Hiscott in as Interim Director of Falls Church Education Foundation

Needing someone to step in to lead, the Falls Church Education Foundation picked Debbie Shantz-Hiscott to serve as their interim director.

Hiscott, who replaces former director Donna Englander, is well known within the City of Falls Church having served as both president of the Falls Church Elementary School PTA and vice president of the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School PTA. 

"I am excited to build upon the successes of the Falls Church Education Foundation and to combine my professional and community experience to benefit the stellar schools in the City of Falls Church,” Hiscott said in a written statement.  “We have a strong volunteer community interested in keeping our public school system one of the best in the country. The programs funded by FCEF and its donors can help to ensure a top notch educational experience at all of our schools.”

The FCEF stewards $1.3 million dollars in funds. The organization is designed as a vehicle to address large-scale, multi-year funding needs across the entire Falls Church City Public Schools system. The Foundation was formed in 2003 to ensure that the Falls Church City Pubic Schools maintain the highest standard of excellence in education and that all students are prepared to effectively meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

FCCPS Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones said she is glad FCEF will continue their work in the community with Hiscott at the helm.

“FCEF is a valued partner and the funds raised over the past eight years have made a tremendous difference for our staff and students.  We are incredibly grateful to FCEF for the many years of support,” Jones said.

David Chavern, president of the FCEF Board of Directors, said Hiscott’s involvement with the FCEF would allow them to streamline some overhead functions so they can focus even more on our mission of providing supplemental support to FCCPS. He said over the next six months, the FCEF Board will assess whether a single part-time staff position, supported by a network of volunteers, may be sufficient to cover our staffing needs longer term.

“To be responsible stewards of those funds, a certain level of expertise, continuity, and accountability is required and goes beyond reasonable expectations for a volunteer to fulfill,” Chavern said in a statement.  “We are fortunate to have Debbie willing to take on this role and assist us as we move through this transition.”