|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Meeting Recap: Fiscal Forecast, New Western High School Programming, etc. (November 13, 2025)
Last week, at the Fairfax County School Board’s all-day work session and regular meeting (agenda | video), we advanced several key priorities that reflect our continued commitment to excellence, equity, and innovation in Fairfax County Public Schools.
At last Wednesday’s all-day work session, the Board reviewed the FY 2027 fiscal forecast, updated the 2026 State and Federal Legislative Program — including several amendments I introduced and the Board unanimously approved — and received an update on the Superintendent’s division wide boundary review, including draft scenarios and next steps.
At last Thursday’s regular meeting, the Board approved programming for the new Western High School, completed the annual review of Executive Limitation 10, received an update on inclusive practices and Universal Design for Learning, and adopted several proclamations, including recognition of Purple Star Schools — campuses that provide exceptional support to military-connected students and families.
As always, I invite you to learn more about the topics discussed during our meeting by reviewing the updates below. You are also welcome to attend School Board meetings (schedule) and register to share your thoughts with us during community participation (sign-up).
In service,
Karl Frisch
Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents:
All-Day Work Session Recap (November 12, 2025)
Last Wednesday, the School Board held an all-day work session to advance several priorities guiding long-term planning for Fairfax County Public Schools. The morning focused on the Financial Year (FY) 2027 fiscal forecast, followed by afternoon sessions on the state and federal legislative program and a discussion about the Superintendent’s divisionwide boundary review.
Budget Fiscal Forecast
Video | Meeting Materials
The FY 2027 Fiscal Forecast provided an early look at the financial landscape ahead as budget planning for the next fiscal year advances. Superintendent Reid and Chief Financial Officer Leigh Burden outlined the significant pressures shaping the forecast, including continued economic uncertainty, ongoing federal instability, and chronic state underfunding, all of which directly affect FCPS revenue projections.
The Superintendent’s presentation reviewed the major cost drivers for FY 2027: step increases, a 3% market scale adjustment required under the collective bargaining agreement, benefit rate changes, enrollment shifts, and rising contractual expenses. These required expenditures total nearly $194 million, while anticipated revenue growth remains limited, resulting in a projected budget gap of approximately $180 million. The forecast emphasized that these figures reflect base operational needs only and do not include new strategic investments.
The presentation also highlighted the difficult decisions made to balance the FY 2026 budget, which required $121.3 million in reductions, including staffing formula adjustments, compensation changes, and delays in planned initiatives. The Superintendent noted that FCPS continues to provide services well beyond state Standards of Quality (SOQ) levels, meaning reductions invariably impact student experience and classroom support.
School Board members will now begin submitting priority budget questions and completing the budget priorities survey as part of the annual process that informs the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, which will be released in January. The fiscal forecast will next be discussed during the December joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors as planning for FY 2027 continues.
State and Federal Legislative Program
Video | Meeting Materials
The School Board reviewed the draft 2026 State and Federal Legislative Program, which outlines the division’s policy priorities ahead of the upcoming General Assembly session. The Superintendent and the Director of Governmental Relations, Michael Malloy, presented updates to the state priorities, including fully funding the Standards of Quality (SOQ), adopting JLARC’s recommended improvements to the state funding formula, expanding flexibility in the evolving accountability system, and strengthening support for multilingual learners, early childhood, assessment reform, facilities needs, and school meal access. We also reviewed the proposed Joint Legislative Position with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which reinforces the constitutional obligation for the state to adequately and fairly fund K–12 education, particularly in high-cost-of-living regions such as Fairfax County.
During the session, I introduced several amendments, which my colleagues unanimously approved. These amendments strengthen our advocacy for stable, student-focused leadership on Virginia’s Board of Education and public university Boards of Visitors; restore critical federal student loan forgiveness programs; and protect essential supports like Medicaid, SNAP, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act from federal rollbacks. Here is a video of my introduction of the amendments and the ensuing discussion:
We also discussed proposed federal priorities, including continued funding for IDEA, Title I, Title II, Title III, Impact Aid, school meals, educational technology, and career and technical education programs, as well as emerging positions on clean school buses and adult education. The work session concluded with next steps toward finalizing the program ahead of Board adoption in December and the annual joint briefing with state and federal legislators.
Superintendent’s Divisionwide Boundary Review
Video | Meeting Materials
The School Board received an update from the Superintendent and her team on the ongoing comprehensive boundary review, the first divisionwide process of its kind in nearly forty years. The presentation outlined the phased timeline established under Policy 8130, reviewed the four draft scenarios developed to address enrollment, capacity, proximity, transportation, and access to programming, and summarized community engagement to date — including 24 meetings this fall and thousands of public comments submitted through the Boundary Explorer tool and Let’s Talk messages.
Staff also reviewed the work of the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from all 24 high school pyramids and continues to refine recommendations based on community input. The session also highlighted next steps in the process, including the Advisory Committee’s November review of feedback, the Superintendent’s forthcoming recommendation in December/January, and the Board’s scheduled public hearing and vote early next year.
