Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza said the system is doing its part to cut costs, and she implored the county Board of Supervisors to do theirs to increase funding.
“We’re really at the crossroads,” she said at a joint school board/board of supervisors meeting on Friday. “You are going to determine which path we go. We can continue to cut, to the point of where we no longer recognize our system, or do we begin the slow process of continuing to sustain excellence in our schools? We recognize that these are very difficult decisions, but we ask for your support.”
Garza’s proposed Fiscal Year 2017 budget asks the county for an operating budget transfer of $1.9 billion (a 6.7 percent increase over 2016). County Executive Ed Long’s proposed budget includes a school operating transfer of $1.88 billion (a 3 percent, or $54.75 million, increase from 2016).
Long’s proposed $3.99 overall county budget comes with a suggested real estate tax increase of 4 cents per $100 of value, or about a $303 annual tax bill rise for the average Fairfax County homeowner.
The supervisors will advertise the county tax rate on Tuesday, which will be followed by public hearings on the matter in April. At last week’s meeting, Garza and several school board members urged the supervisors to consider an increase of more than 4 cents in order to adequately fund schools.
Garza pointed out that asking for just under $2 billion is frugal on the part of the schools. Were the schools system to get everything it needs — such as replacing aging textbooks and computers, as well as employee raises and reductions in classroom sizes — it would take an extra $305 million, Garza said.
“FCPS has a tradition of excellence that continues despite the daunting challenges we face,” Garza told the supervisors. “FCPS’ reputation for excellence is forged through genuine community investment and together, we leverage our strengths to make a difference for every student. Our success as a system attracts businesses and people to our county and it strengthens the quality of life in our community.”
Garza said the budget gap of nearly $68 million means “we cannot even fund the basic needs of our system.”
Garza presented her proposed budget in January. After several months of warning about potential cuts to sports, music, Advanced Academics and other programs, the superintendent said no cuts would be made for 2016-17.
But that depends on full funding from the county.
“Further cuts would be required,” Garza said. “The county stated that additional significant program reductions will change the fabric of the county irrevocably and this is also true for FCPS. For both county and schools, we must begin to look ahead and recognize that investments are necessary to keep Fairfax strong.”
Garza reiterated the point that FCPS has made about $500 million in cuts and eliminated more than 2,000 jobs in the last eight years.
That left some supervisors skeptical. Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity said the school system is participating in deceptive “political theater” since the school system’s budget has actually grown by $500 million since then.
“How do you cut every year for nine years and go from a $2.1 billion budget to a $2.6 billon budget?” Herrity said.
Justine Klena, who has served as principal at Herndon Middle School since 2008, has been named the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) 2016 Outstanding Principal and is a finalist for the Washington Post 2016 Principal of the Year award.
Klena is praised for providing the necessary support for each student to succeed academically as well as socially; staff members encourage students from all backgrounds to engage in activities including performing arts, National Junior Honor Society, Spanish for Fluent Speakers, and higher level classes.
HMS Instructional coach Emily Preston says Klena is “why great teachers make this school their home.”
“Justine exemplifies what it means to be a collaborative lead,” Preston told FCPS. “She models what it is to be a learner, promotes the best interests of students at every turn, and maintains perspective by keeping a close tie to what is happening in classrooms.”
FCPS says that from the start, Klena has set a course to make meeting student needs the primary focus and providing teachers with more support to accomplish this.
Klena has instituted professional conversations with staff members at quarterly Snack and Study meetings, invited teachers to take a course on “Differentiation for Diverse Learners,” and created an environment characterized by collaboration and trust that encourages innovation.
Says FCPS:
When the Math 8 team proposed teaching pre-algebra, Klena supported them with resources and logistics to give them planning time and authority to make decisions.
After achieving success on the required SOL (Standards of Learning tests) in 2014, 28 of the pre-algebra students, mostly English language learners, were recommended and enrolled in algebra honors in ninth grade, setting them on a course for more advanced math in high school.
Klena focuses on equitable access for all students into rigorous courses; during the past school year, 10 percent more Black and Hispanic students were taking four honors classes, an effort to make membership in those academics more representative of the school’s total population.
