School Board Changes Boundary Policy
Changes to boundary policy emphasize capacity, removes concern for impact on students.
Poised to observe its annual summer recess from July 19 to Aug. 19, 2024, during its meeting on the evening of July 18, the Fairfax School Board voted 9 to 2 on the main motion that the School Board amend Policy 8130 on Local School Boundaries, Program Assignments, and School Closings, as amended and detailed in the agenda item attachment.
National eCYBERMISSION Competition Winners Hail from Fairfax County
Status update local STEM-In-Action Grant recipient team, the biodegradable and affordable diaper.
Status update local STEM-In-Action Grant recipient team, the biodegradable and affordable diaper.
Good Shepherd Housing School Supply Drive Underway
Monetary donations are also crucial.
The Good Shepherd Housing School Supply Drive is underway, a crucial initiative that will directly impact the lives of children in need. The nonprofit organization is collecting backpacks and school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year and would like to receive all donations by Aug. 1.
Fairfax NAACP Wins National NAACP Thalheimer Award Again
Community News at a Glance
NVFS Looks for Assistance with School Supply Drive
Participate now through July 24.
Participate now through July 24.
Data Center Zoning Amendment at Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, July 16
Data Center Zoning Amendment at Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, July 16
Sheriff’s Office, ICE Square Off
Springfield rapist of Herndon child sentenced; found to possess child sexual abuse material says U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A June 27 press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia, reported that a “Honduran national who raped a 13-year-old victim was sentenced to five years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and assaulting a federal officer.”
Highlights of Virginia LCV’s Scored Legislation Patroned by Lawmakers of the Fairfax County Delegation to the General Assembly
LCV’s positions and governor’s actions.
Gov. Youngkin vetoed 201 bills in 2024, including bipartisan environmental protection legislation. Virginia LCV classified scored legislation into five categories: energy and climate, good government, land conservation, land use and transportation, and water quality. Virginia LCV provided its position, whether supporting or opposing the bills, and compared such against Gov. Youngkin’s actions, whether he signed the bills into law or vetoed them.
Virginia League of Conservation Voters 2024 General Assembly Conservation Scorecard Released
Fairfax’s state legislators sweep the Scorecard’s honor roll.
Of the 22 elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly who represent all, or a portion of, the citizens of Fairfax County, 19 achieved a perfect score of 100 percent, earning the honorary title of "Legislative Hero” from the Virginia LCV. The remaining three achieved a near-perfect score of 95 percent, earning them the title of "2024 Legislative Leader."
Community News at a Glance
News Briefs
Schools: Community News at a Glance
School Board To Update School Boundary Policy Later This Month
Schools
Winners of A. Heath Onthank Award
Three employees receive the county’s highest government honor award.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Tajweer Beaufort, Leila Gordon, and Kim Young with the A. Heath Onthank Award, the highest government employee honor.
School Board To Update School Boundary Policy Later This Month
The Fairfax County School Board scheduled action to amend Policy 8130 on adjusting school boundaries at its meeting on July 18, 2024. The revised draft policy, Policy 8130.8, is subject to updates. Updated policy will focus more on capacity, staff discussions indicate.
Dividing Lines: Reviewing School Boundary Adjustment Policy
Part 1 of 4 stories
Dividing Lines: Reviewing School Boundary Adjustment Policy
COMMUNITY NEWS AT A GLANCE
County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.
County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.
StarKist, Cornerstones and Feed the Children Partner to End Hunger
2024 Summer Food and Resource Rally
On June 6, Cornerstones, StarKist, and Feed the Children gathered for the third annual summer food and resource rally at Cornerstones Food Rescue Empowerment Enterprise in Sterling. Three Fairfax County nonprofits — LINK Against Hunger, South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry, and Fellowship Square — and two in the Dulles corridor, Dulles South Food Pantry and Community Lodgings, participated.
Unremitting Data Center Demand Pushes County to Act
Balancing an economy that can’t happen without data centers with homeowners’ rights and quality of life.
The relentless march of data center growth in Northern Virginia has reached a reported 70 percent of the total number of data centers on our planet.
Governor Says Virginia Is Exiting Clean Car Commitment
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has no interest in a roadmap to a zero-emission future for vehicles in Virginia. Youngkin cites Attorney General Jason Miyares’ official opinion, which "confirms that Virginians are no longer legally bound to follow the emission standards of California.”
Community News: Veterans and Military Families Commission
Veterans and Military Families Commission.
