Karl Frisch Becomes Fairfax County School Board Chair; Melanie Meren Elected Vice Chair

The Fairfax County School Board’s leadership has been confirmed for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year. Karl Frisch (Providence District), the board's current vice chair who has been acting as chair since January 1, was elected chair. Meanwhile, the board elected Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill District) as its new vice chair at its January 11 regular meeting. Additionally, recently elected board members were confirmed for various committee assignments.

In addition to the new chair and vice chair, members of the School Board, whose terms run from 2023 to 2027, include Kyle McDaniel (At-Large), Ryan McElveen (At-Large), Ilyrong Moon (At-Large) Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock District), Robyn Lady (Dranesville District), Marcia St. John-Cunning (Franconia District), Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District), Mateo Dunne (Mount Vernon District), Sandy Anderson (Springfield District), and Seema Dixit (Sully District).

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as chair of the School Board, working together with parents and staff as we advance the student-centered focus of our strategic plan,” said Frisch. “I remain, as always, committed to collaborating with my board colleagues to help our world-class educators deliver on the promise of excellence, equity, and opportunity – to help every student achieve their full, unique, and limitless potential.”  

Frisch began his tenure as Providence District representative on January 1, 2020, becoming the School Board’s first openly LGBTQIA+ member. Before joining the board, he was a nonprofit executive and public policy specialist. Most recently, he served as executive director of Allied Progress, a consumer financial watchdog that sought to protect those targeted by predatory lenders and financial scammers. Frisch also worked as staff for the Committee on Rules in the U.S. House of Representatives, which considers all legislation reported from other policy and fiscal committees.

In July 2023, Frisch was elected vice chair by his board colleagues and has been acting as chair since January 1 because the previous chair did not seek re-election. He has served as the board’s state and federal legislative liaisons and as liaison to the City of Fairfax School Board, the Community Criminal Justice Board, and the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC). A past member of the board’s Audit Committee, he was also a member of and chaired the Public Engagement and Governance committees. Additionally, Frisch was one of the board’s two representatives on the Joint Environmental Task Force (JET). He is the board’s Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) delegate.

Frisch is the son of an immigrant – his father was a union police officer, and his mother was a waitress. He received a bachelor's degree with highest distinction from the University of Virginia and lives near Marshall High School with his partner, a long-time public school teacher.

“The next six months offer a unique opportunity for this new board to gel and set the path for the work that brings the most results to our students, faculty, and families,” said Meren. “The combination of experiences of our board members makes me very hopeful that we can set our sights high for the four years to come.” 

Meren began her tenure as Hunter Mill District representative on January 1, 2020. She is an education policy professional, FCPS parent, and community advocate who believes that strong schools make a strong community. Her professional career spans decades and is centered on promoting public education. It includes service in the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget; advocacy with the Virginia Association of Environmental Education; service on FCPS committees and school PTAs; and other organizations.  

Before her election as vice chair, Meren previously chaired the board’s Budget, Governance, and Public Engagement committees, and was a member of the Governance and Comprehensive Planning Development committees. She has also served as the board’s liaison to its Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC), Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACE), and Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC), as well as the Community Criminal Justice Board, and Fairfax County Athletic Council. Meren remains the board’s liaison to the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Title 1 Parent Advisory Committee (TPAC). She also serves as the board’s Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) alternate delegate and as vice chair of the VSBA’s northeastern region.

Meren holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Albany (State University of New York) and a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University. Additionally, she has completed the Sorensen Institute for Political Leaders program at the University of Virginia.

Board Member Committee and Liaison Assignments

* Returning Board Member Previously Confirmed to the Position in July 2023.
** Returning Board Member Previously Confirmed to the Committee in July 2023 but Elevated to its Chair in 2024.

School Board Standing Committees

Audit Committee

• Chair: Ryan McElveen
• Member: Seema Dixit
• Member: Robyn Lady
• Member: Marcia St. John-Cunning

Budget Committee

• Chair: Dr. Ricardy Anderson*
• Vice Chair: Kyle McDaniel

Comprehensive Planning Development Committee (CPDC)

• Chair: Mateo Dunne
• Member: Dr. Ricardy Anderson*
• Member: Robyn Lady

Governance Committee

• Chair: Rachna Sizemore Heizer**
• Member: Sandy Anderson
• Member: Kyle McDaniel
• Member: Ilryong Moon

Public Engagement Committee (PEC)

• Chair: Sandy Anderson
• Member: Seema Dixit
• Member: Marcia St. John-Cunning
• Member: Rachna Sizemore Heizer*

School Board Citizen Advisory Committee Liaisons

Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC)

• School Board Liaison: Seema Dixit

Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACE)

• School Board Liaison: Dr. Ricardy Anderson*

Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD)

• School Board Liaison: Rachna Sizemore Heizer*

Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)

• School Board Liaison: Kyle McDaniel

Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC)

• School Board Liaison: Mateo Dunne

Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC)

• School Board Liaison: Ilryong Moon

Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC)

• School Board Liaison: Marcia St. John-Cunning

School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)

• School Board Liaison: Ryan McElveen

Title 1 Parent Advisory Committee (TPAC)

• School Board Liaison: Melanie Meren*

Other Liaison Positions

City of Fairfax School Board

• School Board Liaison: Sandy Anderson

Community Criminal Justice Board

• School Board Liaison: Mateo Dunne

Fairfax County Athletic Council

• School Board Liaison: Robyn Lady

Fairfax County Park Authority

• School Board Liaison: Melanie Meren*

Fairfax County Planning Commission (2)

• School Board Liaison: Rachna Sizemore Heizer*
• School Board Liaison: Kyle McDaniel

Educate Fairfax Foundation

• School Board Liaison: Ilryong Moon

Legislative (Federal)

• School Board Liaison: Seema Dixit

Legislative (State)

• School Board Liaison: Ryan McElveen

Successful Child and Youth Policy Team (2)

• School Board Liaison: Dr. Ricardy Anderson*
• School Board Liaison: Marcia St. John-Cunning

Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) Delegate

• Karl Frisch

Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) Alternate Delegate

• Melanie Meren*