These smiles say it all — learning is better together with Teacher Kim West at Vienna Elementary School.
School Board Unanimously Adopts the 2025-26 Budget
At its Thursday night meeting, the Fairfax County School Board unanimously adopted the 2025-26 Fiscal Year budget. The budget addresses staff compensation including a 6% increase for employees represented by Fairfax Education Unions (FEU). Non-FEU represented employees and hourly pay band employees will receive a 5% increase. See the FY 2026 Salary Scales for more information.
Developing the FY 2026 budget was quite a challenge in light of a $121 million shortfall. Very tough decisions had to be made to bridge the funding gap. (View the news release for details.)
The approved budget also delays new social studies curriculum materials, reduces central office budgets by 3%, eliminates funding for classroom monitors, and cuts funding for electric buses and non-local travel used for professional development.
Central funding for advanced academic resource teachers (AARTs) and elementary special education department chairs will be reduced. However, Region Office leaders will work with schools to find school-based funding to keep those positions whole for at least the coming year.
Read more about the FY 2026 Approved Budget.
🏅 Students, Staff, and Community Members Recognized by SEPTA
Fairfax County’s Special Education PTA (SEPTA) recognized 21 groups and individuals at their annual Excellence Awards last month. These awards recognize the students, staff, and community members who see, value, and celebrate children for their strengths while also supporting their needs.
Award winners were chosen from approximately 200 nominations from schools across all grade levels in FCPS. View the full list of SEPTA Excellence Award winners.
Reflecting on 50 Years of Technology, Camaraderie, and Paperwork
Sara Kennedy, special education teacher at Union Mill Elementary School, is a product of FCPS. In her senior year of high school, Sara had to complete a volunteer/internship project. She shadowed a neighbor who worked as a special education teacher. Sara saw how her neighbor was able to work in small groups with students who needed extra help or time to understand concepts in the classroom. This sparked her interest in pursuing special education as a career.
This year she celebrates her 50th year of teaching special education in FCPS and her 39th year at Union Mill Elementary School! Read about the changes Sara has witnessed and her favorite parts of her job.
📐 Math and Science Olympiad Programs Provide Engaging STEAM Experiences
In the Strategic Plan portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed Math and Science Olympiad programs and Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity. Math and Science Olympiad programs provide engaging STEAM educational experiences at no cost to students for participation, transportation, and meals. Participation in out-of-classroom activities has been linked to a number of academic benefits (consistent attendance, academic achievement, and college-going).
Science Olympiad has substantial engagement across FCPS with more than 500 students at 37 elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school participating. Dr. Reid shared a video showing how students enjoy the opportunity to enhance their problem solving skills outside of the classroom.
Read more about Math and Science Olympiad in Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
FCPS Learning Model Resource Summer Opportunity
There are two paid opportunities for pre-K to 12th grade school-based educators to help develop and organize teacher-centered resources for the FCPS Learning Model Instructional Framework. This work will support educators in implementing the framework's four key domains: Learner-Centered Environment, Universally Designed Curriculum, Meaningful Learning Experiences, and Purposeful Assessment.
Each opportunity requires two in-person days. Selected individuals who are not on contract will be compensated at the teacher's hourly curriculum rate. See the application form for more information.
If you have skills in curating high-quality resources and are interested in shaping the future of instruction in FCPS, please complete the application form by Monday, June 9. All applicants will be notified of their status by Monday, June 16.
🍼 Expectant Parents Workshop
A virtual workshop for expectant parents will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 4 to 5 p.m. It will provide information on the leaves and disability benefits offered by FCPS following the birth (maternity and paternity), adoption, or fostering of a child.
Participants will learn about FCPS leave benefit programs (including paid parental leave), application procedures, and health and wellness resources; and they will review the enrollment process for health insurance and other optional benefits.
The workshop is open to all employees who would like more information on the benefits and resources provided by FCPS. Register in MyPDE.
Mental Health and Wellness Supports for Students
During last week’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented FCPS' mental health and wellness supports in her Academic Matters report. She highlighted how FCPS supports student mental health through school-based services, policies, family resources, and community mental health partnerships. These include clubs like Our Minds Matter, which is student-led and encourages self-care, healthy habits, social connectedness, and suicide prevention.
She also highlighted substance misuse prevention initiatives, including Become Unskippable, a campaign which offers practical guidance for families on how to talk to their teens about difficult subjects, including the dangers of fentanyl.
📍 Community Boundary Review Meetings
You are invited to participate in a series of community meetings to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before the start of summer break:
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Wednesday, May 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School
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Thursday, May 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School
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Friday, May 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Chantilly High School
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Friday, June 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School
Click on the date to register. Each meeting will be hybrid (in-person and virtual). Child care for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed. If you register to attend online, you will receive a Zoom link within 24 business hours. The email will come from “no-reply@zoom.us.” Check your spam folder if you do not receive the link.
At each meeting, the consultant will be using an online tool that allows participants to submit feedback during the meetings. Comments will be displayed to meeting participants in real time, and all collected input will be compiled, analyzed, and uploaded to our Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage.
🗓️ Employee Calendar for 2025-26
Be sure to bookmark the 2025-26 Employee Calendar.
📰 Last Regular Issue of Employee News
The last regular issue of Employee News will be published on Tuesday, June 17.
Staff Staples
Note: Some links in this email require a connection to the FCPS network. If you have any questions, please visit the FCPS Tech Support Portal to search for self help articles or submit a ticket.
Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Thank you!
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