Fairfax County School officials are telling the county Board of Supervisors — which provides the majority of the school system’s annual funding — that they will need an additional $134 million for the next fiscal year as they look for ways to increase teacher salaries, the Washington Post reports.
Superintendent Karen Garza, who will leave her post in December, presented a budget forecast earlier this month before the county Board of Supervisors. The preliminary budget talks for Fiscal Year 2018 will start this fall, with the fornal request coming in January for the start of the fiscal year in July.
Garza gave a similar warning a year ago, organizing a budget advisory group that looked into cutting sports, music and language immersion programs, if Fairfax County Public Schools did not receive full funding.
In the end, the school system got $2 billion from the county and recommitted to keeping elementary class sizes small and giving teacher raises.
FCPS has said it wants to continue to boost overall salaries to keep the system competitive.
Fairfax County voters will weigh in on a meals tax referendum Nov. 8. If it passes, a county meals tax would provide about $100 million for the county (about 70 percent of which will go to the schools).
However, giving more teachers raises is expected to cost at least that much. School board chair Sandy Evans (Mason) said she wants to give an extra increase to mid-career teachers, whose pay is at a competitive disadvantage compared with neighboring districts, the Washington Post reports.
“We have fallen behind where we want to be in teacher pay, particularly in that midcareer level,” Evans said.
School board member Elizabeth Schultz (Springfield) says the school system should go back and look for more cuts and efficiencies rather than asking taxpayers for more money.
Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s story can now live digitally in your Kindle.
In His Own Words: Stories from the Extraordinary Life of Reston’s Founder, the biography published earlier this year by Restonian Kristina Alcorn, is now available for download on Amazon.
Alcorn spent about two years interviewing Simon, who died in September 2015 at age 101. The self-published book was made available locally and on Amazon in March.
The book is a compilation of Bob’s life stories that “draw an intimate and entertaining portrait of the man many knew only from a distance,” Alcorn says.
The book highlights Simon’s humor, adventurous spirit, and dogged determination, Alcorn said. It is illustrated with over 100 photographs and artifacts from his private collection, the archives of Carnegie Hall, and the Reston Historic Trust.
“As a kid growing up in Reston in the 70s, Bob was an icon,” Alcorn says. “Decades later, when I encountered Bob at local events I would hear bits and pieces of his stories. He was a real life version of the ‘World’s Most Fascinating Man.’ I wanted to hear more and as I did, I knew these tales were too good to only be heard by the lucky few around him. I asked if I could record his stories, and he said ‘yes,’ “
The download is available for $9.99. See more information on Amazon.
The South Lakes Seahawks toppled No. 8 Madison 21-13 Friday, handing the Warhawks their first loss of the football season and taking the top spot in the Conference 6 standings.
With the victory, the Seahawks, ranked No. 18 by the Washington Post last week, will surely rise in the region-wide standings this week. They are now 7-0 (4-0 Conference 6).
A key play came in the third quarter. With Madison at fourth and goal on the Seahawks 1 yard line, South Lakes’ defense stopped Madison’s Nick Quinto from reaching the end zone.
SLHS coach Trey Taylor called the goal-line stand “one of the greatest I have ever seen.”
The game was WTOP’s “Game of the Week.” Madison had won 15 of its last 16 games, losing only to Chantilly in last year’s playoffs.
Quarterback Devin Miles passed for 232Â yards. Spencer Alston ran in all thee of SLHS’ touchdowns.
South Lakes next plays at Langley Friday at 7 p.m.
Photos Courtesy David Cordts
Kudos, Former Seahawk — SLHS ’16 grad Vela McBride, who plays volleyball for American University, was named the school’s Geico Student-Athlete of the Week last week. McBride, who was also the Patriot League Rookie of the Week, had double-digits in kills in two of three victories for the Eagles last week, while hitting .333 or better in each match. She had a career-best 14 kills and hit .684 in a four-set win over Navy. [American University]
Ask Fairfax: Bond Referendum — Fairfax County officials were online Oct. 12 to answer questions about the bond referendums on the Nov. 8 ballot. [Fairfax County]
Fundraiser For Reston’s Hopecam — Hopecam, a Reston nonprofit that connects children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses with technology to see and interact with their classmates, is holding a fundraiser Thursday in Tysons. Hopecam is hoping to double in size in serve kids in all 50 states. [Hopecam]
The Meals Tax referendum is coming Nov. 8. Do you know how you will vote?
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins is sponsoring a forum in Reston Oct. 24, where panelists will discuss the upcoming Fairfax County Meals Tax referendum. The forum is at South Lakes High School, 7 p.m.
The meals tax question will be posed to voters on the Nov. 8 ballot. If passed, the 4 percent tax on restaurant meals and other prepared food will add close to $100 million annually Fairfax County’s tax base. Seventy percent of that will go to Fairfax County Public Schools. The school system has been facing an annual shortfall, which has resulted in a rise in property taxes.
