Proposed K-12 Education Budget for 2026-2028 After months of sometimes contentious negotiations and infighting between conference committee members and with Governor Spanberger, the conference committee has reached a compromise on the 2026-2028 budget. The legislature passed the proposed budget on June 22nd and now the Governor has until June 30th to veto any line items or sign the budget bill. A major sticking point in the conference was regarding the data center tax exemption and whether or not those tax breaks should be continued into the future. To date, that tax exemption has saved data center developers billions of dollars at the expense of providing much-needed revenue to the Commonwealth. Or, another way of putting it is that data center developers have cost taxpayers billions of dollars in revenue that could be used for Virginians. One of the biggest needs for revenue is funding K-12 public education. In 2023 Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission it was reported that Virginia’s K-12 public education has been inadequately funded for years. The Commonwealth’s per student funding is lower than average values for all 50 states, the Mid-Atlantic region, and three of the Commonwealth’s bordering states. During the latest General Assembly, legislators tried to pass bills that would help alleviate funding shortfalls including SB66 which would have allowed a referendum in each locality for an additional 1% local sales and use tax to support schools. In December 2025, outgoing Governor Youngkin proposed a budget for 2026-2028 with his typical inadequate funding for public education. His budget was the starting point for the Virginia General Assembly budget revisions for the next biennium. Since January, the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have been working on that revised budget with a looming deadline of June 30, 2026, while the entire Commonwealth waited with baited breath. Data Center Tax Compromise In an effort to attract businesses to Virginia during the Great Recession, the Commonwealth gave generous tax breaks to data center developers to attract high tech investment, allowing Virginia to become the Data Center Capital of the world. The Data Center Retail Sales & Use Tax Exemption, which is in effect until 2035, allowed data centers to avoid paying $1.6 billion in taxes for the year 2025 alone. Governor Spanberger and some legislators were hesitant to renege on the tax breaks, and instead they decided on the compromise that would tax electricity use by data centers. That alone is expected to raise up to (a capped amount of) $600 million a year for a total of $1.2 billion over the course of the biennium budget. As the Fund Our Schools coalition points out, the tax compromise is a positive first step in helping to mitigate the underfunding of Virginia’s public education system, but the new electricity tax expires on July 1, 2028. Virginia needs a permanent solution to ensure that industry pays its fair share. Others commented on the inadequacy of the data center tax compromise. For example, Michelle Moore of Bridge 2 Blue noted that the compromise did nothing to mitigate the air or noise pollution from backup diesel generators nor did it “place limits on data center and utility expansion, utility cost reforms so data centers, not ratepayers, cover the infrastructure and energy costs they create, and tougher natural resource, environmental, and health and safety protections for both new and existing facilities in our communities.” Returning Lab School Funds to the General Fund An additional amount of funding for the Commonwealth came from the proposed transfer of unobligated lab school balances to the general fund. This will provide an estimated $10,670,000 to the general fund in 2026. 4 Public Education has published extensively about Governor Youngkin’s push for lab schools, finding that Youngkin lacked legal authorization, the schools themselves were likely unconstitutional, and they were expensive and more similar to after school activities than real schools. A Positive Proposed Budget for Education With the resulting budget compromise, Virginia’s K-12 public education will receive better funding than previous years. The following are key K-12 investments taken directly from the June 22, 2026 Fund Our Schools statement on the conference budget (note: dollar amounts are two-year totals, FY27 and FY28, unless otherwise noted): Special Education Add-On: The budget more than doubles the flexible add-on for students with disabilities, with an investment of $148 million, which local school systems would have flexibility in determining how to use for special education. The budget also adds $10 million for students with intensive support needs, enabling them to learn alongside their peers in public schools. Despite these increases, the state continues to provide far less than is needed to cover its share of a high-quality education for students with disabilities. Funding for Students in Low-Income Communities: The final agreement includes almost $29 million to boost the At-Risk Add-On for K-12 students living in the highest-poverty communities. This is far less than earlier proposals would have provided, and far less than what schools need in order to make sure that students facing economic disadvantages have meaningful access to learning. Teacher and Staff Compensation: The budget provides the state share of 4% salary adjustments each year (2026-2027 and 2027-2028) for teachers and other school staff. While these adjustments will help school employees keep pace with the cost of living, some staff may not receive the full 4% increase because their local government may not be able to provide their share of the costs, particularly since most have already approved their local and school budgets for the upcoming school year. School Funding Formula Modernization: The budget includes $1.25 million to support the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding as it continues its work to modernize how Virginia funds its schools. Local Option for School Construction: The budget authorizes all localities to hold voter referendums on an additional 1% local sales tax dedicated to school construction and capital needs, giving communities a new tool to address aging facilities and long-delayed building projects. Student Well-Being: So schools can address the needs of students as whole persons, the budget adds $17.6 million for school breakfasts, $5 million for the community schools model, and funding for the implementation of evidence-based restorative practices to resolve student conflicts. According to the Fund Our Schools Coalition: This budget reflects real, hard-won progress for Virginia’s public schools, and we are grateful to the advocates, educators, and families whose voices helped shape it. But Virginia’s students, especially those in our highest-poverty communities, deserve more than incremental gains. Public education is the key to a thriving community, and our K-12 schools have the potential to be anchors for our communities across Virginia. Governor Spanberger and the General Assembly, our public schools, students, and families are being given opportunities that were not available in the recent past under the previous governor.

