Tag: budget
School board increases elementary class sizes
By Jeffrey Longo The Fairfax County School Board has approved a measure increasing minimum elementary school class sizes from 17 to 18 students, school board chair Sandy Evans (Mason) told the audience at a School Budget Town Hall on April 3. Increasing the elementary class size formula floor by one student would save $4.7 million. … Continued
Fairfax County’s economic situation shows some improvement
The latest economic indicators report for Fairfax County prepared by the Department of Management and Budget presents a mixed bag. Here’s the positive news: Home prices are up. The average sales price of all homes that sold in January 2017 in Fairfax County was $545,772, an increase of 8.1 percent over the average price of … Continued
Bleak funding outlook presented at Budget Town Hall
Fairfax County’s financial situation remains stagnant, as cost pressures rise, revenue isn’t expected to increase much, and there aren’t any new funding sources available. That’s the bleak picture of the FY 2018 advertised budget presented by County Executive Ed Long at a Town Hall hosted by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross March 9. The county’s needs are greater … Continued
Process for exploring Stuart name change delayed
Stuart High School Opponents of changing the name of JEB Stuart High School are spreading misleading information about the cost of a consultant to facilitate a working group authorized by the Fairfax County School Board to develop recommendations on a name change. The school board passed a resolution July 29 calling for the establishment of … Continued
Meals tax debated at public forum
A forum on the meals tax featured (from the left) supporters Phil Niedzielski-Eichner and Pat Hynes and opponents Pat Herrity, and Jon Norton. At a forum on a Fairfax County meals tax, supporters of the referendum argued the extra revenue is needed to maintain a high-quality school system, while opponents said they preferred spending cuts. The … Continued
Fairfax County officials push for passage of meals tax
FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza speaks in support of a meals tax. Additional resources are essential if Fairfax County is to maintain a high-quality school system, said Schools Superintendent Karen Garza at a fundraiser Sept. 11 in support of a meals tax. “I’m profoundly proud of our school system and also deeply concerned about its future,” … Continued
Backlick Park is victim of budget cuts
A picnic table at Backlick Park. Backlick Park has deteriorated so much, it was featured Aug. 9 on WJLA’s “7 on Your Side,” which serves as an advocate for people who have trouble getting authorities to deal with their complaints. The TV news show followed up on an email from Annandale resident Binod Gupta, who … Continued
Supervisors to vote on meals tax referendum on June 7
A sign in Silverado. On June 7, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on whether a meals tax should be put to voters on the Nov. 8 election ballot. If the board approves the referendum, Fairfax County citizens will be able to vote yes or no on a meals tax on … Continued
Supervisors approve 4-cent tax increase
The FY 2017 Fairfax County budget adopted by the Board of Supervisors April 26 increases the real estate tax rate by 4 cents and gives a much-needed boost to the public schools. The tax rate for residential properties will rise from $1.09 to $1.13 per $100 of the assessed value. Homeowners on average will pay … Continued
School funds, meals tax among issues raised at Budget Town Hall
Long The Mason District Budget Town Hall March 26 offered a clash of opinions over spending on schools. The proposed 4-cent property tax increase in the advertised budget for FY 2017 approved by the Board of Supervisors last month would go a long way toward helping the county meet the needs of Fairfax County Public … Continued
The Fairfax County budget: 10 things you need to know
The slogan for school funding advocates. (1) The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board are engaged in a contentious conflict about how much of a funding increase should go to the public school system. The budget proposed by Deputy County Executive Ed Long proposes transferring $1.88 billion to FCPS for operating expenses, an … Continued
Supervisors, school board clash over budget
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 1 agreed to advertise a tax rate of $1.13, an increase of 4 cents from the current rate of $1.09 per $100 of assessed value. That rate will be the ceiling for the fiscal year 2017 budget. When the board marks up the advertised budget on April … Continued
FCPS Budget Task Force proposes deep funding cuts, student fees
Budget cuts could have a huge impact on Braddock Elementary School and other schools in the Annandale/Mason area. The Fairfax County Public Schools’ FY 2017 Budget Task Force is recommending increased student fees, larger class sizes, and a series of other cost cutting-measures to close a projected budget deficit that could be as high as … Continued
Library advocates disappointed in county’s failure to hire new library director
The Woodrow Wilson Library in Bailey’s Crossroads has been beautifully renovated this year, but according to Fairfax Library Advocates, has 40,000 fewer books than it had in 2004. The Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees was supposed to have found a successor to outgoing Library Director Sam Clay by now but has so far failed … Continued
Gross, Loeffler clash over school plan for Willston Center
From the left: Penny Gross, Mollie Loeffler, Sandy Evans, and a League of Women Voters representative. Plans for a school at the Willston Center in Seven Corners drew the most heat at a candidate forum featuring Mason Supervisor Penny Gross, challenger Mollie Loeffler, and school board member Sandy Evans Oct. 21 sponsored by the League … Continued