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Greetings from Your FCPS Braddock District School Board Member
Hello! I am honored to continue to serve on the Fairfax County School Board, but in a new capacity! I am so proud and privileged to represent the Braddock District on the board through 2027! For those who are new to me - hello, and I look forward to getting to know you! While serving at-large, representing the entire county, was gratifying, I am pleased to now represent the Braddock District where I have lived, worked and raised my children since 2001. My children are thriving in college and beyond because of the education they received in FCPS, and that is what I want for each and every child.
A little about me: Previously, I served as an at-large School Board member from 2020-23, including a term as Board Chair and a term as Board Vice Chair, among other roles.
In addition, I am a lawyer, college professor, and advocate whose passion lies in ensuring that our schools are safe and inclusive with an excellent education for each child. My journey began through supporting my child with a disability, but what I learned through his journey applies to everyone: that every child comes to FCPS with unique talents and needs. Our job is to foster those talents and meet those needs so every child has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed.
I have learned from my own experiences as a parent that advocating for your own child in public schools is a complex and often overwhelming undertaking, and I bring that perspective to my daily work as a school board member.
Being a representative of a geographic district means I’m shifting my focus from the entire county to you - my Braddock constituents and the 22 schools that lie within the Braddock boundaries. I would like to ask you to partner with me in this effort by letting me know what is important to you, as well as sharing the specific successes and challenges that your children and families face as part of this vibrant community. Invite me to your events and share with me your thoughts so I can better serve you!
I have a new staff aide, Bill Farrar, who is a Braddock district resident and FCPS parent, and he and I have many plans for outreach to the Braddock community - so stay tuned for opportunities to be heard and get involved. In the meantime, below is more information about Bill. Bill’s email is wrfarrar@fcps.edu and you can always reach me at rsizemorehei@fcps.edu.
In the meantime, I thank you for all you do to support our children, teachers and schools. I take this job and my obligation to you seriously. And I feel strongly that I want to serve the school system and community that set my own children on their paths to success.
Please see below for more information on school board and FCPS news:
As always, I am here to serve you! Please feel free to reach out to Bill or me anytime!
All my best,
Rachna
February is Black History Month
It’s often said that Black history is American history. The story of our country, and that of Fairfax County, is inextricably entwined with the stories of Black people – not only the endless accomplishments and contributions, but the systematic marginalization and disenfranchisement which sadly continues today.
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
During Black History Month and always, it is critical that even as we as a school system embrace steps forward – such as the recent renaming of a school building once dedicated to the memory of a segregationist to instead honor the father of Black history, Carter G. Woodson – that we not only invoke Mr. Woodson’s name but live up to his legacy.
I challenge everyone in the FCPS community to commit with me to celebrate diversity, support the Black community’s histories, tradition and culture, understand the on-going struggle for human rights, and commit to ending racism and discrimination in our community and beyond.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month. Read the School Board’s Black History Month proclamation.
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Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Focuses on Recruiting and Retaining Quality Educators
We are in the midst of budget season! We will vote on our advertised budget at our regular business meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22 - you can come to the meeting, watch the live stream, or watch later on YouTube. More information here: https://www.fcps.edu/school-board/school-board-meetings
Budget Documents:
Here is a link to the budget documents: Budget Documents | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu)
Here is my synopsis of the budget and process, in case this is helpful to you.
What is the Budget Process?
- Dr. Reid presented her FY25 advertised budget at the Board meeting on Feb. 9. This is our “ask”, since our funders haven’t yet passed their budgets, so our total revenue is unknown at this point. Our budget timeline follows the federal government, which means our fiscal year starts on July 1 each year.
- The Board of Supervisors will pass its budget in May, which includes the amount of money they plan to transfer to the schools.
- The state then will pass its budget, finalizing our funding amount from the state.
- Once we know the funding amount we will receive from our funding sources - the School Board will pass our FY25 budget later in May.
- We will allocate year end funds in July. 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 the Superintendent has recommended to be addressed at year end.
- Depending on when the state passes its budget, we may have to address additional state initiatives at a later date.
Who Funds FCPS?
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FCPS does not have the authority to raise our own revenue, so we rely on our county, state, and federal partners to fund our schools.
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Approximately 19% of our funding comes from the state, which has underfunded public education according to the bipartisan JLARC study. See Rpt575-3.pdf (virginia.gov)
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A few findings from the JLARC study - Virginia school divisions receive less K-12 state funding per student than the 50-state average and the regional average, which equates to a loss of approximately $1,900 per student. Many neighboring states spend more per pupil, including West Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland. The current state funding formula - the SOQs - dramatically underestimates the actual costs of public education, as evidenced by the fact that the SOQ formula provided $6.6 billion less than what was spent by local school divisions in FY 2021.