Thirty percent of the meals tax money will go to other county services.
Surrounding jurisdictions such as Alexandria, Arlington, the District, and the towns of Herndon, Vienna already have meal taxes. The Virginia jurisdiations that already have a tax will not be taxed twice; the new tax would affect areas of the county, such as Reston, Great Falls and unincorporated Herndon, that do not currently have a tax.
Fairfax County last held a referendum on a meals tax in 1992. It failed.
Proponents say it is a necessary way to diversify revenue without continuing to raise property taxes. Opponents say it will hit lower income people the hardest and it is unfair to the restaurant industry, among other issues.
Read more in these previous Reston Now posts:
Food Fight: New Groups Taking Sides in Battle Over Fairfax Meals Tax
Op-Ed: PTA Urges Passing Meals Tax
Op-Ed: Vote No on the Meals Tax
And see other info:
Fairfax County Meals Tax Referendum page
Photo courtesy of The Counter
Absentee balloting ramps up in Reston on Monday, Oct. 17 when in-person, weekday voting begins at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Dr.
There are 19 reasons to vote absentee. Among them:
- Student attending college or university outside of locality of residence in Virginia
- Spouse of student attending college or university outside locality of residence in Virginia
- Business outside County/City of residence on Election Day
- Personal business or vacation outside County/City of residence on Election Day
- I am working and commuting to/from home for 11 or more hours between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Election Day
- I am a first responder (member of law enforcement, firefighter, emergency technician, search and rescue)
- My disability or illness
- I am primarily and personally responsible for the care of a disabled/ill family member confined at home
- My pregnancy
- Confined, awaiting trial
- Confined, convicted of a misdemeanor
- An electoral board member, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment
- I have a religious obligation
- Active Duty Merchant Marine or Armed Forces
- Spouse or dependent living with a member of Active Duty Merchant Marine or Armed Forces
- Temporarily residing outside of US
- Temporarily residing outside of US for employment or spouse or dependent residing with employee
- Authorized representative of candidate or party serving inside the polling place
The North County Government Center polls will be open Monday – Friday, 2-8 p.m through Nov. 4; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 5.
If you want to vote by mail, not that the U.S. Postal Service has changed its delivery standards and First Class mail delivery is now two to five days. Standard delivery is now two to nine days.
Friday’s game is arguably the biggest one in years for South Lakes High School football.
It’s definitely as big as the one a year ago, when the team was 5-1 and played Madison, also 5-1, in a Conference 6 matchup.
The Warhawks won that meeting 38-6.
For this year’s meeting (7 p.m. at SLHS), No. 18 South Lakes and No. 8 Madison are both 6-0 and fighting to stay unbeaten, rule the conference and bolster postseason seeding.
Both teams have seen a huge improvement in recent years. The Seahawks were 2-7 two years ago (but a much-improved 9-3 in 2015). Madison had a one-win season three years ago.
But this is 2016, and both teams are among Northern Virginia’s best.
South Lakes, boosted by halfbacks Spencer Alston and Albert Mensah, is averaging 49 points per game. Alston and Mensah have combined for 17 touchdowns. Quarterback Devin Miles has passed for 17 more, with Alston being his target five times.
Madison quarterback Jacob Choutka has thrown for 11 touchdowns. Receiver Nick Conforti accounts for 459 reception yards and six TDS.
Herndon High marks Homecoming on Saturday with its annual parade through downtown Herndon.
Here is what you need to know, whether you are an alumni or student heading to the event or someone who may need to get down Elden Street while it is happening.
The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. The 2016 theme is “Music through the Decades – the Twenties to Today.” Bring a chair to watch the parade along Elden Street.
The parade route extends along Elden Street from Sterling Road to Lynn Street. Street closings and detours will occur approximately between 6 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Bring a few canned food items. Del. Jennifer Boysko will collect canned goods for LINK, a nonprofit helping stamp out hunger in Herndon, Sterling and surrounding communities.
Scheduled street closings include:
- 6 a.m. — Crestview Drive at Sterling Road and Sterling Road eastbound at Herndon Parkway closed
- 8 a.m. — Sterling Road westbound at Elden Street closed
- 8:30 a.m. — Lynn Street in both directions closed
- 9-9:15 a.m. — Elden Street from Monroe Street to Sterling Road closed
In addition, side streets between Vine and Elden Streets (Center, Grace, Main, Peachtree and Ferndale) and between Locust and Elden Streets (School, Center, Grace) will be closed during the parade.
All routes will reopen between noon and 1 p.m. as the parade clears.
At 1 p.m., the action moves to Herndon High School, where the Hornets host Centreville for the Homecoming football game.
