Wright noted significant work on the FY27 budget process is expected throughout the month, including collaboration with the city council. Ms. Hickman expressed she is looking forward to the joint session with the city council the following evening to discuss the budget and stated full support for the city manager's proposed budget presented on February 24th.
Humanities and History FairDr. Wright attended the student-organized Humanities and History Fair and noted a partnership between City of Fairfax Schools, City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation, George Mason University, and HFCI. Ms. Bartelme noted she also attended the Humanities and History Fair and was impressed that approximately 60 students participated through their own initiative, not tied to any class, spending months on their projects.
George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University was noted as a partner in the student-organized Humanities and History Fair alongside City of Fairfax Schools, Parks and Recreation, and HFCI.
FHS Dance Academy dance floorAt the FHS Dance Academy performance, Dr. Wright announced that the City of Fairfax Schools will support a new dance floor for the studio.

Named in discussion

Tracked topics the transcript names that no agenda item is filed under. Their own pages and wikis do not yet record this meeting; the passages below are the only trace.

2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guidein progressonce
“…the curriculum. benchmark playbook that provides a common pacing calendar, implementation guides for every grade level unit, and expectations and guidelines for them to make those instructional decisions in the classroom. And our schools maintain…”
watch 48:05 every passage wiki

Recording · 3h 12m

▶ Watch from the start

Topics touched · 11

Fairfax High Schoolin progress
Fairfax High School (FHS) is a City of Fairfax public high school at 3501 Lion Run that serves as a central hub for academic programming, community events, and ongoing capital improvements. Over the 2024–2026 period, the school has been the subject of multiple facility actions: in April 2025, the City Council unanimously approved (6-0) an 8-year Special Use Permit for temporary modular classrooms to address enrollment capacity, with a condition requiring removal of sheds from required parking spaces.
- The School Board is to make its recommendation to City Council on the Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements project — specifically the amphitheater/outdoor classroom seating options on FHS…
- The roof replacement project is in the concept design phase; phasing and timing of the replacement (and associated HVAC replacements) remain to be determined.
Katherine Johnson Middle School
Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS) is a public middle school in the City of Fairfax serving grades 6–8, operating as one of four schools in the city's school division. It has been an active hub of academic, extracurricular, and community programming throughout the record period.
- Whether and when the City Council will vote on the proposed CIP items for KJMS (turf field, auditorium upgrades, HVAC units), with a vote anticipated in November 2026 per the October 2026 transcript…
- Confirmation of which department/jurisdiction (Parks and Recreation vs. school division) has formal responsibility for the Katherine Johnson turf field project, which was an open question as of…
Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved
Daniels Run Elementary School is undergoing a major renovation project in the City of Fairfax. In April 2025, the School Board approved a reallocation of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds to complete a vestibule project at the school, contingent on FCPS approval for the City to reimburse FCPS for executing the work.
- What design concept will be selected as the direction for the Daniels Run Elementary School renovation?
- What are the outcomes and next steps following the April 15, 2026 community meeting on renovations?
Providence Elementary Schoolapproved
Providence Elementary School (3616 Jermantown Road, Tax Map Parcel 47-3-01-040) is a City of Fairfax public elementary school serving over 900 students, including both City of Fairfax and Fairfax County students. The school has been the subject of significant capital improvement activity.
- The full school renovation remains in schematic design phase (as of September 2026); the construction delivery method was under reconsideration as of May 2026, with design-bid-build noted as the…
- Schematic design work by Architecture, Incorporated and Moseley Designs was ongoing through summer 2026 and into fall 2026; the completed design and timeline for construction have not yet been…
Strategic Planin progress
The "Strategic Plan" topic spans several distinct but related planning efforts across City of Fairfax government bodies. At the city-wide level, a 2023 strategic plan framework was in place, and a proposal for a new city-wide strategic plan was presented to Mayor and Council at the January 10, 2026 City Council Retreat by Assistant City Manager Melanie Zipp; Council provided feedback on direction, public role, scope, governance, equity, engagement expectations, and strategic priorities and budget, but took no formal action.
- No formal Council action was taken at the January 2026 retreat on the new city-wide strategic plan — the process, timeline, and scope for developing the new plan remain to be determined.
- The tiered performance management process described to Council is expected to begin development in late 2026 and into 2027, with no formal milestones yet recorded.
FHS All Night Graduation Celebrationapproved
The FHS All Night Graduation Celebration is a school-sanctioned post-graduation event for students at Fairfax High School. The Fairfax School Board has approved a $2,000 donation to support the event on two consecutive occasions: unanimously at the March 3, 2025 Regular Meeting (Agenda Item 4.02) and again unanimously at the March 2, 2026 Regular Meeting (Agenda Item 4.02).
Budget Processin progress
The City of Fairfax budget process is an annual multi-phase cycle spanning from fall CIP planning through spring adoption, typically culminating in a City Council vote in May. The process involves work sessions, public hearings, and coordination across multiple bodies including the City Council, School Board, Planning Commission, and advisory boards such as HHCAB.
- The state budget had not been adopted as of early May 2026; it is unclear whether it has since been adopted and what its final impact on City of Fairfax schools and localities will be.
- The Housing Trust Fund vote, framed as needing to occur before the budget process, was anticipated for September 2026; its outcome and budget implications are not yet recorded.
FY 2027 Budgetin progress
The FY 2027 Budget is the City of Fairfax's annual operating and capital budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. Budget development began in fall 2025, with staff presenting a range of CIP requests to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in September 2025.
Humanities and History Fair
George Mason University
George Mason University (GMU) is a major public research university directly adjacent to the City of Fairfax, and it appears throughout city records as a neighbor, partner, and institutional presence shaping local planning, programming, and civic life. GMU's relationship with the city spans multiple domains: its students created murals on Old Town Hall's exterior during window renovation work (expected April 2025 closure); the university was identified as a potential partner for HHCAB's Home Sharing and Communications/Awareness strategy teams (July 2025); it co-hosted the 2025 Housing Symposium with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (October 2025); and it served as the venue for GIS Day on November 20, 2025, where city planning, GIS, and stormwater staff presented.
- Whether the HHCAB Home Sharing Strategy Team and Communications/Awareness Strategy Team will formally engage GMU as a partner, and in what capacity (program evaluation, student demand assessment…
- Whether the GMU student organization that works on housing issues will be engaged in connection with home sharing efforts, as noted in January 2026.
FHS Dance Academy dance floor

Documents · 7

Filed in agenda order; the agenda names the item each belongs to.