At the Fairfax County School Board meeting on Aug. 28, dozens of parents, teachers and students urged the board to keep policies that allow transgender students to use facilities and receive supports that match their gender identity, telling the board that changes would harm vulnerable students and could risk federal funding.

Supporters said the division is following court precedent and Virginia law and that rescinding protections would make schools less safe. “As a brother, I just want her to be safe, happy, and loved,” said Josie Gillespie, who spoke about a trans sibling. “We continue teaching respect and compassion in school.”

The nut graf: the public comment period focused on recent federal statements and proposed enforcement actions that some speakers said threaten grant funding for school divisions that maintain affirming policies for transgender students. Speakers framed the issue as both a legal and moral matter—urging the board to preserve current FCPS practice and warning against trade-offs that would reduce services for other vulnerable students.

Speakers described several legal and policy touchstones during public comment. A history teacher, Joseph Gillespie, said courts have interpreted Title IX protections to include transgender students and cited Virginia statute 22.1-32.3 and FCPS Regulation 2603.2 as local protections. Parents and PTA representatives urged the board to keep policies that the speakers said already support an inclusive learning environment. “Kids are more confident, responsible and proactive when they are in an environment that supports [them],” said Eileen Scherzinger, who identified herself as a parent and local PFLAG coordinator.

Speakers also described an enforcement threat from the U.S. Department of Education that they said could lead to multi‑million‑dollar funding losses. “The DOE and the Trump administration…is now threatening over $160,000,000 in funding unless you decide to violate these laws,” said Matt Erwin, a parent, during public comments; he broke that figure into program-specific estimates in his remarks.

Board members and Superintendent Dr. Reed responded during the meeting by reaffirming that Fairfax County Public Schools will follow applicable state law and court precedent while monitoring federal guidance. Board members emphasized they would evaluate legal obligations and the division’s duty to students before changing local practice.

Ending: No formal policy action on transgender student protections was taken at the meeting; the speakers’ remarks and board discussion focused on public comment, legal obligations and continuing implementation of current FCPS regulations. The board did not vote on changing policy at the Aug. 28 meeting.