Fairfax families and athletes press board to resolve prolonged leave of Fairfax High coaches

Parents, students and other community members told the Fairfax County School Board on Sept. 11 that prolonged administrative leave for two Fairfax High coaches has left athletes and families in limbo and raised questions about consistency in how Fairfax County Public Schools applies leave policies. Speakers said the matter, now in its sixth week, has disrupted athletic seasons and classroom instruction.

The concerns were voiced during public comment by Anna Smith, mother of a Fairfax High School junior, who said Coach Trey Taylor, a teacher and coach with roughly 28 years of service, was placed on administrative leave July 31 and that "this prolonged uncertainty does not reflect the fair" treatment she expects for district employees. Jim Hartle, father of three Fairfax High athletes, said the community supports investigations when warranted but added, "Our teachers, staff, and coaches deserve due process, and our students deserve stability and guidance from the leaders they trust." Jamie Montes, a Fairfax football parent, urged a swift resolution and said the investigation has kept the team "in limbo."

Speakers repeatedly criticized what they described as inconsistent treatment of coaches across the county. George Murad said different programs have been handled differently and asked the board for "clarity" on criteria for removing coaches. Several commenters cited FCPS human resources regulation 48-12 (and the related 48-12.7 language cited in public remarks) as the policy framework for administrative leave and urged the district to explain how it applied the rule in this case.

Parents and community members also said the lack of communication to families and students has compounded the harm. Liz Daypre, who identified herself as both an FCPS employee and a parent, asked the board for "clarity on the criteria used to determine when an employee can continue working and when they must be placed on administrative leave during an investigation." Speakers emphasized impacts beyond athletics: Smith noted that the coach also serves as a classroom teacher and that his absence affects students academically.

Board members did not take action on the matter at the Sept. 11 meeting; the comments were part of the public comment period. Several speakers asked the superintendent and board to convene labor relations and school leaders to review how administrative leave decisions are made and communicated so families and staff understand the standards and timelines for investigations.

The public remarks tracked a pattern of community requests for faster, clearer communication about personnel actions and for consistent application of FCPS regulations. Speakers asked for transparency on timelines and for assurances that decisions protect both the integrity of investigations and the due-process rights of employees.

What happens next: The speakers asked the board and the superintendent to provide a clear explanation of how Regulation 48-12/48-12.7 is being applied and to expedite investigation timelines or interim decisions so students can resume stable instruction and athletics. No formal direction or vote on personnel decisions was recorded in open session at the Sept. 11 meeting.