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The school board unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 budget on May 22, pairing employee raises with larger classes and significant reductions to staffing, programs and classroom resources.

The final budget cuts $121 million from the school system’s needs-based proposal after years of funding shortfalls. Officials said the reductions will affect students, employees and families.

Employees represented by Fairfax Education Unions will receive a 6% compensation increase. Other employees, including hourly pay-band workers, will receive a 5% raise as the division works to recruit and retain educators and support staff.

Class sizes will increase under an adjusted staffing formula that reduces general education positions in elementary, middle and high schools. Classes are expected to remain within Virginia requirements and the school system’s internal guidelines.

Central funding will be reduced for Advanced Academic Resource Teachers and elementary special education department chairs. Regional leaders will work with individual schools to find school-based funding to maintain those positions for at least the coming year.

The budget also delays new social studies curriculum materials, trims central-office spending by 3% and eliminates funding for classroom monitors. Spending on electric buses and non-local professional-development travel will also be reduced.

School officials expect financial pressure to continue in future years and plan to begin budget discussions with county and state partners about their shared responsibility for education funding.