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The Fairfax County School Board unanimously adopted a $4 billion advertised budget for fiscal 2026 on Feb. 20, advancing a plan that would give every Fairfax County Public Schools employee a 7% raise while expanding student programs and school security.
The proposal is $297.1 million, or 7.9%, larger than the approved fiscal 2025 budget. It asks Fairfax County for an additional $268.3 million—a 10.4% increase over the county’s previous transfer and 5.6% more than FCPS requested last year.
Nearly 71% of the school system’s revenue comes from local funding, compared with less than 50% for the average Virginia school division. More than 85% of the proposed budget would support classroom instruction.
Competitive compensation represents the plan’s largest new commitment. FCPS would allocate $240.8 million for collective bargaining and a 7% salary increase for all employees as the division works to recruit and retain educators amid a continuing national teacher shortage.
Superintendent Michelle Reid said supporting educators is an investment in students and recognizes the essential role employees play in helping each child fulfill their potential.
School Board Chair Karl Frisch, who represents the Providence District, said students need world-class educators and argued that teachers’ working conditions directly shape students’ learning conditions.
The budget also responds to demand for modern science laboratories, advanced-course instructors and expanded opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Another $23.6 million would cover baseline program adjustments, including substitute-teacher incentives, middle school late buses, online campuses, AP and IB examination fees, and efforts to narrow academic achievement gaps. FCPS would direct $20 million toward enrollment changes and evolving student needs.
The proposal includes $4.9 million for teacher credentials and training involving Universal Design for Learning, advanced mathematics and multilingual learners.
School facilities would receive $3.6 million to reduce a backlog of major maintenance. An additional $9.3 million would fund safety measures such as more security cameras, panic alerts, secure vestibules and the Rap Back criminal-history monitoring program.
Several multiyear initiatives would continue under the plan. Inclusive preschool expansion would receive $2 million. FCPS would allocate $700,000 for the third year of a five-year effort to add another certified athletic trainer at each of its 25 high schools.
A further $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. The budget would also continue support for family liaisons.
FCPS again highlighted what it considers longstanding underfunding by Virginia. The school system cited 2023 recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission estimating that FCPS receives $568.7 million less than needed—about $3,100 per student. Virginia provides less per-pupil funding than neighboring Maryland, Kentucky and West Virginia.
School officials said the division has kept its central administration comparatively small while directing most spending toward classrooms. About 1.1% of FCPS employees work in central management, compared with a reported range of 2% to 4% in surrounding school divisions.
Beyond classroom instruction, FCPS provides meals, mental-health services, before- and after-school care, technology and other resources intended to help students succeed.
The School Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors were scheduled to hold a joint budget meeting Feb. 25.