Recall Petition Submitted For Springfield District School Board Rep

BURKE, VA — Open FCPS Coalition, a group of Fairfax County parents formed during the COVID-19 pandemic in support of in-person learning, has filed a petition to recall the Fairfax County School Board's Springfield District representative.

The petition against Springfield District representative Laura Jane Cohen was filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court Thursday. The coalition had secured over 8,000 signatures, more than the required amount needed for the recall to go to a judge.

The petition claims "neglect of duty, misuse of office or incompetence in the performance of duties" in Cohen's 2020 vote to keep schools closed for in-person learning. Any registered voter who lives in the Springfield District could sign the petition.

"We hope the Court recognizes the concerns of these 8,000 residents and requires Ms. Cohen to explain why the concerns of these parents are invalid," stated Dee O’Neal Jackson, founder of the Open FCPS Coalition. "For over 18 months, the Fairfax County School Board has focused on every political issue of the day, and in turn, has not focused on what’s best for our students and families in Fairfax County. For 18 months, the school board has failed our kids, especially those with learning disabilities."

Cohen responded in a statement provided to the Washington Post, defending the school board's actions for health and safety reasons.

"The Board has worked hard to ensure the safety and health of our 180,000 students and tens of thousands of teachers and staff during the pandemic," Cohen stated. "I’m proud that we’ve been able to successfully return and keep students in our buildings this year."

FCPS had transitioned to virtual learning in March 2020 when the governor ordered K-12 schools to close. A survey on families' preference for the next school year found 60 percent supported hybrid learning, but the superintendent changed course and recommended a virtual start with School Board support. Limited groups of students transitioned to hybrid learning in late 2020 but were returned to virtual learning before winter break amid a COVID-19 surge. Hybrid learning returned to school buildings in phases during February and March, and students returned to five days of in-person learning in the current school year.

This is the second petition filed against a school board member by the Open FCPS Coalition. A petition to recall Dranesville District representative Elaine Tholen received over 5,000 signatures. The petition was dismissed in August, although a judge determined the petition was legally sufficient amid Tholen's motion to quash. Open FCPS Coalition claimed the case didn't move forward by the decision of the special prosecutor, James Hingeley, the commonwealth's attorney from Albemarle County appointed for the case by Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano. A statement from Tholen indicated Hingeley independently investigated the claims against Tholen and did not find factual allegations.

The coalition is also seeking signatures against at-large school board member Abrar Omeish.