Budget Meetings and Updates
Thank you to the group of concerned residents and families who participated in the joint budget meeting and in my Fairfax School Funding 101 and Advocacy Workshop on Saturday morning. We had a lively discussion on how our schools are funded at the local, state, and federal level and what citizens can do to get engaged. For additional information on the FY 2018 budget, please click here.
On February 28, 2017, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors advertised a real estate tax rate of $1.13 per $100 assessed value for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. This is the same tax rate as FY 2017. What this means is that while the Board of Supervisors can still approve a lower rate, it cannot raise the rate above $1.13. Seventy-two percent of Fairfax County Public Schools' (FCPS) budget comes from Fairfax County.
With an increase in state funding and the use of one-time third quarter savings from FY 2017 applied to the FY 2018 budget, we are still looking at a $48.4 million gap between the requested funding and the county's advertised budget.
A one cent raise in the real estate tax is equivalent to over $23 million in revenue for Fairfax County. Each one cent increase in the real estate tax rate impacts the average residential taxpayer's annual bill by about $53. While the Board of Supervisors cannot raise the tax rate at this point, they can still vote to lower the rate below the advertised rate.
If you have questions or would like to invite me to discuss these issues at your community or school meetings, please email me at dapalchik@fcps.edu.
FY 2018 Budget Calendar
- April 4: School Board presents FCPS budget to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- April 4-6: Board of Supervisors holds public hearings on the budget. To sign up to speak, please go to: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speaker_bos.htm
- April - May: Additional work sessions for both the School Board and the Board of Supervisors
- July 1: FY 2018 Budget begins
Teen Summer Job Fair at Oakton HS
Saturday, March 18 from 1 to 3 pm - Oakton HS Cafeteria
Supervisor Smyth, in conjunction with Supervisor Herrity, will host a summer job fair for teens. This event will focus on students and young job seekers looking for full-time employment, part-time employment, internship opportunities, or volunteer experiences. The job fair will be held in the cafeteria at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181. For more information, visit the website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield/teenjobfair.htm.
MakerFaire NOVA
Sunday, March 19 from 11 am to 5 pm -- South Lakes HS and Langston Hughes MS
The faire is a wonderful event for ages 4 to 94 and is held each spring (usually on a Sunday in mid-March) in Reston. The Faire brings together an amazing collection of tech enthusiasts, engineers, woodworkers, metal workers, auto hackers, artists, teachers, and craftspeople from all over the northern Virginia/Metro DC area and beyond! http://nova.makerfaire.com
TAKE BACK THE FOREST - Nottoway Park
Workdays: Saturdays (9 am-noon) -- March 18, April 1, April 22, May 6
Dig in and get involved with native habitat restoration in the Nottoway woodlands. Help TAKE BACK THE FOREST! Learn how to identify and remove invasive plants and choose native species for your yard. Students and scouts earn community service and environmental project hours. Groups and scout projects are welcome. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources/IMA/
Nottoway Park Egg Hunt - Nottoway Park
Saturday, April 15 (Registration 9:30-11:45 am) in the picnic shelter
Bring your own basket (BYOB) and hunt for candy and eggs filled with treats! Visit with the Easter bunny and explore the park before or after your hunt. Separate hunt times and door prizes for each age group. Ages 1-9:
1-2 yrs. 10:30 am
3-4 yrs. 11 am
5-6 yrs. 11:30 am
7-9 yrs. 12 pm
Weather decision made by 8:30 am. Call 703-324-8569 for information.
Proceeds donated to Nottoway Park improvements.
Vienna Parks and Recreation's Spring Special Events
https://www.viennava.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/705
Do you have events you would like me to share in my next newsletter? Please email me at dapalchik@fcps.edu.
Please stay safe and warm, and thank you for your continued partnership.
Dalia
Email: Dalia.Palchik@fcps.edu
Phone: 571-423-1084 (voicemail)
Twitter: @DaliaPalchik
EAA: Melanie Turpin, maturpin@fcps.edu
|
