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Fairfax County Public Schools has hired an outside law firm to investigate allegations that an 18-year-old student improperly touched several classmates at Fairfax High School.

Superintendent Michelle Reid told the school community on March 23 that she had asked the division on March 18 to retain McGuireWoods for a comprehensive independent review.

Court records identify the accused student as Israel Flores-Ortiz. He faces nine misdemeanor counts of assault and battery stemming from alleged conduct on Feb. 25, 2026. He was arrested March 7.

The investigation will seek to determine what happened, establish a timeline and assess whether employees followed all applicable policies, procedures and regulations, Reid said.

FCPS is also cooperating with law enforcement. Reid said the school division intends to disclose what it can while complying with student privacy laws.

Shortly after the arrest, the Department of Homeland Security said Flores-Ortiz had entered the United States illegally from El Salvador in 2024.

Flores-Ortiz remains in custody. An adjudicatory hearing—the juvenile court equivalent of a trial—is scheduled for April 9 in Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Reid emphasized that all FCPS employees are mandatory reporters who receive annual training on identifying and reporting student-safety concerns. The review will examine whether those protocols were followed.

Students and parents with relevant information can contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security through its anonymous tip line or by calling 571-423-2020.