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Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle C. Reid has proposed a $4 billion fiscal 2026 budget that would give all employees a 7% salary increase while directing additional money toward academics, security and changing student needs.
The proposal is $297.1 million, or 7.9%, larger than the approved fiscal 2025 budget. It seeks an additional $268.3 million from the county, a 10.4% increase over the transfer provided last year. The requested transfer is 5.6% higher than the amount sought a year earlier.
Reid presented the plan Jan. 23. More than 85% of the proposed budget would go toward instruction.
School-based employees make up 92.5% of the FCPS workforce, the highest share among Northern Virginia school systems. Central management accounts for 1.1% of total staffing, compared with 2% to 4% in surrounding divisions.
Reid called schools a cornerstone of the community, saying they shape students’ futures, strengthen local ties and attract families seeking high-quality education.
$240.8 Million for Employee Pay
The proposal allocates $240.8 million for collective bargaining and a 7% salary increase for every FCPS employee. If funded, the school system said it would offer the region’s highest starting salary for beginning teachers with master’s degrees.
FCPS views competitive compensation as essential to recruiting and retaining educators who can provide advanced academics, career preparation, arts and extracurricular opportunities.
Reid said families expect modern science laboratories, teachers qualified to offer higher-level mathematics and a broad selection of college and career preparation programs.
Academic Programs and Student Support
The budget includes $23.6 million in baseline adjustments for substitute-teacher incentives, middle school late buses, online campuses, AP and IB examination fees, workers’ compensation and school esports stipends.
Another $20 million would cover enrollment changes and evolving student needs. The plan also provides $4.9 million to help educators obtain credentials or training in Universal Design for Learning, advanced mathematics and multilingual learner initiatives.
The division reported that more than 94% of its students graduate on time and 75% of high school students complete at least one college-level equivalent course. Its average SAT score is 77 points above Virginia’s average and more than 150 points above the global average.
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%.
Security, Maintenance and Continuing Programs
The proposal directs $9.3 million toward school security, including additional cameras, panic-alert systems, secure vestibules and the Rap Back program. Another $3.6 million would address a backlog of major maintenance projects.
Inclusive preschool expansion would receive $2 million as part of continued investment in multiyear initiatives.
The third year of a five-year plan to add one certified athletic trainer at each of 25 high schools would receive $700,000. 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.
Funding would also continue for family liaisons and other existing programs. With an emphasis on savings, FCPS is proposing no new initiatives for the fiscal year and would instead concentrate resources on established priorities tied to its strategic plan.