Fairfax County School Board Adopts FY 2024 Advertised Budget Focused on Student Success and Teacher Recruitment
On Thursday evening, the Fairfax County School Board adopted the FY 2024 Advertised Budget which prioritizes student achievement, and recruiting and retaining outstanding educators.
The FY 2024 Advertised Budget totals $3.5 billion–a net increase of $249.6 million or 7.6% over the FY 2023 Approved Budget. To support the investments included in this budget, the superintendent is requesting an additional $159.6 million, or a 7.0% increase, from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Nearly 86% of the Advertised Budget is targeted at instruction.
The budget includes innovative investments that aim to close the achievement gap for all students, including:
- $15.0 million to support the implementation of the Equitable Access to Literacy Plan, with evidence-based language arts basal resources for students. Six million dollars is also included to develop more strategies toward closing the achievement gap.
- $2.0 million to increase access to PreK programs, which provides resources to accommodate 10 additional PreK classrooms.
- $2.0 million to be allocated to the Special Education Compensatory Services Fund to address learning loss in students with disabilities which was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- $1.6 million for implementation of the final phase-in of recommendations from the advanced academic external review to support students in Advanced Academic Programs.
- $65.2 million and 679.2 positions to address changing student needs, including increased numbers of students requiring English as a Second Language Services and special education services, and enrollment growth.
Additional investments are earmarked to support student mental health and wellness, which impact students’ ability to thrive in school--and life. Funding will also allow an increase in family liaisons across all schools, extended high school counseling for students into the summer break, and free access to middle school athletics.
In light of the ongoing teacher shortage throughout the country, the FY 2024 Advertised Budget seeks to position FCPS as the preferred place to work by offering competitive financial packages to attract and retain excellent teachers and staff. The budget includes:
- $80.9 million to provide a market scale adjustment of 3.0% for all employees.
- $58.2 million to provide a step increase for all eligible employees.
- $19.9 million to provide a 1.0% retention bonus for employees who were employed with FCPS in FY 2023 and remain employed with FCPS in FY 2024.
- $4.3 million to provide a step extension for all scales.
Special Education Teacher Extended Day contracts currently funded in FY 2023 with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funds will continue to be funded with ESSER III in FY 2024.
Increased security measures and continuation of green investments are also acknowledged in the FY 2024 Advertised Budget.
The School Board is scheduled to present the FY 2024 Advertised Budget to the County Board of Supervisors (BOS) on April 11. FCPS is extremely grateful to the County Executive and BOS for their support and looks forward to our continued collaboration.
