Share Your Thoughts With the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
You can provide feedback on the county's FY 2026 Advertised Budget by April 24.
Excellence at a Crossroads
FCPS cannot continue to sustain excellence with ongoing underfunding and budget cuts
Fairfax County residents believe in the value of a strong public education system. An excellent public education drives the local economy and brings businesses and opportunities. Excellence in Fairfax County Public Schools means strong academics and limitless opportunities including:
Extracurriculars and activities like elementary strings and foreign languages
State championship sports
Robotics and STEM programs
Award-winning fine arts
Special education programs and services that far exceed state requirements.
Today, that excellence is at a crossroads.
Why It Matters
An excellent public education drives the local economy. Even at a time when employment opportunities may be impacted by changes in the federal government, families still value an outstanding education and better opportunities for their children. Strong schools:
- Attract businesses, skilled workers, and investors
- Increase property values
- Are correlated with better health outcomes, which reduces social costs
- Provide employment: FCPS is one of the top employers in Fairfax County
Visit our Budget webpage to learn about:
- Fiscal Year 2026 budget highlights
- How our budget meets the needs of our students, staff, and families
- How state funding impacts our budget
- What is and isn't covered by the budget
- Our budget development calendar
Strong schools are a benefit to the entire community. Strong schools mean:
- A stronger economy with high-quality businesses and jobs
- Higher property values
- A skilled workforce for the next generation of doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators
- Informed, engaged community members who are educated and invested in our community's future
- Community gathering spaces that support cultural events, charitable initiatives, and volunteer opportunities
For decades, the Commonwealth has underfunded public schools - to the tune of $568.7 million —which is equivalent to $3,100 per pupil. School divisions across the state face continued underfunding by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
FCPS alone is estimated to be underfunded by $568.7 million year over year based on the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study. This equates to approximately $3,100 per student and underscores the need for equitable funding that truly reflects the needs of our community.
Because of this chronic underfunding, FCPS is critically reliant on county funding with less than one third of the budget coming from state, federal, or other sources.
We are at a crossroads. FCPS cannot cut its budget anymore without impacting the classroom experience.
Now is that time. Do we want continued excellence, or are we ready to consider cuts to important programs that we have come to expect from FCPS?
Do we want safe, secure, and up-to-date buildings?
Do we want the best teachers who can afford to live and work in our community?
Do we want to maintain smaller class sizes?
Do we want STEM, middle school athletics, and a wide variety of career and technical programs like our Academies?
Do you believe in the power and promise of public education?
