Category: Opinion

Stephanie Lundquist-Arora is a contributor for IW Features, The Federalist and the Washington Examiner, a mother in Fairfax County, Virginia, an author and the Fairfax chapter leader of the Independent Women’s Network. Her articles have also appeared in National Review, Fox News Digital, The Daily Signal and Townhall. Originally appeared on The Washington Times.

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In August 2025, Fairfax County Public Schools purchased the former King Abdullah Academy in the western part of the county for $150 million. The purchase adds to a growing set of data points highlighting the district’s irresponsible leadership.

Skyview High School, the name school board members unanimously approved for the new school in February, has been in the district’s capital budget planning since 2015 to address overcrowding and expectations of an increasing student population.

Those projections, however, didn’t account for the mass exodus of students fleeing from a public school district in significant decline.

From 2015 to 2025, Fairfax County Public Schools experienced the largest decrease in student enrollment of any district in the state. It lost 6,894 students, according to the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. From 2020 to 2025 alone, enrollment fell by 11,348 students.

The district’s enrollment is expected to decline by an additional 6.6% from 2025 to 2030, according to Weldon Cooper Center projections.

In 2015, when the county’s leaders anticipated that a new high school would be necessary, student enrollment was about 186,800. Ten years later, the district’s enrollment was 177,007 and was slated to be 165,325 in 2030.

Taxpayers are puzzled about why a new school is needed when there is a projected drop of 20,000 students from 2015 to 2030. The county’s Board of Supervisors also had questions about Skyview High School as it worked on the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Supervisor Pat Herrity, a Republican representing the Springfield district, requested that the district’s leaders “detail the proposed increase in operational expenses, including the costs that are associated with the new high school (e.g., principal salary).”

The district responded with what Mr. Herrity, in an email, called “a completely unacceptable, garbage answer that excluded many of the costs.”

District leaders wrote that the costs for fiscal year 2027 would total $4.7 million, including $3.8 million for personnel, $700,000 for utilities and $200,000 for hourly and logistics funding.

In an effort to better understand the new high school’s actual costs, I submitted a Freedom of Information Act request seeking additional information on costs associated with building renovations, athletic facilities, parking lot modification, installation of technology infrastructure, transportation, and furniture and equipment.

The (notoriously abusive) FOIA office determined that the cost of providing a taxpayer with such information would be $455. I emailed Superintendent Michelle Reid and Division Counsel John Foster, who oversees FOIA matters, to request a more reasonable FOIA fee and greater transparency regarding the new high school.

Not surprisingly, they haven’t responded.

Although the district paid $150 million for the school and additional costs are significant — perhaps much higher than it is willing to disclose to the county’s Board of Supervisors and taxpayers — it is having trouble finding students to fill the classrooms.

District leaders planned a phased opening of Skyview High School, aiming to enroll approximately 500 freshmen and 500 sophomores for the 2026-2027 school year and reach full enrollment of about 2,000 students by the 2028-2029 school year.

The intended feeder patterns primarily included the Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield pyramids, with portions of the Oakton and South Lakes pyramids also considered in boundary scenarios. Although the initial opt-in deadline was Jan. 16, the district sent a systemwide email to all FCPS families on April 28 promoting the “opportunity” to be part of the inaugural Skyview community.

It is abundantly clear to taxpayers that Skyview High School is not as highly coveted as school board members had hoped. Whereas there was supposed to be a lottery system if more than 1,000 students applied for the school when it opened, district leaders are now desperately trying to poach students from other schools, likely to justify their unnecessary purchase.

Adding insult to injury, the county is in financial trouble because its tax revenue is declining. Waste is problematic even in times of abundance, but it is even more egregious when fiscal conditions tighten and competing demands on public funding increase.

Taken together, these decisions reflect reckless leadership. The purchase of Skyview High School, combined with declining public school enrollment and rising costs, raises serious questions about the district’s fiscal stewardship and planning discipline.

At a time when enrollment trends point downward and county revenue is under pressure, major capital commitments of this scale warrant heightened scrutiny, clearer justification and stronger accountability to taxpayers.

Stephanie Lundquist-Arora is a contributor for IW Features, The Federalist and the Washington Examiner, a mother in Fairfax County, Virginia, an author and the Fairfax chapter leader of the Independent Women’s Network. Her articles have also appeared in National Review, Fox News Digital, The Daily Signal and Townhall. Originally appeared on EdNews Virginia.

