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2023 SESSION

23106672D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 374
Offered February 17, 2023
Commending Tamara Derenak Kaufax.
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Patrons-- Surovell, Barker, Boysko, Ebbin, Favola, Howell, Marsden, Petersen and Saslaw; Delegates: Filler-Corn, Krizek, Sickles, Tran and Watts
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WHEREAS, Tamara Derenak Kaufax, a longtime resident of Franconia and esteemed advocate for children’s causes and education issues, will retire from the Fairfax County School Board at the expiration of her term on December 31, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Tamara “Tammy” Derenak Kaufax modeled her activism on the tradition of her mother’s involvement in local Johnstown, Pennsylvania, schools and was involved in local Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) while serving as a full-time working mom, a part-time working mom, and a stay-at-home mom; and

WHEREAS, Tammy Kaufax served as a “room mom” and “team mom” and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) vice president at Bush Hill Elementary School and Springfield Estates Elementary School; she also served as a PTA cultural arts coordinator for 10 years and volunteered for those who needed assistance in the local Franconia community through outreach groups and faith-based charities; and

WHEREAS, Tammy Kaufax has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the youth of Fairfax County through her work with various organizations and committees, including as former chair of the Fairfax County Child Care Advisory Council and as a member of the Fairfax County Superintendent’s Business and Community Advisory Council and the Fairfax County School Board’s Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, Tammy Kaufax joined the Fairfax County School Board in January 2012 as the Democratic-endorsed member serving Lee District, serving as the chair for the Public Engagement Committee that year before being elected vice chair then chair of the board in 2013 and 2014, respectively; and

WHEREAS, in addition to serving again as vice chair for the 2019–2020 school year, Tammy Kaufax also provided leadership to the Fairfax County School Board by serving as its budget chair in 2015 and 2018, as the co-chair of the Successful Children and Youth Policy Team in 2016 and 2018, as chair of the Governance Committee in 2017, and as the board’s national legislative liaison and state legislative liaison; and

WHEREAS, as the owner of Altamat Marketing Solutions with 20 years of experience in marketing and small business ownership, Tammy Kaufax has brought valuable knowledge and expertise to bear during her tenure with the Fairfax County School Board; and

WHEREAS, Tammy Kaufax’s proudest accomplishments with the Fairfax County School Board include implementing later high school start times and instituting full-day Mondays; restoring honors classes, developing the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate program and constructing FCPS’ first strategic plan; providing healthier food for FCPS students and implementing a summer meals program; reforming the FCPS discipline system, establishing an independent Office of the Auditor General, instituting curriculum enhancements for ESOL students, and adding over 35 pre-kindergarten classrooms within FCPS schools; protecting LGBTQIA+ students and staff through a nondiscrimination policy, initiating funding for Advanced Academic Resources Teachers in every elementary school and updating the health and wellness policy to include middle school recess; renaming a Franconia District high school after civil rights activist and U.S. Representative John R. Lewis; advocating for fully funded budgets for teachers and staff; and hiring and managing the work of five superintendents; and

WHEREAS, Tammy Kaufax’s steadfast dedication to the youth of Fairfax County has made a positive and lasting impression on the community that will endure for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Tamara Derenak Kaufax on the occasion of her retirement from the Fairfax County School Board; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Tamara Derenak Kaufax as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her contributions to the Commonwealth and best wishes in her future endeavors.