Honoring Graduates, Students, and the People and Schools that Supported Them this Year The end of the school year marks a significant milestone for students, staff, and families alike. It is a time to reflect on the hard work, growth, and achievements that have shaped the past months. Celebrating this moment means recognizing not only the accomplishments of graduates but also the dedication of teachers, administrators, and the unwavering support of families. This collective effort creates a foundation for success and new adventures ahead. Woodson High School graduation ceremony (credit: Vanessa Hall) Recognizing Student Accomplishments Graduation represents the culmination of years of learning, challenges, and personal growth. Each graduate’s journey is unique, filled with moments of perseverance and achievement. Celebrating these accomplishments encourages students to feel proud of their efforts and excited about the future. Whether students are celebrating academic achievements, extracurricular success, personal growth, or overcoming challenges, these accomplishments should be recognized. Honors and awards are as important as developing confidence, resilience, and independence. The former demonstrates the master of subjects, while the latter qualities helps prepare students for future challenges. Beyond academics, students often excel in sports, arts, clubs, and community service. These activities build skills like teamwork, leadership, and creativity. Highlighting these successes during end-of-year celebrations motivates students to continue striving for excellence. It also reminds the community of the diverse talents and strengths each student brings. Appreciating Staff Efforts Teachers and school staff play a crucial role in shaping the educational experience. Their dedication often goes beyond classroom instruction, involving mentorship, planning, and adapting to students’ needs. Beyond, designing lessons and educating, teachers also create a supportive environment and invest extra time to help students succeed. Support staff like counselors, librarians, aides, and custodians contribute to a safe and welcoming school atmosphere. Their work ensures that students have the resources and support necessary to thrive. School administrators often gets a bad name, but principals and other administrators coordinate programs, manage resources, and foster a positive culture. Their leadership helps maintain focus on student success and community engagement. School Board appreciating the hard work of school staff (credit: Vanessa Hall) Honoring Family Contributions Families provide the foundation for student success. Their support, encouragement, and involvement make a significant difference in students’ academic and personal development. Families offer practical assistance like helping with homework and attending school events, while many directly support schools through time, skill, funds, and fun. Families actively participate in the educational process , and family involvement strengthens the school community, by creating partnerships that benefit everyone. Families play a vital role in schools, which research shows improves student outcomes. Looking Ahead to New Adventures High school graduates face exciting opportunities and challenges as they move forward. Whether continuing education, entering the workforce, or exploring other paths, they carry with them the lessons and experiences gained during their school years. Higher education: Many graduates pursue college or vocational training, building on their academic foundation. Career paths: Some enter the military, apprenticeships, internships, or jobs that align with their interests and skills. Personal growth: The transition to adulthood involves developing independence, responsibility, and new relationships. Celebrate the Beginning of Summer! Celebrations at the end of the school year serve as a launchpad for next steps, whether it is graduation from preschool or high school. They inspire graduates (and their peers!) to embrace change with confidence and curiosity. Create a memorable and meaningful experience that celebrates the collective journey no matter where that takes your student or family. And don't forget to enjoy the Summer Adventure! Foosball at Middle School Graduation (credit: Vanessa Hall)

Summer can be a wonderful break from homework, tests, and busy schedules—but for many transgender and nonbinary students, it can also feel isolating. The school year often provides something that is easy to take for granted: supportive teachers, trusted friends, affirming clubs, counselors, and daily reminders that you belong. When summer arrives, those connections may suddenly feel far away. If you’re feeling lonely, unseen, or worried about the months ahead, please know that you are not alone. There are thousands of young people in Fairfax County and across Virginia who are navigating the same challenges, asking the same questions, and finding their way forward one day at a time. Most importantly, your identity is not something that disappears when school lets out. You deserve respect, dignity, and the freedom to be yourself every day of the year. Summer can also be an opportunity to strengthen friendships, connect with supportive communities online and in person, explore your interests, volunteer, create art, spend time outdoors, or simply rest and recharge. If you are struggling, reach out to someone you trust—a friend, family member, counselor, teacher, coach, or community organization. Asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. The world is better because you are in it. Your voice matters. Your future matters. The challenges you face today will not define the rest of your life. There are people throughout Fairfax County who care about your well-being, who are working to make schools and communities more welcoming, and who believe in your right to thrive. This summer, be gentle with yourself, celebrate the small victories, and remember: you belong exactly as you are.

The Stealth Anti-Women’s Group that Despises Your Public Schools (and Possibly your Children) Nowhere are disinformation campaigns more common than from Project 2025 groups like Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), an anti-feminist group that partners with other hate groups to conduct well-funded disinformation campaigns against: LGBTQIA rights, masks and school closures during COVID, food safety, gun control, global climate change, paid parental leave, and women’s rights. It receives significant funding from far right individuals and organizations, including Leonard Leo, Koch, Scaife, Bradley Foundation, and Lambe Foundation. It has also received funding from Altria, Phillip Morris International, and vaping giant Juul. As Sourcewatch points out, “IWF has defended the vaping industry using Juul's own talking points” without disclosing its funding sources. In fact, IWF's Senior Policy Advisor Julie Gunlock (who also works for WMAL) has written opinion pieces, devoted podcasts, and testified before Congress in 2025 to "dispel myths" about e-cigarettes and Juul products, specifically. IWF is a known signatory of Project 2025 whose alliances and goals mirror those of known SPLC hate groups like Parents Defending Education (PDE) and Moms for Liberty. In some cases, they even shared employees, executives, and board members. IWF Culture Warriors The name “Independent Women” helps IWF and its sister organization (Independent Women’s Voice) fly under the radar, because who would suspect independent women–empowered, independent women–to support issues that harm children? As usual, dark money created another stealth moniker because “Independent Women” makes IWF sound like a feminist, woman-positive movement; rather than a movement that works against the Equal Rights