Board Meeting Recap (November 13, 2025)
New Western High School Programming
Video | Meeting Materials
The School Board reviewed recommendations for the programming and design structure of the new Western High School, which FCPS purchased in August 2025, saving the school division more than $300 million. Since the acquisition, the Board has held two work sessions (August 26 and October 7) to consider multiple programming options and evaluate how the school can best serve students across the western region. These discussions focused on ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities, supporting regional capacity needs, and aligning the school’s instructional model with FCPS strategic priorities.
Following this review, the Board approved a recommendation for Western High School to open as a comprehensive high school with traditional boundaries, while also offering a special programming pathway option that provides students with access to advanced coursework and specialized learning experiences. Additional details will be shared in advance of an upcoming meeting, and planning will continue in collaboration with instructional, equity, and facilities leadership teams.
Motion: Dixit, Second: Frisch / Vote: Yes 7, No 3, Abstain 1, Absent 1
Superintendent Performance Review
The School Board evaluates the overall success of the Superintendent based on the school division’s reasonable progress toward achieving the 2023-2030 Strategic Plan goals and adherence to a set of thirteen Executive Limitations outlined on pages 14-31 of the Board’s Strategic Governance Manual. The Superintendent provides annual monitoring reports to the Board for each Executive Limitation. The Board then votes on whether the provided reports are in compliance with the given Executive Limitation. If the report is found not to be in compliance, the Superintendent provides a corrective action memo addressing the Board’s concerns.
Executive Limitation 10: Learning and Relationships with Students
Video | Meeting Materials
The Superintendent presented her annual monitoring report on Executive Limitation 10: Learning Environment and Relationships with Students. This executive limitation requires the Superintendent to ensure that all schools maintain safe, inclusive, and supportive environments that foster student well-being and encourage positive relationships. Expectations include implementing practices that prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination; ensuring equitable and consistent discipline; promoting social-emotional learning; monitoring attendance and engagement; and providing students and families with accessible avenues to report concerns or seek assistance.
The report highlighted continued improvements in implementing Universal Design for Learning, strengthening multi-tiered systems of support, expanding social-emotional learning practices, and increasing the use of early warning indicators to identify students who may need additional help. Updates also included enhanced Title IX training, expanded access to student support services, and ongoing efforts to address discipline disproportionality and reduce chronic absenteeism. Following the Superintendent’s presentation and a detailed discussion, the Board found that the monitoring report was in compliance with EL-10.
Motion: Sizemore Heizer, Second: Lady / Vote: Yes 9, No 1, Abstain 1, Absent 1
Academic Matters: Universal Design for Learning and Inclusive Practices
Video | Meeting Materials
For Academic Matters, the Superintendent shared an update on the school division’s work to expand inclusive practices and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) across Fairfax County Public Schools. These efforts directly advance Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered, ensuring every student experiences an equitable school community where health, well-being, and belonging are prioritized. FCPS continues to enhance access to general education settings through redesigned special education service delivery models, divisionwide professional development, and the integration of UDL strategies into instructional guidance and curriculum resources.
Implementation is occurring in phases, piloting with 12 schools in the 2025–26 school year and expanding to all schools by 2027–28. Early data from Phase 1 schools show measurable gains in inclusion, with discipline referrals decreasing dramatically and students spending more time engaged in general education settings. Teachers have reported higher student engagement, confidence, and performance — clear indicators that inclusive practices are improving academic and social outcomes while strengthening the sense of belonging for all learners.
Proclamations
Veterans Day
Video | Meeting Materials
The Fairfax County School Board proclaimed November 11, 2025, as Veterans Day in Fairfax County Public Schools. The proclamation honors the service and sacrifice of veterans, their families, and military-connected students, reaffirming FCPS’s commitment to providing an inclusive, supportive learning environment that recognizes the strength and contributions of those who serve.
Motion: Meren, Second: Frisch / Vote: Yes 11, No 0, Absent 1
National Family Engagement Month
Video | Meeting Materials
The Fairfax County School Board proclaimed November as National Family Engagement Month in Fairfax County Public Schools. The proclamation recognizes the essential role of families as a child’s first and most important teacher and partner in learning, celebrates the dedication of FCPS family engagement staff, and reaffirms the division’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and strong school-family-community partnerships that support student success.
Motion: St John Cunning, Second: Dixit / Vote: Yes 11, No 0, Absent 1
School Psychologists Appreciation Month
Video | Meeting Materials
The Fairfax County School Board proclaimed November 2025 as School Psychologists Appreciation Month in Fairfax County Public Schools. The proclamation honors the essential role school psychologists play in supporting students’ academic, emotional, and social well-being through collaboration, prevention, and evidence-based practices that foster safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments.
Motion: Moon, Second: Dunne / Vote: Yes 11, No 0, Absent 1
Purple Star Schools Recognition
Video | Meeting Materials
The Fairfax County School Board recognized fourteen schools that serve students from the Providence District as Purple Star Schools for supporting military-connected students and families during the 2025–2026 school year.
First Purple Star Award
Camelot Elementary School
Cunningham Park Elementary School
Falls Church High School
Freedom Hill Elementary School
Graham Road Elementary School
Mantua Elementary School
Marshall Road Elementary School
Oakton Elementary School | 