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The Fairfax County School Board approved a five-year capital plan on Feb. 6 that calls for two new elementary schools and renovations at 22 existing campuses as the division confronts a growing backlog of building repairs.

The fiscal 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program includes renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools, along with the relocation of modular buildings. The annually updated plan outlines the expected timing and cost of new construction, additions and renovations.

Fairfax County Public Schools maintains roughly as much building space as four Pentagons while serving more than 180,000 students. It is the nation’s ninth-largest school district.

Virginia school construction and repairs rely heavily on bonds funded by taxpayers rather than state money. FCPS says it receives less funding per square foot for that work than nearby school divisions.

The division’s current $230 million annual bond is not enough to maintain the 20- to 25-year renovation schedule required by Policy 8258. Instead, FCPS is operating on a 41-year renovation cycle, allowing repair needs to accumulate and raising the possibility of more expensive emergency work later.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid said the plan would provide modern, adaptable spaces for students’ academic and extracurricular activities while recognizing schools’ broader role as neighborhood gathering places.

That community role is substantial: FCPS facilities accommodate 500,000 community events annually. Homeowners associations, 4-H and scouting groups, county employee organizations, and cultural and civic groups are among those that can use the spaces, often without charge.

Janice Szymanski, chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs, said the plan also incorporates sustainability measures intended to reduce the environmental impact of school buildings.

“Our commitment to the community goes beyond simply constructing buildings,” Szymanski said. “We are dedicated to creating buildings that inspire and empower our students, while also minimizing our environmental footprint.”

New facilities will integrate net-zero energy practices, under which a building generates as much energy as it consumes over a year. Solar panels and geothermal systems using ground-source heat are among the technologies that can help reach that balance.

FCPS said its new buildings will also follow current research and recommended practices for safe, effective learning environments. Capital projects are financed through bond referendums approved by Fairfax County voters.