Gifted Advisory Committee

Local advisory committees for gifted education may be established in accordance with the Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students. In accordance with the Regulations, if the division has an advisory committee, the GAC has two responsibilities:

1) to review annually the local plan for the education of gifted students, including revisions, and

2) to determine the extent to which the plan for the previous year was implemented.

The findings of the annual program effectiveness and the recommendations of the advisory committee shall be submitted annually in writing to the division superintendent and the school board.

The MCPS Gifted Advisory Committee's work is guided by the Virginia Department of Education's recommendations for local school boards and Gifted Advisory Committees.

Local School Boards: Roles and Responsibilities in Gifted Programs

Roles and Responsibilities of Local Gifted Education Advisory Committees

Gifted Advisory Committee Members

The MCPS Gifted Advisory Committee (GAC) is composed of parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, professional staff, community members, and students who reflect the ethnic and geographic composition of the school division. The GAC meets at least 4 times each year.

GAC Committee Members 2025-2026 Coming Soon

Jennifer McGhee, chairperson jennifermcghee@mcps.org
Anna Vijayan, vice-chairperson avijayan@brandeis.edu
Julie Stanley, secretary jstanley@mcps.org
Helen Fotinos, Administrator of Gifted Programs helenfotinos@mcps.org

Operating Procedures

Operating procedures for the MCPS Gifted Advisory Committee are outlined in the MCPS Gifted Advisory Committee By-Laws.

GAC membership is open to parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, professional staff, community members, and students. Our goal is for GAC membership to reflect the ethnic and geographic composition of the school division. Prospective members are asked to complete the GAC Interest and Information Sheet. Committee members are appointed by the school board in the fall of each school year.

Notification of Gifted Advisory Meetings

The Gifted Advisory Committee (GAC) shall give advance notice of all regular and special meetings of the GAC by placing the notice on the MCPS public website. Notice shall include the date, time, location, and tentative agenda of each meeting. Meeting notices shall be posted at least three working days prior to the meeting. In addition, any person may annually file a written request for notice of GAC meetings.

See here for additional policy details.

Opportunity for Public Address

The Gifted Advisory Committee (GAC) allows the opportunity for public address at each meeting.

See here for guidelines for addressing the GAC.

2025-2026 Scheduled Meeting Dates

Meeting notices and agendas will be posted here prior to each meeting. To sign up for public address please complete this form.

September 9 @6:30 PM - Meeting Agenda, Meeting Location: School Board Office Conference rooms A & B

November 18 @6:30 - Meeting Agenda, Meeting Location: School Board Office Conference rooms A & B

January 13 @ 6:30 PM - Meeting Agenda, Meeting Location: School Board Office Conference rooms A & B

February 24 @ 6:30 PM - Open House and Family Game Night Location: School Board Office Conference rooms A & B

(Inclement Weather Date: March 10)

Prior to each meeting, agendas will be posted. Minutes will be approved at the next meeting, then posted.

Past Minutes and Agendas

2025-2026 -- GAC Meetings -- Minutes and Agendas

2024-2025 -- GAC Meetings -- Minutes and Agendas

2023-2024--GAC Meetings -- Minutes and Agendas

2022-2023--GAC Meetings -- Minutes and Agendas

2021-2022 -- GAC Meetings -- Minutes and Agendas

2020-2021-- GAC Meetings-- Minutes and Agendas

2019-2020-- GAC Meetings-- Minutes and Agendas

2018-2019 --GAC Meetings--Minutes and Agendas

2017-2018--GAC Meetings--Minutes and Agendas

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