Letter to the Editor: Schultz on Clifton Court Case, Patch Reporting

It is essential for accuracy on the Fairfax County School Board's closure of Clifton Elementary — an issue which even the Judge deems to be "complex."

The initial "Breaking News" report by the Fairfax Station Patch on the Demurrer hearing in Fairfax Circuit Court today missed the accuracy mark and is simply incorrect.

Please note with respect to the outcome, the Honorable Judge Dennis Smith specifically permitted the parties to provide additional information in support of the oral arguments via supplemental briefings.

Therefore, the final determination on the question of whether FCPS' notice to the public was deficient decision is outstanding until the ruling, which the judge has scheduled for Dec. 1.

Further, there was no previous ruling on any issue argued today, so to reference the upholding of a previous but non-existent ruling is incorrect.

The Motion to Stay Discovery had nothing to do with the legal issue of deficient notice.

The issue addressed in court today by oral arguments was not "dismiss or not to dismiss," but whether the plaintiffs have standing and are aggrieved.

The portrayal in the Patch's "Breaking News" on the topic did not educate your readers on the substance and merit of the arguments in court.

Most importantly, on a "breaking news" status, is the fact that the judge acknowledged the fundamental rights of parents to educate their children, cited relevant Supreme Court case law and [stated] that the import of this case and this issue entertained therein beg Constitutional questions at both the Commonwealth and federal level is the story — the real breaking news — of the day.

I know you are working very hard to establish a presence in the community and we welcome another press outlet, but accountability to your new readership is essential in establishing connections and integrity with the communities about which the outlet is reporting.
Elizabeth L. Schultz, Director
Executive Board
Friends of Community Schools

Dear Ms. Schultz,
Thank you sincerely for your comments regarding our "Breaking News" report on the hearing regarding the Clifton school closure. At Fairfax Station Patch, we strive for accuracy and objective reporting and we appreciate reader responses which aim to further that goal.  I respectfully stand by my report. 

Please check the site frequently for more developments in this story and others in Fairfax Station. 

Thanks again for writing,
Peter Smith
Patch Reporter