A sixth grade Chinese class at Oak Hill Elementary School celebrates Chinese New Year with a dragon dance led by (from left to right) Physical Education Teacher Gregory Germain, Chinese Teacher Yajuan Jiang, a student, Principal Kelly Durso, and Chinese Teacher Lucy Chen.
Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focuses on Competitive Compensation and Educational Excellence
At last week’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that prioritizes competitive compensation.
The proposed budget totals $3.8 billion. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction.
Key highlights of the proposed budget include:
- Retaining and attracting a world-class workforce with a 6% market scale adjustment.
- A market cyclical review of school-based office positions.
- An ERFC Legacy Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) to allow eligible employees to continue working beyond their retirement eligibility while continuing to accumulate retirement benefits.
Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at year end.
The School Board held a budget work session today and is holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. this evening. The hearing will be available on YouTube and Channel 99. The board will vote on the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Visit FCPS’ Budget Development Calendar webpage to keep up with the budget process.
🎤 Save the Date: Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Dr. Reid wants to hear from you! A series of Employee Conversations with the superintendent will be held this spring across the school division. Events are planned for the following dates:
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Wednesday, April 3, 6:30-8 p.m., Fairfax Villa Elementary School.
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Thursday, April 4, 6:30-8 p.m., Braddock Elementary School.
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Monday, April 8, 4:30-6 p.m., South County Middle School.
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Monday, April 15, 4:30-6 p.m., Frost Middle School.
Click on the location above to register. These events are an opportunity to share your thoughts and ask questions. Reach out to Dr. Reid at any time by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing Superintendent@fcps.edu.
❄️ Make Sure You Receive Emergency/Weather Text Messages
If you are not currently receiving text messages from FCPS regarding weather delays and other critical operational messages, please follow the process below:
- Log in to UConnect.
- Click Bookmarks > Employee Self Service > Personal Information > Contact Numbers.
- Click Add.
- On the Detail section, click Contact Type, then select Cell Phone.
- Enter your cell phone number in the Phone Number field.
- Enter the Start Date or leave on the default date (today’s date).
- Click Update.
Note: In addition to email and text messages, FCPS weather delays and closings are posted on Twitter, Facebook, FCPS.edu, and school websites, and announced on local media broadcasts.
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💙 CARES of the Month Recipient Helps Student Realize Dream
FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. One of the November CARES of the Month recipients was Charles Cornwell, pictured at right, auto collision services teacher at Edison High School.
“Mr. Cornwell taught his students how to take an old beat-up truck and turn it into my son’s dream truck and make it ready for him and his grandfather to show in Ocean City. Mr. Cornwell stayed after school many days to help my son achieve his dream, this is not something that is required of a teacher. This will be something my son will always carry with him and a memory that he and his grandfather will always cherish all due to Mr. Cornwell.”
Congratulations to Charles and other November FCPS CARES of the Month recipients:
- Eric Fleming, Instructional Programs Support Center
- Kathleen Moskowitz, Herndon Elementary School
- Emily Velez and Diane Quezada-Bin, Falls Church High School
- Trevor Echols, South County High School
- Denisse Stein, Stone Middle School
- Rosemond Nkansah, Lane Elementary School
Read about all the recipients.
Do you know an employee who deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond? Submit their story.
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We 💗 FCPS Families
FCPS is home to many families who have multiple members working for the district. Read this Employee Blog feature to learn about some who are dedicated not just to their families, but also to FCPS — such as Steven and Susanna Smith, pictured above with their children at Greenbriar West Elementary School.
Are You or a Family Member Interested in Becoming a Teacher?
Attend an instructional job fair on Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Network and take advantage of interview opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Register to attend.
🧾 W-2s Have Been Delivered!
W-2s for 2023 are now available in UConnect. You will need to opt-in for W-2 Web Delivery to access your form online. For instructions on opting in, please see the FCPS Online W-2 Access Guide (PDF).
Take advantage of the new W-2 Web Delivery to print, download, save, and copy your W-2. For employees who did not opt in before January 5, their W-2s for 2023 have been mailed to the address on record as of December 29, 2023. If that address is not up to date, please update it in UConnect now. Any W-2s returned to FCPS will be re-mailed to the new address.
If you do not have access to UConnect or have not received your 2023 W-2 in the mail, please complete a W-2 Reissue Request Form (PDF). The fastest way to get a W-2 replaced is online. The Office of Payroll Management will process reissue requests in the order they are received.
For more information, visit FCPS' W-2 Tax Form webpage.
