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A $4.1 billion advertised budget for fiscal year 2027 won approval on Feb. 26, advancing a plan that prioritizes employee pay and begins restoring positions eliminated during the previous budget cycle.
The proposal is $197 million, or 5%, larger than the approved fiscal year 2026 budget. The requested increase in the county transfer is 48% smaller than last year’s request and closely matches the fiscal forecast presented during a joint county and school budget meeting in fall 2025.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid described the proposal as a disciplined plan focused on restoring critical support, fulfilling compensation commitments and maintaining strategic investments that directly benefit students.
Nearly 85% of the FCPS budget supports classroom instruction. Local funding supplies almost 69% of the division’s revenue, compared with less than 50% for the average Virginia school division.
Board Chair and Springfield District representative Sandy Anderson said the spending plan supports students and employees in a difficult fiscal environment. She also said relying on Fairfax County for roughly 69% of the operating budget is unsustainable over the long term and urged the Commonwealth to provide stronger support.
During the past decade, FCPS has implemented more than $800 million in staffing reductions, cost avoidances and fee increases to remain within available funding.
The new proposal would start reversing cuts made last year amid a significant funding gap. It fully restores Special Education Department Chair positions and Advanced Academic Resource Teacher positions at non-Title I schools. Staffing formulas at elementary, middle and high schools would also be partially restored.
The budget funds compensation increases included in collective bargaining agreements with the Fairfax Education Unions and the Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors and Administrators.
It also continues 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 credentialing for educators.