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Dear Parents, City Residents and School Staff,
While we returned to school only two weeks ago, our schools are running without missing a step. I have been on campus at our four schools and am so proud and impressed with the principals and staff for such a seamless and wonderful start. I am very excited about the year ahead.
I know this year will not be without its challenges. Three of our four schools are over capacity and I, along with the City School Board, have put this issue as one of our main priorities. Since our last correspondence, we have made progress. I hope to take this opportunity to talk about what comes next, how you can stay informed, and how we as a community can best serve all of our kids that attend City of Fairfax Schools.
On September 10, the Fairfax County Public School Board approved the Facilities and Planning Advisory Committee's recommendation to investigate a boundary change to relieve the overcrowding at Fairfax High School and Lanier Middle School. At this time, Providence Elementary school is not being considered, but we continue to consider PES's capacity issues equally important and will work with FCPS staff and school board.
On the FCPS website, there will be more information about the process of a boundary scope, study, and change. In short, the process begins with a boundary scope in the fall of 2012, a boundary study in winter/spring of 2013, and recommendations followed by a vote by the Fairfax County school board in late spring 2013. The implementation of the boundary change would not go into effect until the 2014-2015 school year. This delay is due to the fact that high school students register for classes in February of the preceding school year, and students impacted by the change would not have the opportunity to register for their classes at their new school. While the timing of implementation is not going to draw down the student population at FHS and LMS as quickly as we would like, we believe this is in the best interests of all students, especially those that would need to change schools and the communities that will be effected.
With our unique partnership with FCPS, and through a School Services Agreement, students residing in the City of Fairfax would stay in city schools. Please let me be very clear when I say we welcome with open arms county students. This agreement is to the great benefit of both city and county residents. As FHS Principal Dave Goldfarb and his staff often say, "All of our students are all of our students are all of our students." The City School Board and staff feel equally as strong. Many of our incredible programs would not be available without a population that reflects the capacity at our two schools. Our goal is that our schools are 'right sized' and all students, city and county can thrive.
It is very important for me to communicate with you about the boundary study progress. We will be issuing updates in all of our CloseUps, posting information on Facebook, and will have a special section on our website dedicated specifically to this issue. I am also active on Twitter (@peternoonan) and encourage you to 'follow' me to get updates.
Sincerely,
Dr. Peter Noonan
Superintendent
City of Fairfax Schools | 
