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Hayfield students and staff press FCPS for transparency after ongoing mold complaints
Summary
A Hayfield Secondary School senior told the board the mold situation there has worsened and expressed concern about health, noisy air scrubbers and lack of clear communication from FCPS; speakers asked the board to prioritize a principal who will give staff and students a voice.
A senior at Hayfield Secondary School told the Fairfax County School Board on Sept. 11 that mold conditions in classrooms have become worse and that noise and disruption from air scrubbers are impairing instruction. Natalia Langdon urged the board to visit the school, demand transparency from FCPS and ensure the district places a principal who will give staff and students a voice.
Langdon said school emails "failed to describe the extent of the problem" and that the number and placement of air scrubbers mean they often cannot operate as intended. "From what I see, the mold has gotten worse, not better," she said, and added that staff and students worry about health and the learning environment. Langdon said some teachers turn air scrubbers off during class so students can hear instruction, and that FCPS communications did not explain causes or prevention measures.
Langdon requested continued visits by board members and district leaders, saying she wanted FCPS to prioritize an interim and eventual permanent principal who will listen to staff and students. The speaker framed the matter as both a health concern and a trust issue between the Hayfield community and FCPS.
Board members did not take immediate formal action during the public comment period. The Hayfield comments were among several public remarks that evening raising facilities and personnel concerns. The board later held a closed session and voted to certify closed meeting compliance and to confirm some administrative decisions recorded in closed session, but those votes did not specifically resolve the Hayfield matter in open session.
What happens next: Speakers asked the superintendent and board members to continue visits, provide thorough public updates about the remediation timeline, and prioritize school leadership that will engage staff and students on safety and trust.
