School Board · Oct 5, 2026

School Board Regular Meeting

▶ Watch recording Agenda Minutes Read the transcript3h 00m · 10 agenda items · 2 votes, all unanimous · 12 tracked topics

What was decided

1.04
Agenda Adoption
Motion to adopt the agenda as written passed unanimously.
Passed, unanimous
not chaptered
4.01
Approval of September 14, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the September 14, 2026, regular meeting minutes passed unanimously.
Passed, unanimous
not chaptered

Presented

2.01
Citizen Participation · Mr. Nawid Shinwari addressed the Board urging investment in safe facilities, technology, career-connected learning, and greater transparency for families regarding spending and proposed changes.
2.02
Student Representative Report · Student Representative Kevin Murray delivered a monthly report covering events at all city schools.
- Providence Elementary Schoolapproved[2.02] AVID college awareness day, a renovation update session with Dr. Wright, and a fall cleanup were held at Providence Elementary in September. A community town hall regarding the local sales tax referendum is planned at Providence Elementary School.
- AVID program[2.02] The AVID program at Providence Elementary held a college awareness day with students and staff wearing university apparel.
- Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved[2.02] Daniels Run Elementary held a PTA-sponsored school picnic with food trucks, Back to School Night on September 17, a renovation update session with Dr. Wright on September 23, and picture day. A community town hall regarding the local sales tax referendum is planned at Daniels Run Elementary School.
- Katherine Johnson Middle School[2.02] Katherine Johnson Middle School administered MAP and iReady assessments, hosted Blue Star Welcome Week on September 26, and conducted student hearing and vision screenings. [2.04] Auditorium modernization (projection, visual systems, interior refurbishments) and HVAC funding are included in the proposed CIP for Katherine Johnson Middle School; athletic field improvements are already part of the City's Parks and Recreation CIP.
- Blue Star Welcome Week[2.02] Blue Star Welcome Week was hosted at Katherine Johnson Middle School on September 26 to connect military families with the local community.
- Fairfax High Schoolin progress[2.02] Fairfax High School held Back to School Night on September 16, a 'Parents for Safe Teen Driving' session for sophomores, and Homecoming including a parade, game against West Potomac High School, and a dance. [2.03] The Fairfax Academy, housed at Fairfax High School, is entering its 29th year with high enrollment and continued program expansion. [2.04] Auditorium modernization and HVAC funding for Fairfax High School are included in the proposed CIP; the existing roof project is also referenced in CIP planning. [2.05] The Blenheim Blvd. multimodal project includes proposed elements—an amphitheater-style outdoor classroom and seating areas—on the Fairfax High School property facing Blenheim Boulevard. Dr. Wright reported attending several athletic events at Fairfax High School as part of his recent school visits.
2.03
Fairfax Academy Update · Academy Principal Ms. Andrea Cook and Career Experience Specialist Ms. Amy Hard presented an update on the Fairfax Academy's 29th year, covering enrollment, pathway expansions, dual-enrollment opportunities, career-connected learning initiatives, and community partnerships.
- Fairfax Academy Updatein progress[2.03] Ms. Cook reported enrollment of approximately 1,390 students across 12 pathways, highlighted recent additions such as ASL, game design, and an electrical construction and engineering program, and described expanded dual-enrollment, career-connected learning, and community partnership initiatives.
Fairfax High Schoolin progress
2.04
Proposed Capital Improvement Program FY2028-2032 Presentation · Superintendent Dr. Wright presented the proposed CIP FY2028–2032, outlining three primary requests: auditorium modernization at Katherine Johnson Middle School and Fairfax High School, installation of a turf softball field, and HVAC funding for both secondary schools. Board action is scheduled for the November meeting.
- Capital Improvement Programproposed[2.04] The proposed CIP FY2028–2032 was presented to the Board; it includes auditorium upgrades at both secondary schools, a turf softball field, and HVAC work at secondary schools. Board action is scheduled for November, followed by submission to the City and Planning Commission review. [3.01] A public hearing on the proposed CIP FY2028–2032 was held; no public speakers signed up.
- FY28 Budgetin progress[2.04] Dr. Wright reviewed the proposed FY28 budget column within the CIP, explaining alignment of future-year funding with ongoing capital project timelines.
- Softball Fieldproposed[2.04] Installation of a turf softball field is one of the three primary requests included in the proposed CIP FY2028–2032 presented at this meeting.
Katherine Johnson Middle School Fairfax High Schoolin progress
2.05
Blenheim Blvd. Recommendation Options · Dr. Wright presented four recommendation options for the Board regarding the Fairfax High School portion of the Blenheim Blvd. multimodal project. The Board will discuss the options at the October 24 work session and make its recommendation at the November meeting.
- Blenheim Blvdin progress[2.05] Dr. Wright presented four options for the Board's recommendation to City Council regarding proposed seating configurations (amphitheater and additional seating areas) on Fairfax High School property along Blenheim Blvd. Discussion is deferred to the October 24 work session, with a Board resolution and vote anticipated in November.
Fairfax High Schoolin progress
3.01
Public Hearing – Proposed Capital Improvement Program FY2028-2032 · Public hearing was opened; no members of the public signed up to speak.
Capital Improvement Programin progress
5
Superintendent Matters · Superintendent Dr. Wright provided updates on the local sales tax referendum, upcoming community town halls, school visits, professional engagements, and a new community partnership with the U.S. Air Force.
- 1% local sales tax referendumDr. Wright informed the Board about the 1% local sales tax referendum appearing on the City of Fairfax ballot on November 3, and noted upcoming community town halls at Providence Elementary School and Daniels Run Elementary School.
Providence Elementary Schoolapproved Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved Fairfax High Schoolin progress
6
Board Matters · Board members offered comments commending Student Representative Kevin Murray and the student leadership team for homecoming efforts, and offered well-wishes to students taking the SAT.

