New FCPS student representative Faith McKonnan sets priorities on discipline equity, student voice and grading rollout

Faith McKonnan, a rising senior at South County High School, was introduced as the Fairfax County Public Schools student representative for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, and outlined three priorities she said she will pursue during her term. McKonnan told the School Board on July 10 that she will work to reduce disproportionate discipline, expand channels for student voice and support implementation of revised grading and cell phone policies. “Students deserve someone who not only understands their experience, but who’s committed to representing their concerns, ideas, and aspirations,” she said. McKonnan said her priorities grew from two years of service on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council and other student leadership work. She described discipline reform as needing to be “fair, restorative, and equitable” and said she would push to “spotlight voices that are often left out of the conversation.” On student engagement, McKonnan noted that the Student Community Advisory Committee drew 180 applications this year; the review process is underway, interviews begin next week, and selected students will be announced in August. Her remarks also referenced ongoing district initiatives — including grading reform and cell phone policy changes — that she said students helped shape and that she will support during rollout to schools. The remarks were made during the public portion of the July 10 regular meeting of the Fairfax County School Board and were not accompanied by a formal board action. McKonnan closed by saying she does not take the role lightly and that she will aim to carry “the voices of more than 180,000 students” in board deliberations.