CITY OF FAIRFAX SCHOOLS STATEMENT ON PRINCIPAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The City of Fairfax School Board and staff extends their best wishes to both Dr. Erin Lenart and Dan Phillips.

Dan Phillips, principal of Providence ES announced today he will going on medical leave through the end of June. Mr. Phillips is a valued and longtime member of our City of Fairfax Schools family and we join with the Providence ES families and send all of our warmest wishes to Mr. Phillips as he focuses on his health. Because of Mr. Phillips’ strong and steady leadership, we know Providence ES will be in the good hands of the wonderful staff and administration.

The City of Fairfax Schools welcomes Ms. Linda Shannon as the Acting Principal starting on Monday, May 17 through the end of June. Ms. Shannon has been an outstanding teacher, administrator, and instructional leader in the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) system for many years. We know she will be a great addition to the leadership at Providence ES and we offer our full support.

“I have worked with Ms. Shannon when she became a National Board Certified Teacher,” said Dr. Phyllis Pajardo, Superintendent of City of Fairfax Schools. “She is an exceptional educator who has made many significant contributions to student and staff success. I am very excited and pleased to be working with her again.”

As Dr. Erin Lenart enters a new chapter in Chicago, the City of Fairfax School Board and staff send heartfelt thanks for her many years as a principal in our city schools, both at Lanier MS and Fairfax HS. Dr. Lenart is not only a passionate and dedicated leader, she is an even better person who will be deeply missed.

We look forward to working with FCPS Region 5 in the search for a new principal at Fairfax HS. In the next coming days there will be information on the timing of the search. We encourage our Fairfax community to be engaged in this process and provide input.

Our City of Fairfax School staff and School Board will provide our full support to the staff at Fairfax HS as we transition to a new principal.

“It is with mixed emotions to say farewell to Dr. Erin Lenart,” said Dr. Pajardo. “I value her friendship, I admire her leadership and I offer my most sincere best wishes to both her and Michael. I want to assure the Fairfax HS community I will be an integral part of the principal selection process and will work with FCPS to fill the upcoming FHS principal vacancy.”