📬 IRS Form 1095 Arriving in Early March
FCPS employees and retirees who were enrolled in FCPS health plan coverage (or who were eligible for coverage but did not enroll) will receive IRS-Form 1095-C in early March. Form 1095 provides information regarding your health insurance eligibility and enrollment.
While the information on this form may assist with preparing your tax return, the Internal Revenue Service has stated you will not need to submit it with your tax return. You should keep the form for your records with other important tax documents.
If you have questions regarding how this form impacts your tax return preparation, please check with your tax professional. For other questions, please contact the Office of Benefit Services at 571-423-3200 and select Option 3 to speak with a representative.
💊 2023 Flexible Spending Account Filing Deadline Is March 31
If you participated in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2023, remember that you have until Sunday, March 31, to submit claims for your 2023 FSA expenses. You can file your claims through your Optum account. Find instructions for filing a claim on the Flexible Spending Accounts webpage.
Standard rollover provisions apply. No dependent care spending account funds may rollover to 2024, and $610 is permitted to roll over for the health care FSA.
FCPS Retirement Ceremony Scheduled for May 1
After years of hard work and dedication, FCPS celebrates our retirees’ careers, legacies, and accomplishments at our annual retirement ceremony, We Honor You — Celebrating Your Service to FCPS. This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at 6 p.m., at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The evening begins with an hors d’oeuvre reception followed by a recognition ceremony with the superintendent, Leadership Team, and School Board.
Those planning to retire should submit their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) as soon as possible. Invitations will be mailed in mid-March to those who retired after the spring 2023 retirement recognition and to those who plan to retire before December 31, 2024. Please email questions to WeHonorYou@fcps.edu.
🍎 Great Beginnings Facilitator Pool
Great Beginnings Program facilitators lead a variety of professional learning opportunities for our new teachers and those who support new teachers. Our facilitators receive pay for their planning and facilitation, professional development, and recertification points.
To be a part of the Great Beginnings Facilitator Pool, candidates must have at least five years of teaching experience with at least three of those in FCPS (at the conclusion of the current school year).
For additional eligibility requirements, role descriptions, and information about the application process, view the Great Beginnings Facilitator Pool advertisement (PDF). Applications will be open through Friday, March 8.
👮 Building Relationships and Increasing Safety Every Day
February 15 is School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day. The SROs who work in Fairfax County public schools are sworn police officers with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD).
Officer Brian Sehrer, pictured above, was selected as Officer of the Month by FCPD in December for his outstanding SRO performance at Frost Middle School. Learn more about him and the role of SROs on the Employee Blog.
Thank you Officer Sehrer, and all our SROs, for the work you do in our schools every day.
🥗 Colorful Choices Wellness Challenge
Discover how nutritious eating can be both fun and beneficial with the four-week Colorful Choices Wellness Challenge! This program will take place from Monday, March 4, to Sunday, March 31. Each day, participants will log fruit and vegetable servings in a virtual blender, aiming to include a variety of colors for points.
This engaging program offers tips on creating flavorful, nutritious meals, and snacks. Registration is open Wednesday, February 14, through Friday, March 8.
Drawings for prizes will take place weekly during the challenge and at its completion. Teams with the highest active participation can win five Nutribullet Pros.
Earn up to $100 with 2024 Wellness Rewards
Our annual Employee Wellness Incentive program is open for participation for employees subscribing to FCPS healthcare plans with Cigna or Kaiser Permanente.
Click the appropriate link below for simple steps to redeem a gift card worth up to $100:
If you have questions about the Wellness Incentive Program, please email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Wellness Incentive Program HUB page.
Sharing Culture and Wishing Every Young Person Well
Sara Tae has worked in the Family and School Partnerships office for more than 18 years. In her role as a cultural outreach liaison, she enjoys supporting families and the community by providing connections and resources.
Sara has led many cultural initiatives and was the inaugural Korean podcaster for the FCPS Multilingual Family Podcast. Learn more about Sara's work — and her favorite Lunar New Year traditions — in this Employee Blog.
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How School Counselors Support Student Success
During Academic Matters at last Thursday’s School Board Meeting, Dr. Reid recognized National School Counseling Week. She discussed counselors’ roles, how they support academics, college and career paths, and social-emotional wellness. School counselors' work supports all five pillars of the 2023-30 FCPS Strategic Plan. View Dr. Reid's presentation.
📅 Calendar Reminder: Presidents Day (Holiday)
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All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, for the Presidents Day holiday.
Presidents Day is a time to honor and remember the birthdays and achievements of the country's most distinguished leaders, and to reflect on the role of the president in shaping the nation’s history and development.
See the complete school year calendar. See the employee calendar.
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Staff Staples
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Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!
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