FY2009 Budget

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Jack D. Dale has proposed a school system budget of $2.3 billion for FY 2009 that reflects cuts of $45.6 million and approximately 521 positions throughout FCPS and, for the second consecutive year, includes no new programs. The FY 2009 proposed budget represents a 3.3 percent increase over the FY 2008 approved budget.

On February 14, 2008, the School Board adopted the FY 2009 Advertised Budget. The advertised budget totals $2.3 billion and restores a number of programs originally identified for cuts and eliminates student fees for activities/athletics and Advance Placement, International Baccalaureate, and PSAT tests. The budget includes a requested increase in the county transfer of $63.7 million or 4.0 percent.

On Monday, April 28, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved its FY 2009 budget, which includes a $40 million increase in the transfer to Fairfax County Public Schools. Since the FCPS FY 2009 advertised budget requests a transfer of $63.7 million, additional reductions are required of the school system.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Jack Dale has presented recommendations to balance the FY 2009 budget. The recommendations include additional cuts to balance the budget after the County Board of Supervisors approved an increase in the transfer to schools of $40 million. School Board members will hold a public hearing on May 14 and a work session on May 19 prior to taking a final vote at the business meeting on Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m. All of these events will be held at Jackson Middle School and will be televised on cable Channel 21.

Budget Documents:

FY 2009 Approved Budget (PDF document, 355 pages)
FY 2009 Advertised Budget (PDF document, 4 pages)
FY 2009 Advertised Budget Motion (PDF document, 1 pages)
FY 2009 Advertised Budget Agenda Item (PDF document, 6 pages)
FY 2009 Budget Questions
Budget presentation (PDF document, 31 pages)
FY 2009 Proposed Budget (PDF document, 232 pages)
FY 2009 Proposed Budget Highlights (PDF document, 11 pages)
Washington Area Boards of Education (WABE) Guide compares school districts in the Washington, D.C. area.
Complete List of Budget Documents

Press Releases:

Fairfax County School Board to Present Budget to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tonight (4/1/08)
Fairfax County School Board Adopts FY 2009 Advertised Budget (2/15//08)
FCPS Superintendent Presents Proposed FY 2009 Budget (1/10/08)

Budget Updates

Additional Budget Cuts Suggested to Balance FCPS FY 2009 Budget - May 9
FCPS Will Work to Balance Budget While Least Affecting the Classroom - May 2
FCPS Maintains High Student Achievement With Moderate Per-Pupil Costs - April 18
FCPS Student Membership Reflects Our Community - April 11
FCPS Realizes High Student Achievement - April 4
Fairfax County and FCPS Work Together to Support Our Children’s Future - March 28
FCPS Employs Both School-Based and Nonschool-Based Personnel - March 14
Fairfax County’s Budget Directly Affects Fairfax County Public Schools - March 7
Where the Money Is Spent: FY 2009 Advertised Operating Expenditures - February 29
FCPS FY 2009 Advertised Budget Restores Some Programs and Reduces Others - February 22
Budgeting Is a Multistep Process - February 15
Where the Money Comes From: FY 2009 Proposed Revenue Sources - February 8
FCPS’ Beliefs Are Reflected in FY 2009 Proposed Budget - February 1
FCPS’ FY 2009 Proposed Budget Aligns Cost-Saving Initiatives With Fiscal Realities and School Board Priorities - January 25
FCPS’ FY 2009 Proposed Budget Still Reflects Fairfax County School Board’s Beliefs, Vision, Mission, and Student Achievement Goals - January 18

What Happens Next?

FY 2009 Budget Calendar
all dates subject to change

January 28	School Board budget work session	Gatehouse Administration Center
February 6	Public Hearing	Jackson Middle School
February 11	School Board budget work session	Gatehouse Administration Center
February 14	School Board adopts FY 2009 Advertised Budget	Jackson Middle School
March 31 - April 2	County Board of Supervisors (BOS) holds public hearings	Fairfax County Government Center
April 1	Budget presented to Board of Supervisors	Fairfax County Government Center
April 28	County BOS approves transfer to schools	Fairfax County Government Center
May 14-15	School Board holds public hearings on budget	Jackson Middle School
May 19	School Board budget work session	Jackson Middle School
May 22	School Board adopts FY2009 Approved budget	Jackson Middle School
July 1	FY 2009 begins

Budget Question of the Week:

February 15: Why is FCPS continuing with the expansion of full-day kindergarten and the FLES programs, when we cannot pay for the programs already in place? Read the answer.

February 8: I would like to comment on the proposal in the FY 2009 budget that grants teachers an equivalent pay raise of 6% (3% COLA and step increases) when the general population is only averaging 1-2%. Read the answer.

February 1: What is the potential impact on busing to gifted and talented (GT) center schools? Read the answer.

January 25: What is the cost of running the 3 television channels? Find out.