School Board Norms
The City of Fairfax School Board Norms are a set of standing behavioral guidelines governing how board members conduct themselves at meetings and in their public roles.
The norms — formally articulated as "Be Cohesive, Be Respectful, Be Visible, Be Forward Thinking, and Be Transparent" — serve as a reference for board conduct and are regularly published in meeting agendas. The norms were actively revisited and updated during the February 10, 2025 Board Retreat, where Ms. Hickman led the review process.
Since then, the norms have appeared as standing agenda items or reference materials across regular meetings, work sessions, and retreat-preparation discussions through at least September 2026, indicating their ongoing institutional role rather than a one-time adoption.
What members have said
- Ms. Hickman
Led the Board in revisiting and updating the School Board meeting norms during the February 10, 2025 Board Retreat.
- Ms. Pitches
Shared the agenda items for the February 7, 2026 school board retreat during the January 26, 2026 Work Session, in connection with which the norms were referenced in retreat preparation materials.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Feb 10, 2025School Board · item 2Revisiting Meeting Norms Discussion
Board norms were reviewed and updated as needed during the retreat.
- Dec 1, 2025School Board
The City of Fairfax School Board Norms were published in the agenda as standing guidance for board conduct.
- Jan 5, 2026School Board · item 6Board Matters
School Board Norms were printed in the agenda as a reference for board conduct.
- Jan 26, 2026School Board · item 1.03Review and Finalize February Retreat Agenda
[1.03] School Board Norms were referenced in the agenda materials in connection with the retreat preparation discussion.
- Jun 1, 2026School Board · item 2.03Superintendent's Advisory Team Recommendations Report
[2.03] The SAT presented community engagement recommendations including office hours at city/school/community events and offering childcare, food, and interpreters at meetings.
- Sep 28, 2026School Board
The City of Fairfax School Board Norms — Be Cohesive, Be Respectful, Be Visible, Be Forward Thinking, and Be Transparent — were published in the agenda for this work session.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.