Amendment, gun safety, public schools, unions, etc. In a wildly ironic turn of events, IWF was spawned in 1991 by "Women for Judge Thomas," created to defend Clarence Thomas against allegations of sexual harassment and other improprieties, while casting the victimized Anita Hill as an angry, lying, Black woman, during Thomas’s Supreme Court nomination. More recently, IWF has helped foment culture wars and fund right-wing candidates and in 2021 IWF and IWV created the ToxicSchools.org website to target Virginia schools in advance of the 2021 gubernatorial election. Since then, IWF employees, including IWF president Carrie Lukas, Julie Gunlock on WMAL, and others have been laser-focused on Fairfax County Schools, so it is no surprise that the Daily Signal opinion piece by IWF’s IWN Chapter Lead Stephanie Lundquist-Arora is targeting FCPS for the more than one hundredth time in the last three years. Maybe it's time? In 2022, in front of the School Board, IWF President Lukas stated, “It’s time for Virginia to give parents like me the ability to just leave this school system.” Of course with her six-figure IWF salary, one would think she could afford to leave FCPS if that was what she really wanted. IWF’s War on Public Schools: School Choice Week In 2022 IWF launched the Education Freedom Center (IWF-EFC) with the primary goal to advance School Choice, or as True North Research states, IWF-EFC “is used to peddle the majority of IWF’s anti-public school, pro-school privatization content.” Of course, this includes privatizing public funds to be used by private groups with little to no oversight, accountability, or track record. IWF-EFC has received grants from the notorious Donors Trust. Brinkman, Gunlock (WMAL and IWF), Mosely, and Gentles Initially, IWF-EFC was led by Ginny Gentles, lobbyist and former IWF president, who was also a senior political appointee in the U.S. Department of Education under President George W. Bush. Formerly, she both led Florida's school privatization programs and formed her own school privatization consulting firm, so no conflict of interest there…. Much of their website leverages culture war fearmongering about CRT, trans kids, and indoctrination to discourage public education with little facts or expertise. Gentles hosts a “Students over Systems” podcast for IWF-EFC. She also hosts events on Capitol Hill to “educate” lawmakers on how to reduce power of school districts, and tries to influence lawmakers, including handing out nifty awards. Since 2023, they have hosted National Choice Week events, advertised on WMAL, where IWN Chapter representatives like Stephanie Lundquist-Arora and Harry Jackson (see right) would “stand up” for school choice while sending their kids to public school. Lundquist-Arora and Jackson collaborated on many actions in 2022 and 2023, most notably the Shadow Board Youtube videos funded by unknown sources where they mocked an autistic student, ridiculed parent speakers, misrepresented school policies, and endorsed IWF/IWN to their double digit viewers. Lundquist-Arora supported Jacksons failed 2023 Fairfax County School Board campaign even after astonishing revelations about him in local media (e.g., history of spousal abuse, known association with Christian Nationalist Groypers, vicious attacks on local parents, sending controversial mailers to homes depicting sex acts, etc.). Web of Paid Parents and Dark Money What was initially confusing was the timing of this recent hit-piece by Stephanie Lundquist-Arora: why go all out on March 2nd when school choice week is typically held the last week of January? Well, this year, due to inclement weather, school choice week was rescheduled for March 7th with special guest Winsome Sears, Virginia’s unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate. Of course, the timing and amplification of her commentary had nothing to do with the event emceed by Larry O’Connor, an IWF regular whose morning WMAL show has two IWF cohosts, at the Leadership Institute, an organization that trains conservative activists. Before going much further, it is necessary to share the web of organizations that work together to create news and disseminate propaganda. As in March 2025 when Project 2025 groups decided to attack a Women’s History display created by students at West Springfield High School in Fairfax County, the same actors are involved in this disinformation piece. In short: March 2, Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, a IWF (a tax-free anti-feminist charity with over $7 million 2023 revenue) employee, wrote (yet) another opinion piece that targeted the FCPS. It was published in The Daily Signal, run by the Heritage Foundation (a.k.a., author of Project 2025), a tax-free charity with over $100 million 2023 revenue. March 3, WMAL advertised the Education Choice event. March 3, Real Clear Politics republished Lundquist-Arora’s commentary, along with other pro-privatization media. Real Clear Politics, was once a trusted source, but has aligned itself with President Trump and “rag[es] against the left.” March 4, EdReformVA, a “school choice” group (tax free charity with unknown revenue) run by Nathan Brinkman and former IWF President Ginny Gentles, and likely extension of IWF, amplified Lundquist-Arora’s opinion piece. See more about them below. On March 4, Fairfax GOP republished Lundquist-Arora’s commentary, almost as if it was written for them. March 7, the Education “Freedom” event was held at the Leadership Institute with Winsome Sears and O’Connor. On March 7, EdReformVA held an open house event for Fairfax County Republicans in Arlington at the Leadership Institute with speakers Larry O’Connor and Winsome Sears and a lovely barbeque for the 100 or so attendees. Lundquist-Arora was there with a table to hand out IWN Fairfax Chapter literature; however, it is unknown whether this chapter has more than one active member. Brinkman’s EdReformVA seems little more than a pass-through organization for IWF-EFC that began in 2021, but without financials, it is hard to be sure. It also runs EdNews Virginia, a Twitter handle that reposts IWF opinions and a website that aggregates school privatization ‘’news.” However, EdReform Virginia’s board is a who’s who of far right politicos, PACs, and anti-public school culture warriors: from its Executive Director Nathan Brinkman who is a communications coordinator at ALEC (a “corporate bill mill”) and has earned more than $160,000 from the Fairfax County GOP, to one of its most powerful trustees, Ginny Gentles, the former IWF and IWV President, who is a lobbyist for American Federation for Children (AFC) which promotes school privatization. Gentles is also the current Education Freedom and Parental Rights Director at the Defense of Freedom Institute, and works directly with the U.S. Department of Education to host events on the Hill. In fact, On January 29, Gentles held school choice events, a briefing, and award ceremony in the Capitol building for hill staff and with the Secretary of Education. Fake Grassroots Events for Paid Astroturf Operatives All in all, these were fake grassroots (i.e., astroturf) events held by paid political operatives, who work together on a regular basis, to disrupt and harm the reputation of our schools. These astroturf groups and their surrogates do this with minimal transparency and absolutely no accountability to the parents of FCPS students. And yet, they are successful in pushing legislation through their movement that works to tear down our public schools. And right now, they have a direct line to the U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Lundquist-Arora and Gentles are among the mostly Project 2025 parents meeting with Secretary McMahon They use flashy events and opinion pieces to encourage like-minded conservatives to be the mouthpieces