Justin Moss – Fairfax County Public Schools

In a large school district, the facilities director shoulders a responsibility as complex as the district itself. Tasked with overseeing the maintenance, safety, and functionality of dozens—or even hundreds—of buildings, they work tirelessly to keep schools running smoothly for students and staff alike. Every day brings a unique blend of challenges: aging infrastructure that needs constant upkeep, tight budgets that demand creative problem-solving, and the urgent call to adapt buildings for new educational needs and technologies.

Adding to these pressures, unforeseen crises like extreme weather events or public health concerns can throw plans into disarray, demanding swift, strategic responses to protect the community. For a facilities director, each day is a delicate balancing act between addressing the immediate demands of today and preparing for the future needs of a growing, ever-evolving district.

In Fairfax County in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C., Justin Moss is a man on a mission. Tasked with overseeing the facilities that house thousands of students and teachers every day, Moss’s role is crucial to ensuring a safe, comfortable and productive environment. In a post-pandemic world, school facilities face increased expectations for safety, sustainability and resilience. Moss’ leadership style, coupled with his innovative approach, has positioned him as a driving force behind FCPS’s commitment to not only meet but exceed these expectations.

“Schools today face unimaginable challenges when I was a child and must now meet expectations that have dramatically evolved, even in the past five years. Our facilities team has continually adapted and innovated to align with the modern educational landscape’s shifting demands,” Moss says.

Evolving expectations

Fairfax County Public Schools includes over 200 school buildings serving over 180,000 students. It is the ninth-largest public school system in the U.S., and Moss and his team of about 580 employees constantly adapt and evolve as the needs of students and teachers change.

Moss sees the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school facilities as comparable to how the events on Sept. 11, 2001, reshaped travel.

“There is a heightened awareness around public health and safety that has permeated our approach to facility management,” Moss tells Blueprint during an interview in October.

Since the pandemic, Moss and his team have rolled out new protocols like CO2 monitoring in classrooms to ensure proper ventilation and air quality. The data from CO2 monitoring allows them to quickly pinpoint and address any ventilation issues, creating a healthier learning environment.

“This isn’t just about complying with regulations—it’s about ensuring our students and teachers have the safest possible space to learn and teach,” he explains.

Beyond ventilation, Moss’s team has also enhanced cleaning protocols and adopted rigorous building health standards. These initiatives aim to make Fairfax County schools safe and more resilient in the face of future health concerns, establishing a new standard for public schools in the state and nationwide.

An improving learning environment

Moss believes the learning environment is closely tied to student success. To optimize these environments, FCPS designs its schools to meet the Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (CHPS) standard—a robust framework similar to LEED for buildings but adapted for educational settings. This standard prioritizes aspects like lighting and acoustics that can directly impact a student’s ability to concentrate and absorb information.

“Proper lighting enhances focus and good acoustics minimizes distractions,” Moss says. “We emphasize sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and models responsible stewardship for students, embedding the value of sustainability early in their education.”

Feedback from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, Moss says. The improved indoor air quality, energy-efficient design and thoughtful planning creates a more comfortable and productive learning space, one where students feel more engaged and teachers feel more supported.

One of Moss’s most important projects in 2024 and beyond is the ambitious rollout of rooftop solar installations across multiple schools. Solar energy is essential for the district’s environmental goals, including reducing carbon emissions and operational costs over the long term. However, Moss acknowledges that the high cost of solar infrastructure presents challenges, especially for public schools with limited budgets. To bridge this gap, his team employs innovative financial strategies such as Power Purchase Agreements and Energy Savings Performance Contracts. These partnerships make solar projects viable, allowing FCPS to lead by example in environmental responsibility without imposing additional financial burdens on taxpayers.

Hard work and family values

With a team of nearly 600, Moss still faces the challenges of recruitment and retention, particularly in skilled trades, where public sector pay often lags behind private industry. To counter this, Moss has spearheaded programs like “Trades4Tomorrow,” which offers internships and apprenticeships to high school and recently graduated students, providing a pathway to full-time roles within the district. Through this program, Moss aims to cultivate a skilled workforce from within the community.

Retention, however, requires ongoing investment in employee growth. For high-potential staff, Moss initiated a Near-Term Future Leaders cohort, which provides targeted training and development opportunities.

“The NFL program identifies emerging leaders and gives them the tools to them the tools to advance,” he says.

This commitment to professional development, coupled with competitive compensation packages and step increases for long-term employees, demonstrates his team’s dedication to keep experienced, invested professionals within the FCPS system.

Outside of work, Moss is a family man with deep roots in the value of hard work. He and his wife, Rebekah, are expecting their fifth child—their first daughter, adding to their bustling family and giving their four boys a little sister. Rebekah raises Labrador retrievers, and Moss supports those efforts as much as possible—he also finds time to sneak away for a round of golf or fishing outing. Growing up, he and his brother worked in his family’s used pallet business, which Moss credits for instilling a strong work ethic and a desire to pursue a career beyond physical labor.

With each new initiative, Moss is shaping the future of Fairfax County Public Schools—one that prioritizes student well-being, environmental stewardship and employee growth. As he reflects on his role, Moss finds the most rewarding aspect of his job in the transformative impact he can have on his community. For Moss, the ultimate goal is clear: to provide safe, innovative and sustainable learning environments that equip students for a brighter future.

“I am incredibly proud of our team’s resilience and forward-thinking approach as we work to create a brighter future for FCPS students,” Moss says.