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Approximately 70% of our funding comes from Fairfax County. Due to state funding formulas that result in significant local funding requirements to Fairfax County, we thank our local taxpayers and the County Board for their strong support for our schools! We know strong schools drive a strong economy - often people and businesses move here for the schools and great county services. Traditionally, schools have received 52.6% of the county budget, similar to other school systems. Last year, FCPS received closer to 51.5% of the overall county budget and this year, according to the Washington Post, County Executive Bryan Hill’s proposed budget gives 49% of the total proposed budget to the schools. See - https://wapo.st/48j1OKE
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About 10% of our budget comes from the federal government, mostly through grants, contracts with the City of Fairfax, and a few other funding sources.
What is Our Budget Ask? See FY-2025-Proposed-Budget-Presentation.pdf (fcps.edu) and FY-2025-Proposed-Budget.pdf (fcps.edu)
Our focus this year is on educating our students, compensating our teachers and continuing the work of providing a world class education experience, with strong academics, meeting each child’s needs, expanded access to athletics and support for the arts, and ensuring we continue the multi-year initiatives in which we have already invested time and resources.
- Approximately 86% of our current budget is allocated to instructional programs and instruction remains our focus in the FY25 Advertised Budget.
- Given the significant teacher shortage crisis, our primary focus is providing competitive compensation. The budget includes a 6% compensation increase, which is in alignment with our surrounding jurisdictions. We have to remain competitive, or we will keep losing teachers and staff to our surrounding areas, especially since it is often less costly to live in nearby counties.
- The second largest focus of the budget is student educational needs - maintaining class sizes and addressing the growing enrollment and growing percentage of students who have higher support needs. Students with higher support needs are a significant portion of our increase in enrollment and a larger percentage of our overall student population in comparison to previous years.
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This is a needs-based budget, as required by state law. It is also a bare bones budget required to recruit and retain our best teachers and provide students with the education they need in this era of increased costs, higher expectations on school systems, and greater student needs. We cannot continue to provide a world class education without world class teachers. Currently, we rank 4th in compensation in comparison to our surrounding jurisdictions.
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FCPS is not proposing major new initiatives this year to respect the increased pressure on real estate taxes and in deference to the county’s fiscal forecast and revenue projections. We are also committed to continue to look for efficiencies and are committed to fiscal responsibility. If we want Fairfax County to remain a premier school system, in the future we must consider initiatives to support that such as expanding STEAM programs, greater access to CTE and advanced academics, enhanced security measures, increasing counseling support, and preparing students for the jobs of the future, even more important in an AI world. There is much work to be done and together we can keep our excellent schools strong and our county a place for all to live, work, and play comfortably.
- Capital Improvement Projects (renovations) are funded separately through bond funding (see CIP below)
Want to have a say?
I welcome your thoughts and feedback as we move through this process. Please email me at rsizemorehei@fcps.edu.
Since the majority of our funding comes from the county and the state, if you would also like to participate in those budget processes, here are some options:
Fairfax County’s Budget Process:
Provide your input in one of several ways:
- Online, email, voicemail: https://bit.ly/42LRjye
- Text feedback: FY25Budget to 73224
- Attend district budget town halls in March
- In person, phone, recorded video at April 16-18 public hearings
Virginia's Budget Process Information:
U.S. Supreme Court Allows Thomas Jefferson HS Admissions Policy to Stand
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday let stand an appeals court decision upholding the admissions policy for the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), ending a three-year legal challenge by a group that claimed the policy was unfair.
The Fairfax County School Board adopted the plan in late 2020 to address the shortcomings in an admissions system that persistently drew students from just a handful of the County’s middle schools and resulted in classes that lacked the socioeconomic and geographic diversity seen in the other schools. The plan raised the minimum GPA and class size, guaranteed every middle school a certain number of seats, and eliminated the standardized tests and application fee that had long been part of the admission process.
Read FCPS' full statement on this matter.
Introducing Our New Braddock District Staff Aide
I am pleased to introduce my new Braddock District School Board Staff Aide Bill Farrar (he/him/his). As my right hand, Bill will be responsible for constituent relations, community outreach, research, coordinating my calendar, serving as liaison with the administration and schools, and other duties.
Bill has a long background in strategic communications, local government, non-profit advocacy and higher education. He lives in the Braddock District with his wife and son who attends an FCPS elementary school in the Braddock District. He also has two adult sons who live in Richmond and Asheville, N.C., and a new grandson. Please feel free to reach out to Bill at wrfarrar@fcps.edu with district concerns, or just to welcome him to my office!
