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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
Dear Dranesville Families:
I hope you are enjoying the scheduled days off despite the winter storm and the continued unusually cold temperatures. As we may have more winter weather, I encourage you to review the winter weather resources included in this newsletter. These resources are designed to help keep everyone informed and safe during changing conditions. The FCPS Mobile App delivers FCPS’s weather status before all the other platforms. See below on how to get the new FCPS Mobile App and learn about the many features including the weather status notifications. Please continue to follow FCPS updates on school openings as we deal with the current storm aftereffects and the possibility of more snow this weekend and in the coming week.
At the January 22nd School Board Regular meeting, we approved the first comprehensive school boundary review in 40 years, affecting approximately 1,700 students to better balance our resources for the 2026-27 school year. We remain dedicated to supporting all transitioning families and thank our community for their diligent advocacy throughout this process, see details below.
Superintendent Reid presented her FY 2027 Proposed Budget at the January 22nd meeting. The budget reflects our commitment to excellence by prioritizing competitive compensation for staff and restoring instructional positions and class sizes while continuing vital multi-year initiatives. Please share your advocacy at the February 10th Budget Public Hearing.
January is Principals and Administrators Appreciation Month, and I am grateful for the opportunity to recognize our outstanding Dranesville administration leadership teams. Our principals and administrators play a vital role in creating safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments for every student. Their dedication, professionalism, and steady leadership make a meaningful difference for students, families, and staff each day. Their commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and strong school communities does not go unnoticed. We are deeply appreciative of the long hours, thoughtful decision-making, and care you bring to your work throughout the year. Thank you for all that you do.
Finally, thank you to all FCPS employees who work behind the scenes to ensure our school buildings open safely, especially in difficult winter conditions. From facilities and maintenance teams to transportation, nutrition services, and operations staff, your efforts are essential to keeping our schools running smoothly during the winter months.
Regards,
Robyn
Thank you Dranesville student's Principals!
In this newsletter,
January 22, 2026 School Board Meeting
Watch the full meeting.
Action Items
Comprehensive School Boundary Review
The School Board voted to approve the boundary adjustments as described in the Superintendent's recommendation. View more on Boarddocs.
Ratification of a Tentative Bargaining Agreement Between FCPS and FCFPSA
The School Board voted to ratify the tentative collective bargaining agreement between FCPS and the Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors, and Administrators (FCFPSA) with an effective date of July 1, 2026. View more on Boarddocs.
Policy 8410: Leasing for School Facilities; Policy 8320: Site and Building Acquisition; and Policy 8310: Site Planning and Development
The School Board voted to refer these items to the Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee. View more on Boarddocs.
Fairfax County School Board Electronic Participation Resolution
The School Board voted to adopt its Electronic Participation Resolution. View more on Boarddocs.
Presentations
Proposed FY 2027 Budget- The FY 2027 Proposed Budget totals $4.1 billion, a net increase of $197.0 million or 5.0% over the FY 2026 Approved Budget. I am requesting an additional $138.4 million, or 5.1% over, the FY 2026 transfer from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Strategic Plan Update: Dr. Reid discussed Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered, with an emphasis on transportation safety and technology. Dr. Reid shared this video discussing how technology and our staff members keep students safe, supported, and connected while on our buses.
The FCPS Transportation Service highlights:
- 1,850 drivers and supporting personnel.
- 131,931 students transported daily on 1,398 buses & 45,000 bus stops.
- Covering over 391 square miles.
- 16,877,288 miles driven yearly – which is 450 trips around the world!
January 13 Forum and Work Session
Forum- World Language
Materials; Video
Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report: Academic Growth & Excellence
Materials
Proposed FY 2027-31 Capital Improvement Program
Materials
Watch the full work session.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Proposed Budget
This Proposed Budget reflects FCPS’ unwavering commitment to sustaining excellence for our students, staff, and community.
The FY 2027 Proposed Budget totals $4.1 billion, a net increase of $197.0 million or 5.0% over the FY 2026 Approved Budget. Dr. Reid requested an additional $138.4 million, or 5.1% over the FY 2026 transfer from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. This year’s county transfer requested increase is 48% less than last year’s requested transfer increase and aligns closely with the fiscal forecast presented at the joint Board of Supervisors Budget Committee and School Board meeting in the fall of 2025.