for the movement. For example, Lundquist-Arora has written over 100 negative opinion pieces about LGBTQIA and immigrant students, parents, teachers, administrators, school board, and the superintendent of FCPS. These opinion pieces rarely include sources, but as Marianne Burke points out in her associated analysis, IWF-driven opinions often use common disinformation tactics like cherry-picking data and gas-lighting. Each opinion piece by Lundquist-Arora seeks to persuade the reader that FCPS is failing in a myriad of ways; however, if she really thinks that FCPS is that terrible, why does she keep her three children in "unraveling" schools? If she is so worried about the “alphabet mafia,” indoctrination, “failing” scores, immigrants, masks, and equity why does she send her kids to FCPS day after day? Or, does she stick with FCPS to continue to have content for writing gigs on behalf of the IWF school privatization agenda? One can't help but wonder: if this is what she says in public, what is she saying in private to her school administrators and teachers? How much time are her kids' schools spending dealing with her and her complaints or IWF research projects? Ultimately, if Fairfax County taxpayers are in any way supporting paid operative activities, including lawsuits, is that a good use of taxpayer funds? Someone should FOIA that kind of information, because there are a lot of paid operatives in Northern Virginia. Additionally, why are these far right media sources so opaque about who Lundquist-Arora is and who she works for? Lundquist-Arora has been involved in at least two Project 2025 lawsuits against FCPS (COVID masking with IWF President Lukas and about misgendering students, represented by America First Legal), been a controversial Fairfax GOP School Board candidate, and worked with Sebastian Gorka, House Freedom Caucus, and Lauren Broebert. Yet, she is regularly quoted merely as a “concerned parent” or a "IWN Chapter Lead" on Fox News, NewsMax, and Fairfax Times? It seems like common sense that one is more than just a “parent” if one is paid for one's input or role, especially when one's role is more mouthpiece or agitator than parent. Finally, it is concerning that neither she nor IWF, or other Project 2025 groups, are accountable to the parents and taxpayers of FCPS, most of whom are unaware of their pro-privatization, anti-public school parent agenda. Thankfully, more and more parents are questioning IWF's and Lundquist-Arora’s scathing criticisms of the school district where they send their kids. On the other hand, here at 4 Public Education, we are grassroots parents, teachers, grandparents, and citizens. We are NOT paid, and we decide what we will write, say, and do. Although our goals may align with other groups, most notably civil rights groups, we are guided by the belief that quality public schools are the right of the families in the community. We are honest about our agenda and we say it with our whole chest: We support public schools! Please find companion pieces here by Marianne Burke and Vanessa Hall.

If Yes, then School Vouchers and Pull-out Religious Programs are the Answer In the seventy years since Brown v. Board of Education desegregated public schools, there have been intense efforts made to privatize public education. One strategy has been to provide private school vouchers to offer families a “choice” of school. However, it is well documented nationwide that: School vouchers have a negative impact on public schools, Public schools are academically succeeding, not failing as some allege There is an advantage provided to businesses when public school students transfer to private schools, and Private school vouchers are unpopular among Americans. What has not been well documented, but is nevertheless true, is how the Christian Nationalist movement is jeopardizing public education. Of course “Christian Nationalism” is not actually Christian–instead it is a “political ideology that seeks to merge Christian and American identities, distorting both the Christian faith and America’s constitutional democracy.” Although Christian nationalism uses symbols of Christianity like the bible and the cross, in truth, its values typically overlap with white supremacy. In fact, the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State refer to it as a “noxious, ahistorical view that stands in opposition to religious freedom and the separation of church and state.” TPUSA pin handed out at the taxpayer-funded Rededicate 250 National Prayer Jubilee that some have termed a Christian Nationalist Event (credit: Laura Jedeed) Christian Nationalist Goal: Systematic Takeover of Public Education For decades, a subgroup of the religious right has led a “systematic movement to take over American education.” That movement is nondenominational (avoids traditional denominational affiliations) and is aimed largely at integrating extreme fundamentalist Christian views into public schools while they attack policies and programs that they consider immoral. A central tenet of that movement is that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, despite all evidence to the contrary. Toward that end, members of this far right, fundamentalist movement are working to integrate extreme, fundamentalist Christian views into public education and at all levels of public life. The danger to public school systems from the rise of Christian Nationalism goes beyond blurring the separation of church and state. Those in the movement claim it will improve morality for children but the Supreme Court disagreed. Abington School District v. Schempp found that Bible reading or prayer as a part of public school curriculum is unconstitutional. Pressure from the Christian Nationalist movement has been so strong that warnings about the growth of the movement have been given. In 2023, the national media warned that a well funded coalition of far-right groups wanted to put the Bible ahead of the Constitution. Some religious groups have warned that this Christian Nationalist movement is destructive, is gaining strength, and is being adopted by Trump’s political party which has courted extremist and fundamentalist views. Both the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Christians Against Christian Nationalism outlined the dangers to public education. Also, Congress was so alarmed they developed a task force to stop the “far-right government takeover”. It has become apparent that instead of ensuring religious freedom for all Americans, the plan is for extreme Christian Nationalist views to be imposed on all citizens of the United States. This is in opposition to the First Amendment of the Constitution which clearly bars laws “respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” However, it also defies the intentions of the Founding Fathers, which included what Thomas Jefferson defined as a “wall of separation between Church and State.” Project 2025: The Christian Nationalist Blue Print The Forward of Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership, the Conservative Promise provides a summary of the Christian Nationalism plan for the Trump administration, and explains the rationale of leaders of that movement. In response, the Charles Kettering Foundation has outlined the disturbingly accurate blueprint for the Christian Nationalist regime change currently underway in our country. Significant portions of Project 2025’s anti-public education agenda have already been accomplished, which means that the warnings about the Project 2025 agenda for public education should have been taken seriously. The President is following the plan as he works to close the U.S Department of Education (ED) even though that authority officially lies with Congress, not the presidency. Trump has successfully exceeded his authority in the