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Board Meeting Recap: May 22, 2025
Dear Neighbor,
Last night, at the Fairfax County School Board’s regular meeting (agenda | video), we began the evening with a moment of silence to honor Congressman Gerry Connolly, who passed away on Monday following a courageous battle with cancer. Later in the evening, I had this to say:
The board will present a proclamation at our next School Board meeting on Thursday, June 12, at Luther Jackson Middle School, to honor the Congressman’s lifetime of public service. All are welcome to join us.
During the meeting, we also approved the Superintendent's final FY2026 budget. As I noted during my comments, the budget reflected hard choices shaped by tough decisions, but also a landmark victory for educators and some real wins for our students:
In addition to our extensive budget deliberations, the Board discussed mental health programs and the benefits of equitable access to out-of-classroom student experiences like electives and extracurricular activities.
I invite you to learn more about the adopted budget and other topics discussed during last night’s meeting by reviewing the updates below. And, as always, you are welcome to attend School Board meetings (schedule) and register to share your thoughts with us during community participation (sign-up).
In service,
Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents:
Facing Tough Cuts, School Board Unanimously Approves Superintendent’s FY 2026 Budget
Video | Meeting Materials
The School Board approved the Superintendent’s final FY 2026 budget, closing a $149.6 million funding shortfall from the originally proposed Advertised Budget. Addressing this gap and balancing the budget required difficult choices, including a renegotiated collective bargaining compensation package. While the original seven percent across-the-board raise was scaled back, Fairfax Education Union (FEU)-represented teachers and other employees will now receive a six percent raise, and non-FEU staff and hourly workers will receive five percent.
To balance the budget, strategic adjustments were made to how certain positions are funded, with the goal of both reducing costs and protecting key roles in our schools. This includes changes to the funding formulas for elementary special education department chairs and advanced academic resource teachers (AARTs), ensuring that schools can retain these positions full-time next year, though some schools may need other staffing adjustments.
To ensure transparency and accountability, I co-sponsored a successful measure with Braddock District School Board Member Rachna Sizemore Heizer requiring the Superintendent to report back to the Board on her progress in maintaining full-time special education department chairs and AARTs in elementary schools in the 2025-26 school year.
Other savings were realized by deferring new social studies curriculum purchases, discontinuing pandemic-era classroom monitor funding, and reducing funds for electric buses and non-local travel. Additionally, central office departments and the school board office will face a 3 percent budget cut. Despite the tough decisions, this budget continues to prioritize student success and instructional quality in every classroom. After all, teachers’ working conditions are student learning conditions.
Additionally, because the Virginia General Assembly reformed the state’s Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding formula, which failed to reflect the actual costs of education, FCPS received nearly $28.2 million in additional state funding. The move reflected one of 16 recommendations made by the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), which found that Virginia significantly underfunds public education compared to other states. Shockingly, Virginia ranks below both the national and regional averages, with even Kentucky and West Virginia investing more per student.
This first step toward SOQ reform is the direct result of sustained joint advocacy by the School Board, Board of Supervisors, educators, and community members, and we are deeply appreciative of the General Assembly’s responsiveness. If lawmakers adopt all 16 JLARC recommendations to bring Virginia’s investment in public education to the national average, FCPS would see an additional $568.7 million in state funding each year.
I would be remiss if I failed to note the historic achievement of approving the first-ever FCPS collective bargaining agreement in this budget, which reflects years of advocacy and meaningful progress for our educators and students alike. In addition to providing more competitive salaries, the agreement includes meaningful improvements to leave, working conditions, planning time, and other benefits.
That said, this budget reflects hard choices shaped by underfunding. Budgets are values in action, and while this one delivers important progress, it also includes deep cuts and underscores the need for more meaningful and effective collaboration. We are committed to working even harder — together with the state, the county, and all our partners — to do better next year.
Motion: Sizemore Heizer, Second: S. Anderson / Vote: Yes 12, No 0
Academic Matters: Mental Health and Wellness Supports
Video | Meeting Materials
For Academic Matters, the Superintendent presented an overview of the mental health and wellness supports available to students across Fairfax County Public Schools. FCPS provides a range of school-based services, including school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists. These services align with Policy 2121, which outlines a multi-tiered framework addressing prevention and education, assessment and intervention, and crisis support. Supports include risk assessments, counseling, mentoring, and school-based and regional crisis response teams, as well as “Return to Learn” resources for students re-entering the classroom after mental health crises.
The presentation also highlighted partnerships with community organizations such as Healthy Minds Fairfax, Hazel Health, and the Heart Leaf Center. These partnerships expand access to behavioral health services for students at all high schools, middle schools, Title I elementary schools, and beyond. Programs like Our Minds Matter foster student-led mental wellness efforts, while FCPS continues to engage families through resources on suicide prevention, substance misuse, digital safety, and parenting strategies for anxiety and autism.
Strategic Plan Update: Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity
Video | Meeting Materials
For the report on Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity, the Superintendent discussed efforts to ensure that every student has access to high-quality academic programming and supportive resources. The presentation emphasized the importance of out-of-classroom experiences — such as electives, extracurriculars, and enrichment activities — as powerful drivers of academic achievement, student well-being, and engagement. These experiences are especially impactful for students who are economically disadvantaged.
To expand access, FCPS has offered Math and Science Olympiad programs at Title I schools over the past two years, with no cost to students for participation, transportation, or meals. During the 2024–25 school year, more than 650 students from 44 elementary and middle schools participated in the Math Olympiad, while more than 500 students from 40 elementary, middle, and high schools participated in the Science Olympiad. Coaches are compensated for their time and expertise, and competitions include both virtual and in-person formats.
This work reinforces the division’s equity commitment to provide meaningful learning opportunities that reflect students’ strengths, needs, and lived experiences.
Proclamation: Children’s Mental Health and Wellness Month
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board proclaimed May as Children’s Mental Health and Wellness Month and urged all members of our school community to actively participate in activities that promote children’s mental health and wellness throughout the month of May and beyond and work together to ensure that every child in Fairfax County Public Schools has the opportunity to grow, learn, and flourish in a mentally healthy and supportive environment.
Motion: McDaniel, Second: Lady / Vote: Yes 12, No 0
Student Performance of the National Anthem
The Board meeting began with a beautiful performance of the National Anthem by South Lakes High School student, Itsuko Scoville:
Board Matters: Providence District Update
At the end of most meetings, School Board Members provide updates from their communities about school visits, activities, upcoming events, and more. Here is a video of my update from the meeting:
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (Auditor General Annual Report)
- Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español: Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español.
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
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