Police Reform Recommendations Sit on a Shelf
Inaction by Supervisors compounded by FCPD stalling on life-saving measures.
Police reform
National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil
National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil
Pay Increase Goes from 6% to 3% for All FCPS Staff
Last-ditch attempt for 5% raises for teachers, support staff.
On Thursday, May 23, Mateo Dunne, the Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board, launched an effort to amend the superintendent’s proposed FY 2025 Approved Budget.
Homelessness Point-in-Time Count 2024
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee's regional point-in-time counts are a "limited and imperfect perspective."
School Board Hearing on Budget Poorly Attended
Why didn’t more people testify?
Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District representative) welcomed the six people who testified Tuesday evening, May 14, at the Fairfax County School Board Public Hearing on the budget. The time between the first speaker, Nancy Trainer, starting her testimony, and Arthur Purves, the sixth speaker, ending his testimony was approximately sixteen minutes.
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
‘Addictive Cell Phone Usage’
Fairfax County School Board spurred to action on student cell phone use
Cell phones
Stop for Pedestrians in Fairfax County Crosswalks
Supervisors adopt ordinance amending county code to stop, not just yield.
Yield
Honoring Fairfax County Retiree Charles Smith
In January of 2024, Charles Smith retired as Watershed Project Implementation Branch Chief. In this role, he led a team responsible for designing, constructing, and monitoring water quality improvement projects.
Seven Years Later, Still No Herndon Downtown Redevelopment
Comstock’s 2-year construction pause expired on April 30.
On April 24, a town spokesperson told The Connection that Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton would update the Town Council during its April 30 Work Session on how “the town and Comstock are working together to determine next steps.”
The AcceptAbility Gala
Global Down Syndrome Foundation gala tickets available; policymakers, National Institute of Health scientists attending.
Gala
No Hold Comments by Chairman and Supervisors
Budget, lack of state funding; Animal Protection Police or Animal Control Officers?
Budget
It’s Going to Cost More To Do More
Public Hearings on the tax rate and sewer rate.
Due to rising service demands and challenges in funding them, Fairfax County faces significant challenges addressing its FY 2025 advertised budget of $3.8 billion
Many Needs in Schools, County
Testimony will highlight priorities for spending.
On Thursday, April 18, home care workers, public service workers, allies, and community members planned to join airport workers, elected officials, and candidates for Congress for a march and rally at Dulles Airport in support of access to affordable health care and paid sick leave for airport service workers.
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Johnson v. Grants Pass. on April 22, 2024 with consequences for people experiencing homelessness.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
Valor Awards Honor 230 First Responders
On Thursday, April 11, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce honored first responders at the 46th Annual Fairfax County Valor Awards.
Inova Schar Cancer Institute Reaches 5th Anniversary
Interview with John Deeken, MD, institute president
Inova Schar Institute
Bridge Over Troubled Crosswalk
Wiehle Avenue and W&OD Trail Bridge to be operational this summer.
Bridge over troubled crosswalk
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Problems with data; police Encounters; shelter and housing.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
FCPS Explains Opt-Out Notification for Holocaust Speaker
FCPS and Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington share insights.
FCPS opt-out
FCPS Pride Rally Mobilizes Leaders Against Lawsuit
Will FCPS continue to be safe for LGBTQIA+ students?
Pride
Are Pedestrians and Bicyclists Safe?
Crashes involving pedestrians have been increasing over the last three years, up from 144 in 2021 to 191 in 2022 to 233 in 2023.
bikes and peds
Newly Released Book Chronicles Fall of Saigon 1975
Local author tells of her Vietnamese family’s escape on the last plane out.
Vietnam book
2024 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County
Herndon Friends honor countywide high school juniors and seniors.
Peace
County’s Real Estate Tax Rate Advertised at 4 Cent Increase
Fairfax County Supervisors at its March 5 meeting approved advertising a 4-cent FY 2025 real estate tax rate increase for the County Executive's FY 2025 Fairfax County Advertised Budget. The advertised rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed valuation.
Tentative Agreement Between ATU Local 689, Transdev
Fairfax County Connector Bus service expected to restart Friday, March 8.
After a daylong negotiation session on Tuesday, March 5, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, representing striking Fairfax County Connector bus drivers and mechanics, reached a tentative agreement with Transdev.
FCPS Seeks 2% and 6% Pay Hikes
Could county taxpayers shoulder a quarter billion dollars in school raises?
Teachers Pay