Fairfax County School Board Minutes

June 30, 1977: At this point in the agenda all items listed under this heading are adopted by one motion unless a member of the Board or the Superintendent requests that any such item be removed from the consent calendar and voted upon separately. Generally, the consent calendar items are matters which members of the Board and the Superintendent agree are routine in nature and should be acted upon in one motion to conserve time and permit focus on other-than-routine matters on this agenda. – Dedication of Cherry Run elementary school site #372.

December 22, 1977: Dr. Smith asked if the planning funds designated for a Newington Forest elementary school in the Pohick area was for the same site that had previously been designated the Cherry Creek site. Mr. Orleans responded negatively stating that the Newington Forest site was further south and closer to the Lorton area. At the present time children from this area of Newington were being transported into the Springfield area schools. Mr. Orleans stated the Newington Forest School had been included in the two-year bond referendum package previously given to the Board.

January 22, 1981: The Cherry Run site should be considered for a future elementary school.

January 27, 1981: Construction of a 600 student capacity elementary school at Cherry Run site is planned for FY 82. Mrs. Carney is pleased to see the Cherry Run site in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). She sees a need for two intermediate schools, but cannot find how it could be done with one referendum. The distance to school is not the critical question. Time spent on the bus is the real issue. She favors construction of one intermediate school for the Pohick area. Mrs. Kahn supports the Cherry Run site and the eventual phasing out of Burke Elementary School.

May 14, 1981: Due to the lateness of the hour, the following items which appeared on the Board agenda were received in written form for information only but were not discussed. Appointment of architects for intermediate school at…Cherry Run Elementary School (exhibit S).

May 28, 1981: Dr. Jones moved to accept the staff recommendation that the following architectural firms be commissioned to provide professional services for the below listed projects: Davis, Smith, Carter and Rider, Inc. - Cherry Run elementary.

July 23, 1981: Cherry Run Elementary School Project Dr. Deck recommended that the School Board rescind its action taken on May 1, 1981, to commissioning the architectural firm of Davis, Swift, Carter, and Ryer, Inc. to perform professional services associated with the Cherry Run Elementary School project, and commission the firm of Davis and Carter, Inc., to perform those services. Dr. Deck explained that this action was necessary because of a division and reorganization of the firm which had originally received the contract. Mrs. Carney moved to accept Dr. Deck's recommendation. Mrs. Collier seconded the motion which passed 9-0 with Jones absent (exhibit BB).

April 1, 1982: Recommendation for award of contracts to the lowest responsible bidders for construction of Cherry Run ES (exhibit L; FcS; action requested 4/22/82).

April 22, 1982: The Board awarded the construction contract for Cherry Run ES to Fletcher and Sons, Inc in the amount of $3,088,400.

December 2, 1982: Areas affected in 1983 by the opening of Cherry Run and Newington schools, and areas affected in 1984 by the additions to Clifton and Fairview Elementary Schools. Using transparencies, Mr. Schudel illustrated the boundaries for all the schools in the area. He indicated the Cherry Run school would open with an enrollment of 506 and increase to 766 over a five-year period.

December 16, 1982: Mrs. Carney supported Mrs. Collier's proposal. She said in her meetings with PTAs, concerns were expressed that communities were treated differently under similar circumstances such as in the case of Cherry Run and Terra-Centre. She suggested that Terra-Centre would not be requiring a boundary change at this time had that school opened under capacity and been allowed to grow as the community grew as was being proposed for Franklin Elementary. She felt that three years without a boundary change was as much as could be expected in an area of growth, and that the Board had been able for the most part to hold to that policy. She did not feel, however, that it was realistic for such an area to expect to go five years without a boundary change.

February 24, 1983: Relocation of Modular Classroom Building - Recommendation to approve award of contract for movement of modular classroom building from Fairview Elementary School to Cherry Run Elementary School (FcS; action scheduled 3/10/83; exhibit T) In response to a question by Mrs. Carney, Mr. Hlavin said the modular classroom would be located in the area to the back right of the building. After some discussion about the condition of the temporary building, Dr. Gosling asked the Chairman if be might comment on the subject. He explained that he had met with the Cherry Run community and the new principal, and they had raised questions about the caliber of the building in which their children are going to be housed. He urged the staff and Board to make a judgment not to move it unless it is a good usable facility. Mrs. Kahn thanked Dr. Gosling. Mrs. Carney said she was glad that Dr. Gosling raised that concern because a number of the Cherry Run community families parents from Fairview who were involved in the extensive discussions with regard to water damage there. Mr. Hlavin commented that we certainly wouldn't move the building and call it habitable if indeed it was not. Part of the relocation calls for a new roof, so it will be a rehabilitation as well as a relocation.