ED by laying off half of the employees, outsourcing most of the ED responsibilities to other agencies, and radically changing the goals and priorities of the department. Also, Trump has been trying to cut funding to the department. He was unsuccessful for FY 2026 but now he is trying to cut the ED budget for 2027. In the future envisioned by Project 2025 authors, public schools won’t be welcoming places where all kids can learn, think for themselves, and succeed. There won’t be a Department of Education to ensure everyone has access to a quality education and that students who are LGBTQ+, Black or Brown, or have disabilities are protected, much less educated. Vilifying Public Education as a Strategy One tactic that has been used to further the extreme right agenda is smear campaigns against public schools so parents will desire a different type of school. Despite abundant evidence that public schools have many advantages over private schools, there is an entire array of think tanks devoted to anti-public school campaigns. Recently the far right and the Republican party have begun to demonize public schools using false and often outrageous claims. In one of his first executive orders in his second term, President Trump alleged that public schools imprint “anti-American, subversive, harmful, and false ideologies on our Nation’s children”. Also he made inflammatory and baseless claims that public schools allow children to get sex change operations during the school day. Other examples of false and outrageous claims include that public school employees helped arrange abortions for students (see Vanessa Hall's current blog), and hit pieces that use misinformation to disparage public school systems and accuse administrations of mismanagement, Unfortunately, these false conspiracy theories are believed by many and are circulated widely, which endangers school staff and administrators. Federally Funded Private School Vouchers One of the goals of the extreme, fundamentalist Christian right is to have the federal government pay for students to receive religious training in private religious schools under the guise of “school choice”. This is at least part of the rationale behind the passage of the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program that was established under Public Law 119-21. That federal scholarship program promises families a “choice” of schools for their children but makes it more difficult to fund public education. The cost to public school systems is not yet fully determined but the use of school vouchers and reduced federal funding to public education will starve public schools that are already lacking adequate funding. In fact, allowing vouchers has already contributed to closures of some public schools, and the loss of schools as community hubs can be detrimental beyond the families who attend public schools. Also, because private schools are exempt from anti-discrimination laws, the loss of funding and civil rights protections that are required of public institutions will impact the most vulnerable of our children and families. This tax credit private scholarship program provides generous tax credits and an advantage to the private school industry, but private schools are not held to the standards and accountability that are required of public schools. Also, indications are that the academic advantage of private schools is being oversold. Because most private schools are religiously affiliated, (78% of students in private schools are in religiously affiliated schools), it is clear that encouraging the transfer of students from public to private schools supports the Project 2025 agenda by luring students to schools that will teach fundamentalist Christian ideology. Pull-out Programs for Religious Instruction A second strategy is Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI), where public school students are released during the school day to attend religious classes or services. LifeWise Academy is a nationwide program that provides Bible classes to public school students during the school day using “release time.” Details about the program and the problems associated with this pull-out program are provided in this video. Often students who are not enrolled in the program feel left out and have unstructured time at their public school while their classmates attend the pull-out program. This is not conducive to academic achievement for those in the program or for those left behind, and in some cases substantial loss of core instructional time occurs. There is strong pressure exerted on children in LifeWise programs to recruit other students into the religious pull-out program. For elementary school students they are enticed to join with candy, toys, and pizza parties. Older children are lured with the opportunity to miss class time. The number of new LifeWise programs based in public schools continues to grow each year and Virginia shows a disturbing number of public school systems that have already initiated LifeWise programs. Ohio citizens organized after they realized that LifeWise Academy programming introduced indoctrination, divisiveness, disruption, and undue influence in Ohio public schools The Secular Education Association (SEA) “stands firmly against programs like LifeWise, advocating to preserve the constitutional separation of religion and public education nationwide.” The SEA monitors the status of participation by school systems across the country and posts information at this link. LifeWise Academy claims to be “non-denominational, character-based bible education” but the organization is using an extreme religious curriculum based on the “The Gospel Project” – a Bible study program produced by LifeWay Christian Resources, the publishing house for the Southern Baptist Convention.” Readers may not be aware that some Christian Nationalist educational programming hides behind the "non-denominational" label which often is misunderstood to mean inclusive. In this case it means the movement is autonomous, fundamentalist, and evangelical. In the case of LifeWise Academy, many have criticized its relationship with Christian Nationalism. For example, according to Bruce Gerencser of Ney, Ohio in a Letter to the editor of the Defiance Crescent-News: “Sadly, school boards seem all too willing to bulldoze the wall between church and state, reintroducing sectarian Christianity into our schools. Take LifeWise Academy. LifeWise, an Ohio-based Evangelical ministry, is a Trojan horse that has been rolled through the front doors of numerous local schools with no push back from school administrators or the media. LifeWise’s objective is indoctrination, not truth.” What can You Do? Readers may wonder what can be done about the rightward push by the federal government toward incorporating Christian Nationalism into the curricula of our public schools. There are two fronts where people can resist and create change. Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program: It is up to the governor of each state to decide if their state will opt into the program, which will start in January 2027. Former Governor Youngkin opted Virginia into the program as one of his last actions as Governor. 4 Public Education is appealing Youngkin’s decision to the Spanberger administration. Public school advocates in Virginia should watch for updates on this issue and respond to calls to action that will be published in the 4 Public Education newsletters. RTRI Programs like LifeWise: Public school advocates should become educated about the problems with these pull-out programs and monitor their school systems for plans to participate. Details on school systems in Virginia that are participating in LifeWise are available at this link and details for other parts of the United States can be found at this link.

