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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
In last night’s School board meeting, we had several significant developments on important issues to our community. I’m pleased to share the following latest developments with you.
Boundaries
At last night’s School Board meeting, I was proud to move the motion approving the Superintendent’s recommended boundary adjustments, marking the completion of FCPS’s first comprehensive boundary review in more than 40 years. The motion passed 8-3.
This work is an important step toward aligning school boundaries to balance enrollment, ensure equitable access to programs, and improve operational efficiency across FCPS. From the start, my goal was to keep this process data-driven, transparent, and informed by community feedback, and I am confident we achieved that.
Since the adoption of Policy 8130 in July 2024, FCPS has engaged the community at an unprecedented level, with over 6,000 participants across 48 meetings and tens of thousands of public comments collected. While no process of this scale is perfect, staff worked diligently to incorporate feedback at every stage.
The approved adjustments will reduce existing split feeder patterns and address several attendance islands, impacting about 1,700 students across all school levels. These changes improve consistency for families while strengthening long-term planning.
We will continue working with communities identified for further review, update planning data as populations change, and examine enrollment and program trends moving forward. Regular boundary reviews are a best practice, and I am proud to support this thoughtful process.
You can read the superintendent’s final boundary recommendations here.
Budget
Last night, the Superintendent presented the School Board with the FY 2027 Proposed Budget, a needs-based plan that prioritizes our students and staff while navigating ongoing fiscal challenges. The proposed operating budget totals approximately $4.1 billion, reflecting a 5% increase over the FY 2026 approved budget. This proposal reflects the real costs of operating one of the nation’s largest school divisions, including enrollment pressures, rising benefit costs, and our commitments to the collective bargaining agreement, which ensure fair compensation and working conditions for our educators and staff.
This budget focuses on sustaining excellence and stability; there are no new program expansions, and departments were asked to maximize existing resources. This year’s budget also reflects significant financial pressures, including rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, and continued gaps in state funding that require difficult but responsible choices. As we move through work sessions and public hearings, I look forward to continued community engagement as we work to align our budget with our values and advocate for the resources our schools need to succeed.
You can see a summary of the proposed budget here or the full proposed budget book here.
Committee Corner
Last month, the School Board passed my motion to restructure the Facilities Planning Advisory Committee, which provided community input on capital improvement matters. As part of this restructuring, five community advisory seats were added to the School Board’s Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee, which I also chair.
If you are interested in being appointed to one of the five seats, click here for more information. This role plays a critical role in helping guide FCPS work on capital facilities and planning.
Additionally, as part of my duties on the school board, I have the opportunity to appoint qualified Fairfax County residents to serve on School Board committees. This year, I have vacancies on the following committees (click on a committee name to learn more):
If you are interested in serving on any of these committees and meet the requirements, please reach out to my office with a resume and what committee you are interested in, and we will be in touch with more information.
Sincerely,
Kyle McDaniel
Fairfax County School Board
Member, At-Large
Other Updates
 ❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
‘Tis the season for winter weather! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
🧥 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Your school’s principal will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
🌨️ Backup Bus Routes During Inclement Weather
During inclement weather, some roads or neighborhoods may be difficult for our school buses to access safely. In those situations, FCPS’ Transportation Office may use backup bus routes with alternate pickup or drop-off locations. For safety and clarity, these alternate stops are not posted publicly. However, any family affected by a temporary change will be notified directly, typically the evening before, by email, text message, and a phone call.
This long-standing practice helps ensure that only the families who need this information receive it, and it prevents confusion that could cause students to miss their bus. We encourage families to make sure their contact information is up to date so they can receive timely notifications if a backup route is needed this winter. If you have a bus route question, find out who to contact in Transportation Services.
🔔 More News and Updates on-the-Go With the FCPS App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here’s how it makes life easier:
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Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events.
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No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly. There’s no password to remember, and no login is required.
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Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates including weather announcements.
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Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app or download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
☃️ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
🖍️ Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation or any other introductory events our school may host. Read more about the registration process.
Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
Calendar Reminder
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Quarter End - Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday.
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Presidents Day (Holiday)- All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday.
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See the complete school year calendar.
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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