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Five candidates competing for four Falls Church City School Board seats broadly supported stronger climate action in the city’s public schools, though several emphasized costs, operational reliability and the board’s limited role in curriculum decisions.

Early voting for the Nov. 4, 2025, citywide election began Sept. 19. The Falls Church Climate Action Network asked candidates Lori Silverman, Sharon Mergler, MaryKate “MK” Hughes, Anne Sherwood and Kathleen Tysse five questions about school operations, climate education and the city’s Government Operations Energy Action Plan, adopted in July 2023.

The plan calls for cleaner vehicles, more efficient buildings, renewable electricity and electric replacements for gas heating systems. The candidates also addressed a potential solar installation at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School.

Climate analysis in major decisions

All five candidates expressed support for considering the climate effects of school spending and policy choices, although their proposed approaches varied.

Silverman gave an unqualified yes when asked whether school leaders should routinely provide the board with climate analysis.

Mergler said environmental data could help the district identify opportunities, measure costs and involve students in practical work connected to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Hughes called for clearly assigning responsibility to staff members and establishing measurable goals. She said regular reporting would allow the board to track progress and hold the district accountable.

Sherwood supported seeking climate information for major choices such as purchasing buses, improving facilities and changing transportation policies. She cautioned that producing an analysis for every decision may not be practical.

Tysse said climate considerations already inform many consequential discussions, but noted that the district does not employ climate specialists and may therefore face limits in its analysis.

Support for the energy plan

The candidates generally endorsed the city’s energy plan, which includes shifting to zero-emission or hybrid vehicles, installing electric equipment when gas heating systems reach the end of their useful lives and cutting energy consumption across government buildings by 10 percent by 2030.

Silverman supported hybrid and zero-emission vehicles while leaving room for diesel when long-distance travel or reliability makes it necessary.

Mergler focused on keeping residents informed about funding and updating the plan as economic conditions and new information change.

Hughes said she supports the plan’s school-related goals but wants officials to consider staffing capacity, budget constraints and evolving technology. She also called for transparent progress reports.

Sherwood raised questions about balancing optimized bus routes with safety and equity, maintaining reliable and comfortable school buildings, accommodating enrollment growth, securing sufficient funding and tracking any energy savings.

Tysse said she supports the plan’s ambitious goals for the school system.

Coordination with city leaders

The candidates also agreed that the School Board and city government must cooperate on shared projects, including buses, solar panels, vehicle-charging equipment and efforts to make Meridian High School perform at its designed level of energy efficiency.

Silverman committed to that cooperation. Mergler called for open, data-driven communication and aligned priorities among the schools, City Council and other stakeholders.

Hughes said the city and school system should identify staff responsible for coordinating the work. She also proposed revisiting their revenue-sharing arrangement to clarify overlapping priorities, costs and responsibilities.

Sherwood said the schools and general government already have a productive relationship that should continue. Tysse pointed to relationships she has built with city officials and said she expects that cooperation to persist.

Solar power draws broad interest

All five candidates showed some level of support for adding solar panels when the roof at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School is replaced.

The project has been associated with approximately fiscal year 2029, although Tysse said the roof may need replacement sooner, leaving less time to save and plan.

Silverman supported finding funding for solar panels. Mergler cited the existing array at Meridian High School and called for examining all financing options amid economic uncertainty.

Hughes said she would seek a detailed analysis of upfront expenses, long-term savings, maintenance, lifespan and potential tradeoffs before making a decision.

Sherwood described the roof replacement as a strong opportunity to reduce emissions and said she would prioritize exploring ways to complete the installation while reviewing its full costs.

Tysse said she strongly supports solar power and would explore possible funding. However, she stopped short of a guarantee because of district budget pressures, the potentially accelerated roof schedule and unanswered questions about Dominion Energy’s plans for the school.

Different approaches to climate education

Candidates supported helping students understand climate change, but several stressed that educators—not the School Board—should determine specific curriculum content.

Silverman endorsed expanding the school system’s recognition of climate effects. Mergler supported giving students access to accurate information and tools such as an energy dashboard that could show electricity, gas and other resource use.

Hughes recommended first documenting existing instruction and programs, including the Sustainability Academy at Meridian and Operation Earth Watch in elementary schools. She warned against adding responsibilities without consulting educators and considering their existing workload.

Sherwood said climate instruction and student-led environmental projects complement the district’s International Baccalaureate approach. She cited the hiring of a sustainability coordinator, the addition of sustainability-related secondary courses and the work of student clubs.

Tysse supported teaching students about climate change and human effects on the environment while emphasizing that the board governs through policy rather than writing curriculum. She also praised the district’s Sustainability in Action Award and Sustainability Scholar recognition programs.