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A fiscal 2025 budget review advanced alongside a major celebration of teacher achievement during the April 10, 2025, regular education meeting, where officials recognized 23 educators who earned or renewed National Board Certification.
Members approved the fiscal 2025 third-quarter budget review and awarded a sole-source contract to Teach for America Inc. Action on basal instructional resources for social studies was deferred.
The meeting opened at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and a national anthem performance by the Navy Elementary School Strings under the direction of Robert Salzberg and Tanya Stanley. Proclamations also honored the Month of the Military Child and Arab American Heritage Month.
Teachers receive national recognition
Eight educators were honored for achieving National Board Certification:
- Kristin Bauersfeld, Terra Centre Elementary School
- Hannah Brown, Bailey’s Elementary School
- Lianna Clarke, Bailey’s Upper Elementary School
- Carol Dalmet, Madison High School
- Heather Hall, Westgate Elementary School
- Melissa Johnson, Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Patrick Noel, Colvin Run Elementary School
- Rachel Von Elmendorf, Holmes Middle School
Fifteen others were recognized for renewing their certification:
- Julianne Braden, Laurel Hill Elementary School
- Laura Chami, Madison High School
- Frances Clarke, Keene Mill Elementary School
- Heather Jung, Hollin Meadows Elementary School
- Emily Keffer, Herndon Elementary School
- Lauren Kinne, Woodson High School
- Bethany Layton, Sangster Elementary School
- Rachel Morris, Laurel Hill Elementary School
- Darren Myzak, Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Megan Stanley, Cooper Middle School
- Alaina Taylor, Hayfield Secondary School
- Julianne Trimble, Bull Run Elementary School
- Jyothsna Vallampati, Madison High School
- Christa Voegtle, Hayfield Secondary School
- Mary Wolfe, Herndon High School
The certification program began in the school division more than 20 years ago, and over 500 teachers have since earned the credential. The division ranks among Virginia’s top five for both newly certified teachers and current candidates, as well as among the nation’s top 30 districts for its number of National Board-certified educators.
More than 300 certified teachers remain active in the division. About 75% work directly with students, while others serve in leadership positions.
Asset-protection rules retained
Superintendent Michelle Reid presented the annual monitoring report for Executive Limitation 7, which establishes operational safeguards for protecting division assets. Members found Reid in compliance, approved the 2024-25 school-year report and voted to retain the limitation as written in the Strategic Governance Manual.
Reid also presented an Academic Matters segment on Purple Star Schools. She joined Family and School Partnerships Director Renee LaHuffman-Jackson and Chief Experience and Engagement Officer Lisa Y. Hall to discuss the strategic plan’s Pillar B, focused on strong partnerships among families, schools and communities.
Reid and Chief Financial Officer Leigh Burden provided an update on the approved fiscal 2026 budget.
Policies covering HIV, child-abuse reporting procedures and the admission of postgraduate students were adopted through the consent agenda. Several additional contracts were also awarded.
Eleven people addressed officials during the public-participation period. Student representative Megan Sawant did not present a report because she was attending an event at the university she planned to attend.
Dr. Anderson reported on the Successful Children and Youth Policy Team, and Reid delivered her superintendent’s remarks. Members Dunne, Dr. Anderson, Dixit, Meren, St. John-Cunning, Moon, Anderson and Frisch also offered comments.
The meeting adjourned at 11:22 p.m.
The schedule of upcoming sessions included a Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee meeting at 7 p.m. April 17, a Budget Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 22 and a regular meeting at 7 p.m. April 24.