March 10, 1983: Relocation of Modular Classroom Building - Approve award of contract for movement ii of modular classroom building from Fairview Elementary School to Cherry Run Elementary School (FcS; presented as information Z/24/83; exhibit R) – Items introduced by Board members – Mrs. Carney referred members to a proposal before them relative to a name change for the Pohick elementary school. She endorsed the suggestions in Mrs. McDowall's memorandum on the subject of naming schools; however, the committee at Pohick submitted a list of 44 names, which included a great number of historic and geographic configuration. However, the developer named the subdivision Cherry Run for the historic Cherry Run stream that runs through the development and the great cherry orchard* that was there at one time. Therefore, after much debate and much information from the Burke Historical Society, they did consider all 44 names and came up with Cherry Run Elementary. A list of all the names and the votes each received was distributed to the Board (exhibit BB). If any of the 44 names is more appealing to the Board, of course it has the right to choose it; however, Mrs. Smith, who is the principal of that school did ask me to explain to the Board that it was the significance of the Cherry Run stream through there that was the deciding vote. All of the subdivisions that will attend that school voted on this. Each had a vote per family, and you will see that most of them came up with their own subdivision somewhere along the line. With apologies for submitting her request so late, Mrs. Carney asked that the staff bring the naming of this school back to the Board for action. *Researchers studying the history of the Cherry Run area believe this fact may be in error as no evidence has been found to date of a cherry orchard in the vicinity.

March 24, 1983: Naming of New Schools - Mrs. Carney moved that the new elementary school in the Springfield District - be named the "Cherry Run Elementary School." She indicated participants from all subdivisions which would be attending the school voted overwhelmingly for Cherry Run as the name to be submitted to the School Board. Mrs. Korologos seconded the motion which passed 10-0.

November 3, 1983: Mrs. Carney announced that on November 13 the dedication ceremony for Cherry Run Elementary School would be held, and invited Board members to attend.

December 15, 1983: Fairview/Cherry Run/White Oaks area--21-classroom facility proposed to open in the 1986-87 school year. Burke Elementary will be closed as an operating school at the end of 1983-84 school year.

June 14, 1984: Mrs. Carney asked the staff to take another look at using one of the sites already owned by the School Board while considering the following: Chancellor Farms, Saratoga, and the over-capacities at White Oaks and Cherry Run.

June 28, 1984: Mrs. Carney said she was not convinced an additional facility was needed. She said that the relocatable at Cherry Run was not being used. She pointed out she had said before that one or two relocatables might be needed for a couple of years at Newington Forest, but that was better than overbuilding in the area. However, Cherry Run was overcrowded and Newington Forest was projected to be overcrowded in two years.

September 26, 1985: In some schools, such as Cherry Run, enrollments have substantially increased over projections.

December 5, 1985: The Board was considering adjusting the boundary affecting Cherry Run and Cardinal Forest elementary schools.

January 23, 1986: Cherry Run would be the primary beneficiary if a school was constructed at the Sangster Branch site.

April 20, 1995: Resolution Naming the Cherry Run Elementary School Library “The Margaret Linscott Library.” Whereas, Margaret Linscott, as Cherry Run Elementary School’s Educational Secretary, generously and ably served the school for eleven years: and Whereas, she expertly kept the school’s financial records and shared her expertise with other educational secretaries; and Whereas, she was honest, hard-working, and dedicated to the people with whom she worked; and Whereas, she was a warm and caring individual who met the needs of students, staff members, and parents on a daily basis: and Whereas, Cherry Run Elementary School students, staff members, and community members join in requesting that her unselfish and invaluable contributions be acknowledged with a lasting tribute; Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that the Fairfax County School Board names the library at Cherry Run Elementary School “The Margaret Linscott Library” in recognition of her dedication and devotion to the Cherry Run school community. Dr. Jones moved and Mrs. Fleetwood seconded that the Board adopt the Resolution Naming the Cherry Run Elementary School Library the ‘“Margaret Linscott Library.” The motion passed 10-0. Cherry Run Principal Nancy Manning accepted the Resolution. Mr. Warden said that his mother taught at Cherry Run; that Mrs. Linscott made all visitors to the school feel welcome; and he commended her work at the school.

