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A special election could be held March 3, 2026, to fill the vacant Braddock District seat following action at the Dec. 18 school board meeting.
Board members directed legal counsel to petition the county Circuit Court for a writ authorizing the election. The decision came during a meeting that also included votes on advanced academic centers, the fiscal 2026 midyear budget and student transportation.
Before the regular session, the board held its second and final public hearing on the naming of the new Western High School. One person spoke during the hearing, which began at 7:01 p.m.
The regular meeting opened at 7:14 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and a performance of the national anthem by Hughes Middle School student Allison Korb.
Chair Anderson welcomed City of Fairfax education board Chair Carolyn Pitches and Vice Chair Kristina Cecere. Members then approved a proclamation honoring departing member Rachna Sizemore Heizer, who addressed the board afterward.
Eight people spoke during community participation, and student representative Faith Mekonen delivered a report.
Advanced academic centers and budget changes approved
The board approved a full-time Advanced Academic Program center at Poe Middle School beginning with sixth grade in the 2026-27 school year.
Members also approved a phase-in option allowing affected students in grades three through six at Canterbury Woods Elementary—whose base schools are Annandale Terrace, Braddock or North Springfield—to remain there through sixth grade.
A separate phase-in option applies to Mason Crest students in the Falls Church pyramid who are attending Belvedere Elementary for AAP center services in grades three through five.
Staff members were directed to begin community engagement on a proposal for a full-time AAP center at North Springfield Elementary. That center would open with third grade in the 2026-27 school year.
The board accepted the Goal 5 Strategic Plan Report for the 2025-26 school year and approved revenue and spending changes included in the fiscal 2026 midyear budget review.
A motion to provide transportation only in response to new boundary adjustments failed.
Members also directed Superintendent Michelle C. Reid to seek a comprehensive resolution of floor-area-ratio issues affecting FCPS campuses on land zoned Residential-Conservation.
Tie postpones committee decision
The board considered rescinding its Dec. 4 action that changed the Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee’s structure and ended the Facilities Planning Advisory Council.
An amendment produced a tie while the full board was absent. Under Virginia law, the entire matter was deferred until the next regular meeting.
Reid presented an Academic Matters report covering School Performance and Support Framework outcomes.
The consent agenda included minutes from four recent meetings, the November 2025 employee separation report, a revision to public-hearing provisions in the Strategic Governance Manual and several contract awards.
Items introduced for future action included a monitoring report on relationships with families and community stakeholders, a net-zero motion, proposed Governance Manual amendments and a temperature-control system replacement contract for Chesterbrook Elementary School.
Other future items concerned an architectural and engineering contract adjustment for the Armstrong Elementary renovation and land rights at Flint Hill Elementary for the Tysons West sanitary sewer project.
St. John-Cunning reported on the Public Engagement Committee, and McDaniel delivered an update from the Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee.
Reid set aside her usual superintendent’s report to offer holiday wishes. Several members made closing remarks before the regular meeting adjourned at 11:29 p.m.
Upcoming sessions included an Audit Committee meeting at 4 p.m. Jan. 5, 2026; a Governance Committee meeting at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 6; and a regular meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 8.