In today’s media landscape, understanding the sources behind the news we consume is crucial. All Virginia News (AVN) has recently emerged as a media outlet with increasing social media conflict, but beneath its surface lies a complex identity. While this blog reveals AVN's role as a stealth Republican media site 4 Public Education will examine in subsequent blog how AVN operates, its impact on public opinion, and what readers should keep in mind when engaging with its content. Who is Behind All Virginia News? Answer: the Loudoun GOP. The Loudoun GOP hosts the website. The former Loudoun GOP chairman Harold (Scott) Pio registered AVN as a business entity with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Longtime active Loudoun GOP activist and contributor to RedVirginiaNews, Audrey Carpenter, was the initial Northern Virginia Bureau Chief for AVN. AVN's website and social media pages are opaque regarding these connections. They have failed to answer questions on social media, nor do they have an "About Us" link on their website. Instead, they covertly deliver conservative talking-points and Republican propaganda to unsuspecting readers. They are a stealth media site. What Does It Mean to Be a Stealth Media Site? A stealth media site is one that presents itself as an independent or neutral news source but subtly promotes a specific political agenda. In this case, AVN operates with a Republican slant, often framing stories to support conservative viewpoints without overtly declaring its political leanings. This approach allows the site to attract a broader audience, including those who might not typically seek out partisan news. Stealth media sites use various techniques to influence readers: Selective story coverage emphasizing conservative issues Framing news with language that favors Republican policies Downplay or omit stories that portray Republicans negatively Headlines designed to evoke emotional responses aligned with Republican values Highlighting criticisms of opposing political parties Using opinion pieces disguised as news reports These content strategies contribute to shaping public perception in subtle but effective ways. Understanding these tactics helps readers critically evaluate the information they receive. What Comes Next? For 4 Public Education, this author needs to do a little more research to evaluate how AVN operates, its impact on public opinion, and what readers should keep in mind when engaging with its content. For those reading this blog, keep in mind that Virginia has experienced significant political shifts in recent years, with a growing divide between urban and rural areas, and stealth Republican media outlets like AVN play a role in this dynamic by reinforcing partisan perspectives. When they operate without transparency of motive or funding to readers, they are not operating as an ethical newspaper, but are operating as a political propagandist. Stealth media groups like AVN revel in deepening divides among Virginians, because it increases readership. Correspondingly, readers who rely heavily on such sources may develop a skewed understanding of apolitical events, which can deepen polarization. Of course, it is unnecessary to engage in further polarization. There is no need to argue--just state the truth of who is operating the stealth media site known as All Virginia News and then disengage, because social media arguments can never be won. There is no need to add fuel to the fire, just inform others who is causing the fire, and hand them a fire extinguisher so that they can make a choice about whether or not to fuel or extinguish the fire of stealth media sites like AVN.

Members of Mclean’s Envirothon team showing off their one page handout On a bitter January evening, students, scientists, and neighbors gathered to talk about something most of us have stopped noticing: the disappearing night sky. On January 15, 2026, the McLean Envirothon Club and the Longfellow Middle School Eco Action Club hosted a community event at Longfellow Middle School centered on one of the fastest-growing — and least-discussed — environmental problems in the world: light pollution. A Problem Hiding in Plain Sight More than 80% of people in the United States can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live. That alone should stop you cold. Longfellow students explained how artificial light at night throws off the biological clocks of humans and wildlife alike — disrupting bird migration, confusing pollinators like moths and fireflies, and denying every species, nocturnal or not, the darkness they need. And the problem is accelerating: artificial sky brightness is growing by roughly 10% per year globally, fueled largely by the rapid spread of bright white LED lighting. The front of McLean HS is lit as brightly as a Target at night When Efficiency Has a Hidden Cost LEDs were supposed to be a win. They use less energy — that part is true. But students pointed out an uncomfortable twist: because LED lighting is cheaper to run, we've simply installed more of it. The efficiency gains have been swallowed whole by growth in use. Light pollution is something people my age have heard about for decades," said Kate Carey, who helped guide the student project. "But what we're missing is that with the advent of LED lighting, the problem has gotten exponentially worse and is causing significant damage to biodiversity." Carey is a Virginia Master Naturalist who began volunteering at Longfellow in 2020, working alongside Dr. Yannos Misitzis with the school's Get2Green teams to study natural resources, reduce waste, and explore the park and stream near campus. She also coaches the McLean High School Envirothon team, which has grown dramatically. "Last year we barely fielded a team," she said. "This year we have eleven incredibly enthusiastic members." McLean HS near woods. It's 10pm at night, but it feels like daytime. Students Leading the Way The two clubs divided and conquered. The Longfellow Eco Action students spent the fall building out the science — explaining what light pollution is, how it works, and why it matters. The McLean Envirothon students focused on further outreach and solutions, producing a one-page handout outlining the principles of dark-sky-friendly lighting: Useful — If a light isn't needed, turn it off. Targeted — Direct light downward, not into the sky or onto neighboring properties. Low Level — Use only as much brightness as the task requires. Controlled — Timers, motion detectors, and dimmers keep light from running unnecessarily. Warm-Colored — Warmer bulbs (lower Kelvin) cut down on blue light, which drives skyglow and disrupts wildlife. Ben Aiken from the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance was, by all accounts, the most in-demand speaker of the night, fielding a steady stream of questions about county lighting regulations. But Carey was most proud of her students. The middle schoolers had spent a semester on the project and put in hours of rehearsal. The high schoolers handled advertising, thought through how to make the event feel welcoming to all ages, and — critically — baked dozens of cookies. A few even made the trip over to Longfellow's club meetings. Envirothon President Brianna Wang summed it up well: Coordinating our event and merging our different ideas was such an amazing experience. I really felt a strong community around environmental awareness growing in so many people of different ages and backgrounds. Seeing the Night Again For anyone wanting to go deeper, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History currently has a major exhibit — Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky — that examines how artificial lighting has reshaped the nighttime environment and what communities can do to get it back. See the online exhibit here. What stays with me from this student-led community conversation is the students' sense of possibility and the ease of their solution. Light pollution is rare among environmental issues: it's one we can do something about that costs no money and requires very little effort. Starting tonight, turn off a light you don't need. Swap out a harsh bulb. Point a fixture downward instead of up. The night sky didn't disappear all at once. It can come back the same way — gradually, one light at a time. An unused football stadium at 10pm flooding nearby neighbors with light