Photo: Herndon High Band in Homecoming parade 2015/Credit: YouTube
Trump Campaign Leaving Virginia — Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is pulling up stakes in Virginia. The campaign will concentrate on battleground states: Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio. Earlier this week, the campaign fired Virginia state chair Corey Stewart. [NBC]
Reston Chorale’s 50th — The Reston Chorale kicks off its 50th season Saturday with concerts at 4 and 7 p.m. at Reston Community Center. The show is “Memories: Through the Years,” a pops concert featuring a bit of Broadway, a touch of jazz and some rock. [Reston Connection]
Touch A (Fire) Truck — All Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Stations are holding open houses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It’s a great chance for little ones to meet a firefighter and climb aboard a fire truck. Check out Reston’s Station 25 (At Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills Road), Fox Mill Station 31 (2610 Reston Parkway) or North Point Station (1117 Reston Ave.).[Fairfax County Fire Rescue]
Fairfax County Police have arrested Elvis Josue Alvarado Martinez of Reston in connection with Wednesday’s bank robbery at the Wells Fargo branch at Reston Town Center.
Martinez, 21, has been charged with one count of bank robbery.
A man, believed to be Martinez, entered the bank at 11911 Freedom Dr. shortly after 9 a.m., implied he had a weapon and left with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.
Police set up a perimeter and apprehended Martinez on Sycamore Valley Drive about two hours later.
An employee of the Herndon Police Department has been charged with filming women in the police communications center bathroom, Herndon Police said.
Michael Richard Carr, 30, of Herndon, had been working in the station’s communications center since 2009. He abruptly resigned his job and went missing on Sept. 26; police discovered the alleged taping during the missing persons investigation, a police spokeswoman said.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that the video recordings were captured between November of 2011 and March of 2012,” police spokeswoman Jane Ross said in a release. “Carr was working as Communications Technician II, non-supervisory civilian position within the department.”
Carr was located in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 1. He was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with five five counts of videotaping a non-consenting person in a location where there is an expectation of privacy.
He is currently being held in Orange County Adult Detention Center, Orange County, Fla. awaiting an extradition hearing to be returned to Virginia.
Ross said the initial investigation indicates the video recordings are limited to two victims; however, the investigation is ongoing. Both victims have been notified.
“The department has taken all necessary actions to ensure the Herndon Police Department facility where this occurred is free of any type of unauthorized recording devices,” she said.
You know you want to show off your pet in a Halloween costume.
Here’s where you can do that: Lake Anne Plaza is holding its annual Howl-o-Ween party on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The day will feature a pet costume contest (1:30 p.m.), a pet parade, a live DJ, a pet friendly beer garden, “yappy” hour specials from 1 to 5 p.m.; and tricks and treats from Lake Anne Merchants.
The event is free and will be held rain or shine.
Lake Anne Plaza has a new clothing store.
Cosmo Fashion Boutique recently opened its doors at 1635-C Washington Plaza. The small space features women’s clothing, shoes, and costume jewelry accessories.
Owner Amy Nguyen, who also owns Forever Shine nail salon on the plaza, said she thought Lake Anne could use a pop of color and style.
“I love to when customers come to get their nails done,” she said. “They want to look good or they are on their way to party.” Having an option to pick up something to wear will be good for her customers, as well as general Lake Anne shoppers, she said.
Cosmo Boutique is open Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
For more information, visit the store’s Facebook page.
Photo courtesy Cosmo Boutique
With multiple redevelopment and rezoning proposals hitting Reston as it transitions to a transit-oriented community, Fairfax County is introducing a new process for applications.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will be give an overview of a new Land Use process, Reston Land Use Launch, for the community at the Reston Planning and Zoning committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 17. The The public is invited. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at Reston Association’s offices, 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.
Says Hudgins’ office:
The Reston Transit Station Areas (TSA) and nearby areas are experiencing a large number of development applications. It is challenging for residents to keep current with all the proposals.
This new step in the local process is an attempt to share these proposals with the larger community earlier in the land use process. The goal is to provide information on new applications after they have been filed with Fairfax County Planning Division and afford an opportunity for community engagement early in the process.
There has been community pushback recently, particularly on the redevelopment proposal for St. Johns Wood, that the public is not given adequate notice of redevelopment plans until it is deep in the process and about to get a final review by the Fairfax County Planning Commission and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
The Reston Planning and Zoning committee is an advisory committee organized by the Board of Supervisors. It evaluates the Reston land use applications and shares their comments and suggestions with the Supervisor and the Hunter Mill District representative to the Planning Commission. It does not have official approval capabilities.
Metro is considering closing some Silver Line stations during off-peak hours as part of a cost-cutting measure.
That is one option — along with increased bus and rail fares, layoffs for workers and cuts to bus routes — outlined in a report released Tuesday to prepare Metro board members for upcoming budget negotiations.
Metro is facing a $275 million budget shortfall, the report says. The formal budget report will be released in November and the 2017 budget will be adopted in the spring.
The reductions in off-peak service would save the rail system $15 million annually, the report says.
Affected Virginia Silver Line stations would include Spring Hill, Greensboro, McLean, and Virginia Square-GMU.
Read more about cost-cutting options in this Washington Post story.
See the entire budget prep report on Metro’s website.
