[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5980687,"mediaKeyId","5798450-7411ee6c37976674293e20c070371173","parentId",5798450,"title","Fairfax schools to use Green Globes certification after state law narrows acceptable systems","audioSeconds",685,"startMs",2876000,"endMs",3561000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798450-7411ee6c37976674293e20c070371173&start=2876&end=3561","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798450-7411ee6c37976674293e20c070371173/thumbnail_2876000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980687/Virginia/Fairfax-schools-to-use-Green-Globes-certification-after-state-law-narrows-acceptable-systems","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980687-439a668cef0ed3c757c5e46ed1e2b98a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206519&Signature=MYEL7fgOP-8nGIimCEKNk7JbpkkinYHg0GxiZav-4I3t7DXfrcN~njb9CYYxc~yDTkBahx0hqwDhITMdzKFfc173kqnmNs9lpIgscqvVeHej33zN3VlU~YUSh3Xm-NLoarbHWjdtdtZhLRfRUCuF6rgSgh0~XKO3Jg2K0Qbu9S3lvW4SBf5FlINLSlABES2-ak6QQhJMbjCU27Gisd8m~X9ZqTvKlcVOlTq0o649y6S8zveX2UhvdoCzQkNVWGa4uHDlcf36unrgEGVKMxkqcyFIUAyTZDY5FffjCuy~OiAR6tyrlwKJS0raDJOO1HaYZfkK2JQ3rqL9E8scT9RhDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fairfax Co Public School","date","2025-09-17T12:07:20Z","article","FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County Public Schools staff told the School Board on Sept. 16 that they will move to Green Globes certification for new construction and major renovation projects to comply with a state update that narrowed the acceptable building‑performance pathways.

Jessica Gilles, executive director of capital improvements and planning, and Scott Eschbach, director of design and construction, presented staff analysis concluding that the Green Globes rating system (overseen by the Green Building Initiative) provides the flexibility, regional familiarity and cost profile best aligned with FCPS needs. The change follows an update to the Virginia High Performance Buildings Act (House Bill 2001) that no longer recognizes the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) as an acceptable pathway.

\"Green Globes provides a flexible approach that allows project teams to collaborate and prioritize key sustainability aspects such as energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable site development and indoor environmental quality,\" Gilles said. Staff emphasized that Green Globes includes an independent on‑site inspection and is expected to be cost‑effective while supporting the district's net‑zero energy goals.

The staff presentation traced the district's past reliance on CHPS (42 projects were registered at various stages, six had received final certification) and the legislative change that led the division to evaluate LEED and Green Globes. Staff reported consultations with Montgomery County Public Schools, regional architects and Green Globes representatives before recommending Green Globes as the preferred track.

Board members asked operational and timeline questions. Several sought to know whether already‑designed or permitted projects would need redesign. Staff said projects permitted prior to Jan. 18, 2025, are treated differently; projects still in design after that date may need to transition. Staff also said CHPS had announced a July 2027 horizon year, after which CHPS certification would not be available, creating a transition window for projects registered under CHPS.

Members sought clarity on whether Green Globes restrict materials or slow alternative delivery methods such as design‑build or construction management at risk. Staff said Green Globes does not prescribe materials and does not, in their review, impede those contracting approaches. On net‑zero goals, staff said Green Globes is consistent with the board's Joint Environmental Task Force commitments but that \"net‑zero readiness\" is a separate design choice the board could continue to pursue.

Superintendent Dr. Reid told the board the briefing was requested to explain how FCPS will provide compliance with the Joint Environmental Taskforce goals and the state's updated statute. Board members and staff noted this is an operational recommendation rather than a policy decision for immediate board action; staff were asked to return with comparative cost figures and examples of how two or three current design projects would score under Green Globes.

Practical implications: Facilities staff said future projects that begin planning and design in 2021 or later should aim for \"net‑zero energy readiness\" and will use Green Globes checklists during design and construction. Projects moving into permitting after Jan. 18, 2025, will need to comply with the new certification pathways. Staff also said many current CHPS-era designs already achieve substantial energy reductions and that the transition may not require major redesign in every case, but analysis is ongoing.

Board members emphasized the scale of capital needs and the role of county bonds and state support. The board's upcoming bond package, scheduled for voter consideration this November, will fund several projects (examples discussed included Centerville and Union Mill elementary projects, Twain Middle School planning, Western High School purchase and continued work on the Silver Line elementary project). Staff said bond projects moving into design will use the Green Globes process.

Outcome and next steps: The board received the briefing; staff recommended adopting Green Globes to remain compliant with state law. No vote was taken. Staff will provide cost comparisons between Green Globes, LEED and the former CHPS approach and will analyze how several active projects would be affected by the transition.

Why this matters: The certification framework affects project design, construction documentation, third‑party verification and the division's pathway toward energy and resilience goals under the Joint Environmental Task Force. The change is driven by state law and affects the certification route FCPS must use to verify high‑performance buildings.

