Fairfax County School Board Adopts FY 2025 Budget, Focusing Available Resources on Staff Compensation Toward Goal of Educational Excellence
The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget at their board meeting last night. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million, or 6.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget.
The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students, and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
The approved budget includes a 4% compensation increase for all employees, funding to maintain class sizes in light of projected enrollment growth, continuation of key multiyear initiatives, and resources to support student well-being outside the classroom. The approved budget also maintains the mid-year 2% compensation increase for all employees approved by the School Board in January.
The FY 2025 approved county transfer was $2,584.4 million — less than FCPS’ original request. The state budget designates $19 million in additional funding for FCPS compared to the advertised budget, which helps address some of the funding gap. However, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report released earlier this fiscal year showed that Virginia school divisions receive less per student funding from the state than the 50-state average, the regional average, and three of Virginia’s five bordering states, including Kentucky and West Virginia. If Virginia followed through on JLARC’s funding recommendations to increase state spending on education to the national average, FCPS would receive an additional $568.7 million from Virginia each year.
“While the state’s allotment to FCPS is close to what we anticipated, it is sadly representative of their persistent underfunding of public education — the cornerstone of successful communities," said Dr. Reid. “We remain laser focused on prioritizing resources to ensure that each and every student receives a world-class education and the comprehensive support needed to reach their greatest and unique potential.”
School Board Chair and Providence District Representative Karl Frisch added, “Even as the budget cycle comes to an end, we vow to continue our advocacy in Richmond and elsewhere for the true funding needed to provide competitive compensation for employees, which is critical to realizing our vision for student success. Our hardworking staff and incredible students deserve nothing less.”
Key budget details beyond the compensation increase for employees include:
Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students. This covers an increase of 1,749 students compared to the FY 2024 projection and additional support for students as indicated by free or reduced-price meal eligibility, special education services, or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services.
Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
- Continuing key multiyear initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives by the Joint Environmental Task Force, implementation of a modernized Human Resources system to support core operations, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.
Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Budget items that will be prioritized in the FY 2024 Year End Budget include:
- 30 additional minutes for extended day contracts for special education teachers.
- Funding for the ERFC Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).
- One-time funding for an expansion of athletics including boys volleyball and girls wrestling.
Watch the School Board’s budget discussion. Visit the Budget webpage.
