On Feb. 18, students across FCPS rejoiced at the school board’s decision to close school for primary elections on March 1.

This news surprised and even excited many students and teachers as in all past presidential primaries all FCPS schools remained open. While Superintendent Karen Garza had hoped FCPS could continue the tradition of conducting school, the Board was forced to consider the historically large turnouts for polling for the 2016 primary election across the country in the past two weeks. With this it has been concluded that FCPS needs to anticipate that the potential voter turnout in Farifax County will similarly be greatly inflated.

“We are… concerned that the sheer number of citizens entering schools to vote will make it difficult to conduct a normal school day,” an email message from Garza said.

Unprecedented numbers of voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are reason to believe that a record voter turnout in Fairfax County could be possible. To accommodate for possible parking difficulties, the school board decided that closure was the best option.

In all, 167 FCPS buildings are scheduled to be used as polling locations available to the public. 124 of these sites are elementary schools which have substantially less parking in addition to limited access, due to security and other factors, in and around the buildings.

“There could be significant logistical issues regarding parking and building access on March 1.  We are also concerned that the sheer number of citizens entering schools to vote will make it difficult to conduct a normal school day,” Garza said.

In light of all of these potential issues which could likely arise, the School Board voted in a business meeting Thursday, Feb. 18. After considering the many factors and conversing with state officials, they decided to recommend closure.

Soon after it was announced to staff, parents, and subsequently students that:

• teachers and students would not report to school.
• the building will be open to those registered to vote at their specified location.
• SACC, school offices and central offices will be open.

“[In following] recent guidance received from the state, due to the hours we have built in to the 2015-16 standard calendar to accommodate weather emergencies, it will not be necessary to make up the day,” Garza said.