What was not decided: The board did not vote to require net‑zero construction; staff characterized net‑zero readiness as a board policy choice distinct from the certification pathway. The board also did not adopt specific cost estimates or require immediate redesign of projects; staff will return with further detail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9/16/2025 - FCPS School Board Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Staff recommended switching from the CHPS rating system to Green Globes to comply with a 2024 update to the Virginia High Performance Buildings Act; board received the briefing and asked follow-up questions but did not take a formal vote.","taxTitle","FAIRFAX CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14506,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980693,"Fairfax school board agrees on seven state priorities, readies materials for Oct. 7 legislative briefing",2233,166000,2399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798450-7411ee6c37976674293e20c070371173&start=166&end=2399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798450-7411ee6c37976674293e20c070371173/thumbnail_166000.jpg","/articles/5980693/Virginia/Fairfax-school-board-agrees-on-seven-state-priorities-readies-materials-for-Oct-7-legislative-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980693-7e69beb55ee69d94cf7a71477b8bc492/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206519&Signature=AcUHPCHO4-mXByoWbXakQO35gBj5ZaU72M3bucLypEWt2Eiq8tR83uuVE3scTf07OKE3OU~XdGoSIepSQxfC9Oqbc9McvvGYIEUByFzw~ZgDzE9uL9ZVV38NnA7AobBDEE7aW1Uf2ideBKbY3OYAg98oIRtpTdm9LfoFB8iIT8BTpQ9KqRkx4rhhGy-y2fpr0xqznIfLTxf4w5Pnu9hviLeo9UPX0brlfDsE1K-x4jo7LmMHaxCpX0d9vAsdk9i3QmyCcN67lBKywZv1eNjQYmRflui5wIG55JNM22CUv~jgkuYjU9lxey1YRpVm~HZZN3YdPeHOr7DlMzhUNVmW0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","FAIRFAX, Va. — The Fairfax County School Board on Tuesday settled on a set of state legislative priorities it will present to area legislators at an Oct. 7 briefing, focusing on school funding, assessments, accountability, facilities, school meals, collaboration with the Virginia Board of Education and changes to open‑meeting (FOIA) requirements.

Board Chair Dr. Riccardi Anderson said the immediate aim is to \"get some collective agreement\" and provide lawmakers with clear, actionable asks at the Oct. 7 briefing so staff and board members can develop bill language or budget amendment text afterward.

The session included a high-level review from Michael Malloy, the board's government relations staffer, who told members that \"state cost ... remains the most significant barrier\" for advancing many priorities. Malloy said most proposals find support in policy committees but then stall in appropriations or finance because they are not budgeted.

Board members emphasized several priorities. Funding and JLARC-related items were repeatedly raised as a top bucket: members said they want the state to fully fund the biennial Standards of Quality benchmark and to pursue outstanding Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission recommendations that affect school funding. The board also highlighted testing and accountability topics: several members asked staff to press for timing and administration flexibility for Standards of Learning assessments and safeguards so changes do not limit students' access to coursework, AP/IB exams or disproportionately affect multilingual and special education students.

Meals also drew support as a state priority. At least one board member requested that school meal funding be restored to the priorities listing in light of federal funding uncertainty. Several members said the board should present concrete, legislatively usable language — not only broad goals — and identify specific legislators who might carry bills or amendments.

The board also agreed to press for clarifying FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) rules that affect how many members may meet informally and how electronic communications should be treated. Members described this as a long-standing item in the program and discussed seeking either a change in the threshold for open‑meeting requirements or clearer guidance to allow some non-policy, informational briefings with reduced risk of violating FOIA.

Board Vice Chair (and other members) stressed that the Oct. 7 briefing should be targeted: \"When I talk to people at the state level, they don't want to know what we want to do. They want to know how we want to do it,\" one member said, urging that the board bring draft language, data on impacts and suggested patrons for bills.

The board directed staff to prepare handouts and impact data for legislators, to identify patron legislators who could carry bills or budget amendments, and to coordinate outreach. Clerk and staff reported they had sent invitations for Oct. 7 and had received a handful of RSVPs.

Outcome and next steps: Board members raised no objections when leadership summarized the priorities into seven areas (state funding/JLARC, assessments, accountability system revisions, collaboration with the Virginia Board of Education, meals, facilities, and FOIA/sunshine law changes). The board reached consensus to present those priorities and associated materials at the Oct. 7 legislative briefing; no roll-call vote was taken. Staff were asked to produce concise takeaways and to return after Oct. 7 with a refined legislative program and suggested bill language or budget amendment text.

Why this matters: The group of priorities bundles funding and policy items that shape staffing, student services and capital projects for Fairfax County Public Schools. Board members repeatedly noted that many proposals are conceptually supported in policy committees but fail on the fiscal side when they reach appropriations, making specific budget amendment language and patron identification critical to success.

What was not decided: Board members did not adopt specific bill text or file budget amendments at the meeting. Several members asked for further, detailed staff analysis and recommended targeted outreach to friendly legislators before finalizing language.

The board will present the priorities and the staff-prepared materials at an Oct. 7 legislative briefing and hold a follow-up work session afterward to finalize the division's legislative program.","At a Sept. 16 work session, Fairfax County School Board members agreed by consensus on seven state-focused legislative priority areas and directed staff to prepare targeted materials and outreach ahead of an Oct. 7 briefing with legislators.","actionData","errors"]

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Fairfax schools to use Green Globes certification after state law narrows acceptable systems

Fairfax school board agrees on seven state priorities, readies materials for Oct. 7 legislative briefing