|
School Board Information
The Fairfax County School Board is charged by the statutes of Virginia
and the regulations of the Virginia Board of Education to provide and operate
the public schools of Fairfax County. It is the function of the Board to set
general school policy and, within the framework of Virginia Board of Education
regulations, to establish guidelines that will ensure the proper administration
of the county school program. School Board members are paid a salary of $20,000
per year, with an additional $2,000 for the chairman.
The twelve School Board members are elected
for four-year terms; one member represents each of the county's nine
magisterial (election) districts, and three members serve at large.
A student representative, selected for a one-year term at a nominating
convention in February conducted by the countywide Student Advisory
Council, sits with the Board at all public meetings and participates
in discussions but does not vote.
Members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend public meetings of the School Board to observe its deliberations.
REGULAR BUSINESS AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
The Board holds business meetings at 7 p.m. twice monthly in the Board Room at Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Rd., Falls Church. Special meetings are scheduled as required. In accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, closed meetings are held only for consideration of certain student, personnel, property, and legal matters.
WORK SESSIONS
Committee work sessions of the Board are held to examine subjects in greater depth than is possible during business meetings.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearings are scheduled on specific topics by the Board at various times during the year. All speakers are allowed three minutes. Only individuals who have signed up in advance will have an opportunity to speak at public hearings. To reserve a space on the speakers list, sign up online or call the School Board Office at 571-423-1075 during normal business hours. The speakers list opens approximately three weeks prior to the public hearing and closes at 4:30 p.m. on the work day before the public hearing. If the public hearing is scheduled for a Saturday the speakers list will close on Thursday.
Fairfax County residents who want to present their views to the School Board may submit them in writing to School Board Members, 8115 Gatehouse Rd., Suite 5400, Falls Church, VA 22042 or by e-mail.
ADDRESSING THE BOARD
Time is reserved at each regular business meeting for public testimony on matters that are on the agenda for new business or action or that have been introduced for new business at a previous meeting and have not yet been acted upon. The speakers list for the regular business meeting is limited to ten people, each being allowed three minutes. To reserve a space on the speakers list, sign up online starting at 6 a.m. on the Monday preceding the board meeting or by calling the School Board Office at 571-423-1075 during normal business hours. During the period reserved for comments, the School Board will not hear statements involving cases under litigation, issues that have been scheduled for a public hearing, or complaints regarding individual employees or students.
AGENDAS & MINUTES
Agendas for Board meetings are published the week prior to the meeting. To be notified of all meetings, sign up for Keep in Touch. Minutes are posted upon approval by the board.