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New secondary courses, legislative priorities and a major committee restructuring won approval during a Dec. 4, 2025, School Board meeting that continued past midnight.
The board approved changes to middle and high school course offerings for the 2026-27 school year and adopted its 2026 State and Federal Legislative Program.
Members also voted to add three community representatives to the Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee. The Facilities Planning Advisory Council will be dissolved effective April 1, 2026.
The meeting opened at 7:38 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and a national anthem performance by South Lakes High School student Sidney Walkup. The board approved a proclamation honoring Inclusive Schools Week.
Twelve people spoke during the community participation period. Student representative Faith Mekonen was unable to attend because of an academic obligation and submitted her remarks in writing.
Superintendent review and presentations
Superintendent Michelle C. Reid presented an annual monitoring report on Executive Limitation 4, which establishes human resources guardrails for the operation of the school division.
The board found Reid in compliance and approved the 2025-26 monitoring report. It later voted through the consent agenda to retain the human resources limitation as currently written in the Strategic Governance Manual.
Reid and Chief Operating Officer Andy Mueck presented an update on boundary review phasing and transportation. Reid and Chief Financial Officer Leigh Burden discussed the fiscal 2026 midyear budget review.
Other presentations addressed Standards of Learning cut scores and accountability proposals, along with a strategic plan update on warehouse operations.
Consent agenda and future action
The consent agenda included minutes from the Nov. 12 work session and Nov. 13 regular meeting, additional advisory committee appointments, school bond issuance and several contract awards.
Members also approved land-rights easements for Dominion Energy at Mount Eagle Elementary School related to the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit project.
Several matters were introduced for future votes. They included the fiscal 2026 midyear budget review, an innovation-focused strategic plan report and a second public-comment period on naming the new western high school.
Other pending items included using a county contract for asphalt milling and paving at Woodson High School, an electronic-participation resolution, employee performance evaluations, boundary review phasing and transportation, and a Centreville High School lease agreement.
Mr. McElveen delivered an Audit Committee report, and Reid presented superintendent matters. Eight board members offered closing remarks before the meeting adjourned at 12:10 a.m. on Dec. 5.
Additional meetings were scheduled for Dec. 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 18, including committee sessions, a joint annual meeting with the City of Fairfax education board and the next regular meeting.