Revised school budget reflects impact of COVID-19

A screen shot from a virtual school board work session April 9. From the left: school board chair Karen Corbett Sanders (Mount Vernon), Tamara Derenak Kaufax (Lee), Megan McLaughlin (Braddock), and Superintendent Scott Brabrand.

Fairfax County Public Schools will have far less revenue and more expenses than previously anticipated, due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Superintendent Scott Brabrand is submitting a revised FY 2021 draft budget to the school board on April 16.

FCPS funding is expected to be reduced by $108 million from what was anticipated on Feb. 6 when the school board adopted an advertised budget for FY21.

Brabrand’s revised budget would eliminate compensation increases, maintain existing staff, and defer new programs.

While the earlier budget had anticipated an $89.7 million increased in funds transferred from Fairfax County, County Executive Bryan Hill presented a revised county budget earlier this month with an increase in the transfer amount of just $7.3 million.

Related story: Revised county budget drops tax increases

FCPS also expects a $25 million reduction in state funding, greater costs for remediation and social and emotional support for students when they return to school, and a possible extension of the school day.

And while there will be some cost savings in utilities and bus fuel due to the school closures, there will be additional expenses associated with the distance learning packets, critical employee pay, and unemployment benefits.

The school board will consider the revised budget on April 23 and present it to the Board of Supervisors on April 28.