January 2018 - Newsletter
Happy 2018 to you and your family!
Spring will be here sooner than we realize! It’s a busy time for School Board members as we make critical decisions which impact our students, teachers, and school system. These include finalizing the FY 2019 budget (in collaboration with the Board of Supervisors); completing our strategic plan update to reflect our vision and goals for the school system; and approving the FY 2019-23 Capital Improvement Program plans for our school facilities over the next five years. We want your feedback and suggestions as we move forward with these issues, so please take advantage of the opportunities to participate.
On an exciting note, Board members will attend many year-end ceremonies, concerts, plays, and graduations! It is a wonderful time to celebrate our outstanding students!
2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
This year we asked staff to form a calendar committee, which will include community members, to gather input and to assist in the development of our school year calendar. In addition, we asked staff to help us improve the process by making a decision on the 2019-20 school year this spring (1.5 years ahead) to allow families and staff to better plan. As a member of the Public Engagement Committee, we are working closely with staff to develop communication options to collect your feedback in the coming months. We will have more information shortly, please be on the lookout to provide your thoughts and input!
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Budget
At the School Board’s first meeting of 2018, Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand presented his proposed FY 2019 budget of $2.9 billion. The main focus is employee compensation with 86 percent of the budget allocated for instruction and to improve teacher compensation. Dr. Brabrand’s presentation was the starting point of the budget process which will end in May 2018 with the School Board’s adoption of the FY 2019 Approved Budget.
Providence Supervisor Smyth and I are scheduled to host a budget presentation on March 14th in the Providence Community Center. We encourage you to attend to ask questions and offer suggestions.
Additional budget dates:
- April 10 School Board presents FCPS budget to
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS)
- April 10-12 County BOS holds public hearings on
budget
- April 24 BOS determines tax rate
- April – May Additional work sessions for both the
School Board and Board of Supervisors
- May 24 School Board adopts FY 19 Approved Budget
- July 1 FY 2019 begins
Board of Education Revisions Impact Standards of Learning Tests (SOL)
On November 16, 2017, the Virginia Board of Education approved revisions to the requirements students must meet to earn a high school diploma. The revised regulations reduce the number of Standards of Learning (SOL) tests students need to pass to earn a diploma. The new standards also implement the “Profile of a Virginia Graduate,” a set of expectations that includes increased emphasis on developing critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and citizenship skills, in addition to academic achievement in English, mathematics, science and history. The profile of a Virginia Graduate aligns with Fairfax County’s Portrait of a Graduate. The new diploma requirements are scheduled to take effect with students entering the ninth grade in the fall of 2018 (class of 2022).
Bond Referendum and FCPS
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Thank you Providence voters for helping to approve the 2017 Bond Referendum! More than 73 percent of Fairfax County voters supported the $315 million bond referendum. These funds will enable FCPS to proceed with renovations, enhancements, and planning for school improvements.
In the Providence District, funds will be allocated for:
- Planning New Construction of an Elementary School
- for the Fairfax/Oakton area
- Planning additional Capacity Enhancement for James Madison High School
- Planning Renovation for Frost Middle School
- Planning Renovation for Falls Church High School
- Renovation Construction for Oakton High School
As you likely know, here in Providence District we are seeing a great amount of growth. We continue to work with staff to review the data and to scope possible remedies for improvements.
On January 25th, the School Board voted to approve the Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2019-23 reflecting a five-year requirement of $813 million (or approximately $164 million per year) for new schools, additions, capacity enhancements, and renovations to address current and anticipated enrollment increases.
Thank you to our “Providence Partners” for your dedication and support of our schools. Please feel free to contact me or to access my online NEWSLETTER
Happy Spring!
Dalia
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