Klena encourages parents of students who are eligible for level IV advanced academic programs to remain at Herndon rather than transferring while helping staff members respond to the wide variety of needs of the students.
She works with Herndon Pyramid elementary school principals offering the Young Scholars program to open honors classes to more students from diverse backgrounds.
Klena has also worked with families outside the classroom, offering support to families who live in poverty or have experienced traumatic border crossings. Read More
When Fairfax County Executive Ed Long presented his $3.99 billion Fiscal Year 2017 Proposed Budget to the Board of Supervisors last week, one of the main highlights was a $2.08 billion transfer to the school system — which is about $68 million less than what the Fairfax County Public Schools have requested.
To get there — and to meet other county needs — Long is proposing a 4-cent real estate tax increase (per $100 of value), which would represent an increase of about $303 for the average county homeowner. The current tax rate is $1.09 per $100 of value. Read More
As expected, the Fairfax County School Board voted Thursday to close all schools on Tuesday, March 1.
Virginians will vote in the 2016 Presidential Primary that day. The school board had voted in October for a two-hour delay that day, but with a record turnout expected, reconsidered.
From FCPS:
In past presidential primaries, Fairfax County public schools have remained open, and the board had planned to continue this practice with the upcoming primary. In light of historic turnouts in primaries across the country in the past few weeks, it is anticipated that voter turnout in Fairfax County will likewise result in historic numbers of voters.
A total of 167 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) buildings are used as polling sites, 124 of which are elementary schools with very limited parking and restricted access in and around buildings.
Record voter turnouts in New Hampshire and Iowa, and anticipation of an historic voter turnout from the Fairfax County Office of Elections, led the Board to believe that there could be significant logistical issues regarding parking and building access on March 1.
The Board was also concerned that the sheer number of citizens entering schools to vote will make it difficult to conduct a normal school day. Both the Office of Elections and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors encouraged the Board to consider closing schools March 1 and, after deliberating with state officials, they decided to do so.
Teachers and students will not report to school on March 1. SACC (school age child care), school offices, and central offices will be open.
Since FCPS has extra hours built into the school calendar to accommodate weather emergencies, it will not be necessary to make up the day.
It looks like Fairfax County Public Schools students will get the entire day off on Tuesday, March 1, as voters head to the polls in Virginia.
March 1 is Super Tuesday, when Virginia and a dozen other states vote in the 2016 Presidential Primaries.
Since many polling places are at schools (including Hughes Middle, Aldrin Elementary, Sunrise Valley Elementary, South Lakes High School and others in Reston), the FCPS school board voted in October for a two-hour delay on March 1.
Since then, there has been extensive lobbying of the Board of Supervisors — including by Fairfax County Electoral Board Secretary Kate Hanley, a Reston resident and the former county supervisor chair (1995-2003) — asking that the schools be closed for the day. Hanley said she had security concerns as a very large turnout is expected.
In January, the BOS voted 9 to 1 to ask the schools to close. At that time, schools superintendent Karen Garza said there were no plans to close FCPS on primary day. Read More
Update, 7 a.m. Tuesday: FCPS now says schools will be closed Tuesday. This is a change from the announcement Monday evening, when there was to be a two-hour delay.
Original story, Monday 7 p.m.: Fairfax County Public Schools said the expected freezing rain overnight — on top of several inches of snow that fell Monday — means all Fairfax County public schools and school offices will open two hours late on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
The school system also said conditions will be reassessed Tuesday morning, and if closure is necessary it will be announced by approximately 6:15 a.m.
From FCPS:
- Morning preschool (special education) classes are canceled.
- Afternoon preschool classes start on their regular schedule.
- Full-day preschool (special education) and Family and Early Childhood Education Program/Head Start classes start two hours later than the regular schedule.
- Morning field trips are canceled.
- Morning transportation for high school academy classes is canceled.
- Transportation for afternoon academy classes will be provided.
- Adult and community education classes will start on time.
