Several current FCPS employees and the Fairfax Education Association told the school board on July 17 that a recent change in telework policy has damaged morale and is driving staff departures.
Public commenters said the policy that limited telework options as of July 1 is disproportionately affecting non‑instructional staff whose job duties often include focused, technical or after‑hours work. Speakers urged the board to reconsider or to allow more role‑specific flexibility.
Andrew Salmon, a high school teacher of nearly 15 years, said he was speaking "on behalf of our staff" and reported that some employees already had left FCPS and applicants for vacant positions had declined because of the new policy. "We're already losing staff to this policy with people having quit proactively now over the past 2 weeks," he said.
Terry Batash, who identified themself as a specialist in the office of benefit services, said FCPS conducted a staff survey and that 85 percent of respondents said they would consider leaving FCPS for a comparable job that offers telework. "Services that keep schools running will suffer from the loss of staff who may choose to leave for comparable positions in neighboring counties that offer telework," Batash said.
Caitlin Coangelo and Sarah Young, both employed in division technology or testing roles, asked the board to recognize that certain positions require long periods of uninterrupted, deep work that remote or hybrid arrangements can better support. Young cited academic literature on hybrid work and retention trends as evidence that hybrid schedules can reduce resignations and preserve organizational knowledge.
Leslie Houston, president of the Fairfax Education Association, told the board the policy has left many staff feeling "discouraged" and "disrespected," and urged the board to act to prevent attrition.
What happened at the meeting: These remarks occurred during the public comment period; the board did not take an immediate action on the telework policy during the July 17 session. Several board members acknowledged the concerns and said the division leadership had been contacted by staff; they asked for further briefings and data on separations and applicant flow.
Ending: Commenters asked the board to weigh role‑based telework flexibility as a retention tool and to provide data on separations and vacancy fill rates; the board requested additional information from staff and indicated it would review the issue.