On March 23, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Michelle Reid announced that she is enlisting the services of yet another law firm, McGuireWoods, to “investigate” the district’s latest scandal — allegations that an 18-year-old illegal immigrant fondled the genitals of several female students in Fairfax High School. The district’s legal bills are mounting.

In her announcement, Reid said she retained “an independent outside law firm to conduct a comprehensive review of this matter.” The district’s contract with McGuireWoods, however — authorizing attorneys’ fees of up to $1,850 per hour — suggests a role less “independent” than described.

“McGuireWoods was retained by Client on March 19, 2026, to conduct a confidential, attorney-client privileged investigation concerning allegations of sexual harassment and/or assault of students at Fairfax High School,” the contract states. “The investigation has been undertaken for the purpose of providing legal advice to Client.”

READ THE CONTRACT (OBTAINED THROUGH FOIA):

Newly released figures reveal that even before FCPS’s contract for McGuireWoods to provide legal advice, not “conduct an independent investigation,” on the matter of alleged sexual assault in Fairfax High School took effect, February 2026 became the district’s costliest legal month on record at $3.8 million — driving total legal spending for fiscal year 2026 to more than $12 million.

One firm in particular, King & Spalding, accounted for $3.1 million of the district’s legal expenses in February alone, and $7.5 million so far this fiscal year. The district’s division counsel, John Foster, signed a contract with the firm agreeing to pay attorneys up to $1,850 per hour to investigate allegations related to an abortions-related scandal at Centreville High School.

Before that “independent” investigation was completed, the district retained the same firm to represent it in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower.

Reid’s contract to run Virginia’s largest school district began on the first day of fiscal year 2023. Since then, the district’s legal expenses have risen substantially — totaling roughly 50% more from fiscal years 2023 through 2025 than during the previous three years under her predecessor. In a district marred with scandal, and fighting the federal government for boys’ “rights” to use girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms at school, fiscal year 2026 is on track to set a new record for the highest legal expenses in the district’s history.

At a time when Fairfax County Public Schools is confronting repeated controversies, its reliance on costly outside legal firms has pushed spending to unprecedented levels. With fiscal year 2026 on pace to set a new record, taxpayers are left to weigh whether these escalating legal bills reflect necessary accountability — or a pattern of reactive governance, poor leadership, and efforts to obscure internal failures.

Stephanie Lundquist-Arora is a contributor for IW Features, The Federalist and the Washington Examiner, a mother in Fairfax County, Virginia, an author and the Fairfax chapter leader of the Independent Women’s Network. Her articles have also appeared in National Review, Fox News Digital, The Daily Signal and Townhall. Originally appeared on The Washington Times.

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The love of everything trans couldn’t be more visible among Fairfax County’s Democratic leadership. The district’s school board members are set to pass another transgender proclamation at their meeting this week.

In 2024, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to observe Trans Visibility Day when it coincided with Easter — likely to insult Christians on their holiest of days. The alphabet people demand it every day, even Easter, apparently.

The transgender cult is arguably the most narcissistic group and certainly doesn’t need more proclamations for “visibility.” Entire months are dedicated to its pride and history. There’s a week for transgender awareness and health and days dedicated to transgender remembrance and pronouns.

Adding insult to injury, men pretending to be women have taken women’s sports, beauty pageants and awards ceremonies by storm. It’s not enough to be free to make personal choices; they demand that the public honor and applaud them for it, even when it comes at the expense of others.

Indeed, on pretty much all these “holidays,” Fairfax County’s leaders spend hours delivering soapbox speeches at public meetings about their commitment to this small, very visible group of people. The hour or two preceding community participation at the board’s upcoming meeting will be just another rerun.

In 2024, 1.9% of Fairfax students who took the Fairfax County Youth Survey identified as transgender. That was a decrease from the 2.3% the year prior, when it was trendier to be transgender. In neighboring Loudoun County’s school district this year, about 51 students (0.1%) identified as “nonbinary” (which, by the way, sounds like a body piercing from the 1990s).

