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Dear FCPS Community,
Over the past several weeks, my office has received a higher-than-normal volume of constituent dialogue on various issues before the School Board, including the school calendar and boundaries. We sincerely appreciate everyone who has taken the time to write, call, and share feedback. My team is working diligently to log all communications and ensure constituent input is reviewed as these conversations continue.
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, I want to wish all FCPS families, students, educators, and staff a safe and meaningful holiday. Memorial Day is an important opportunity to pause, reflect, and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. I hope everyone is able to enjoy time with family and loved ones as we remember their sacrifice.
Budget Update
Last night, the Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved the FY 2027 Budget by a vote of 12-0. This budget reflects our continued commitment to students, classrooms, and the staff who serve our school communities every day.
The FY 2027 budget includes a $4.1 billion operating fund and serves a projected enrollment of almost 175,000 students. Importantly, FCPS continues to direct the vast majority of its resources toward students and schools: 85% of the budget is spent on instruction, and more than 92% of FCPS employees are school-based.
Throughout this budget process, we prioritized keeping funding in place for student-facing staff and programs; in other words, we are focusing taxpayer dollars into the classrooms. I am pleased that we were able to avoid cuts to core programs, while fully funding teacher pay raises, lowering class sizes, supporting special education needs, protecting Advanced Academic Resource Teachers and family liaisons, and investing in student activities and athletics.
Principles of Sound Financial Management
Also last night, the School Board approved my budget follow-on motion to begin the process of adopting Principles of Sound Financial Management by a 10-2 vote.
This motion will help bring the School Board in alignment with the Board of Supervisors’ longstanding financial management principles and demonstrates our commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources in a transparent manner. These principles, adopted in 1975, have helped Fairfax County maintain a triple-A bond rating and saves taxpayers more than $1.06 billion in borrowing costs. I believe FCPS can benefit from a similar framework to support long-term stability and success for our schools.
As I shared following the vote: “This brings us in alignment with Fairfax County’s Ten Principles of Sound Financial Management and shows taxpayers that we are committed to being responsible stewards of public resources for education.”
This work also builds on FCPS’ recent recognition as a recipient of the 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence from The Partnership for Excellence, the first time an education applicant has received the Gold Award during its first application process. This recognition reflects FCPS’ commitment to strong organizational practices, including good leadership, alignment of key processes across 266 schools and centers, and a continued focus on students as the ultimate measure of our success.
I'd like to thank Ricardy Anderson from the Mason District for seconding my motion. As we move forward from this budget, these principles should guide our work to ensure FCPS remains focused on student outcomes, responsible stewardship, and long-term fiscal excellence.
Committee Openings
I am also seeking constituents interested in serving on School Board advisory committees. In particular, I am prioritizing applicants for the brand new Educational Technology Review Committee (ETRC).
FCPS is establishing the ETRC to help guide the responsible, effective, and equitable use of technology in our schools. As technology continues to shape student learning, communication, and access to instruction, it is important that FCPS hears directly from the people closest to our classrooms, including students, families, educators, and school-based leaders.
The committee will advise FCPS leadership on the implementation of educational technology across the division, including issues related to artificial intelligence, digital learning tools, student safety, accessibility, privacy, and well-being. Members will serve a one-year term and may be reappointed. The committee will meet regularly during the school year, with additional working group meetings as needed.
As one of your At-Large representatives, I will appoint one Fairfax County resident to serve on this new advisory body. If you are interested in applying for the Educational Technology Review Committee, please complete the application here: https://forms.gle/wVo3FporaAm4tg6Y9.
In addition, I have new openings on several existing School Board advisory committees:
- Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee
- Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities
- Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee
These committees provide important community input and help ensure that FCPS decision-making reflects the experiences and needs of students, families, educators, and residents across Fairfax County.
If you are interested in applying for one of these additional committee openings, you can learn more and apply here: https://forms.gle/YaPuDNvWguiQhy3C9
Please note that if you previously applied for committee openings through my office, those applications were for different openings. I ask that you apply again if you are still interested in serving.
Skyview Town Hall on Boundaries
I am hosting a town hall for those interested in hearing the latest information on Skyview High School on June 8. I encourage families and community members to attend, ask questions, and share their perspectives.
Register here:
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/meeting/register/jJI7ZHoETci2ZZm0wGX1qw
Thank you again to everyone who continues to engage thoughtfully and constructively with our office. Your input matters, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve our students, families, educators, and community.
Sincerely,
Kyle McDaniel
Fairfax County School Board
Member, At-Large
Other Updates
🍴 Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer.
If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.
💻 No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting your school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
🧩 Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun
The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!
This free event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.
New this year: The school with the most solvers will win a special visit from Sue Doku! Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!
🎓 Colleges and Universities Still Accepting Applications
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has released its annual College Openings Update. This voluntary listing features NACAC-member postsecondary institutions that are still accepting applications from prospective first-year and transfer students for the fall 2026 semester.
Students and families are encouraged to use this tool to search for colleges that still have space available. Users may narrow down the list of schools by state and view whether a school still has financial aid and available student housing. Please note that this list is updated daily.
Additionally, NACAC has created a waiver request form for enrollment deposit fees that some institutions will consider for students experiencing significant financial hardship. Learn more about the enrollment deposit fee waiver and eligibility. Students and families may contact their school counselor and college and career specialist with any questions.
Students who still need assistance applying for federal or state financial aid can schedule a free appointment with our partners at College Access Fairfax by emailing appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org. Support provided by your school or College Access Fairfax is free.
🏊 New Advanced Swimming & Lifeguard Certification Course Coming This Fall
Fairfax County Public Schools will offer a new course, Advanced Swimming and Lifeguard Certification, for the 2026-27 school year. This course will be open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and will be held at Skyview High School. Students from all FCPS high schools are eligible to enroll.
Students enrolled in the course will have the opportunity to take the lifeguard certification test in spring 2027. Those who successfully pass will earn American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, including deep water certification.
Information about transportation between base schools and Skyview High School is being finalized and will be shared once it is available. Directors of Student Services will begin enrolling students by June 1. If your student is interested in this opportunity, please encourage them to speak with their school counselor.
📰 FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Graduation and Summer Resources
- Check Your Lunch Balance
- Mental Health Support
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Calendar Reminder
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Jewish American Heritage Month
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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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