School board adopts policy change to allow grandfathering during boundary adjustments; reaffirms IEP team placement authority

The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously July 17 to adopt a revised Policy 8130 on phasing during boundary changes, allowing students to remain at their current schools under specified grandfathering provisions. The board then approved a follow-on motion directing the superintendent to ensure administrators understand that special-education placement decisions continue to be made by individualized education program (IEP) teams under federal law. Why it matters: The change formalizes protections for students and families during boundary and school-assignment changes and clarifies that individualized special-education decisions are governed by IEP teams, not by boundary rules. Board Member Dr. Ricardy Anderson moved adoption of the revised policy; Member Alison “Miss” Marin seconded. Members said the revision aims to preserve students’ social and academic continuity while allowing the boundary-review process to proceed. Anderson told colleagues the amendment would slow some timelines but "we will arrive to those targets without negatively impacting our students." Several board members cited community advocacy and data now available after a year of planning as factors supporting the change. Members also expressed caution about potential capacity effects at some schools if many students opt to remain; Board Chair Sandy Anderson and others asked staff to monitor capacity as phasing is implemented. Following passage of Policy 8130, Member Stella Sizemore Heizer moved a follow-on item directing the superintendent to ensure administrators communicate that "special education student placement decisions shall continue to be determined by IEP teams as allowed by federal provisions." Dr. Anderson seconded; the board approved that motion unanimously. Background details: Board members said the revised policy expands the phasing language to include elementary and secondary configurations and responds to community concerns about moving students in the middle of critical academic years. Advocates and members asked that the policy protect continuity for students in high school and middle school as boundary scenarios are implemented. Ending: The board adopted the phasing amendment and a clarifying directive about IEP authority; staff will implement the policy and provide additional information as boundary scenarios proceed.