Controversy Erupts as Loudoun School Board Vice Chair Anne Donohue Pushes Restrictive Changes to Student Transfer Policies

November 18, 2025 LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — In a move critics say could exacerbate hardships for families amid ongoing school rezoning efforts, Loudoun County School Board Vice Chair Anne Donohue has proposed sweeping changes to out-of-zone student transfer policies, framing them as necessary to “rein in” what she views as overly permissive practices. The proposals, discussed during a recent board meeting, would impose stricter requirements and documentation hurdles, potentially limiting access to alternative schools for thousands of students facing personal or educational challenges.

Donohue, the at-large board member who has long advocated for tightening these guidelines, argued that out-of-zone transfers—previously known as “special permissions”—should be treated as “disfavored” and approved only in “limited exceptional circumstances.”

“One of my desires pretty much since getting on the board was to reign in special permission, what I think we should be calling out of zone transfers, and really give it a lot more clear structure and definition of what is or is not or may be appropriate,” Donohue stated during the November 11 meeting. She emphasized that transfers “will not be automatically approved, granted, or guaranteed in any year,” signaling a shift toward greater restrictions.

Under Donohue’s plan, parents or guardians seeking an out-of-zone transfer would need to submit applications identifying one of four specific grounds, backed by detailed documentation. These include:

• Students experiencing physical, social, or emotional adjustment difficulties, documented by a licensed mental health professional currently treating the child.
• Childcare issues resulting in “significant hardship” for supervising the student or a minor sibling.
• Instances where the student has been a victim of a crime (reported or unreported) or discrimination/harassment as defined by Virginia law.
• Other “extenuating circumstances” considering demonstrated hardship and educational needs.

Additionally, transfers would only be considered if the requested school is not projected to be over-enrolled, adding another layer of uncertainty for applicants.

The proposals come at a precarious time for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), which is in the midst of rezoning all elementary schools over the next couple of years—a process already stirring anxiety among parents about school assignments and stability.

Board members expressed significant pushback, highlighting potential negative impacts on families. Chair Melinda Mansfield (Dulles) criticized the timing and process, saying, “First of all, I wish you had brought this to the committee and we could’ve had a workshop or something on your request for all of these categories … I think, at this point, I think we should wait a year before you do that.”

Leesburg representative Lauren Shernoff described the revisions as “really clunky” and warned of the strain on students and families, especially when combined with rezoning. “I just feel like these incremental adjustments time after time are not really getting us where we need to go,” Shernoff said, advocating for more community input and delaying major restrictions.

Critics argue that Donohue’s changes could disproportionately harm vulnerable students, such as those dealing with mental health issues or family hardships, by erecting bureaucratic barriers that favor only the most documented cases. Approval rates for transfers have hovered between 77% and 83% in recent years, with applications surging from 3,274 in 2022 to 3,948 in 2025.

Tightening these policies might force more students into overcrowded or under-resourced base schools, destabilizing enrollment and complicating expansions in programs like career and technical education or special education. Shernoff noted that such instability “makes it really hard for us to make decisions” on program growth, potentially leaving families with fewer options during a period of widespread rezoning upheaval.

Donohue, a George Washington University law graduate who joined the board in 2024 after a successful campaign focused on educational accountability, defended her stance by insisting on the need for “a reason” behind transfers, positioning them as exceptions rather than norms.

However, other board members like Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) and Kari LaBell (Catoctin) raised concerns about the rezoning implications, where students in shifting zones would lose grandfathered status and have to reapply under the new rules—without guarantees.

LaBell called it “a big conundrum” but acknowledged the committee’s efforts to find balance. The board is set to revisit the policy at its next meeting, with calls for public hearings and further revisions. Parents and advocates are urged to provide feedback, as the changes could reshape school access in Loudoun County for years to come. Donohue’s office did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.