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Fairfax County Public Schools is confronting a $28 million budget gap while preparing to prohibit student cellphone use throughout the entire school day beginning July 1. The school division’s May 13 update also celebrated 31 National Merit Scholarship winners and two students advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Thirty-one students representing 12 Fairfax County high schools received scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Budget adjustments proposed for fiscal 2027
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update May 8 on the fiscal year 2027 budget. FCPS receives most of its funding from the Fairfax County government and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The county has adopted its budget, but the funding provided leaves FCPS with a $28 million gap. Virginia’s state budget was still unfinished as of the update.
At the May 7 School Board meeting, Reid proposed adjustments intended to balance the school division’s budget.
Cellphones to be put away from bell to bell
The School Board approved revisions to the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook on May 7, including stricter rules for cellphones and other connected devices.
Beginning July 1, students in every grade must turn off and personally store cellphones, phone accessories and smart devices for the full school day. The rule covers smartwatches, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses and other internet-connected items. High school students will no longer be permitted to use personal devices during lunch.
The change aligns FCPS policy with Virginia Senate Bill 108, which requires public schools across the commonwealth to adopt bell-to-bell phone-free policies.
Other handbook revisions for the 2026-27 school year address procedures for suspensions and discipline investigations, including support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. They also standardize responses to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory conduct, Title IX reports, intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, thrown objects and drug violations.
Awards, competitions and student support
FCPS received the Partnership for Excellence’s 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence. Based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program, it is the region’s highest recognition for organizational performance, resilience and long-term success. FCPS became the first education applicant to earn the Gold Award on its first application.
Teams from Hayfield Secondary School and Marshall High School competed at the FIRST Robotics World Championship.
Two Fairfax County students also earned places in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Floris Elementary School fourth grader Laasya Mohan won the 2026 Fairfax County Spelling Bee, while Rocky Run Middle School eighth grader Aadhya Vijayakumar finished as the first runner-up. Both were scheduled to enter the national competition May 26.
The FCPS Hispanic Leadership Alliance awarded 29 scholarships to high school seniors, adult learners and community leaders.
The Fairfax County Special Education PTA honored students, educators, employees and community members during its 2026 awards ceremony. At Canterbury Woods Elementary School, students who are deaf or hard of hearing used technology to experience a live orchestra performance during an instrument petting zoo.
FCPS also highlighted transition events designed to help students moving into middle or high school feel safe, included and connected. Reid discussed those efforts during a School Board update on the strategic plan’s goal of ensuring students feel supported and empowered.
Employees and food-service teams recognized
Daisy Lee, an enhanced autism teacher at Cub Run Elementary School, was among the March FCPS CARES of the Month recipients. Her colleagues credited her consistency, clear expectations and strong relationships with helping students make significant progress.
Other recipients were:
- Jennifer Fisher, Marie Phillips-Journet, Jessica Belcher, Ana Ramirez de Pozo and Greg Shifflett of Stonecroft Transportation
- Mallory Bonner of Cunningham Park Elementary School
- Libby Wray and Julia Stievater of Timber Lane Elementary School
- Renee Octaviano of Franconia Elementary School
- Laure Grove of Terra Centre Elementary School
- Kelly Bradshaw of Lorton Station Elementary School
For National School Lunch Hero Day, Food and Nutrition Services recognized the employees who prepare and serve more than 100,000 student meals each day. Twelve kitchen teams were selected for their health and safety performance, adaptability, customer service, collaborative leadership and increased participation in meal programs.
Free and discounted bus travel available
Every Fairfax County middle and high school student may apply for a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card providing free travel on Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses. The passes can be used from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day throughout the year.
Students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church and Marshall high schools, as well as Davis Center, may also ride approved Metrobus routes for free. Applications for either program must be returned to the student’s school office.
Children 12 or younger can ride Fairfax Connector buses at no charge when accompanied by a paying adult.
For low-income residents ages 18 through 65, the Fairfax Connector Transit Ridership Incentive Program offers a 50% fare discount.
Families urged to maintain attendance
With the end of the academic year approaching, families were encouraged to help students attend school consistently. Regular attendance supports learning, relationships and routines, while helping students develop responsibility and perseverance.
Full-day absences may be reported through ParentVUE, a school’s attendance telephone line or its designated attendance email address. Families facing attendance difficulties can contact their school for support and resources.
The FCPS mobile app also provides school and division news, calendars, meal menus, contact information and direct links to ParentVUE, Schoology and the FCPS website. Its public information can be viewed without signing in.
Late-May schedule changes
Elementary schools in the Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, South County, Westfield and West Potomac pyramids will dismiss three hours early Wednesday, May 20.
All schools and offices will close for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. Students will not attend school during the teacher workday Tuesday, May 26. Schools and offices will close again Wednesday, May 27, for Eid al-Adha.