May 5, 2016

Dr. James R. Stemple, Chairman, Virginia High School League

Virginia High School League Executive Committee
1642 State Farm Blvd.
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Dear Dr. Stemple and Virginia High School League Executive Committee;
We are writing to provide clarity regarding a letter recently authored by one Fairfax County
School Board Member, signed by another eight members and sent to VHSL on April 28, 2016
to advocate that future events sponsored by the Virginia High School League (VHSL) no
longer be held at Liberty University.
As the Board Members who did not sign the letter, we are deeply disturbed by the manner
in which that letter and its contents originated. During the business day on April 28th, with a
Regular Board Meeting scheduled for the same evening, the Board was sent an email which
stated in part Please let me know by 5pm today if you would be interested in signing on to
(sic) the letter below to the Executive Committee of VHSL.
As public servants elected to the Fairfax County School Board, we conduct the business of
the Board on behalf of the 1.1 million taxpayers and residents of Fairfax County in
accordance with this Oath of Office pursuant to 49-1 of the Code of Virginia:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United
States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will
faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as
____________________ according to the best of my ability, (so help me God)."

With the responsibility for governing the nations 10th largest school division with over
186,000 students, nearly $3 Billion dollars in taxpayer resources for operating and capital
needs, and 40,000 full-time and part-time employees, there is - or should be - a deliberate,
transparent and serious approach to the conduct of the Boards business in accordance
with established policies, procedures and legal requirements.
There is a solemn weight of responsibility which comes with this elected office and a duty
of care in the actions of its members. The rushed manner in which each Board Members
support was sought - electronically via e-mail and in the absence of any urgent or
compelling reason for haste - does not comport with that duty of care.
The highly-charged accusations and rhetoric contained therein established an even greater
burden of caution and responsibility. Yet, instead, the letter was developed, distributed and
then executed within a matter of hours, outside the regular course of business, without the
opportunity for public discussion or citizen input and without a recorded Board vote.

Dr. James R. Stemple, Chairman, Virginia High School League

Virginia High School League Executive Committee
May 5, 2016
Page Two

Despite the letters caveat that it was from only those board members interested in signing,
not the school board as a whole, the appearance of nine signatures on a letter seeking to
influence VHSLs future actions and commerce with Liberty University conveys the
imprimatur of an official Board position.
We express significant concern about the negative message the correspondence conveys to
our many graduating FCPS Seniors who will soon head to Liberty University, the
Commonwealth of Virginias largest institution, and the alumni who live in Fairfax County.
Every graduate of FCPS who makes the commitment to seek a college degree has earned
our respect for his or her choice of college.
We represent the many constituencies in Fairfax County, comprised of people from a
breadth of ethnic, cultural, political, educational and religious backgrounds. The serious
nature of the matters in the April 28th letter warranted public notice of a Board meeting and
public discussion in accordance with our standard practices to ensure transparency and
accountability of the Boards actions.
The letter gives the appearance of an agenda-driven Board prone to political opportunism,
which silences the voice of our Fairfax County diverse communities and disenfranchises the
whole of our constituencies. We commit to adherence to good governance, refrain from
political expediency and restraint from local government overreach.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth L. Schultz
Fairfax County School Board
Springfield District

Thomas A. Wilson, Esq.

Fairfax County School Board
Sully District
cc Jerry Falwell, Jr., President
Liberty University

Jeanette Hough
Fairfax County School Board
At-Large