|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
FY25 Budget and 25-29 CIP Updates
Two key issues were discussed at last night’s School Board meeting: The FY2025 Budget and the 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan.
Budget: Last night kicked off the annual budget development process with the Superintendent releasing her proposed budget.
Capital Improvement Plan: The 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan was adopted with several amendments to address long and short term needs.
Below, I share more details and my thoughts on these two items.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office to share your thoughts.
Respectfully,
Kyle
FY 2025 Budget
As Vice-Chairman of the Board’s Budget Committee, I wanted to give you more details on the Superintendent's proposed budget, and share my preliminary thoughts on it.
The proposal increases expenditures by $302 million, primarily funded by a $254 million requested increase from the Board of Supervisors. Included items are:
- $170 million for a 6% pay raise for all employees
- $55 million to match state funding for a previous 2% pay raise
- $47 million to compensate for increases in higher-need student populations (ESOL, special education, and free or reduced-price meals)
- $24 million for employee benefit rate changes driven by healthcare and retirement
- Some other items: stipends for teachers who work overtime in our theater programs; additional athletic trainers in high schools; turf field replacements; school security enhancements; and boys volleyball and girls wrestling
98% of the requested increase goes to employee pay raises, benefits, and increased student enrollment. Given that 90% of FCPS operating budget is salary and benefits, this is not surprising.
The Superintendent has also proposed some savings:
- $38 million in recognition of employee turnover
- A net decrease of 31.5 employee positions whose salaries were covered through one-time COVID relief funds
I am happy to report that Special Education teachers will receive an extension on a 30-minute contract bump. This increase was approved as a response to COVID challenges, and was previously funded through one-time federal relief. This extension will be paid for with projected year-end surplus funds later this year.
The rising pressure on local funding is approaching unhealthy and unsustainable levels. However, we are also seeing significant increases in higher-need student enrollment relative to non-higher need students. See below:
Funding Increases from the Board of Supervisors:
FY2021: 0.3%
FY2022: 1.4%
FY2023: 4.7%
FY2024: 6.3%
FY2025*: 10.5%
*Requested
Student Enrollment Changes by Budget Category
These two sets of data paint a stark picture: the structural imbalance in funding education in Virginia is unsustainable. The General Assembly’s research arm, the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission, recently reported that Virginia underfunds public education to the tune of $3.5 billion in comparison to our surrounding states. If the state were to bring funding up to the regional average, Fairfax County Public Schools would receive an additional $1,900 per student. This figure grows when adjustments to the outdated state funding formulas (the SOQs) are also made. Estimates indicate that Fairfax County could receive up to an additional $500m should the state make these changes.
In the meantime, we are forced to live with a funding structure that places the vast majority of the burden on local taxpayers, instead of a healthy and sustainable blend of local and state funding.
In the coming weeks, I am looking forward to working with FCPS staff, the Superintendent, my Board colleagues, the Board of Supervisors, and the community to methodically listen, learn, and craft a budget that meets the needs of our kids, and is based on sustainable funding sources.
You can find the budget documents here.
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2025-2029
The 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program was adopted with a few amendments. One set of changes were to address long term planning for capital management and costs. Two other amendments addressed overcapacity problems at two elementary schools: Parklawn ES (Mason District) and Coates ES (Dranesville District).
These two one-off boundary adjustments were necessary and supported by facilities staff. However, these two cases highlight the dire need for a long term solution to our flawed boundary policies. On February 13th, the School Board will hold a work session to discuss a path forward that addresses significant gaps in existing policies, and creates a roadmap for a division wide boundary adjustment. In my comments last night, I stated that I will not support anymore one-off boundary changes until we overhaul these flawed policies, and implement a County-wide boundary study to fix the overcrowding that has plagued our schools for decades.
February Is Career and Technical Education Month
As I start my term on the School Board, I am pleased to serve as the CTE Advisory Committee Liaison. By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the CTE website.
CTE also offers summer programs for students to explore their programs. Enroll now!
|
Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts.
If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School.
Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.
Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.
Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
CTE programs are available for students currently in grades K-5 to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas; and for students currently in grades 6-11 to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration.
E-IFTA and IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.
Summer Learning
Programs are also available for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement, earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program, or recover one high school course credit through the Credit Recovery Academy.
FCPS’ free online class for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides FCPS middle and high school English Learners the opportunity to continue developing their academic, reading, and writing skills in online discussions with an ESOL teacher.
Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on FCPS summer programs.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Work Sessions on the FY 2025 Proposed Budget:
Tuesday, February 13th 1:45 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday February 20th 1:45 - 4:30 pm
Budget Public Hearing(s):
Tuesday, February 13th and Tuesday, February 20th (if needed) at 6 pm at Luther Jackson Middle School
Regular Meeting:
February 22nd, 7:30 pm at Luther Jackson Middle School
 Watch live on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), on the FCPS website, or on FCPS YouTube. If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the Board clerk.
If you would like to sign up to speak at the Budget Public Hearing or the Regular Meeting, you can find information here.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
|
