Board Briefs
The City of Fairfax School Board holds Regular School Board meetings on the first Monday of the month at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong Street. The meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and are televised on local channel 12. To see a schedule, agendas and minutes, please go to our meetings page. In addition, the School Board holds monthly work sessions on the third Monday, usually at Fairfax High School. The work sessions are not televised but are recorded.
To see a video of our Regular School Board meetings or listen to a recording of a work session, please go to the City of Fairfax website.
To see a presentation listed below, please go to the City of Fairfax website, click on the meeting date and agenda. Presentations will be embedded in the agendas.
Monday, April 15, 2024 - Work Session
1. Annual Student Panel - Each year, the City school board invites students from Katherine Johnson Middle School and Fairfax High School for to talk about their experience in school. To see a list of questions, please go to the City Meetings page and click on the agenda for the April 15 meeting.
Monday, April 8, 2024 - Regular School Board meeting
1. State of the Schools Report - Fairfax High School principal Dr. Georgina Aye and Katherine Johnson MS principal Dr. Tammy Silipigni presented their annual report to the City School Board. To watch the report, please go to the City Meetings page and click the April 8 meeting under school board.
Monday, March 11, 2024 - Work Session
1. Student Panel Questions - The City School Board discussed the upcoming student panel format and questions. The school board holds an annual panel made up of Katherine Johnson MS and Fairfax HS students to learn about student experiences. This year's panel will be on Monday, April 15 at Fairfax HS at 6:30.
2. Elementary School Renovation Referendum - The City School Board discussed the possibilities of a school bond referendum this November to pay for renovations to the two elementary schools.
Monday, March 4, 2024 - Regular School Board Meeting
1. Superintendent Advisory Team Student Representative Report - Amira Bouhsane, student representative. Ms. Bouhsane provided the board with an update from the Superintendent Advisory Team meeting that was held on February 27. The SAT discussed the facilities conditions assessment and discussed how to engage the community in possible elementary school renovations.
2. Daniels Run ES and Providence ES state of the schools report - Chris Smith and Andrew Pratt (principals). The two principals provided an update to the board about current initiatives such as increasing literacy rates, increasing science testing scores, improving attendance, and the new positions such as the security specialists.
Monday, February 26, 2024 - Work Session
1. Grading and Reporting: Mr. Michael Gillespie, Coordinator, Curriculum Integration &
Management FCPS Mr. Gillespie presented an update to the board on secondary assessment and grading. Topics included the previous year's engagement process and discussion of current committee areas of focus and process.
2. Mid-Year Facilities Project Updates, Dan Phillips City of Fairfax - Mr. Phillps provided the board with an update on current facility project updates. Topics included the interior and exterior concession stands at FHS, the press box in the FHS stadium, turf fields at FHS and KJMS, the weight room at KJMS, and individual projects at the elementary schools.
3. 2024 Superintendent’s Goals Jeff Platenberg, City of Fairfax - Mr. Platenberg presented the board with his updated 2024 goals.
4. Facilities Condition Assessment - The board discussed the Facilities Conditions Assessment plan and potential next steps.
Management FCPS Mr. Gillespie presented an update to the board on secondary assessment and grading. Topics included the previous year's engagement process and discussion of current committee areas of focus and process.
2. Mid-Year Facilities Project Updates, Dan Phillips City of Fairfax - Mr. Phillps provided the board with an update on current facility project updates. Topics included the interior and exterior concession stands at FHS, the press box in the FHS stadium, turf fields at FHS and KJMS, the weight room at KJMS, and individual projects at the elementary schools.
3. 2024 Superintendent’s Goals Jeff Platenberg, City of Fairfax - Mr. Platenberg presented the board with his updated 2024 goals.
4. Facilities Condition Assessment - The board discussed the Facilities Conditions Assessment plan and potential next steps.
Monday, February 5, 2024 - Regular School Board Meeting
1. FCPS Legislative Program Update: Michael Molloy, Government Relations, FCPS (Virtual) Mr. Malloy updated the school board on current education bills facing the state legislature.
2 – Current Trends in Education Presentation: Bill Brown and Molly Merlo, Mosely Architects Mr. Brown and Ms. Merlo gave a presentation to the board on current trends in primary and secondary educational facilities.
3- Superintendent’s FY25 Proposed Budget Superintendent Platenberg presented the board with the FY25 proposed budget. The board approved the budget and will await the Fairfax City Council to pass the full city budget this spring.
2 – Current Trends in Education Presentation: Bill Brown and Molly Merlo, Mosely Architects Mr. Brown and Ms. Merlo gave a presentation to the board on current trends in primary and secondary educational facilities.
3- Superintendent’s FY25 Proposed Budget Superintendent Platenberg presented the board with the FY25 proposed budget. The board approved the budget and will await the Fairfax City Council to pass the full city budget this spring.
Monday, January 22, 2024 - Work Session
1. Presentation from Tommy's Express Car Wash - Tommy's Express Car Wash has submitted a proposal to put a car wash on the corner of Fairfax Boulevard and Lion Run. Mr. Trevor Sperry and Mr. Robert Brant of Tommy's Express Car Wash spoke to the board about potential traffic issues, environmental and community benefits, and high school students' employment opportunities. This presentation follows a presentation made to city council earlier this year.
2. Region Report - Fairfax County Public Schools Region 5 assistant superintendent Ms. Rebecca Baenig and executive principal Eric McCann joined the four city school principals to present an update on the region schools. Topics included the 2023-2030 FCPS strategic plan, the four schools' School Innovation and Improvement Plans, Region 5 Priorities, goals in literacy, lowering student absenteeism, and college career civic readiness index at Fairfax High School.
3. Weight Room at Katherine Johnson MS - KJMS is requesting to improve their weight and fitness rooms to increase student and staff use during winter months for physical education classes, after school programs, and recess.
