Superintendent Proposes Fiscally Responsible Budget, Focused on Continued Investment in Excellence: When Our Schools Thrive, Fairfax County Thrives

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid has proposed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget that continues to invest in excellence for all students as we raise academic standards, provides competitive compensation for the recruitment and retention of world-class educators, and ensures FCPS acts as responsible custodians of tax dollars.

The FY 2026 Proposed Budget totals $4.0 billion, a net increase of $297.1 million, or 7.9%, over the FY 2025 Approved Budget. As part of this proposal, Dr. Reid is requesting an additional $268.3 million, a 10.4% increase from what was provided in the prior year’s transfer. This transfer request is only a 5.6% increase from last year’s request. 

More than 85% of the budget, presented to the Fairfax County School Board on January 23, is dedicated to instruction. In FCPS, 92.5% of employees are school-based, the highest share of any Northern Virginia school system. FCPS administrative staffing is lean, with a ratio of central management staff to total staff of 1.1% while surrounding divisions are between 2-4%. That’s because FCPS believes that the majority of our budget should be spent in the classroom.

“Schools are the cornerstone of our community. They are not just places of learning but spaces where futures are forged and community bonds are strengthened,” Dr. Reid said. “Families move to Fairfax because they seek the quality and promise of our schools. We do not take that responsibility lightly.”

And FCPS is succeeding: 75% of FCPS high school students complete at least one college level equivalent course. The school division’s mean SAT scores are 77 points higher than the state average and more than 150 points higher than the global average. More than 94% of FCPS students graduate on time. 

FCPS has seen a nearly 7% increase in fifth graders taking advanced math and a 9.5% increase in the number of students taking Algebra I or higher level math courses in eighth grade from school year 2022-23 to 2023-24.

“Our families rightfully have high expectations for their children’s education,” Dr. Reid said. “Families expect that we will provide top-of-the-line science labs, educators who are certified to teach higher level math, and a wide array of career and college prep programs to develop students who are highly competitive in the job search and college application process, as well as strong arts and extracurriculars.”

High support begins with prioritizing competitive compensation to ensure that FCPS can recruit and retain educators that can provide those world-class education experiences. The budget allocates $240.8 million toward a 7.0% salary increase for all FCPS staff. If funded, that increase would result in FCPS offering the highest starting salary for beginning teachers with master’s degrees in our area. 

The budget also continues to invest in multiyear programs, including inclusive preschool, certified athletic trainers, family liaisons, and fine and performing arts. Additional funds are allocated to security priorities including vestibules, security tools, and additional cameras.

Under this proposed budget, FCPS is maximizing its resources while focusing our attention on initiatives that align with the Strategic Plan. With cost savings in mind, no new initiatives will be sought this year.

FCPS sets high academic expectations for each and every student, and high expectations require high support. In balancing the needs of our students and staff, the FY 2026 Proposed Budget will #InvestInExcellence for every member of the FCPS community.

Proposed Budget at a Glance

Providing competitive compensation 

At FCPS, we know that competitive compensation drives student success because well-paid educators are committed to high-quality instruction. To achieve this goal, the budget includes:

• $240.8 million for Collective Bargaining, providing a 7% salary increase for all employees.

Meeting the changing needs of Fairfax County’s youth

• The proposed budget includes $23.6 million for baseline adjustments to programs including our substitute teacher incentive, middle school late buses, online campuses, AP/IB test fees, workers compensation, and stipends for school esports programs.
• $20.0 million to adjust for enrollment and changing student needs.

Safe school buildings

• $3.6M to address the backlog of major maintenance
• $9.3M to enhance safety and security in schools to include additional security cameras, panic alert system, security vestibules and the Rap Back program.

Empowering educators to provide differentiated services to students

• We will invest $4.9 million to help better prepare teachers by providing credentials in the Universal Design for Learning, advanced math credentialing, and Multilingual Learner Initiatives.

Continuing multiyear initiatives for students and staff

• Inclusive Preschool Expansion – $2.0 million
• Certified Athletic Trainers Year 3 – Funding to address the third year of a five-year plan to provide one additional certified athletic trainer at each of the 25 high schools - $0.7 million
• Fine and Performing Arts Stipends Year 3 – Expand fine and performing arts stipends for middle school theatre and musicals, high school one act plays, indoor drumline and indoor color guard - $0.7 million

For more information, please visit FCPS’ Budget webpage.