- School age child care (SACC) centers will open at 7:00 a.m.
Due to road temperatures forecast below freezing in parts of Fairfax County this evening, facilities and school grounds will be closed starting at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday night, Fairfax County Public Schools announced.
All activities scheduled in Fairfax County public schools or on school grounds for this evening must be completed by 6:15 p.m. or are canceled, including:
- extracurricular activities
- interscholastic contests
- team practices
- field trips
- professional learning and training courses
- adult and community education classes
- recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
SACC centers will remain open until 6:15 p.m. SACC Administration requests parents make every effort to pick up children earlier, if possible.
Superintendent Karen Garza’s listening tour was scheduled to have its Hunter Mill session at Madison High School at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. That event will be be held at a later date.
The Fairfax County School Board on Thursday adopted the Fiscal Year 2017 Advertised Budget of $2.67 billion. That amount is an increase of 4.8 percent, or $121.4 million, from the FY 2016 Approved Budget.
The board voted 9-3, with board members Elizabeth Schultz (Springfield), Jeanette Hough (At-Large) and Tom Wilson (Sully) voting against Superintendent Karen Garza’s budget proposal.
After much community discussion about a possible budget deficit of more than $50 million in 2017, Garza announced her proposed budget in January. The budget features no program cuts — something that had been discussed and feared in the FCPS community — and it calls for step- and market-increases for staff.
The budget also includes an additional $40 million to enhance teacher salaries and make them more competitive, as well as funding to keep class sizes at the elementary level below 30 students.
“A budget is fundamentally a statement of values, and the advertised budget reflects this community’s unwavering support for excellent public schools,” School Board Chairman Pat Hynes (Hunter Mill) said in a statement. Read More
Fairfax County Public School students have not had class since Jan. 20. Will they return Monday? FCPS says school is definitely in session.
It’s been nearly a week since close to three feet of snow socked Reston. While warmer temperatures have contributed to significant melting, many streets are still down to one lane and lots of sidewalks remain unshoveled, so really, anything can happen.
What’s your prediction? Will the school district really be ready for kids to return to class on Monday? Or will FCPS be looking at its eighth snow day or more?
FYI, next week is already a shortened week for students. There is a two-hour early release Thursday and end-of-semester student holiday/teacher workday Friday.
The Fairfax County School Board voted on Thursday to approve the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) FY 2017-21 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Among the improvements planned for that time frame: new schools, capacity enhancements and renovations at a five-year cost of $777 million, or roughly $155 million per year.
Included in this CIP are plans for four new elementary schools and one high school to relieve overcrowding in existing FCPS schools.
See the full CIP on FCPS’ website.
Funds approved in the 2015 School Bond Referendum and previous referenda will address approximately $429 million of the five-year requirement, leaving a balance of $347 million that still needs to be funded.
“This CIP addresses some of our critical needs and will help relieve crowding in some of our existing schools,” said FCPS School Board Chair Pat Hynes. “We are particularly challenged by growth in certain areas of the county and higher growth rates among middle and high school students, requiring us to examine a variety of solutions, including temporary classrooms, modular additions, and boundary adjustments. Any boundary adjustments would be discussed and decided with considerable input from the community.”
This is a separate issue from FCPS’ 2017 planned $2.7 billion budget. The school system is seeking a 4.8-percent increase over 2016 from county and state funding in order to keep programs intact, provide salary increases and keep class sizes from rising above 30 students at the elementary level, said Garza. That budget will be voted on by the school board in May. Read More
The snowstorm is over, but it may be awhile before Fairfax County Public School students return to class.
FCPS says schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. That also includes all activities on school grounds:
- extracurricular activities
- interscholastic contests
- team practices
- field trips
- middle school after-school programs
- professional learning and training courses
- adult and community education classes
- recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
- School age child care (SACC) centers are closed
Fairfax County Schools will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 21.
That’s a departure from the announcement the school system made Wednesday night, when it said there would be a two-hour delay after a small amount of snow fell during rush hour and into the evening.
There was significant re-freeze overnight and the roads are not in good condition this morning, according to DC-area forecasters and traffic-watchers.
