Falls Church School Board Regular Meeting - December 12, 2023

The Falls Church School Board meeting marked a significant transitional phase. The board celebrated the years-long contributions of outgoing Chair Laura Downs and member Dr. Susan Dimock, whose terms conclude on December 31st. Meanwhile, the board welcomed and witnessed the swearing-in of new members Amie Murphy, Bethany Henderson, and Dr. Jerod Anderson, who returns for another term. All elected for four-year terms in November. In the business segment, the board unanimously passed the 2025-2026 school calendar. The Board also adopted a new School Start Time Policy, passing with a 5-2 vote, which will delay the Secondary School start time by 20 minutes to 8:30 AM starting next year. Additionally, the board codified the ongoing practice of Early Release Wednesdays on a 4-3 vote. The meeting also spotlighted the recent IB Continuum Conference, a significant event coordinated and hosted by Meridian High School. This conference drew educators from six states, underlining the school's commitment to collaborative learning and educational excellence.