During the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) school board swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, new school board members took their oath at Luther Jackson Middle School to advance the school division’s goals for the duration of their four-year terms. On Thursday, Jan. 11, those same school board members will convene for their first regular evening meeting at Luther Jackson Middle School.

“I’m hoping I can help the school board understand the boots-on-the-ground experience [in schools]—when they make a decision, how it impacts kids,” new Dranesville school board member Robyn Lady said.

Lady, as one of the fresh faces on the school board, represents a district that includes McLean. As a school counselor with a long history at FCPS, Lady served at a number of schools, including Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), McLean High School, and most recently, Chantilly High School, where she was Director of Student Services.

“One of the most important things I bring to the school board is a deep knowledge and understanding of our school system,” Lady said. “We need to make sure all of our students feel seen, heard, and honored.”

The meeting will begin closed at 5pm and open to the public at 7:30pm. Updates to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) have taken the front and center of the preliminary agenda for the meeting. On Tuesday, Jan. 9, the school board will have a closed all-day working session in preparation for the first regular meeting of the year. In the following week, the school board will also host a public hearing on CIP as a part of the process determining FCPS facility upgrades and renovations for upcoming years.

During part of the Jan. 11 meeting, parents, students and community members will have the opportunity to engage in public comment.