Coalition Petitions To Recall Dranesville School Board Member

FAIRFAX, VA — A coalition formed in support of in-person learning for Fairfax County students, submitted a petition calling for the recall of Dranesville District School Board member Elaine Tholen.

The petition of more than 5,000 signatures was submitted to the Fairfax County Clerk of Court by Open FCPS Coalition. The petition asks for a judge review to determine if the School Board member was negligent or incompetent in duties for not offering in-person learning for all students, especially students with special needs.

"Today symbolizes the culmination, the collective efforts of dozens of volunteers and thousands of parents all to send a clear message to the Fairfax County School Board that our community must return to the business of the education and the wellbeing of children first," said Zia Tompkins, a co-founder of the Open FCPS Coalition.

Signatures were collected in person within the district boundaries of the respective school board members. The minimum number of signatures needed to submit a petition against Tholen was just above 3,500. Signatures came from the Dranesville District, which includes Great Falls, McLean, Herndon, and parts of the Falls Church area of Fairfax County and Vienna.

According to the Associated Press, Tholen can request the judge throw out the recall petition. The judge could choose to dismiss the petition or hold a trial on whether Tholen should be removed from the School Board position. A removal would require a special election.

Tholen responded in a statement to the AP saying nearly 60 percent of Dranesville District voters supported her and that she would "stand up for their children’s interests and educational needs."

In a statement to AP, Fairfax County Public Schools also defended its decision to implement virtual learning, noting the health and medical guidance at the time.

FCPS is planning five days of in-person learning a week this fall with a limited virtual option for students with qualifying health documentation. Updated mask guidance from the Virginia Department of Health allows school divisions to determine their own mask and COVID-19 mask guidelines.

The Open FCPS Coalition was founded in late 2020 as a group of parents and residents concerned about virtual learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. FCPS transitioned to virtual learning in March 2020 when the governor ordered K-12 schools to close. While FCPS surveyed families on their preference for the next school year and 60 percent chose hybrid learning, the superintendent changed course and recommended a virtual start, gaining School Board support. Limited groups of students transitioned to hybrid learning in late 2020 but were returned to virtual learning before winter break. Students who opted into virtual learning returned to school buildings in phases during February and March.

Several parents spoke at the Open FCPS Coalition's news conference announcing the petition Wednesday.

Saundra Davis, a parent of a FCPS student and two recent FCPS graduates, identified herself as a Democrat but said the coalition "does not care about party affiliation."

"We have watched the School Board consistently place party politics, geopolitical issues and other social justice projects ahead of their main duties, including the fact that our kids have lost conservatively 40 percent of the curriculum covered in a traditional school year," said Davis.

Hemang Nagar, who has a daughter on the autism spectrum, said one reason for the petition involves the treatment of students with special needs. He said his daughter struggled with virtual learning because she can only learn with teachers physically present. In addition, FCPS notified him 72 hours before the start of the summer program for his daughter that it had been cancelled.

"We can no longer sit back while our most vulnerable kids are ignored," said Nagar. "How can a group of adults in charge of our public education system, at the very least, to get the special needs kids back in the classroom full time."

Since the coalition formed, it has been gathering signatures to recall Tholen. The coalition is also seeking petitions against two other Fairfax County School Board members: Laura Jane Cohen of the Springfield District and at-large representative Abrar Omeish. The number of signatures required equals 10 percent of the total votes cast in the school board member’s election.

The coalition said it observed School Board members all year and their records on reopening schools. Out of the 12 members, the coalition believes Braddock District representative Megan McLaughlin was the only member who consistently supported their reopening objectives. The coalition chose Cohen and Tholen for recall petitions based on their share of votes in the last election. Omeish was included as an at-large member to allow any Fairfax County resident to sign a petition.

A petition against Cohen would require an estimated 4,000 signatures, the coalition states on its website. A petition against at-large member Omeish would require approximately 27,000 signatures.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.