Open Letter To Parents of The Arc

June 20, 2025

Dear Parents and Families,

We are writing to share an important update about the future of the Paxton Campus and our longstanding relationship with The Arc of Loudoun. We know that for many of you, the Arc has been a trusted source of care, education, and support for your children and that the Paxton Campus is a meaningful and even sacred place in your family’s journey. Please know this message comes with a heavy heart and deep respect for all you do as parents and caregivers.

After nearly four years of good-faith efforts, including formal mediation, the Margaret Paxton Memorial Trust and the Arc were unable to reach an agreement on a path forward. As a result, the Paxton Trust has advised the Arc that they cannot continue to occupy the Paxton Campus, because they do not have the right to occupy it.  The Arc will be required to relocate its programs from the Paxton Campus before the next school year starts this fall.

This is not the outcome we hoped for. In fact, it is one we worked tirelessly to avoid. Since 2008, the Paxton Trust has supported the Arc with nearly $9 million in financial and in-kind contributions. In 2021, the Arc agreed that its lease would expire on August 31, 2024.  At that time, we began planning for a new chapter, a vision to transform the Campus into a vibrant, multi-tenant community called the Mosaic Campus, where children of all abilities and needs could thrive through coordinated, high-quality services.

From the beginning, we saw the Arc as the heart of that plan. We envisioned the Arc as the anchor tenant in a custom-built, state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for its students and programs. We presented numerous proposals to make this vision possible, offering extended lease terms, generous financial conditions, and collaboration every step of the way. Despite our efforts, the Arc’s leadership chose not to commit to the shared path we had hoped to walk together.

We understand this news may be disappointing, and we want to emphasize that we care deeply about your children and the continuity of their care. We did everything we could to preserve this partnership while building a future that would expand access and opportunity for more children in need. The Arc’s decision to step away from that future is one we must respect, even though it saddens us deeply.

Moving forward, the Paxton Trust remains fully committed to the mission that first brought us here: To serve children in Loudoun County and surrounding areas with compassion, excellence, and vision. We will continue developing the Mosaic Campus, welcoming a new generation of organizations dedicated to supporting families like yours.

Sincerely,

The Trustees of the Margaret Paxton Memorial Trust