Environmental stewardship is more than a buzzword in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). It is a vital part of the district’s commitment to preparing students for a sustainable future. By integrating environmental education and sustainable practices into daily school life, FCPS fosters a culture where students, staff, and the community actively participate in protecting the environment. This blog explores how Fairfax County Public Schools promote environmental stewardship through education, initiatives, and community engagement. Students actively participating in a school garden project Environmental Education in the Curriculum One of the strongest ways FCPS promotes environmental stewardship is through its curriculum. Environmental education is woven into science classes, social studies, and even art projects. Students learn about ecosystems, climate change, conservation, and sustainable living. This approach helps students understand the impact of human actions on the planet and encourages responsible behavior. For example, FCPS and the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) have collaborated to develop a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience which actively engages students in hands-on outdoor and indoor learning across multiple disciplines for 4th, 5th, and 7th grade students. Any student (or parent!) who has had an opportunity to participate in one of these fieldtrips at the FCPA will remember it! Hidden Pond Field Trip (credit: Vanessa Hall) Other examples at FCPS include hands-on projects such as: School gardens where students grow fruits and vegetables, learning about plant biology and sustainable agriculture. Recycling programs that teach students how to reduce waste and properly sort recyclables. Energy conservation lessons that show students how to save electricity and water at school and home. These activities make environmental concepts tangible and relevant, increasing student engagement and retention. You can read about other specific programs at FCPS Get2Green, a website formed in 2009 by a group of FCPS principals to share and explore ways to engage in environmental stewardship. Sustainable Practices Across Schools Beyond education, FCPS implements sustainable practices in its facilities and operations. The district has taken steps to reduce its environmental footprint by: Installing energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems in schools. Conducting an Annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report. Promoting waste reduction through comprehensive recycling and composting programs. Committing to carbon neutral student transportation by 2035 These efforts not only reduce costs but also serve as real-life examples for students. When they see their schools actively working to protect the environment, it reinforces the lessons learned in the classroom. Student-Led Environmental Initiatives Empowering students to take leadership roles in environmental stewardship is a key focus in FCPS. Many schools have established Green Teams or Eco Clubs where students organize activities such as: Campus clean-up days. Efforts to reduce food waste. Tree planting events. Awareness campaigns about reducing single-use plastics. Fundraisers for local environmental causes. These groups provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills while making a positive impact. They also foster a sense of ownership and pride in their school environment. FCPS is proud of student-led accomplishments, such as solar advocacy by students from Falls Church and McLean High Schools. In this video below, the students demonstrate their scientific interest and knowledge, public speaking experience, and efforts to convince adults to adopt technology. Partnerships with Community and Local Organizations FCPS collaborates with local environmental organizations, government agencies, and businesses to enhance its stewardship efforts. These partnerships provide resources, expertise, and additional learning opportunities for students and staff. For instance, some schools work with the Fairfax County Park Authority to conduct field trips and outdoor education programs. Others partner with local nonprofits to host workshops on topics like composting or wildlife conservation. These connections help extend environmental education beyond the classroom and build stronger community ties. Impact and Looking Ahead Fairfax County Public Schools track the progress of their environmental programs through various metrics to help the district identify successes and areas for improvement. Looking forward, FCPS demonstrates the district’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship as a core value, yet FCPS also plans to expand its sustainability efforts by: Increasing the number of schools with certified green programs. Integrating more technology to monitor energy and water use. Enhancing professional development for teachers on environmental topics. Encouraging more student-led innovation in sustainability projects. FCPS is known as a "national leader in sustainability and environmental education." At the same time, they are training students to be innovative leaders for tomorrow's essential jobs. Through a comprehensive curriculum, incredible teachers, and award winning schools, Fairfax students will be prepared to face the challenges of an ever-changing world.

History of No Kings in the United States If you grew up in U.S. public schools (or watched Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton ), you were taught about the American Revolution wherein the colonies rejected the inherited power of King George to rule over the citizens and “taxation without representation.” Revolutionaries wanted self-determination and self-rule replacing an inherited monarchy with a representative government: a constitutional representative democracy. These were the O.G. No Kings rallies. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other. - Thomas Paine, In Common Sense (1776) Unlike the present day No Kings rallies, the eighteenth century demonstrations during the fight for independence were not non-violent. They were political, armed conflicts against a brutal monarch. Their strength and success was so powerful that the American Revolution inspired an even bloodier revolution in France a few years later. These revolutionaries developed state and federal constitutions so that power would come from the citizens, but would be exercised through elected representatives governed by a constitution, and these powers would be countered by checks and balances offered by separating the government into three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The U.S. Constitution was developed during the Philadelphia 1787 Constitutional Convention. To appease those that feared that federal power would be too great, the first 10 Amendments of the Bill of Rights were ratified in 1791 to protect fundamental individual liberties and civil rights by limiting the power of the federal government.  