Monday, January 8, 2024 - Regular School Board Meeting
1. The City of Fairfax School Board recognized the Fairfax Rotary with a resolution to thank them for their ongoing support of our city schools.
2. The Board recognized students and staff in their annual winter recognition. Honorees included teacher of the year nominees, performing arts, FHS students earning National Merit semifinalist honors, and Virginia Naturally School recognition.
3. Superintendent Jeff Platenberg presented his updated FY2025 proposed budget. The school board will vote on the budget on February 5, 2024.
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 - Annual School Board Meeting Fairfax County School Board Meeting, George C. Marshall High School
The City of Fairfax School Board, Fairfax County Public Schools School Board, and the two respected staff members held their annual meeting at George Marshall High School.
Monday, December 4, 2023 - Regular School Board Meeting
1. Superintendent FY '25 Proposed Budget - Superintendent Jeff Platenberg presented a preview of the proposed FY 25 Budget. The Board will vote on the budget in February, 2024. To see the budget proposal, please click here.
Monday, November 22, 2023 - Work Session
1. September 2023 Membership Report: FCPS IT Reporting & Analytics Department, Student Information Analysts, Janine Lacina and Angela Newsome and Coordinator, Barbara Fielding
The FCPS IT Reporting & Analytics Department presented the Board with the September 2023 Membership Report which helps establish the number of city students attending FCPS schools. This number is important as it is one of the main factors of the city's tuition payment to FCPS. To see the report, please click here.
2. City of Fairfax School Board State Legislative Program for 2023-2024 - Ms. Sarah Kelsey and Ms. Rachel McQuillen. School Board Members Kelsey and McQuillen presented the board with the current federal and state legislative program. This program addresses state and federal education issues and trends and establishes the City School Board priority positions. To see the program, please click here.
3. Superintendent FY '25 Proposed Budget - Superintendent Jeff Platenberg presented a preview of the proposed FY 25 Budget. The Board will vote on the budget in February, 2024. To see the budget proposal, please click here.
Monday, November 6, 2023 - Regular School Board Meeting
1. Superintendent Advisory Team (SAT) Meeting Update - Amira Bouhsane, Fairfax HS representative - Miss Bouhsane updated the school board on the October SAT meeting. The SAT is a small group of individuals who advise the superintendent on issues such as capital improvement, budget, and trending topics. Miss Bouhsane is the Fairfax HS representative. To see the presentation, please click here.
2. Fairfax Academy Update - Ms. Andrea Cook, Administrator - Ms. Cook provided the school board with an update on the Academy including student population numbers, new staff additions, and goals for the future. To see the presentation, please click here.
3. Fairfax HS Community Use Update - Ms. Gisele Gray, community use director, provided the school board on the increase in community use at Fairfax HS. To see the presentation, please click here.
Monday, October 16, 2023 - Work Session
1. Presentation from the City of Fairfax Community Development & Planning Representatives, Eric Forman and Kristen Lockhart for the City of Fairfax Five-Year Comprehensive Plan Review. To see the presentation, please click here. The Five-Year Comprehensive Plan is the City of Fairfax's goals for major initiatives such as land use, neighborhood developments, parks and recreation, economic vitality, safety and security, education, and infrastructure.
2. Superintendent Proposed Goals, Jeff Platenberg, Superintendent of City of Fairfax Schools. To see the presentation, please click here. Each year, the superintendent presents his or her annual goals to the school board.
Monday, October 2, 2023 - Regular School Board Meeting
1. Resolution honoring City of Fairfax Councilmember Jeff Greenfield and the Annual Labor Day Car Show for their ongoing support for the City of Fairfax Schools.
2. Student Representative Project - Kathleen Murray, student representative for the City of Fairfax School Board, presented the board her proposal for her year-long project. The project will focus on community service and connecting feeder schools to the high school.
3. Administrative and Capital Funds Update - Assistant to the Superintendent Dan Phillips presented an administrative and capital funds update to the board. The update contained information about the carry forward funds (funds that were budgeted, but not used this past year). The board voted to approve the funds be carried into this year.
4. Capital Improvement Plan proposal - Assistant to the Superintendent Dan Phillips presented the proposed draft of the FY 2025-2029 CIP. To see the presentation, please see our CIP page here. The board will vote to approve the CIP on Monday, November 6, 2023.
Monday, September 18, 2023 Work Session
1. Update of World Languages Camp - Nathalie Coyle and Kate Tiffany. Ms. Coyle and Ms. Tiffany provided an update of the summer world languages camp at Fairfax HS. The camp welcomed almost 80 elementary and middle school students to introduce them to foreign languages at Fairfax High School.
2. Presentation draft of the FY2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan - Jeff Platenberg, superintendent, presented the school board with the draft of the FY2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan. The plan is the outlook for major facilities improvements for our schools.
Monday, September 11, 2023 Regular School Board Meeting
1. Moment of silence for the remembrance of September 11.
2. Resolution honoring the 75th Anniversary of Fairfax HS Band.
3. FCPS Tuition Update - Leigh Burden, CFO of Fairfax County Public Schools, and Alice Wigington, Executive Director of Fairfax County Public Schools Budget Office, came to present an update on the tuition payment.
4. Summer in the City - Dan Phillips, Assistant to the Superintendent. Mr. Phillips presented the school board with a summary of the summer programs in the City schools.
5. School Opening Report - Jeff Platenberg, Superintendent. Mr. Platenberg provided the school board with a summary of the student population numbers, an update on staffing, and a preview of the school year.
6. Facilities Conditions Assessment - Mr. Bill Brown of Moseley Architects provided the school board with a summary of their report regarding the facilities assessment of the four school buildings and the Green Acres site, which the school board owns.