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Exciting Upcoming Events for September and October 2025!
We just updated our Events Calendar for the 2024-25 School Year with our September 26th Road Trip to Richmond (NOTE: VBOE date change!),...
Marianne Burke (PhD) and Vanessa Hall
Sep 18, 20243 min read
A Complex (and Expensive!) Legal Showdown about Student Rights Continues
Theocratic Veto versus School Policy This is part 2 of coverage on Jane Doe v. Fairfax County School Board (FCSB) (CL-2024-0003171), a...
Robert Rigby and Vanessa Hall
Aug 10, 20249 min read
Bucknell Elementary: Uniting with Courage and Strength
Discover the inspiring story of courage and strength within the tight-knit Bucknell Elementary community, a small but mighty school.
Vanessa Hall
Jul 22, 20247 min read
A Controversial Legal Attack on Students and Schools
Is a “Theocratic Veto” coming to Virginia? In a case ( see below ) brought this year in Fairfax County Circuit Court by America First...
Robert Rigby
Jul 19, 20245 min read
A “Brief” History of Boundary Change
My most recent blog, Essential Boundary Policy for a New Century , identified some “interesting” school boundaries in our area. Any rational person would look at those boundaries and wonder how they came to be. Of course, those non-contiguous, gerrymandered boundaries are a developer’s dime a dozen in Fairfax County. Nevertheless, I did a little research (shared below), but first I want to discuss the recent history of Policy 8130. I was surprised by recent history and previo
Vanessa Hall
Jul 12, 202414 min read
Essential Boundary Policy for a New Century
It Is Time For Some Real Change After months of debate, the Fairfax County School Board is finalizing a comprehensive overhaul of the county’s current boundary policy which was originally adopted in 1986 and last revised in May of 2013, despite 5-year review requirements. This all followed a February school board meeting on Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) amendments, when most of the school board members expressed strong concerns that one-off boundary adjustments at individu
Vanessa Hall
Jul 5, 20248 min read
Inspiring the Future: Science Fair Opens Doors
Science Fair is More Than a Competition Science Fair has inspired students around the world for over 100 years , from the tiniest...
Vanessa Hall
May 23, 20244 min read
Undermining Public Education: Fake Grassroots, Real Dark Money (Part 1)
Governor Glenn Youngkin and his allies used attacks on public education to win the governorship in 2021. National and local dark money groups managed to paint a fearful, failing picture of Virginia public education. Nevertheless, overwhelming support for public schools continued among most community members. It is now 2022, so why are Governor Youngkin’s allies and groups like Moms for Liberty (M4L) , Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) , and Parents Defending Education (PDE)
Vanessa Hall
Oct 20, 20223 min read
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Relief after Years of Legislative and Executive Attacks on Education
2026 General Assembly Legislative Support for Public Education Public education remains one of the General Assembly’s most significant policy and budgetary responsibilities. With the conclusion of the Youngkin administration and the beginning of Governor Abigail Spanberger’s term last month, the legislature has continued its role in shaping education policy—particularly through direct investment, funding reform, and oversight. Strengthening State Investment in K–12 Schools In
Appreciation and Concerns Raised about the Superintendent's Budget
Explore key insights from the school board meeting on the FY 2026-27 budget. Understand diverse perspectives which include appreciation and concern over the Superintendent's school budget.
Restore Mental Health Professionals to our Schools
Vanessa Hall shares a personal story highlighting how important mental health professionals are in our schools and why the Superintendent should reinstate positions cut last year.
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