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Fairfax County Public Schools is confronting a $28 million budget gap while preparing to prohibit student cellphone use throughout the school day beginning July 1.
The developments were among several updates released May 13, along with student honors, policy changes and end-of-year calendar reminders.
Budget adjustments proposed
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the fiscal year 2027 budget after the Fairfax County government adopted its spending plan.
FCPS receives most of its funding from the county and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Based on the county’s approved funding level, the school system currently faces a $28 million shortfall. Virginia’s state budget has not yet been finalized.
Reid proposed adjustments at the May 7 School Board meeting that would balance the FCPS budget.
Cellphones to be stored from bell to bell
The School Board also approved changes to the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook to align FCPS rules with Virginia Senate Bill 108.
Beginning July 1, students in every grade must turn off and personally store cellphones, accessories and other smart devices for the entire school day. The restriction covers smartwatches, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses and other internet-connected items.
High school students will no longer be permitted to use personal devices during lunch.
Additional changes for the 2026-27 school year address suspensions, discipline investigations and support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. FCPS also expanded standardized procedures concerning harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior and Title IX reporting.
The revised guidance covers responses to intimate-image incidents, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing and drug-policy violations.
Students earn national recognition
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation awarded scholarships to 31 students attending 12 Fairfax County high schools.
Two other FCPS students advanced to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Floris Elementary School fourth grader Laasya Mohan won the 2026 Fairfax County Spelling Bee, while Rocky Run Middle School eighth grader Aadhya Vijayakumar finished as the first runner-up. Both earned places in the national competition scheduled for May 26.
Teams from Hayfield Secondary School and Marshall High School also represented FCPS at the FIRST Robotics World Championship.
Meanwhile, the FCPS Hispanic Leadership Alliance presented 29 scholarships to high school seniors, adult learners and community leaders.
FCPS wins regional Gold Award
The Partnership for Excellence named FCPS a recipient of its 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence.
The recognition, based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program, is the region’s highest honor for organizational performance, resilience and long-term success. FCPS became the first education applicant to receive the Gold Award on its initial application.
Schools highlight inclusion and student support
The Fairfax County Special Education PTA honored students, educators, staff and community members during its 2026 awards ceremony for their work supporting students with disabilities.
At Canterbury Woods Elementary School, deaf and hard-of-hearing students used technology to experience a live orchestra performance during an instrument “petting zoo.”
FCPS also highlighted transition events designed to help students moving from elementary to middle school or from middle to high school. Reid discussed the programs during a School Board update on creating environments where students feel safe, supported, included and empowered.
Daisy Lee, an enhanced autism teacher at Cub Run Elementary School, was among the March FCPS CARES of the Month recipients. Her nomination credited her consistency, clear expectations and relationships with students and staff for helping students make significant progress.
Other recipients were Jennifer Fisher, Marie Phillips-Journet, Jessica Belcher, Ana Ramirez de Pozo and Greg Shifflett of Stonecroft Transportation; Mallory Bonner of Cunningham Park Elementary; Libby Wray and Julia Stievater of Timber Lane Elementary; Renee Octaviano of Franconia Elementary; Laure Grove of Terra Centre Elementary; and Kelly Bradshaw of Lorton Station Elementary.
Twelve school kitchens honored
FCPS Food and Nutrition Services recognized kitchen employees around National School Lunch Hero Day. The staff serves more than 100,000 student meals each day.
Twelve kitchen teams were selected for their health and safety practices, adaptability, customer service, collaborative leadership and success in increasing program participation.
Free and discounted bus travel available
All Fairfax County middle and high school students may apply for a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card providing free rides on Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week throughout the year.
Students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church and Marshall high schools, as well as Davis Center, may also ride free on approved Metrobus routes. Applications for the student programs must be returned to school offices.
Children ages 12 and younger can ride Fairfax Connector buses free when accompanied by a paying adult.
For low-income residents ages 18 to 65, the Fairfax Connector Transit Ridership Incentive Program offers a 50% fare discount.
Mobile app and attendance reminders
The FCPS mobile app provides school and district news, calendars, breakfast and lunch menus, school contact information, and links to ParentVUE, Schoology and the FCPS website. Updates can be viewed without signing in.
Families are also being urged to maintain regular attendance during the final weeks of school. Full-day absences may be reported through ParentVUE, a school attendance phone line or the school’s designated attendance email address. Families facing attendance challenges can contact their schools for assistance.
Late-May schedule changes
Elementary schools in the Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, South County, Westfield and West Potomac pyramids will dismiss three hours early Wednesday, May 20.
All schools and offices will close Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day. Students will not attend school Tuesday, May 26, because of a teacher workday.
Schools and offices will also be closed Wednesday, May 27, for Eid al-Adha.