The Bottom Line - February 5, 2010

Q: Isn't a full-time TV station, with its programming and production costs, a luxury that we can ill afford? Are we raising class size and jeopardizing instructional programs in order to maintain a public relations luxury?

A: Almost the entire cost (92 percent) of Channel 21 and the other FCPS channels is funded by a grant from Cox Communications as part of Cox's franchise agreement with Fairfax County. These are funds that would not come to the county for any other use, and the agreement with Cox requires that FCPS provide programming for the channels. The franchise agreement funds salaries and other expenses and also provides funding for associated equipment and supply purchases, allowing the growth of an instructional media program in FCPS. This 15-year-old franchise agreement provides one percent of the cable revenues to the county to fund TV services for FCPS.

In addition, FCPS staff members (whose salaries are funded by the Cox grant), work to find partners and underwriters to fund production costs for programs, often helping to meet unfunded instructional needs. Partnerships with Mount Vernon Estate, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of American History, and the National Zoo have resulted in video programming that was developed by FCPS teachers for use in classroom instruction, yet funded by outside organizations.

Q: Why doesn't the school system have its operations audited by an outside agency?

A: The term "audit" can have different meanings. FCPS' financial records are audited every year by the external audit firm, KPMG; this is an audit required by the Code of Virginia. Local School Activity Funds are also audited by an external firm, as required by the Code of Virginia. FCPS does have an internal audit office which conducts operational reviews of specific operations. In addition, FCPS has requested an efficiency review from the state and is currently on the waiting list.

Heard a rumor? Want the facts? E-mail it to thebottomline@fcps.edu, and we’ll respond to the most frequently mentioned rumors in upcoming issues.

Budget Facts

• A previous issue of The Bottom Line noted that more than 92 percent of FCPS employees work in schools. Since then, we have received questions about how we define school-based vs. non-school-based positions. School-based positions work primarily in schools or special education centers (elementary, middle and high schools); with programs for students in other locations (e.g. alternative learning centers); in other locations serving students (e.g. Devonshire for hearing testing) and directly with students or with staff in those sites (e.g. assistant principals).

Non-school-based positions work at Gatehouse or other administrative sites and provide systemwide support through functions such as human resources and payroll.

• FCPS anticipates receiving $8.8 million from the Virginia Lottery for this current school year.

You are here: Fairfax County Public Schools > FY 2011 Budget > The Bottom Line

February 5, 2010

School Board Adopts FY 2011 Advertised Budget

On February 4, the Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) FY 2011 Advertised Budget of $2.3 billion, restoring some programs previously identified for elimination in the proposed budget. Restoration of these programs depends on whether FCPS receives adequate funding from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the state. The advertised budget maintains class size at current levels; saves assistant principal, instructional coach, and instructional assistant positions; and restores the foreign language in the elementary schools (FLES) program, among other programs. This increases the School Board’s request for funding from the Board of Supervisors to $1.7 billion.

“Tonight, the Fairfax County School Board approved an advertised budget that restores more than $20 million in cuts from the budget that the Superintendent proposed on January 7,” said Fairfax County School Board Chair Kathy Smith following the budget adoption. “Some may say this is a risky decision—sending a budget to the Board of Supervisors asking for an increase of more than $81 million above last year’s transfer. However, the Fairfax County School Board sees it as advocating for the educational needs of those for whom we work—our 174,000 students and their families. We also see it as advocating for our county’s best interest—a place to which people and corporations move specifically for the outstanding school system and for the exceptional quality of life.”

In the advertised budget are fees for athletic participation ($100 per student per Virginia High School League sport); fees of $75 per test for students taking Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests and the actual cost of the PSAT test; an increase in community use building revenue of 20 percent; and an increase of 30 percent in monopole revenue. Funding for behind-the-wheel driver education was not included in the advertised budget, nor were funding for winter cheerleading or drill team coaching supplements. For the second consecutive year, salaries have been frozen for all employees.

“A number of programs are still in serious danger of being cut, including full-day kindergarten, elementary band and strings, and foreign language immersion,” explained Smith. “An increase in class size will also be necessary if our funding levels are not increased. The combination of constantly increasing student membership and funding levels that have remained flat mean that some existing programs will need to be cut.” The FY 2011 Advertised Budget contains more than $100 million in unavoidable expenditure increases including an enrollment increase of 1,760 students, health and other insurance costs, and retirement costs.

“To ask for a budget less than what our students deserve is to do a disservice to them, our employees, and our community,” said Smith. “The bottom line is that we will not be able to maintain the same high level of student achievement that our community and parents expect and deserve if we do not receive the revenues requested from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.”

For complete details, visit the FCPS budget web page at http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011.htm.

Quote to Note

“… If we have to pick, then I acknowledge squarely that Fairfax is Top Suburb. …Why does anybody care? Mainly because of the competition to attract jobs.”

—Robert McCartney, Washington Post metro columnist, January 31, 2010

School Board Budget Forum Moved to February 20

Postponed because of snow, the Budget Forum hosted by the Fairfax County School Board will now be held on Saturday, February 20, at Marshall High School from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn more about the advertised budget adopted by the School Board on February 4 and the budget process as well as how to communicate effectively for change.

In addition, two breakout sessions will feature principals who will share the budget impact on their schools. Other session topics include how central office staff supports schools and budget realities and misconceptions. There will be ample opportunity for questions and answers. If you are planning to attend, please e-mail budgetforum@fcps.edu or call 571-423-1075.

Upcoming Important Dates

February 20	School Board Budget Forum (Marshall High School)
February 23	County Executive Releases FY 2011 Advertised County Budget
March 9	County Board of Supervisors Advertises Tax Rate
April 6	School Board Presents Budget to County Board of Supervisors
April 6-8	County Board of Supervisors Budget Public Hearings (sign up now open)
April 27	County Board of Supervisors Approves County Budget, Tax Rate Resolution, and Transfer Amount to Schools
April 29	School Board Budget Work Session (Gatehouse Administration Center, room 1600)
May 10	School Board Budget Work Session (Gatehouse Administration Center, room 1600)
May 11, 12	School Board Budget Public Hearings (Jackson Middle School)
May 13	School Board Budget Work Session (Jackson Middle School)
May 20	School Board Adopts FY 2011 Approved Budget

Want to Get Involved?

Learn more at the FCPS budget web site at http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011.htm.
Attend a community presentation on the budget (find out the schedule at http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011.htm).
Attend School Board meetings.
Speak at a Board of Supervisors public hearing (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speaker_bos.htm).

The Bottom Line is published by the FCPS Department of Communications and Community Outreach. Send your questions or ideas for future issues to thebottomline@fcps.edu.

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