Article Text

Fairfax County Public Schools’ proposed fiscal 2027 budget would begin reversing some of last year’s cuts while providing compensation increases for employees and continuing several multiyear student programs.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the $4.1 billion proposal to the School Board on Jan. 22. The plan is $197 million, or 5%, larger than the approved fiscal 2026 budget.

FCPS is requesting an additional $138.4 million from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a 5.1% increase over the county’s fiscal 2026 transfer. The requested increase is 48% smaller than the increase sought last year and closely matches the fiscal forecast presented during a joint county and School Board meeting in fall 2025.

The proposal would fully restore Special Education Department Chair positions and Advanced Academic Resource Teacher positions at schools that do not receive Title I funding. It also would partially reverse class-size increases affecting elementary, middle and high schools.

Employee compensation is another major priority. The budget includes increases established in collective bargaining agreements covering the Fairfax Education Unions and the Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors and Administrators.

The plan also maintains multiyear initiatives such as certified athletic trainers at every high school, family liaisons, fine and performing arts stipends, student athletics and activities, K-12 robotics, and math certification and credentialing for educators.

The proposal is tied to the school division’s 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes early academic development and preparing graduates for future success.

FCPS pointed to recent academic results as evidence of the programs it wants to sustain. Seven FCPS high schools and five elementary schools rank among Virginia’s top 10 in their categories, including a high school ranked fifth nationally. The division also has 262 National Merit Semifinalists this year, up 37% from the previous year, while student SAT scores remain above state and global averages.

The School Board is scheduled to hold a budget work session on Feb. 10 as the fiscal 2027 process continues.