FCPS’ closure also means the following are canceled:
- extracurricular activities
- interscholastic contests and games
- team practices
- field trips
- middle school after-school programs
- professional learning and training courses
- adult and community education classes
- recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
- School age child care (SACC) centers are closed.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is urging motorists who must head out to use extreme caution, as low ground temperatures overnight mean that even treated roads have refrozen. “
“Slow down, allow extra time to destinations, and take extra care on areas prone to freezing such as bridges, ramps and secondary roads,” VDOT said in a statement.
About 500 trucks worked through the night to clear extremely treacherous conditions, said VDOT. Crews will remain on duty through the morning rush hour to continually treat slick roads.
Drivers are reminded to check www.511virginia.org for road conditions and to follow @VaDOTNOVA on Twitter.
Traffic officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of Wednesday night’s commute, where many people said it took hours to make a what is usually a 30-minute commute. Major arteries such as I-66, Route 123, and I-495 were jammed, leaving drivers frozen and frustrated.
Me stuck in traffic on MD-210 around 11pm last night. From Reston to Waldorf took 10+ hours. @fox5dc @WTOPtraffic pic.twitter.com/9K4UknFz58
— lamont152 (@lamont152) January 21, 2016
@wusa9 took me 4.5 hours to get from Reston to Fort Washington — Candace Wilson (@cwilson7719) January 21, 2016
And this is all just a warm-up — or cold-up, even though that’s not a phrase — to the big storm expected to hit Reston and Northern Virginia Friday night and Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch, saying the storm — expected to begin Friday afternoon — could have two feet of snow, high winds and power outages.
Restonians did their usual mass dash for storm necessities beginning Wednesday, reporting long lines and empty shelves at local grocery stores.
Reston Now will give you more information on updates forecasts and additional closings for Friday’s storm as it gets closer.
Photo: Top, Snow in Reston/2014 file photo; Bottom, empty shelves at Reston Trader Joe’s Wednesday afternoon/Courtesy Amanda Andere
Wednesday evening’s snow will cause a delay for local schools Thursday morning.
All Fairfax County public schools and school offices will open two hours late tomorrow, the school system says. Central offices will open by 10 a.m.
Conditions will be reassessed in the morning and if closure is necessary will be announced by approximately 6:15 am.
A major blizzard is expected to move through Fairfax County Friday afternoon and Saturday. Check back for information on additional closings as they are decided.
From FCPS:
- Morning preschool (special education) classes are canceled.
- Afternoon preschool classes start on their regular schedule.
- Full-day preschool (special education) and Family and Early Childhood
- Education Program/Head Start classes start two hours later than the regular schedule.
- Morning field trips are canceled.
- School age child care (SACC) centers will open at 7:00 a.m.
- Morning transportation for high school academy classes is canceled. Transportation for afternoon academy classes will be provided.
- Adult and community education classes will start on time.
Saying “a quality education is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity,” Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza introduced her planned $2.7 billion 2017 budget as one that makes investments in a teachers and staff while also making no cuts to staffing or programs.
“This is a very important time for our school system,’ Garza said before a packed house of educators, FCPS staff, school board members and the media at West Potomac High School on Thursday. “There are decisions to be made in the coming months that will have a long-lasting effect on our school system.” Read More
Members of the #IAMFCPS movement, a grassroots group that supports fully funding Fairfax County Public Schools’ 2017 budget, is planning a “Rally for the Budget” at 6:30pm on Thursday at Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
The rally will be in advance of the 7 p.m. school board meeting, where FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza will introduce her proposed FY2017 budget to the school board. The final budget will be adopted in May.
“Fairfax County is facing a critical challenge with county and state funding revenues having not kept pace with the educational needs of our children,” Melanie Kadlic Meren, chairperson of the #IamFCPS steering committee, said in a statement. “We need to fully fund our schools to restore the quality of excellence in FCPS and this rally is to show support for Dr. Garza’s budget. No more cuts — it’s time to advocate for what our public schools should look like.” Read More
