On the first day of the new school year in the City of Falls Church, the News-Press has learned that School Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones has accepted a position as superintendent of the Fairfield, Connecticut, school system, effective in December. Jones, whose family hails from Brisbane, Australia, has a 25 year career in public education and most recently the chief academic officer of the Deer Creek Public Schools in Oklahoma. She came to head the Falls Church School System in May 2011 and has overseen the implementation of technological innovations in the highly-acclaimed system, which angered some parents that began a campaign of criticism last spring.

In another development announced today, the Chief Financial Officer of the City of Falls Church, Richard LaCondre, confirmed to the News-Press that he will depart from his post as of Nov. 1, which plans to move to Florida.

Finally, the Falls Church School System’s legal counsel and 20-year veteran athletic coach and director at George Mason High School, Tom Horn, announced he is leaving for a coaching position at a high school in Fairfax County.