June 6, 1996: RESOLUTION HONORING SHANE LEE. WHEREAS, during the 1995-96 school year, Shane Lee was a sixth grade student and a member of the safety patrol at Cherry Run Elementary School; and WHEREAS, on October 5, 1995, while serving as a rear bus patrol, Shane helped students cross the street, heard the sound of the bus starting up, and then saw that a younger student had run in front of the bus and had lain down in the street in front of the bus’s right front tire; and WHEREAS, Shane ran to the front of the bus, grabbed the child’s legs, and pulled him to the curb just before the bus moved forward; and WHEREAS, his quick action allowed the younger student to walk away from the incident unharmed; and WHEREAS, Shane Lee has been awarded the 1996 American Automobile Association School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Medal, the highest honor given to members of the nationwide school safety patrol program, for his actions that saved the life of a person in immediate danger; and WHEREAS, Shane is one of only three safety patrol members in the country to receive this prestigious award this year, and he was recently recognized for valor at an awards ceremony in the Senate Rules Committee Room in the Russell Building at which Virginia’s Senator John Warner presented the medals; and WHEREAS, Shane continues to serve as an excellent role model for fellow students through his positive attitude, his attentiveness to his studies, and his participation in school activities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Fairfax County School Board, during National Safety Week June 2-8, 1996, extends its highest commendation and deepest appreciation to Shane Lee for his outstanding service as a school safety patrol and his dedication to helping his fellow students and his school. Mr. Thomas moved, and Mr. Frye seconded, that the Board adopt the Resolution Honoring Shane Lee. The motion passed 11-0, with Ms. Amundson not present for the vote. Shane Lee accepted the Resolution, and was joined by his parents, his siblings, Cherry Run Elementary School Principal Nancy Manning, and his 6th grade teacher Alda Finn. Mr. Emery expressed the Board’s pride in Shane as an excellent role model for all FCPS students.

March 20, 1997: The Board awarded the contract for technology cabling (phase 4B) at 12 elementary schools (Armstrong, Cherry Run, Cub Run, Franklin Sherman, Lees Corner, Poplar Tree, Stenwood, Terra Centre, Vienna, Virginia Run, Waples Mill, and Westgate) to Netcom Technologies, Inc., in the amount of $793,800.

April 24, 1997: The Board awarded the contracts for re-roofing projects at Cherry Run, Groveton, Lake Anne, and Oak Hill Elementary Schools to Orndorff & Spaid, Inc., in the amount of $1,067,508; at Clermont and Wolftrap Elementary Schools to R. D. Bean, Inc., in the amount of $266,840; at Great Falls Elementary School and Sideburn Center to J. E. Wood & Sons Co., Inc., in the amount of $268,850; and at Newington Forest Elementary School to Virginia Roofing Corporation in the amount of $239,432.

March 25, 1999: The Board awarded the contract for HVAC replacement at Cherry Run Elementary School to AMS Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $432,000.

May 13, 1999: Mr. Braunlich said that earlier in the year Dr. Domenech had agreed to contribute $10,000 for FCPS Odyssey of the Mind competition winners who would be going to the world finals; that the state competition had been held two weeks before and there were at least two winners from FCPS (Twain Middle School and Cherry Run Elementary School) going to the world finals; that he had just heard that since the final scores were tallied, there may be three FCPS winners going to the finals; and he thanked Dr. Domenech on behalf of the Odyssey of the Mind teams.

October 26, 2000: Ms. Heastie visited the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) pilot program at Vienna and Cherry Run Elementary Schools and was impressed by wonderful work of teachers; looked forward to report on ABA pilot at Student Services work session on November 9.

December 20, 2001: Cathy Belter, Springfield District, Commendations to Cherry Run Elementary School on the dedication of their new playground; she had been honored to be the first to slide down the sliding board.

March 31, 2016: The School Board awarded the contract for the Cherry Run Elementary School Renovation Project to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Keller Brothers, Inc., in the amount of $13,694,000.

Newspaper Articles

The Washington Post

June 1, 1983, Page Va. 8: People. Elaine Smith has been principal at Cardinal Forest Elementary School in Springfield for 15 years and has witnessed 2,082 students finish their sixth grade in what is one of the largest elementary schools in Fairfax County. So word of her transfer to become principal of the new Cherry Run Elementary School next fall was reason for an ice-cream social a few weeks ago, where more than 1,000 parents and students gathered to tell Smith they will miss her. One parent preferred to let her fingers do the talking, however. Presented to Smith was a quilt with the 951 names of every student and staff member at the school embroidered on one side and a bright red cardinal on the other, the 120-hour project of Pat Lupo of Springfield.

August 25, 1983, Page VAN-1: School Days Again: A Little Tougher. Fairfax Students Need More Math, Science Courses For Graduation. ...three new elementary schools will debut (Cherry Run, Newington Forest, and Oak Hill), increasing the number of schools in the system to 160 (117 elementary, 20 junior highs, 3 intermediate, 20 senior highs). 

August 30, 1983, Page C-1: Opening a New School Year. At Lake Ridge, It's the First Day for Students and the School. Lake Ridge is one of only four new public schools to open in the Washington metropolitan area this fall. The other three, all elementary schools in Fairfax County, are Cherry Run in Burke, Newington Forest in Springfield, and Oak Hill in Herndon.