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The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved its fiscal year 2026 budget on May 22, adopting $121 million in reductions that will increase class sizes and cut funding for several programs.

The budget also addresses employee compensation alongside a new collective bargaining agreement. Employees represented by Fairfax Education Unions will receive a 6% raise, while nonunion-represented employees and hourly pay-band workers will receive a 5% increase.

A staffing formula change will reduce the number of general education positions across elementary, middle and high schools. Although class sizes will rise, they are expected to remain within Virginia requirements and Fairfax County Public Schools guidelines.

Central funding will be reduced for Advanced Academic Resource Teachers and Elementary Special Education Department Chairs. Region Office leaders will work with schools to identify school-based funding that could preserve those positions for at least the coming year.

Other reductions include a 3% cut to central office budgets and the elimination of funding for classroom monitors. The spending plan also postpones new social studies curriculum materials and cuts money for electric buses and non-local professional-development travel.

Superintendent Michelle Reid said the reductions would affect students, employees and families, describing the spending plan as the school system’s most difficult budget in years. She said FCPS would continue aligning its spending with its strategic plan while working to recruit and retain educators and support staff.

Reid warned that funding pressures are expected to continue in the coming years. She plans to begin discussions with the School Board and county and state partners about their shared role in financing public education.