This article originally appeared here, at fairfaxtimes.com
As a father of five school-aged children, two of whom attend high school right here in Fairfax County, I cannot sit quietly while chaos and deceit spread through our public schools. It’s time for parents in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to take back control over a system that is being driven in the wrong direction by a small group of decision-makers.
In recent weeks, alarming allegations have surfaced about FCPS staff assisting two underage girls in obtaining abortions without their parents’ knowledge or consent. One of the two victims was only 17 when the abortion was performed, allegedly without the consent of her parents in violation of state law. The other child was allegedly coerced to get the abortion by an adult staffer in a position of power, and ultimately ran from the facility before the abortion could be performed. It is also alleged that FCPS funds were used to pay for the abortion, and that other staff were aware and may have assisted.
Let me be clear: if these allegations are confirmed, this is not a misunderstanding, not a “policy gray area,” and certainly not an isolated lapse in judgment. This is a deliberate and systematic betrayal of trust, a direct assault on parental rights, and a clear violation of Virginia law. We must have immediate transparency and full accountability without delay.
These horrible incidents, if true, did not happen by chance. They are the inevitable results of a dangerous policy that empowers politically-biased bureaucrats over parents. The current FCPS policy says that “every effort shall be made to encourage and support students suspecting pregnancy to discuss their concerns with their parents or guardians.” That’s not good enough. Every parent should know immediately if their child is facing a pregnancy. The policy must be rewritten to require staff to inform parents right away. Zero exceptions. Zero loopholes.
This is just one symptom of a broader culture of dysfunction in FCPS:
Taxpayer-funded personal bodyguards for senior school officials, while classrooms face shortages of teachers and aides.
Gender identity policies that allow biological males to enter girls’ bathrooms and private spaces.
Chronic discipline failures that leave dangerous individuals in our schools instead of removing threats.
And yet, when faced with scandals, the same cast of characters, including Supervisor James Walkinshaw and Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, turn a blind eye, hide behind bureaucratic language, and refuse to hold anyone accountable.
Fairfax County families deserve better — and so do the majority of teachers, aides, coaches, and administrators who work tirelessly to foster a safe, respectful, and productive environment for our kids. Many of them are just as frustrated as parents by the school board’s priorities and culture of secrecy. We deserve leadership willing to stand up to a school board and county leadership that has completely lost its moral compass.
The path forward starts with real investigations and ends with real accountability. The investigation should be led by Attorney General Jason Miyares and by the Department of Justice and FBI if warranted, not an “internal review” by the same system accused of protecting predators. If these allegations are true, we can expect more victims to come forward and more adults in positions of authority to be implicated. The time for damage control is over.
Our schools should be places of learning, not political indoctrination or moral decay. We must stand with the good educators who want to teach and protect children and against the policies and leaders who undermine that mission. As your next Congressman, I will fight to restore parental rights, ensure school safety, and hold public institutions accountable when they betray our trust and our children.
In Northern Virginia, and across America, parents must have the final say in our children’s lives. It’s time for parents to take back control over our education systems. It’s time for change.