My faith in the goodness of humanity has grown just a little—kind of like how the Grinch's heart grew so many sizes in Whoville that day. 

I've been working with a team of three smart women to create a petition that calls the superintendent and school board to integrity and action. We have spent several weeks communicating with the media, the community, and the school board.
When we publicized the petition, I received major criticisms that by holding the school board and superintendent accountable, I would effectively unravel progress and dismantle the rights of Special Ed students, LGBTQ students, and students of color. Some felt that because this superintendent has supported the rights of Special Ed students and teachers, we should not hold her/them accountable for actions/inactions that have harmed the larger community. Some people refused to sign this petition as if it would rob their own special interest of the attention it demands. That is false. When one part of a system hurts, the entire system hurts. When we care for the most vulnerable, we care for all. We should not hoard our advocacy for one cause, denying care for others. We should not refuse to support other people advocating for other special interests.

This week, I attended the school board meeting alongside one of the other women who helped craft the petition. I had the opportunity to speak for two minutes. We left at 9:30 pm. When I got home, I felt good that we did what we could do, but also, I felt powerless. I realized that, ultimately, I had no control over this situation and that it was very possible no action would be taken.

Before bed, I watched the part of the board meeting I did not stay for and realized that our collective voices and our collective actions do make an impact, and they do affect change.

After we left, Superintendent Michelle Reid apologized for the harm this turmoil has caused, owning her failure (sort of). The apology was relatively hollow and did not mention the impacted teachers and staff, but it was a step in the right direction. It also allowed school board members M. Dunne and R. Anderson to thank the superintendent for the apology and clarify its importance.

Next, a motion was crafted to conduct an independent external investigation of the events that led to the football scandal at Hayfield Secondary...requiring action to be taken based on the findings that will be available to the public.

This statement/apology and this motion respond to the calls for action in our petition.

Someone asked me why I care about the Hayfield issue. Why did I choose to get involved? Not only do I know how it feels to be abused by a corrupt system with very limited support from the community, but I also believe it is our moral duty as citizens of this world to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Furthermore, I do not want our children to be shaped and influenced by a system that enables greedy and dishonest leadership that promotes winning at all costs. I do not believe this is the "world-class" education our district espouses. I do not believe this is "excellence." I do not believe this is "equitable." And I do not believe this demonstrates "honor" or integrity. I chose to get involved because when we lift up those who are bowed down, we lift up all. It is inexcusable to remain passive when others are hurt. We advocate for others EVEN if it risks something of our own. No one wins when we remain silent. FCPS teaches elementary students how to be upstanders, not bystanders. 

You can use this link to watch public comments (minute 34:40), the superintendent's statement (2:19:43), and the discussion of the motions crafted for consideration at the December 19th meeting (2:48:15).

Dec 5 Board Meeting

You can read through the motions and the amendments here.

I am marking my calendar for the December 19th board meeting. The public should remember that our presence and our witness matters, especially on the local level. We will ensure that progress continues.

Finally, here are a bunch of new articles:

Friday Night Lies: FCPS leaders dismissed 35 warnings over 9 months from 19 whistleblowers

Tensions run high as Fairfax County Public Schools discuss Hayfield's recruiting controversy

FCPS superintendent apologizes, school board green lights independent investigation into Hayfield

Superintendent says, ‘buck stops with me,’ ‘I’m sorry,’ but parents call out ‘public charade,’ ‘dereliction of duty’

Questions emerge about coach’s ‘terminated’ business

Have a great weekend!