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Prioritizing competitive compensation including funding the increases in the collective bargaining agreements for both our Fairfax Education Unions (FEU) and the Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors and Administrators (FCFPSA) bargaining units.
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Beginning to restore last fiscal year’s reductions by fully restoring Special Education Department Chair positions and Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) positions at non-Title I schools, as well as a partial restoration of class sizes in elementary, middle, and high schools.
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Continuing multiyear initiatives including certified athletic trainers at each of our high schools, family liaisons, fine and performing arts stipends, student athletics and activity offerings, K-12 robotics, and educator math certification/credentialing.
January 22nd Regular Meeting’s budget presentation video and slides are available online.
Budget Timeline (through February):
February 10- School Board proposed budget work session
February 10- Public hearings on the budget (February 11, if needed)
February 17- Fairfax County Executive presents Advertised Budget
February 19- School Board proposed budget work session
February 24- Joint Meeting with Board of Supervisors
February 26- School Board adopts the FY 2027 advertised budget
All times and topics are subject to change. Please check the School Board meeting schedule for the latest times and agenda updates.
Comprehensive School Boundary Review Vote
The School Board approved the recommended boundary changes as part of Fairfax County Public Schools’ comprehensive boundary review.This was our first division-wide review of school boundaries in more than 40 years.
Key Highlights
- Adopted boundary changes currently affect approximately 1,700 students at 46 schools.
- The vast majority of FCPS students and staff will not experience a boundary change at this time.
- These changes will be implemented for the upcoming (2026-27) school year.
What Affected Families Can Expect
We understand that boundary decisions shape students’ daily experiences, family routines, and the feelings of stability, community, and belonging that help children learn and thrive. This is why we approached this effort with a focus on excellence, equity, and opportunity.
Families who are being assigned to a new school will soon receive information about their school assignment for the 2026-27 school year. We are committed to supporting these families to ensure a smooth transition.
Looking Ahead
As shared at the end of Dr. Reid's amended Comprehensive Boundary Review Executive Summary, some schools and communities will be studied further within the year, with recommendations presented in January 2027. Others have been flagged to be considered as a priority during the next boundary review cycle in about five years. Please keep in mind that being identified for future review does not mean a boundary change has been proposed or decided.
FAQs
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for more information about the boundary review process and implementation.
Thank you to the thousands of families and community members who shared their perspectives throughout this process.
Thank You Dranesville
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Comprehensive School Boundary work and shared your advocacy either directly with me or through the public meetings, the Boundary Explorer Tool, and through our website.
- Thank our Dranesville student’s pyramid’s BRAC representatives:
- Herndon: Zulakha Imran and Christopher Noyes
- Langley: Jane DelGiorno and Ariana Raines
- Marshall: Elise Fisher and Kristina Glines
- McLean : Bo Du and Bongyi Xiang
- Westfield: Jessica Chun and Jenae Grader
- And to all the Dranesville constituents representing community and FCPS groups on the BRAC.
The National Anthem performed by the Herndon High School Guitar 4 Ensemble under the direction of Christopher Cunningham at the Jan 8th Regular Meeting.
Audit Buzz Newsletter- January
In this issue, we include a summary of the January 5 Audit Committee meeting, an article on Navigating the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Buzz, and a training opportunity. Prior editions of Audit Buzz are archived here on Office of Auditor General (OAG) website
See Something, Say Something: Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline
FCPS provides a way for employees and the general public to report any suspected wrongdoing related to FCPS’ assets and resources. Reporting will help ensure taxpayers’ money is spent appropriately — on our students’ education. It can also help improve employees’ work environment.
Reports can be made in person, by phone, by email, or online. All reports are taken seriously, and every effort will be made to investigate reports according to the applicable laws, codes, policies, or regulations. Community members can assist with investigations by providing as much information as possible.
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School Board Seeks Applicants for CPDC Community Members- due January 30
The School Board invites interested community members (with architecture, construction, engineering, facilities management, capital financing, permitting and procurement, land use planning, or development expertise) to apply for five Community Member appointee seats on the School Board Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee (CPDC). The deadline to apply is tomorrow, January 30, 2026.
The Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee meets monthly, for approximately two hours. The committee’s primary role is to assist the Fairfax County School Board with its capital planning and facility maintenance efforts.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 11:30 a.m.- Budget Committee of the Whole/Work Session
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Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.- FY2027 Proposed Budget Public Hearing
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Thursday, February 12, 2026, 7 p.m.- Regular Meeting
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