The Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee of the Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously Oct. 30 to direct the committee chair to draft proposed changes to the relationship between CPDC and the Facility Planning Advisory Committee and to work with the School Board chair to bring the matter to the full board for action by Dec. 31, 2025.

Committee member L. L. Sizemore Heizer moved the measure, saying, “I move to direct the chair of the comprehensive planning and development committee to draft develop a draft of proposed changes to FPAC and CBDC and work with the school board chair to bring the matter to the full board for action no later than 12/31/2025.” The motion was seconded by Miss Mirren. Chair McDaniel called the vote and announced it was unanimous.

The proposal under consideration would embed three community volunteers with subject-matter expertise directly on CPDC—modeled after the audit committee—so the standing board committee would include board members plus three appointed citizen experts. Supporters said the change is intended to bring expert, pro-bono input directly to board deliberations and reduce duplication between the advisory panel and the standing committee.

Members said the move is designed to increase efficiency and ensure volunteers’ time is used where the board most needs it. Miss Mirren said the FPAC volunteers have “done amazing work” and that embedding experts on CPDC would improve how volunteer expertise is used. Committee members also agreed to coordinate communication with the Board’s Public Engagement Committee so FPAC members and the public are notified in advance of any changes.

Next steps: the CPDC chair will draft the proposed amendments and work with the School Board chair and the Public Engagement Committee on outreach. The draft will be returned to the full School Board for consideration by Dec. 31, 2025.