While a small number of students are experimenting with claiming a transgender identity, a large number of students in both districts, particularly those from low-income families, are having an actual problem: They are failing their Standards of Learning tests.

According to data from the Virginia Department of Education, 41% of students enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools — about 74,200 students — are labeled economically disadvantaged in the 2024-2025 academic year. Of those, 42% failed their English reading Standards of Learning tests, 95% failed English writing, 41% failed math, 46% failed science and 70% failed history.

In other words, the county’s equity warriors are focusing large amounts of resources — especially considering their expensive legal fight with the Department of Education to allow boys in girls’ bathrooms — for a few transgender-identifying students, most of whom are likely affluent.

The county’s leadership is making a clear choice, and it’s not for academics. While thousands of students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, struggle to meet basic standards in reading, writing, math and science, the school board continues to devote time and attention to symbolic proclamations that have no measurable impact on student success.

Public schools exist to educate, not serve as platforms for political signaling. When nearly half of vulnerable students are failing core subjects, every hour spent on ceremonial resolutions is an hour not spent confronting the district’s real and growing academic challenges.

Parents are right to ask why leadership appears more focused on statements than solutions.

Until Fairfax County’s leaders refocus on improving classroom outcomes — raising test scores and supporting struggling students — their proclamations will ring hollow. Students don’t need more symbolism; they need results.

Stephanie Lundquist-Arora is a contributor for IW Features, The Federalist and the Washington Examiner, a mother in Fairfax County, Virginia, an author and the Fairfax chapter leader of the Independent Women’s Network. Her articles have also appeared in National Review, Fox News Digital, The Daily Signal and Townhall. Originally appeared on EdNews Virginia.

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There has been a significant decline in enrollment in Virginia’s largest public school district. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) experienced the largest drop in student enrollment of any district in the state from 2015 to 2025, according to the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. While neighboring Prince William County Public Schools — the state’s second-largest district — grew by 3,970 students, FCPS saw a decrease of 6,894 students during the same period.

It’s not that the number of school-aged children in Fairfax County is declining — in fact, the opposite is true. From 2019 to 2025, the population of school-aged children increased by more than 9,000. But families with greater financial means and/or flexibility are seeking alternative educational options as concerns grow about the performance and outcomes of the district’s public schools.

As FCPS leaders request $4.1 billion in the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, many taxpayers are also expressing frustration. Critics rightly argue that increased spending has not translated into improved student outcomes. From 2019 to 2025, average per-pupil expenditures rose by more than $6,000, while average SAT scores declined by 35 points over the same period.

Not surprisingly, FCPS stopped publishing SAT scores on its website several years ago. In response, the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance regularly submits Freedom of Information Act requests and shares the results publicly.

Year	# in FCPS	FCPS Budget	$ Per Pupil	Avg. SAT
2019	187,521	$3.0B	$15,998	1218
2020	188,355	$3.1B	$16,458	1211
2021	179,748	$3.4B	$18,915	1201
2022	178,421	$3.3B	$18,495	1185
2023	180,527	$3.5B	$19,387	1181
2024	181,153	$3.7B	$20,424	1178
2025	177,007	$3.9B	$22,033	1183

Many families in the county appear to recognize these trends and are choosing to withdraw their children from what was once considered a high-performing public school district. Consequently, the percentage of school-aged children in Fairfax County not attending public school increased from 8.6% in 2019 to 17.4% in 2025.

Year	FCPS Enrollment	Private School	Homeschooled	Total Students	% Not in FCPS
2019	187,521	14,500	3,247	205,268	8.6%
2020	188,355	17,000	5,912	211,267	10.8%
2021	179,748	20,000	4,504	204,252	12.0%
2022	178,421	25,000	3,795	207,216	13.9%
2023	180,527	28,000	3,727	212,254	14.9%
2024	181,153	31,000	3,749	215,902	16.1%
2025	177,007	33,435	3,968	214,410	17.4%

Whether driven by concerns about academic outcomes, school climate, transparency, or broader policy decisions, the data suggest that public confidence in the district is eroding. If FCPS hopes to reverse its enrollment losses and rebuild trust, district leaders will need to do more than request larger budgets. 

Clear accountability, measurable academic improvement, and genuine engagement with families will be essential to restoring the district’s reputation as a destination for educational excellence. Until then, throwing more money at the problem is futile.

