About Karl Frisch
Karl Frisch (he/him) is Vice Chair and Providence District Representative of the Fairfax County School Board. Elected in 2019, he ultimately garnered more votes than any candidate for School Board in Providence District history, becoming the first openly LGBTQIA+ person elected to local office in Fairfax County.
Before joining the Board, Frisch earned a national reputation as an effective public policy advocate in our nation’s capital on issues ranging from consumer financial protection and land conservation to student lending and government ethics.
Most recently, he served as executive director of Allied Progress, a consumer financial watchdog that sought to protect those targeted by predatory lenders and financial scammers. He also worked as staff for the Committee on Rules in the U.S. House of Representatives, which considers all legislation reported from other policy and fiscal committees to determine the scope of its eventual consideration by the full House.
A communications consultant, Frisch puts his expertise to work for technology companies and non-profit clients, refining their public relations and marketing strategies and helping them break through an increasingly competitive media environment.
On the School Board, Frisch has championed efforts to address learning loss, close achievement and opportunity gaps, attract and retain world-class educators with increased pay, expand access to advanced academics and other opportunities, teach accurate history, bring additional resources to local schools, protect school libraries from censorship, and ensure all students have safe and inclusive schools.
Additionally, he has been at the forefront of efforts to eliminate literacy gaps, creatively address school overcrowding, prevent gun violence, support LGBTQIA+ students, keep immigrant students and their families together, rename schools that honored the Confederacy, encourage energy conservation and reinvest savings in student success, and give teachers and school staff a seat at the table through collective bargaining.
Last year, Frisch served as the Board’s congressional liaison and as a member of the Audit and Public Engagement Committees. He has previously served as the Board’s liaison to the Virginia General Assembly, City of Fairfax School Board, Criminal Justice Commission, and Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee. Additionally, Frisch has chaired the Board’s Public Engagement and Governance committees and served as one of its two representatives on the Joint Environmental Task Force (JET), which worked with the Board of Supervisors, students, and community members to address climate and sustainability issues.
The ACLU, Capital Pride, FCPS Pride, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington have recognized Frisch’s policy work with awards.
An avid traveler, outdoor enthusiast, and Washington Nationals fan, Frisch lives near Marshall High School with his partner Evan, a Fairfax County teacher for nearly two decades.
About Providence District
Providence District is one of Fairfax County's nine magisterial districts. The district comprises many vibrant neighborhoods, including Tysons, Dunn Loring, Idylwood, Merrifield, Mantua, Oakton, and parts of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Vienna.
Each magisterial district elects a representative to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County School Board. With a population of more than 143,000, Providence District residents attend ten high schools, nine middle schools, and 31 elementary schools.
A printable version of this map is available (PDF).
The economic engine of Fairfax County, the district is home to Tysons, a thriving urban community that blends livability, entrepreneurial opportunity, and retail offerings. It also includes Mosaic District, a curated mix of retail, restaurants, entertainment experiences, and homes.
Providence district is richly diverse. Over half of its residents identify with a race or ethnic group other than white: Asian Pacific Islander (25.16%), Hispanic/Latino (14.02%), Black (6.34%), and other (5.15%). Additionally, nearly 45% speak a language other than English at home.
Helpful Resources:
- Providence District Schools
- Find Out Which District You Live In
- Fairfax County's Providence District Website
- Providence District Demographic Information
Contact Information
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Contact Karl Frisch, School Board Member
- Phone: 571-423-1084
- E-mail: Send An Email
Contact Beth Thompson, School Board Staff Aide
- Phone: 571-423-1073
- E-Mail: Send An Email