About the Student Representative Position

Each year, an FCPS student is elected to the position of the Student Representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools, as authorized by the Code of Virginia. The Student Representative is empowered to represent the student voice and participate in Board discussion in the consideration of any item or action before the School Board.

Election and Term:An annual election will be held in April through a convention of the Student Advisory Council (SAC) and the student representative will begin service on July 1 of the same year. The student representative shall serve not more than a single one-year term.

Eligibility:The student representative shall be a resident of Fairfax County or Fairfax City and a student in Fairfax County Public Schools

Meet the Student Representative

Faith Mekonen, a senior at South County High School, was elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) on April 9, 2025 to serve as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board. Ms. Mekonen's one-year term began July 1, 2025. Ms. Mekonen participates in School Board meetings as a nonvoting member and serves as the School Board's liaision to the SAC. She is the 55th student representative to the School Board.

Visit Faith Mekonen's official webpage to learn more and view her priorities for this term.

Apply for the Student Representative Position

Each year, the Instructional Services Department (ISD) coordinates the annual Student Advisory Council (SAC) convention where student delegates vote to elect the representative to the School Board.

ISD generally communicates the timeline and application information during the month of February. This section will be updated when the information is released. Below are general application requirements and information. This information is subject to change, dependent on the rules/process that the SAC implements for the election convention that year.

Eligibility

• Students who are currently in grades 9, 10, and 11.
• Be a resident of Fairfax County or Fairfax City
• Be a student in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Application Information and Deadlines

To be considered for the Election, students are required to provide:

• A written component.
• A thirty second candidate statement via video.

Election Information

The election typically consist of two parts:

Primary Election (virtual)

The first part of the Election is a virtual Primary Election on Zoom. Candidates have the option to attend the Primary Election. Candidates will be notified by email regarding the Primary Election results.

General Election (in person)

Candidates who advanced from the Primary Elections are required to attend the General Election in-person during the school day.

Additional information and details regarding both the Primary and General Elections will be shared with candidates via email.

Typical Steps for Applicants

1. Review FCPS Policy 1802 and the responsibilities of the student representative to the School Board. 

2. Submit a Student Representative Application ( typically becomes available in February ).

   Note:FCPS Google Workspace for Education Account Required
3. Optional :Attend the virtual Primary Election during the school day.
4. Candidates who advance beyond the Primary Election are required to attend the in person General Election during the school day.