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Fairfax County Public Schools is warning that its programs could face cuts under a county budget proposal that falls $150 million short of the school division’s requested funding.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to finalize the budget May 6. Residents can provide feedback before the vote.
The funding debate comes as FCPS highlights the teachers and support staff it credits with sustaining the school system’s performance.
Energy savings surpass $100 million
FCPS has cut energy use by 31% since 2014, exceeding its 10-year target of a 20% reduction.
Those reductions have produced more than $100 million in cumulative energy-cost savings since 2013 across over 28 million square feet of building space.
Families surveyed about school start times
FCPS is surveying families, employees and students in grades 5 through 12 about potentially changing start times across the school division. The confidential survey will remain open through Saturday, April 12.
The School Board also directed Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid to present a cost-neutral plan by Thursday, April 10, for a later-start pilot involving as many Mason District middle schools as possible. The schools under consideration are Glasgow, Holmes and Poe middle schools.
The plan is expected to limit start-time changes at the high schools connected to those middle-school pyramids. A follow-up motion called for extensive community engagement, consideration of different transportation needs and coordination with the comprehensive boundary review.
Magnet lottery closes April 4
Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet school lottery remains open through Friday, April 4.
Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary and Bailey’s Upper elementary schools offer enhanced programs focused on science, technology and the performing arts.
Schools mark Month of the Military Child
FCPS is recognizing April as Month of the Military Child and highlighting resources for military-connected families entering or leaving the school division.
Students, families, employees and other community members are invited to wear purple Wednesday, April 9. Purple represents the combined colors associated with the Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force.
Thoreau student patents math game
Thoreau Middle School eighth grader Kasra Karimi received a patent Oct. 15, 2024, for a math game he began developing as a fifth grader during the pandemic.
Karimi devised the game after growing tired of the board games available for his family’s weekly game nights. It is now offered as both a physical board game and an application for phones and computers.
He hopes the game will help others enjoy mathematics and encourage young inventors to pursue patents for their own ideas.
Two educators receive STEM recognition
Andrea Trumbull of Ravensworth Elementary School and Desanka “Desa” Elwell of Edison High School have been recognized by the Air Force for their work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
Both educators helped bring advanced, hands-on STEM concepts into their classrooms through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research STEM Team’s ACCESS Lending Library Program.
Library Month highlights student access
FCPS is observing School Library Month in April by emphasizing how school libraries support academic development, personal interests and students’ sense of belonging.
Library Information Support Services employees, including Meg Rogers, assist librarians throughout the school division.
Boundary-review glossary released
A new glossary for the comprehensive school boundary review explains terms including “capacity deficit,” “capacity surplus” and “split feeder.”
FCPS has also published frequently asked questions about the review process.
Free prom shop enters final weekend
The annual Prom Dress Shop organized by students from Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program will hold its final sessions April 4-6.
The shop provides prom dresses and accessories at no charge and has helped hundreds of students attend prom each spring.
The remaining hours are:
- Friday, April 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, April 5, from 2 to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, April 6, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Superintendent schedules community meetings
Three upcoming Community Conversations will give residents opportunities to ask Reid questions and discuss FCPS issues.
The events will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on:
- Monday, April 7, at Greenbriar West Elementary School
- Monday, April 21, at Mount Eagle Elementary School
- Wednesday, April 23, at Mason Crest Elementary School
All three meetings are open to the public. Childcare and interpretation services will be available.
Third-grade literacy results improve
Reid recently updated the School Board on elementary literacy initiatives and the division’s goal of having students read at grade level by the end of third grade.
Third-grade iReady results from fall 2024 and winter 2025 showed that more students were meeting end-of-year expectations and fewer were performing below those expectations.
Spring break begins April 14
FCPS spring break will run from Monday, April 14, through Friday, April 18. Schools and school offices will be closed.