City of Fairfax School Board Chair Carolyn Pitches sent a letter to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board over the weekend to request FCPS hire an external agency to do a formal investigation into the Hayfield Secondary School football program.
The letter in its entirety is below.
On behalf of the City of Fairfax School Board and the City of Fairfax community, I am writing to express our deep concerns regarding the allegations involving Hayfield Secondary School’s football program. While the City of Fairfax School Board’s Student Services Agreement does not grant authority to vote on Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) decisions and policies, we remain an integral part of the FCPS community. In this shared spirit of responsibility and accountability, we must address our concerns regarding FCPS’s handling of the allegations related to recruiting violations and residency regulation abuses.
We strongly disagree with FCPS’s decision to forgo an independent investigation into these allegations once brought to their attention in the summer. In our view, this represents a significant oversight in ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. An independent inquiry would have demonstrated a commitment to integrity and helped restore community trust. Moreover, an impartial investigation initiated early in the season—when allegations first surfaced—could have prevented the current situation, including the disruptive and last-minute appeal process now impacting schools across the region. This lack of timely and decisive action has affected multiple schools, including Robinson Secondary, which was removed from playoffs altogether, and other teams in the 6C bracket including Fairfax High School. Some of them will now be forced to play three games in ten days.
The City of Fairfax School Board urges FCPS to engage an external firm to conduct a comprehensive, unbiased investigation into this matter. Such an effort would not only uphold ethical standards but also help rebuild trust among students, families, and community members.
We also request that the findings of this investigation be published to ensure transparency, demonstrate accountability, and reaffirm the district’s commitment to fairness and integrity in both educational and athletic programs.
Our community deserves clarity, fairness, and a resolution that reflects the core values of our educational system. The decisions made in this matter will have a lasting impact on the confidence and trust placed in FCPS leadership. We look forward to FCPS taking swift and meaningful action to address these concerns.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Sincerely,
Carolyn S. Pitches, Ed.D.
Chair