Stephanie Lundquist-Arora is a contributor for IW Features, The Federalist and the Washington Examiner, a mother in Fairfax County, Virginia, an author and the Fairfax chapter leader of the Independent Women’s Network. Her articles have also appeared in National Review, Fox News Digital, The Daily Signal and Townhall. Originally appeared on The Daily Signal.

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Fairfax County Public Schools is no longer a district in quiet decline—it is a system in visible retreat.

Fairfax Schools experienced the largest decline in student enrollment of any district in the state from 2015 to 2025, according to University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Policy. While neighboring districts such as Loudoun County Public Schools and Arlington Public Schools grew by 8,315 students and 3,429 students, respectively, Fairfax Schools saw a decrease of 6,894 students during the same period.

Declining enrollment in Virginia’s largest public school district doesn’t show signs of slowing. From 2025 to 2030, Weldon Cooper further estimates that the district’s student enrollment will decline an additional 6.6%.

While district leaders, especially the superintendent, Michelle Reid, continue to invoke Fairfax Schools’ past reputation as a beacon of public education and academic excellence, current priorities and indicators tell a different story. In 2025, Virginia Department of Education’s data show that roughly a quarter of students in Fairfax Schools failed their reading, math, and science Standards of Learning exams, compared with about 20% of students in the neighboring district of Loudoun.

Additionally, in December 2025, the state’s department of education reported that 40 federally identified public schools in Fairfax County need support—meaning that 20% of the district’s 199 public schools are underperforming.

Children in public schools have not fully recovered from prolonged pandemic school closures. When mismanaged districts like Fairfax locked children out of their classrooms for over a year, homeschooling and private school enrollment unsurprisingly rose across Virginia. Northern Virginia’s affluent districts—including Fairfax County—were no exception.

As it became clear that public school leaders were prioritizing teachers unions at the expense of their children’s basic academic development and mental health, more parents began permanently withdrawing their children from public schools. According to the Virginia Department of Education, 66,000 students in the state are homeschooled this academic year, up from 38,000 in 2019.

Private school enrollment in Fairfax County has also surged since the pandemic. In 2025, there were about 33,500 students (16%) enrolled in Fairfax County’s private schools—more than double 2019’s number, 14,500.

The high cost of Fairfax County’s private schools suggests that affluent families are most likely the ones fleeing the sinking ship. For the 2026 school year, the average annual tuition cost at one of the county’s 191 private schools is $19,391.

Ironically, the district spends $22,644 per student in fiscal year 2026—far more than the average private school tuition—yet its classrooms cram 25 students per teacher while private schools manage just 10:1.

Adding insult to injury, Fairfax schools eliminated 275 teaching positions this year to address its so-called budget shortfall, despite a year-over-year budget increase and declining student enrollment. Meanwhile, 44 central office administrators each earn more than $200,000 annually, including the superintendent at $445,353 and her chief of staff at $306,154 this academic year.

Fairfax Schools’ strategic plan emphasizes equity and equal outcomes within the public school system. Based on its priorities and decisions, however, that appears to mean eliminating teaching positions to sustain high salaries for central office staff. “Equity” also seems to imply that declining student achievement and school performance are acceptable, so long as sufficient lip service is paid to the concept.

Rather than addressing the reality that students from higher-income families are leaving Fairfax Schools for higher-performing private schools, district administrators appear more focused on ensuring that failure and disciplinary outcomes are distributed equally across demographic groups in public schools.

Shrinking enrollment, declining performance, and misplaced priorities are not abstract trends—they are warning signs. Families are voting with their feet, and the data make clear that Fairfax Schools can no longer rely on its once-sterling reputation to sustain confidence. A district that spends more per pupil than many private schools while delivering larger class sizes and weaker outcomes must confront hard questions about leadership, accountability, and academic focus.

Like many districts across the nation, if Fairfax Schools is to reverse its downward trajectory, it must return to fundamentals: prioritize classroom instruction over bureaucracy, measure success by student achievement rather than rhetoric, and rebuild trust with families who feel unheard. Without meaningful course correction, enrollment will continue to fall, performance will continue to lag, and the district’s reputation will continue to erode.

The choice facing Fairfax Schools is simple—reform and refocus on students or continue down a path of decline.