Fairfax County Public Schools is hiring an “executive protection agent” that will serve as a bodyguard for superintendent Michelle Reid.
The job listing was posted to FCPS’s LinkedIn last week, and the application closes today. The role is responsible for “ensuring the personal safety, security, and operational continuity of the division superintendent across school campuses, public events, official travel, and private residences.”
The pay grade for this position starts at nearly $90,000, according to FCPS’s posted pay scales for FY 2026. The posting is for a 260-day contract position.
The job posting requires at least five years of experience in personal security, law enforcement, or military. It also requires a knowledge of surveillance detection, open-source intelligence tools, and incident reporting.
FCPS Statement About Hiring a Bodyguard
A statement from FCPS says that the school has always maintained safety protocols for its superintendents and others. “Safety and security for the entire school community remains among the top priorities in the division,” FCPS said. “This structure formalizes existing responsibility for elevating levels of protection division wide — including security for the superintendent and others who attend school-related activities.”
The statement continues:
“The highly publicized tragic events around the country over the last several months illustrate the need to intensify and enhance security protocols at all organizations. Under the direction of the Chief of Safety and Security, this role at FCPS will also streamline and consolidate other evolving security efforts to ensure they remain both effective and efficient in a rapidly changing environment. This includes the ongoing implementation of a new emergency response system and weapons screening technology, as well as bolstering FCPS’s work identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks of targeted violence against students, staff, and schools.”
FCPS says that hiring this position will also enhance the working relationship between FCPS and local law enforcement.
Criticism of Michelle Reid’s Salary and Expenses
The job posting drew criticism in the form of an op-ed posted to WMAL. Writer Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, a Fairfax County parent, criticized Reid’s salary and new personal security position. The op-ed referenced that the school district had a $121 million budget shortfall for FY 2026.
Last year, FCPS renewed Reid’s contract through June 2028. Her salary is $424,146 per year, plus an annual $12,000 car allowance. This was a significant increase from her original salary of $380,000.
Feature image of Michelle Reid by Emily Campos
