FairfaxCAPS

More than a Lawsuit…

FairfaxCAPS serves children and parents throughout Fairfax County, and the organization is reaching out to you.  FairfaxCAPS represents communities of citizens who are concerned about the direction that public education in Fairfax County is headed, and about the path that elected officials and FCPS Staff are charting in their use of billions of tax dollars each year.  Monitoring developments, researching issues and providing focused input, our common goal is to promote real interests of Fairfax County public school students so that they can receive the best possible education with the resources available.

The organization began as the arbitrary, controversial and disruptive Western County High School redistricting process unfolded.  That flawed process made the need for such an organization abundantly clear to many people in Fairfax County.  While FairfaxCAPS was involved in matters concerning the lawsuit challenging the School Board’s recent redistricting decision, the organization is about more than that lawsuit.

One goal of FairfaxCAPS is to be a voice for those who feel unrepresented by elected school officials.  We hope to achieve this goal by increasing awareness throughout Fairfax County and involvement in Fairfax County Public Schools education decisions and by establishing Fairfax County-wide school goals and objectives.  We seek an open dialogue and a working relationship with the School Board and professional staff to ensure the quality and fairness of education for every Fairfax County Public School student.

Since its origin, FairfaxCAPS has:  held numerous neighborhood informational meetings for parents; established a website to share information; and listened to local citizens’ objectives and concerns regarding the Western County Boundary Study.  FairfaxCAPS researched core issues related to this study.  Members helped parents prepare their testimonies by serving as a resource for data.  FairfaxCAPS met with School Board members individually to present citizens’ concerns and core issues and proposed numerous alternative solutions other than redistricting.  FairfaxCAPS also researched and provided critical information and statistics requested by several board members.

FairfaxCAPS is actively involved with the pupil placement process in many ways.  For example, we requested a two-week delay for the submission of pupil placement forms.  Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jack Dale, approved this request, and the end date for submitting pupil placement forms was extended to May 2, 2008.  FairfaxCAPS is continuing to work with Superintendent Dale to improve prospects for a fair and smooth process for the large number of students pupil placing into schools with Advanced Placement programs.

FairfaxCAPS supports plaintiffs in the lawsuit seeking court review of the School Board’s arbitrary and capricious redistricting actions that were conducted beyond its statutory authority.  In addition, FairfaxCAPS is focused on obtaining public transportation for students forced to pupil place into another high school in order to get the program of their choice, and on expanding education and advocacy efforts to support all communities in Fairfax County.  Beyond the high-school level of redistricting, FairfaxCAPS is also available to serve children from Madison North by assisting the parents of those children who are being moved from Wolftrap to Sunrise Valley Elementary Schools, and from Thoreau to Hughes Middle Schools.  Further information about pupil placement is found at http://www.fairfaxCAPS.org.

One of FairfaxCAPS’ long-term objectives is to advocate for policies and regulations that are fair, equitable, and serve the educational needs of Fairfax County students.  These policy and regulatory changes recommended by FairfaxCAPS are supported by citizens who believe School Board members should represent all Fairfax County constituents, and not simply parochial interests in a particular magisterial district.  Many citizens with whom FairfaxCAPS is working believe School Board members should listen to and represent the will of the citizens, parents, and taxpayers.  Further, FairfaxCAPS supports the belief of many Fairfax County citizens that the School Board should not have near autonomous power to do as they please without oversight or citizen redress where it appears that Board action was arbitrary or unauthorized.

FairfaxCAPS is comprised of citizens volunteering their time and making financial contributions, and we are eternally grateful for this support.  FairfaxCAPS is currently seeking additional volunteers with as little as one or two hours to spare to help with community outreach, research and legislative and budget analysis.

Achieving FairfaxCAPS’ objectives — including the efforts of the lawsuit — requires significant contributions.  If you are concerned about actions by the School Board and the direction of public education for our children, we hope you will provide significant financial support.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop the redistricting.  The hearing is now set for early July, with a decision expected soon after the hearing.  Regardless of whether the injunction issues, though, this lawsuit stands for something more than the ultimate result.  The fact that citizens feel strongly enough to file litigation sends a message to the School Board and other public officials that citizens are not going to sit idly by and accept pre-ordained Board action that is arbitrary, capricious and beyond its mandate from the Virginia Assembly.

As everyone knows, litigation is costly.  Thus, FairfaxCAPS is asking for you to give as much as you can.  For information about how you can donate your time and resources, please access our website, http://www.fairfaxCAPS.org.

Thank you in advance for helping FairfaxCAPS and the citizens and parents that comprise its membership to meet the needs of the children of Fairfax County.

Contacts:

Nick Pesce, President, FairfaxCAPS: email: npesce@fairfaxcaps.org
Jody Bennett, Director, FairfaxCAPS: email: jodyg40@gmail.com

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