Of course, the Constitution detailed how the three branches of government would work to govern without overburdening civil liberties. However, in the shadow of a monarch, the Framers “were particularly focused on constraining presidents," says Professor Mark Tushnet (a researcher of legal history, constitutional law, and theory). The starting point was that we’d gone through a revolution against monarchical power…. Nobody wanted the chief executive to have the kinds of power the British monarch had. - Professor Mark Tushnet To ensure that a President would not have unchecked power, the Framers included limitations like the need to be re-elected, four-year terms, impeachment, and Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 (a.k.a., the Emoluments Clause), which states: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State. Today’s No Kings rallies are not expressing “ hate for America ” as  has been claimed ; rather, they are celebrating the best of what the U.S. has to offer: revolution against tyranny, albeit this time bloodless and civil, and often with costumes. They are following in the footsteps of our country’s first revolutionaries by: Returning to our country’s roots of opposing monarchy or a singular power without strong and vibrant checks and balances. Opposing perceived authoritarianism in how current justice issues are being handled more like they would be under a monarchy or fascist government than under a democratic presidency. Taking a pro-democracy stance to ensure that democratic processes and constitutional limits remain in this country. Restoring “We the People” as the power from which the government derives its power and legitimacy. Reminding the current Administration that dividing the country into those who blindly support his every move and those who are his “enemies” is against the very foundation of this nation. As Abraham Lincoln  said when he oversaw a divided nation over enslavement, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." “We” are the free United States, and we stand for liberty.  We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Click to read the Constitution

March 28th No Kings Rallies Across the United States The  Guinness (Book of) World Records  is watching the progress of the No Kings movement and anticipating that the upcoming nationwide protest may set a new record for the size of protests. Virginia is part of this massive but peaceful movement with a message to President Trump that the power belongs to the people and that "We the People" will not tolerate kings.  Since April 5, 2025, when three million people participated in a day of defiance at the   Hands Off!  protest, resistance to Trump’s attack on democracy has grown. On June 14, 2025, five million protesters attended the first   No Kings protest  at 2,000 locations.   No Kings 2.0,  on October 18, 2025, attracted seven million protesters  at 2600 locations, and Virginia alone had 67 locations and 100,000 attendees according to Denis Orsinger, Lead for Viva la Resistance Indivisible from Vienna, Virginia. The No Kings 3.0 protest on March 28, 2026 has   more than 3,000 events planned   and is expected to attract nine million people. Virginia has about 200 protest events scheduled for No Kings 3. Readers may wonder why so many people are protesting. Most Americans are appalled at Trump’s rush to destroy our democracy by trying to consolidate power in an authoritarian regime while breaking laws, ignoring the Constitution, and building personal wealth through  graft . Click to learn more Others, like this author, will not stand for the administration taking a wrecking ball to our federal agencies. My particular concern is what he is doing to the  Department of Education.  Public education is the right of every child in the United States, citizen or not, and education is a cornerstone of our democracy. As part of his effort to consolidate power in an authoritarian regime he is trying to close down the Department of Education and is attempting to control what students learn and believe .  Leah Greenberg, Co-Director of  Indivisible,  said that this is an  urgent moment , with the Iran war and other outrageous actions committed by the administration on an almost daily basis.  Bob Fasick, from Springfield Virginia, a No Kings 3 organizer and member of THIRD ACT! Virginia is protesting Trump’s “unjust policies, denial of rights and due process, abuses of power, demonstrable corruption, atrocities by I.C.E. and Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files. “ But Bob and his fellow activists don’t wait for designated dates to protest. They populate a pedestrian bridge over I-95 three or four times a week with banners and signs to remind passing traffic about the outrages.  Dennis Atwood, from Shenandoah County and Lead for ShenCo Indivisible, is another No Kings 3 organizer who protests against “Trump’s attacks on the First amendment and the MAGA majority in Congress that refuses to hold the administration accountable.” Dennis reminds us that: We the People must continue to show up, speak out, and vote big to restrain the regime. Leah Greenberg explained that the underlying  logic of authoritarianism  is to make people feel that it is futile to resist and that it is inevitable that the regime will have unlimited power indefinitely. Authoritarian regimes gain and keep power by making people feel isolated. The No Kings protests counter this by “leaning into fun” and creating joyful defiance, thereby developing a strong sense of community. Jen Strozier, spokesperson for Indivisible Lynchburg and No Kings 3 organizer from Lynchburg Virginia, noted that “showing up in public places to celebrate, connect, and commit to continuing this work together” helps to grow the movement and empower people.  Barbara Silversmith, a leader with Fairfax Indivisible and the organizer of No Kings 3 events at four locations in Northeastern Virginia pointed out that her earlier No Kings events produced contagious excitement. “We had barely gotten our message of No Kings up [on a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 495 in Annandale] before cars below us started honking in support. Their enthusiastic response thrilled us! We all realized at that moment we weren't alone, and that sense of solidarity was addictive.” Now Barb hosts frequent protests on the pedestrian bridge, with families, pets, and people in costumes joining and creating a festive atmosphere. She is excited to see what will happen on March 28. Organizers of these protests have come to realize that wannabe dictators try to make people feel isolated and fearful, and these protests create safe spaces where people can oppose attempted authoritarian rule and gain courage from their fellow protestors. Trump does not have the people on his side but people must develop the courage to stand up to his regime. Indivisible NOVA West’s steering committee explained it best: Authoritarian regimes require fear and isolation but No Kings 3 creates joyful defiance and a strong sense of community. This instills courage, courage is contagious, and the sense of a shared identity among pro-democracy people lets them know they are part of something bigger than their parts.  Diana Smith, another organizer and lead for Defend Democracy Indivisible, pointed out that “we must do as Americans did in 1776 when they stood up for a democratic republic. Now we have a tyrant who is trying to turn our American dream into the same nightmare faced by Germans nearly 100 years ago.”  With these protests we are showing society and this administration that there is movement against the rogue Trump administration.  Dale Wimberly, Lead for New River Valley Indivisible in Blacksburg VA, noted that many protests are planned in small towns away from the urban centers that are usually considered the centers for protests. He pointed out “many of the No Kings 3 protests are planned in Southwest Virginia, including those in Abingdon, Bristol, Galax, Hillsville, Floyd, Marion, and some in Virginia coal country including Russell County, Scott County, Clintwood. ”  Readers can find information about events in Virginia at this link and events elsewhere at this   link . They can bring friends and family to one of these peaceful events and not only benefit from the sense of community and infectious courage, but they can help give the message to the Trump administration that in America we will tolerate NO KINGS .  We must do as Americans did in 1776 when they stood up for a democratic republic. Now we have a tyrant who is trying to turn our American dream into the same nightmare faced by Germans nearly 100 years ago. Click to find the time and location of a No Kings event near you!