March 11, 2026
Dear FCPS Families,

I hope this message finds you well as the skies begin to clear, the days become longer, and we start welcoming more spring-like weather.

With recent news that there will be a statewide Constitutional Amendment special election on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, I am writing to share that our schools will need to close on that day.

A total of 168 of our schools will serve as polling locations and the Virginia Department of Elections has indicated that a high voter turnout is expected across the Commonwealth.

Providing polling locations during an election is one of the many ways FCPS supports our entire Fairfax County community, but it means that we must provide open public access to portions of our school buildings throughout the day. Given the anticipated volume of voters, this would significantly impact normal school operations and limit our ability to provide a secure learning environment for students and staff.

By closing schools on April 21, we are able to:

Maintain the safety and security of all students and staff.
Avoid disruptions caused by restricted access to key areas such as cafeterias, gyms, and parking lots.
Ensure our facilities are fully accessible and prepared for voters.

In addition, Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.

We appreciate your understanding. Elections are an important part of civic life, and this closure provides an opportunity for families to discuss the importance of voting and public participation. If you are eligible, I encourage you to take part in the election.

Take good care,

​​​​​Dr. Michelle C. Reid
Superintendent

Email out

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tuesday, April 21 will be a student holiday because of the redistricting voting. 168 schools are used as polling places.

There will not be any elections on June 16 as previously planned.

I don’t think this is happening. It’s still in the courts.

^^Early voting has already started.

Anonymous wrote:Tuesday, April 21 will be a student holiday because of the redistricting voting. 168 schools are used as polling places.

There will not be any elections on June 16 as previously planned.

I don’t think this is happening. It’s still in the courts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

Teachers can't be asked to come in on those days. Those meetings will get rescheduled.

You’ve heard of Zoom, yes?

Parents don’t want a zoom meeting for an IEP, especially on a snow day while their kids are home. So no, that’s not actually happening.

NP: Parents can opt out if they wish and ask for it to be rescheduled if they want it in person, but the vast majority of my IEPs these days are virtual.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

Teachers can't be asked to come in on those days. Those meetings will get rescheduled.

You’ve heard of Zoom, yes?

Parents don’t want a zoom meeting for an IEP, especially on a snow day while their kids are home. So no, that’s not actually happening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

Teachers can't be asked to come in on those days. Those meetings will get rescheduled.

You’ve heard of Zoom, yes?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

Teachers can't be asked to come in on those days. Those meetings will get rescheduled.

You don’t have to come in. They can be virtual.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

This is not correct.

Yes, it is. FCPS will be sharing this week that it’s a school planning day and that teachers need to be prepared for virtual meetings

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

This is not correct.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

Teachers can't be asked to come in on those days. Those meetings will get rescheduled.

+1 yup

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers do not need any more planning or workdays. This is really getting out of hand. For elementary schools they need to cancel all upcoming 3 hour early release days if they intend to close on 4/21.

What experience do you have in education that makes you so certain of this?

Dp

Where j grew up they don't have then and it's a highly ranked nj district.

They do get 2 days off for the njea convention.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

Teachers can't be asked to come in on those days. Those meetings will get rescheduled.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.

Yes, but with the expectation that teachers might be required to attend some meetings. IEPs and local screening cannot stop at that point in the year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why haven't they told families?

Because it was just announced the other day. Reid met with principals on Thursday to discuss what type of workday it would be for teachers. There are IEPs and other meetings that principals need teachers to attend. On the already scheduled teacher workdays, principals cannot require teachers to attend.

They’re crafting the language that is in line with the new collective bargaining agreement but still meets principals’ needs.

It’s going to be a work from alternate location day.