Article Text

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle C. Reid presented a proposed $4 billion fiscal 2026 budget on January 23, 2025, calling for a major compensation increase while seeking additional county support amid continued state underfunding.

The proposal is $297.1 million, or 7.9%, larger than the approved fiscal 2025 budget. FCPS is requesting an additional $268.3 million from Fairfax County, a 10.4% increase over the previous year’s transfer. The requested transfer is 5.6% higher than the amount FCPS sought last year.

Most of the proposed spending increase would fund a 7% salary raise for all employees. FCPS ranks fifth among eight neighboring school divisions for starting salaries offered to teachers with master’s degrees and seventh for midpoint and maximum teacher pay.

The budget would also continue multiyear programs involving inclusive preschool, family liaisons, fine and performing arts stipends, and certified athletic trainers at every high school. Targeted security investments include vestibules, additional cameras, and other security tools.

No new initiatives are planned for the coming fiscal year. Instead, FCPS intends to focus its resources on programs aligned with its 2023-30 Strategic Plan. More than 85% of the school system’s budget is dedicated to instruction, and FCPS says its administrative staffing remains well below that of neighboring districts.

The proposal also highlights what FCPS describes as chronic state underfunding. The school system estimates that Virginia’s lower per-student support compared with neighboring states leaves FCPS short by $568.7 million, or approximately $3,100 per student. That funding gap increases the school division’s reliance on Fairfax County and its taxpayers.

The School Board was scheduled to continue reviewing the proposal during a February 4 work session.