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.

Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvementsin progressonce
“…to City Council about the Fairfax High School property portion of this Blenheim Boulevard multimodal project so as we go to the first slide you're going to see a graphic representation of the Blenheim Boulevard project and the area adjacent to…”
watch 57:39 every passage wiki

Recording · 3h 00m

▶ Watch from the start

Topics touched · 12

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 approximately 900+ students from both the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County. The school has been the subject of significant capital improvement activity since early 2025.
- The schematic design phase for the full school renovation (led by Architecture, Incorporated) was ongoing as of September 2026 — the design process, timeline, and construction delivery method remain…
- The security vestibule steel framing installation was planned for September 21, 2026 — final completion confirmation is pending.
AVID program
The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program is an academic support initiative operating within City of Fairfax schools, focused on closing opportunity gaps and preparing students for college and career readiness. The program operates at both the elementary level (notably at Providence ES and Daniel's Run ES, both Title I schools) and at the secondary level (including Fairfax High School), with school-wide implementation models at the elementary level.
Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved
Daniels Run Elementary School is undergoing a major renovation project in the City of Fairfax. Key early steps included a Board-approved reallocation of CIP funds (April 7, 2025) to complete a vestibule security project, contingent on FCPS approval for the City to reimburse FCPS for executing the work.
- What design concept will be selected for the Daniels Run Elementary School renovation (as of the April 2026 School Board discussion, this decision had not yet been made)?
- What are the full project costs and construction timeline for the renovation following conceptual design completion?
Katherine Johnson Middle School
Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS) is a public middle school in the City of Fairfax serving grades 6–8, operating under the City of Fairfax School Board. It is home to academic programs including MathCounts, Science Olympiad, AVID, AAP, and the Korean Global Classroom project, as well as athletics, arts, and community-oriented extracurriculars.
- Whether and when the Katherine Johnson Middle School field renovation under the Parks and Recreation CIP will advance beyond the planning phase.
- Status and timeline of the proposed auditorium modernization (projection/visual systems, interior refurbishments) and HVAC funding for KJMS included in the FY2027–FY2031 CIP, pending City Council…
Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week is an annual initiative organized by Blue Star Families that designates the week beginning the second-to-last Saturday in September (concluding eight days afterward) to welcome and connect active duty, transitioning, and veteran military families with their local civilian communities. The effort responds to the reality that roughly 600,000 military families relocate each year — nearly half during the summer — and that only 41% of military family respondents to a 2023 survey reported feeling a sense of belonging to their local civilian community.
Fairfax High Schoolin progress
Fairfax High School (FHS) is the City of Fairfax's public high school, located at 3501 Lion Run, and serves as a hub for academic programs, community events, and capital improvement activity. Over the 2024–2026 period, the school has been the subject of multiple intersecting tracks: (1) Facilities and capital projects — a full roof replacement is funded through the $220 million School Bond Referendum passed in November 2024 and is currently in the concept design phase, with envelope consultants having recently completed a roof walkthrough and preparing to conduct core sampling and structural analysis; HVAC replacement is planned to be phased with the roof work; a Special Use Permit for temporary modular classrooms was unanimously approved by City Council on April 8, 2025 (6-0), valid for 8 years; auditorium modernization and HVAC funding are included in the proposed CIP; and a new press box, artificial turf fields, renovated field house, and new auditorium sound system have already been completed or approved.
