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Fairfax County’s elected education leaders unanimously approved the school division’s fiscal year 2027 budget on May 21, committing $180.7 million to employee agreements while restoring positions and programs reduced during the previous fiscal year.

The spending plan addresses economic uncertainty and what the division describes as chronic state underfunding. FCPS will continue directing more than 85% of its budget to instruction and says its central administration remains among the leanest in neighboring school systems.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid said the budget combines careful stewardship of public resources with continued investment in the employees and programs that support students.

FCPS also pointed to recent academic results. All division schools earned full accreditation under Virginia’s new Standards of Accreditation, and FCPS reported more Distinguished or On Track schools than the rest of the commonwealth combined. The number of National Merit semifinalists increased 37% from the previous year.

Employee compensation and restored staffing

The budget provides $163 million for the collective bargaining agreement with the Fairfax Education Unions, representing licensed instructional and operational bargaining units.

Another $17.7 million will fund compensation adjustments under the agreement covering bargaining units represented by the Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors, and Administrators.

FCPS will fully restore Special Education Department Chair positions and Advanced Academic Resource Teacher positions previously reduced at non-Title I schools. The return of the advanced academic positions is intended in part to help schools introduce Algebra I in sixth grade.

The plan also partially restores general education staffing formula adjustments at elementary, middle and high schools. Support will continue for the Middle School After School and Value in Prevention programs.

Savings affect reserves, technology and curriculum

To handle remaining financial pressures, FCPS will reduce its staffing reserve and the superintendent’s Strategic Reserve. It will also use alternative funding for major maintenance and extend the replacement cycle for FCPSOn technology devices.

Additional savings will come from postponing microcredentialing initiatives and reducing materials associated with adopting a math curriculum.

Chair Sandy Anderson said sustaining strong public schools requires continued investment in students, employees and programs. She said local education leaders will keep working with county and state partners to preserve student opportunities and support.