Melanie Meren, Public Education Leader

Melanie Meren is an education policy professional, parent, and community advocate who believes that strong schools make a strong community.

Now elected for a second term beginning in 2024, Melanie is the current Hunter Mill Representative on the Fairfax County School Board, first elected in 2019.

Melanie Meren on a stage being sworn into her position on the FCPS Board

Melanie’s Priorities for Fairfax County

Learning

Educate all children for their own personal success that cultivates their paths beyond school and into adulthood.

Employment

Fortify our teaching force through appropriate compensation, vital instructional resources and support, and reasonable expectations on teachers’ time.

Safety

Offer safe, human-centered spaces and facilities that inspire learning and create connections among school, community, and the natural environment.

Melanie’s Results

Achieving Advancements for Hunter Mill & Fairfax County

Learning:

Outdoor learning spaces for all students: Obtained $6 Million in state construction funds to place an outdoor learning space in every school!
Improved literacy instruction for all students: Championed the bi-partisan Virginia Literacy Act of 2022; approved $$$ for adoption of science of reading and new language arts resources.
Examined access and quality of instruction and special education: Authorized audits of academic programs and of special education services to analyze where to best invest in student success.
Funded staff positions to support technology use in learning: Obtained funding for one full-time School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) per elementary school, where previously it was a part-time position.
Brought recess to all middle schools. Revised the recess policy.

Employment:

Raised pay for educators, elementary school principals, instructional assistants, substitute teachers, and bus drivers.
Hired the 2021 National Superintendent of the Year in 2022, Dr. Michelle Reid, to lead Fairfax Public Schools.
Hired public health expertise: Led effort to direct the Superintendent to hire an expert in public health, in response to on-going COVID era needs.

Safety:

Improved safe routes to schools: Flint Hill, McNair Upper, and Wolftrap Elementary Schools all received traffic safety upgrades.
Secured school building entrances: Led the effort to fund entry-way security vestibules at all eligible schools.
Codified students’ safety and well-being: Crafted and approved policies, including about restraint & seclusion; wellness; nondiscrimination of students identifying as LGBTQIA+; and staff process for reporting suspected child abuse.

Melanie Merin talking with two female students in a cyber tech class who are assembling a desktop computer

Melanie is uniquely qualified to continue serving as your School Board member.

As a parent of two children in Fairfax County Public Schools and a resident of Fairfax County since 2005, Melanie experiences the opportunities, challenges, and realities of raising a family here.

As a community leader, she has advocated for responsible public school funding since 2015.

Her career in education public policy and programming means she deeply understands our public education system.