FAIRFAX, Va. — A growing group of Fairfax County parents, led by a coalition of determined mothers, is demanding transparency and accountability from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in response to the Hayfield Secondary School football scandal. The petition, titled "Hold FCPS Accountable: Taxpayers Demand Investigation, Transparency, and Reparations," calls for a thorough, independent investigation into allegations of improper recruitment, administrative misconduct, and retaliation against whistleblowers.
The scandal that rocked Hayfield:
The controversy revolves around Hayfield’s football program and its recruitment practices. The issue gained widespread attention after a series of text messages between Hayfield’s Director of Student Activities Monty Fritts and an unidentified individual suggested manipulating player eligibility rules by exploiting provisions related to student homelessness.
The fallout intensified when the Virginia High School League (VHSL) imposed a two-year postseason ban on Hayfield’s football team, citing rule violations. Although a judge temporarily lifted the ban, enabling Hayfield to compete and defeat Edison High School in the playoffs, concerns about systemic issues within FCPS remain.
Led by community member Lauren Geraghty, the petition has gained support, emphasizing the need for external oversight. It specifically calls for:
- An independent investigation: Conducted by a panel of community members unaffiliated with FCPS to ensure impartiality.
- Accountability: Including Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, Hayfield Principal Darin Thompson, Football Coach Darryl Overton, and Athletics Director Monty Fritts.
- Reparations: Addressing the impact on students, staff, and families who faced retaliation for raising concerns.
"Let us show our students and leaders that corruption will not go unchecked and that accountability is essential for a thriving and healthy community," the letter reads.
The petition’s significance extends beyond Hayfield, touching on county-wide issues of ethics and trust within FCPS. With over 180,000 students enrolled, the parents believe this scandal highlights a critical need for reform across the district.
A significant portion of the petition expresses frustration with Superintendent Michelle Reid’s handling of the scandal. Parents accuse Reid of failing to take responsibility and deflecting blame onto external parties like VHSL and existing policies.
“Superintendent Michelle Reid’s response to this crisis has been ineffective and condescending,” said Geraghty.
Adding to the outrage, the Fairfax County School Board recently renewed Reid’s contract two years before its expiration, increasing her salary to $424,000 annually, with a $12,000 car allowance.
“To put this in perspective,” the petition notes, “Reid now earns more than the Governor of Virginia and the Vice President of the United States. Her salary even surpasses that of the Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, a district six times the size of FCPS."
The petition has already garnered 228 signatures and is steadily gaining momentum. Parents believe that holding FCPS accountable will not only address the Hayfield scandal but also set a precedent for ethical leadership across the district.
For more information or to join the movement, visit the Hold FCPS Accountable petition page.
