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Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle C. Reid has proposed a $4 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, including a 7% salary increase for all employees and additional spending on school security, maintenance and student programs.
The proposal is $297.1 million, or 7.9%, larger than the approved fiscal 2025 budget. It asks Fairfax County for an additional $268.3 million through its transfer to the school system, a 10.4% increase over the previous year’s transfer. The requested transfer is 5.6% higher than the amount FCPS requested last year.
Reid presented the proposal to the Fairfax County School Board on Jan. 23, 2025. More than 85% of the budget would support instruction.
FCPS says 92.5% of its employees are based in schools, the highest percentage among Northern Virginia school systems. Central management represents 1.1% of the division’s total staff, compared with between 2% and 4% in surrounding divisions.
“Schools are the cornerstone of our community,” Reid said. “They are not just places of learning but spaces where futures are forged and community bonds are strengthened.”
$240.8 million for employee raises
The largest highlighted investment is $240.8 million for collective bargaining and a 7% salary increase for all FCPS employees.
If fully funded, the plan would give FCPS the region’s highest starting salary for beginning teachers who hold master’s degrees. School officials view higher compensation as essential to recruiting and retaining educators.
The budget also includes $4.9 million to help teachers earn credentials in Universal Design for Learning and advanced mathematics and to support multilingual-learner initiatives.
Academic performance and student needs
FCPS reported that 75% of its high school students complete at least one college-level-equivalent course. Average SAT scores are 77 points above the Virginia average and more than 150 points above the global average, while more than 94% of students graduate on time.
From the 2022-23 school year to 2023-24, the share of fifth graders taking advanced mathematics rose by nearly 7%. The number of eighth graders enrolled in Algebra I or a higher-level math course increased by 9.5%.
“Our families rightfully have high expectations for their children’s education,” Reid said, pointing to science laboratories, advanced-math teachers, college and career preparation, arts programs and extracurricular activities among families’ priorities.
The proposal provides $20 million for enrollment changes and evolving student needs. Another $23.6 million would cover baseline adjustments for programs and expenses including substitute-teacher incentives, middle school late buses, online campuses, AP and IB test fees, workers’ compensation and school esports stipends.
Security, maintenance and continuing programs
The budget directs $9.3 million toward additional security cameras, a panic-alert system, security vestibules and the Rap Back program. Another $3.6 million would address a backlog of major maintenance work.
Several multiyear initiatives would continue under the plan. Inclusive preschool expansion would receive $2 million.
FCPS would also spend $700,000 on the third year of a five-year effort to add one certified athletic trainer at each of its 25 high schools. An additional $700,000 would expand fine and performing arts stipends for middle school theater and musicals, high school one-act plays, indoor drumline and indoor color guard.
The superintendent is not proposing any new initiatives this year, with spending instead focused on existing programs aligned with the school division’s strategic plan.