'One Fairfax': Officials See New Resolution As Boost to Fairfax County Public Schools

BURKE, VA — The Fairfax County School Board is all in on yet another plan to help kids with inherent disadvantages better succeed in the classroom, among other things.

But what exactly is the One Fairfax Resolution, and why did the board vote in late July to adopt it in a joint effort with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors?

One Fairfax, at its root, is the latest of many efforts to help bridge the gap between the well-to-do and citizens who face challenges in the areas of education, juvenile justice, employment, self-sufficiency, health and child welfare.

"The resolution demonstrates the Board’s intent to work with the Supervisors to work together to build a vibrant, opportunity-rich society for all," according to release from Fairfax County Public Schools.

It's not clear, though, with school set to begin in about a month, whether the resolution will have any immediate effects other than being, at least for now, largely symbolic.

After all, the school system has long been an advocate for low-income or disadvantaged students, such as providing free or reduced-price meals.

A 2015 study by the National Equity Atlas pointed out that, according to the Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce, 45 percent of all jobs in Virginia will require an associate’s degree or higher by 2020 (and that) only 25 percent of Latino immigrants in Fairfax County have that level of education.

That's one of things One Fairfax is designed to address, according to Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova.

“(It) emphasizes the importance of making County-wide decisions through the lens of racial and social equity,” she said in a release. “This is a formal declaration that will help shape decisions regarding education (and) supports our students. . ."

Image: Fairfax County Public Schools