- The School Board is expected to make its formal recommendation to City Council regarding the Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal project's seating/amphitheater options on FHS property at the November 2026…
- Envelope consultants are performing core sampling and structural analysis of the FHS roof; scope, cost, and next steps for the roof replacement are not yet determined.
Fairfax Academy Updatein progress
Fairfax Academy is a specialized program housed at Fairfax High School within Fairfax County Public Schools, offering career and arts-focused education including fashion careers and career experience programming. The School Board has received periodic updates on the Academy's programs and outcomes at fall work sessions and regular meetings.
- Minutes and outcomes for the October 2025 and October 2026 Fairfax Academy update presentations have not been made available — the substance of those updates is unknown.
Capital Improvement Programproposed
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a recurring multi-year planning and budgeting instrument used by both the City Council/Planning Commission and the School Board to schedule and fund major capital projects. On the school side, the process has advanced through several cycles: a public hearing on the original proposed Five-Year CIP was deferred unanimously by the School Board on October 7, 2024, to November 12, 2024, when Superintendent Jeff Platenberg presented it.
- School Board action on the proposed CIP FY2028–2032 is scheduled for the November 2026 meeting (originally November 2, 2026); no minutes or outcome are yet recorded for that meeting.
- Following Board approval, the FY2028–2032 CIP is to be submitted to the City and reviewed by the Planning Commission; that review process has not yet concluded.
FY28 Budgetin progress
The FY28 Budget is an in-progress municipal budget development process encompassing Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Operating, and Personnel components. A key early step was a September 2026 School Board work session in which the Superintendent solicited board priorities around capital improvement projects to inform the forthcoming CIP presentation.
- School Board vote on the proposed CIP FY2028–2032 is scheduled for the November 2026 meeting — outcome not yet recorded.
- No minutes or actions are available from the October 8, 2026 PRAB Regular Meeting on the FY28 Budget (CIP, Operating, and Personnel); outcomes of that discussion are unknown.
Softball Fieldproposed
The Fairfax High School softball field project involves converting the existing grass softball field to a turf field, estimated at $2.5 million. The project has appeared in successive Capital Improvement Program (CIP) drafts over multiple fiscal years.
- School Board vote on the proposed CIP FY2028–2032 (including the softball field) is scheduled for the November 2026 meeting — outcome not yet recorded.
- Following School Board action, the CIP must go to the Mayor, City Council, and Planning Commission for consideration; a final City Council vote in May is required before anything is approved.
Blenheim Blvdin progress
Blenheim Boulevard is a corridor in Fairfax, Virginia that has been the subject of multiple overlapping municipal initiatives across several years. Key developments include: (1) The Willard Sherwood Health & Community Center (WSHCC) at 3740 Blenheim Blvd, which had an ADA-compliant ramp added on its Blenheim Blvd side following PRAB's suggestion, with construction slated for Q1 2026–Q4 2028; (2) a 2025 stream assessment that identified the Blenheim Blvd bridge as a capacity constraint whose improvement would benefit adjacent floodplain properties; (3) a CIP submission in February 2026 for Blenheim Blvd Tunnel Lights to install lighting in the tunnel under the corridor; and (4) a Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvement Plan, presented to the School Board in September 2026, focused on the stretch in front of Fairfax High School.
- The outcome of the November 2, 2026 School Board meeting (agenda item 4.03) and the content/vote on the Blenheim Blvd. Recommendation Resolution have not been recorded — what was the Board's final…
- Whether the Board's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council and what Council's response will be regarding the multimodal improvement plan.
1% local sales tax referendum

Documents · 6

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