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Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
- Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
- Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
- Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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Bravo for FCPS' Performing Arts Programs
From left, School Board Members Ryan McElveen (at-large), Marcia St. John-Cunning (Franconia), Ilryong Moon (at-large), Karl Frisch (chair, Providence), Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock).
If you are seeking quality performing arts in Fairfax County, look no further than our own high schools and secondary schools for the finest talent anywhere!
I had a fantastic time at Fairfax Academy's opening night production of "Cry Baby the Musical!" with my fellow board members (above), as well as at recent performances of “Something Rotten” at Lake Braddock Secondary School and Matilda The Musical Jr. at Robinson Secondary School.
The dancing and singing were phenomenal, the comedic timing impeccable, the acting, costumes and sets first-rate, and the energy infectious. I felt like I was on Broadway - these shows were that good! Congratulations to all performers, faculty and the countless others who had a hand in these amazing productions.
School Board Approves FY2025-29 Capital Improvement Program
Link to CIP: Proposed-FCPS-FY-2025-29-CIP.pdf
What are Capital Projects?
- Capital projects include new school construction and/or repurposing of existing buildings, capacity enhancements, facility renovations, and site acquisitions.
- The FCPS Capital Improvement Program (CIP) annually reviews current student membership analysis and facilities data to identify future capacity needs and capital requirements. Capital projects include new school construction and/or repurposing of existing buildings, capacity enhancements, facility renovations, and site acquisitions.
- The proposed FY2025-29 CIP outlines plans for:
- New school construction at Dunn Loring Elementary School.
- Renovations and capacity enhancements at schools across the division.
- Other projects and long-range planning include new construction and repurposing projects such as an early childhood center, as well as a western high school, renovations, and site acquisition.
- Project design and planning reflect current research and best practices regarding safe and effective learning spaces for students, and serve as a reflection of FCPS’ desire to continue to serve all students.
Funding
- Estimated funding shown in the CIP assumes general obligation bond sales of $205 Million (M) in FY24. Beginning in FY25, the general obligation bond sales will increase an additional $25M to $230M. This funding was increased through the Joint CIP Committee of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the School Board.
- The FY2024-28 five-year capital requirement totals approximately $1.4 billion. Funds approved in the 2021 School Bond Referendum and previous referenda will address approximately $470M of the five-year requirement leaving a balance of approximately $935M unfunded and awaiting future bonds.
- Our funding for renovations comes on taxpayer-approved bond referendums to fund its Capital Improvement Program. We thank Fairfax County voters for approving the 2023 School Bond Referendum.
Renovation Queue
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes a ranked renovation queue of schools. FCPS has experienced atypically high construction costs over the past two years as a result of inflation and supply chain issues. The School Board’s policy has a goal to renovate school buildings every 20-to-25 years. The renovation projects are funded from a finite amount of money available by the County’s sale of general obligation bonds after voter approval of school bond referendums. The current renovation cycle is 42 years.
The current approved CIP renovation queue is expected to have projects funded for either planning and design or construction by 2031. The new renovation queue is in the initial stages of development. A professional consultant is engaging stakeholder groups for help with establishing the criteria by which facilities will be evaluated and prioritized. This will include a facility condition assessment and an evaluation of the buildings. Once completed, future CIPs will include the new proposed renovation queue for School Board approval.
Financial and Environmental Sustainability
The Asset Management Program and Environmental Sustainability are also highlighted in the CIP:
- The Asset Management Program is responsible for conducting and capturing asset inventory of facilities-related equipment at schools and offices to identify the division's infrastructure backlog and future funding requirements.
- Environmental Sustainability includes FCPS initiatives to proactively address climate change and environmental sustainability.
- These programs are aligned with the Fairfax County Joint Environmental Task Force (JET) goals to demonstrate how the division is aligning its policies and procedures to achieve carbon reduction.
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Congratulations to FCPS' Own GRAMMY Winner Annie Ray!
Kudos to Annandale High School Orchestra Director Annie Ray, who was selected as this year's recipient of the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Award!
Ray, who was named FCPS' Outstanding Secondary School Teacher in 2023, attended the star-studded awards event in Los Angeles on Feb. 4 to receive the honor and rub shoulders with some of the music industry's top artists and producers.
“Most of all I want to thank my students to whom this award actually belongs,” she said. The love of making music has been our unity and community. Thank you all for allowing me to guide you in this, I am humbled to accept this award for you all.”
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FCCPTA Leading Community Engagement
Thanks so much to the wonderful Parent Teacher Association representatives from the Braddock District and others who were so gracious to meet with me this month at the Fairfax County Council PTA School Board Meet & Greet. I always gain so much from these conversations and am amazed at the talent and passion of our volunteer leaders!
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.
© 2023 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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