Tag: school board
Local residents weigh options for later high school start times
People hash out the pros and cons of various school schedules at a meeting at Poe Middle School in Annandale. The majority of parents, teachers, community residents, and students who came to a meeting at Poe Middle School June 7 on later high school start times seemed to favor an option calling for high school … Continued
School board adopts budget for FY 2015
The Fairfax County School Board adopted a $2.5 billion budget for FY 2015 May 23 that delays a salary step increase for employees until November. The 2015 budget year starts July 1. The budget reduces school clerical and custodial staff, increases class size, and cuts needs-based staffing. It includes one additional position for each high … Continued
FCPS seeks public input on options for later school start times
The Fairfax County School Board is seeing public input on the following four options to implement later school start times for high school students: Middle school late High school hours: 8:30 a.m.-3:20 p.m. Middle school: 9:30 a.m.-4:20 p.m. Elementary school: starts 7:50-9:15 a.m. and ends 2:25-3:50 p.m. Approximate cost: $7.6 million Buses added: 60 Middle … Continued
FCPS leaders urge supervisors to avert school budget crisis
A fourth-grade class at Mason Crest Elementary School. Now that the Board of Supervisors has released an advertised budget for fiscal year 2015 that would only provide a 2 percent increase in the amount of funds to be transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools—rather than a 5.7 percent increase sought by Superintendent Karen Garza and … Continued
School leaders disappointed in proposed county budget
School board members, PTA leaders, and other education advocates stage a Save Our Schools rally before the Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 25. School leaders and education advocates are disappointed in the small increase, about 2 percent, for Fairfax County Public Schools in a proposed county budget for fiscal year 2015 presented to the Board … Continued
School board agrees to consider options for renovating Falls Church HS
The Fairfax County School Board approved a five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) Jan. 23 that recognizes the need to renovate Falls Church High School along with the other “legacy high schools” built in the 1960s. The board approved an amendment proposed by Sandy Evans (Mason) calling for the FCPS staff to “identify methods by … Continued
School board to consider renovation funds for Falls Church High School
Falls Church High School The Falls Church High School community plans to show up in force—wearing school colors—at a Fairfax County School Board meeting Jan. 23 to support measures proposed by school board members Sandy Evans (Mason) and Patty Reed (Providence) aimed at moving the school closer to renovation. The board is scheduled to discuss … Continued
FCPS school board purchases office building to relieve overcrowding at Bailey’s
6245 Leesburg Pike. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has purchased a five-story office building in Seven Corners for $9.37 million to relieve severe overcrowding at Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences. The funds are from a school bond passed by voters in November. “I’m pleased that we have been able to purchase the … Continued
FCPS officials share plans for office building school design
A rear view of the office building to be transformed into a school. Fairfax County Public Schools officials shared some of their thinking about how the annex to Bailey’s Elementary School, in an office building at 6245 Leesburg Pike, might look and function at a meeting with parents Dec. 12. The new building will serve … Continued
School board approves resolution to acquire office building
The Fairfax County School Board approved by a 9-3 vote Dec. 5 a resolution to acquire “by condemnation or by other means” a vacant office building on Leesburg Pike to relieve severe overcrowding at Bailey’s Elementary School. The school board is pursuing negotiations to purchase the property from the owners, 6245 Leesburg Pike Holdings LLC, … Continued
Superintendent Garza outlines goals and challenges
Advisory council chair Romona Morrow (left), president of the Fairfax County Council of PTAs, and vice chair John Wittman, who is also vice chair of the FCPS Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, present a Virginia flag to Superintendent Karen Garza (center). New schools superintendent Karen Garza told members of the Business and Community Advisory … Continued
Fairfax County school board explores office building as school site
The Fairfax County School Board is examining the viability of acquiring a five-story office building at 6245 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners and converting to a school to provide relief for the severely overcrowded Bailey’s Elementary School. According to a Sept. 5 news release from Fairfax County Public Schools, Bailey’s is at 130 percent capacity … Continued
Fairfax County school board rejects strong language on parent notification
Steve Stuban speaks to the school board. Despite emotional pleas from parents to strengthen parent notification requirements in the student discipline policy handbook, the Fairfax County school board voted last night to reject the language recommended by an ad hoc committee to require principals to call parents when their child is accused of violating school … Continued
Falls Church HS parents express frustration over lack of renovation funds
A grungy sink in a science lab. There was a huge amount of frustration vented at a Falls Church High School PTSA meeting May 1 over the lack of progress in getting funds for a badly needed renovation. School board members Sandy Evans (Mason) and Patty Reed (Providence) listened patiently as parent after parent complained … Continued
Annandale stakeholders consider needs of local youths
Youths walk along Medford Drive in Annandale. After several meetings, the Annandale Youth Engagement Community Planning Group has come up with lots of good ideas, but which ones should they focus limited resources on? What do young people really need? What assets already exist in the community? And should they develop a long-term or short-term … Continued