Superintendent Garza resigns after three-year tenure

Superintendent Karen Garza officially stepped down from her position with Fairfax County Public Schools, effective on or before Dec. 16. By January, she plans to transition into the role of President and CEO of a not-for-profit education organization called Battelle for Kids.
Garza implemented numerous changes since the start of her term as the first female Superintendent of FCPS back in June of 2013, many of which were controversial decisions.
She led the initiative for later high school start times, an earlier school year start time, reduced class sizes and added full day Mondays for elementary schools. She also established the Portrait of a Graduate, which is a program designed to assist students with the transition from school to the workforce.
Garza thanked all of her colleagues in a mass email, which outlined her resignation and plans for the future.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have worked with the dedicated and professional staff who make FCPS the finest school system in the country,” Garza said.
However, math teacher Melissa Nicholson expressed concern that the new Superintendent might not continue Garza’s policies.
“I hope [the new Superintendent] doesn’t change it all,” Nicholson said. “Every new person likes to come in and make their mark, and I understand that having been here for 20-something years, I see it a lot with the administration.”
Principal Jeff Litz’s concerns align with Nicholson’s in that he hopes the next Superintendent carries on the work Garza completed in the last three years.
“From a principal’s standpoint I’m concerned, do [Garza’s changes] continue on when we get a new boss? I hope that it would,” Litz said. “I’m pretty confident knowing all the other people that surround her and work with her that the work will continue, but anytime you have a change in leadership there’s always a little bit of unknown in terms of what are the priorities of that new person.”
According to FCPS Board Chair Sandy Evans, the School Board plans to address this unease and begin the process of finding an interim Superintendent in the coming weeks.
“FCPS has embarked on a path that will transform our schools in positive ways that benefit all children, our employees, and our community,” Evans said in an email to FCPS families and employees. “The School Board is committed to maintaining this path as we find new leadership.”
Despite these concerns, Litz believes that this search will be both extensive and successful due to the sheer amount of effort involved.
“I’m waiting to see what the School Board announces in terms of what their plan is,” Litz said. “I’m sure they’ll conduct a nationwide search, and they’ll take their time and they’ll get it right.”