Enhanced security arrangement for the Fairfax County school superintendent, featuring a team of up to four assigned personnel.
Fairfax County Public Schools Hires Security Detail for Superintendent Michelle Reid
In response to rising threats to public officials and the need to enhance safety protocols, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has hired a security detail for Superintendent Michelle Reid. The school district has cited recent tragic events nationwide as justification for intensifying security measures, including personal protection for the superintendent [1][2][5].
The executive protection agent position is a full-time role with a salary range between approximately $80,000 and $144,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications according to the FCPS pay scale [1][2][3]. This role involves ensuring the personal safety and security of Superintendent Reid across school campuses, public events, official travels, and private residences.
The security detail will consist of up to four full-time security staffers, with two during the day and two at night. Each team will comprise one uniformed and one plain-clothes security officer [4][6]. The new security officers will work Monday through Friday, with tentative shifts including a morning shift and an evening shift.
The Fairfax County Police Department's Threat Assessment Management (TAM) unit, established in 2022, will play a role in ensuring the safety of high-profile individuals like Superintendent Reid [1]. This unit serves as a national model in law enforcement as they continue to evolve to meet modern public safety needs.
The hiring of this security detail has drawn criticism due to the significant cost, especially given FCPS’s recent budget shortfall and the disparity between this salary and starting teacher salaries (about $58,000) [1][3][5]. Critics question the use of taxpayer money for such a detail, while supporters argue it formalizes and consolidates evolving security needs around the superintendent and school district leadership.
FCPS has not provided specific reasons for beefing up security around Superintendent Reid, but has acknowledged that they do not publicly discuss specific details regarding security measures, protocols, and provisions [1]. The two officers assigned to Reid will also have the protection of elementary schools within the district as part of their duties [7].
Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, a frequent contributor to conservative media outlets, wrote about FCPS hiring an executive protection agent and additional drivers for Reid, and questioned whether she would also receive a cook and a driver [8]. Lundquist-Arora expressed her view that the move to hire a six-figure salary security officer to protect Reid is reflective of upside-down priorities, especially considering teachers and counselors who lost their jobs last year.
It is important to note that FCPS had previously denied having a personal driver or security detail for Reid [1]. The security staffers hired to protect Reid had previously been responsible for protecting schools.
The Fairfax County Police Department does not comment on specific investigations or court proceedings, but they will continue to review communications regarding Reid and other high-profile individuals to ensure their safety [1]. Ken Trump, a school security expert, stated that it's not common for a school superintendent to have a dedicated bodyguard, but it's not out of the ordinary for them to have drivers or personal assistants [1].
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-county-schools-hires-security-detail-for-superintendent-amid-rising-threats/2022/07/20/4b76371a-e2f6-11ed-b1d2-a3c37407c1f2_story.html [2] https://www.wtop.com/dc/news/fairfax-county-schools-hires-security-detail-for-superintendent/ [3] https://www.fox5dc.com/news/fairfax-county-schools-hires-security-detail-for-superintendent [4] https://www.insidenova.com/news/2022/jul/20/fairfax-county-schools-hires-security-detail-for-superintendent-amid-rising-threats/ [5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/21/fairfax-county-schools-should-not-spend-six-figure-salary-on-superintendents-security-detail/ [6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-county-schools-hires-security-detail-for-superintendent-amid-rising-threats/2022/07/20/4b76371a-e2f6-11ed-b1d2-a3c37407c1f2_story.html [7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-county-schools-hires-security-detail-for-superintendent-amid-rising-threats/2022/07/20/4b76371a-e2f6-11ed-b1d2-a3c37407c1f2_story.html [8] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/21/fairfax-county-schools-should-not-spend-six-figure-salary-on-superintendents-security-detail/
The firm stance of certain individuals is that the allocation of a substantial portion of public funds towards the executive protection agent position for Superintendent Reid could be better spent on educational resources, such as enhancing teacher salaries or investing in school infrastructure, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of education and self-development opportunities within Fairfax County Public Schools.
Despite the controversy surrounding the recruitment of security personnel for Superintendent Reid, proponents argue that the establishment of a dedicated security team is indicative of a commitment to prioritize the safety and well-being of high-profile individuals like Reid, thereby fostering an environment that supports effective education and self-development at Fairfax County Public Schools.
