Tag: funding
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
Proposed park bond omits renovation for Audrey Moore RECenter
The fitness room at the Audrey Moore RECenter. If you swim, work out, play racquetball, take a class, or otherwise enjoy the Audrey Moore RECenter, this is a critical time to let public officials know that the aging, heavily used recreation facility needs major improvements. Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park in Annandale, the county’s … 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
Public safety and school bonds on the Nov. 3 ballot
Edsall Road Fire Station [Google Maps] A public safety bond issue on the ballot Nov. 3 would allow Fairfax County to borrow up to $151 million for police and fire department facilities throughout the county, including two projects serving the Annandale area – a new larger building for the Franconia Police District and an expanded … Continued
Public input sought on Fairfax County schools budget
A community meeting on the FCPS budget. Well over a 100 people showed up at a meeting hosted by school board member Sandy Evans Sept. 28 on the dire state of the Fairfax County Public Schools budget. Evans had organized the meeting to explain why the school system is facing a huge deficit – potentially … Continued
School funding is main issue at supervisor candidates forum
NARFE members packed the room at the Mason Government Center to hear candidates running for the Board of Supervisors. The top priorities of Mollie Loeffler, independent candidate to represent Mason District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, include alleviating overcrowded schools, bringing more life to the area’s commercial centers, and giving neighborhoods more of … Continued
Task force fails to reach a consensus on a meals tax referendum
An anti-meals tax sign at Silverado’s in Annandale. Many restaurant owners oppose a meals tax, while advocates for more funding for schools, libraries, the arts, and social services support it. A task force appointed by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova to consider whether a meals tax referendum should be put on the … Continued
School board adopts budget for FY 2015
The Fairfax County School Board adopted a $2.5 billion budget for FY 2015 May 23 that delays a salary step increase for employees until November. The 2015 budget year starts July 1. The budget reduces school clerical and custodial staff, increases class size, and cuts needs-based staffing. It includes one additional position for each high … Continued
Fairfax County supervisors call for slight increase in school funds
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to raise the amount of county funds transferred to the public schools by another 1 percent in the marked-up budget voted on March 22, for a total increase of 3. The advertised budget for 2015 called for increasing the funds transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools by 2 … Continued
School funding, taxes dominate Mason Budget Town Hall
Fairfax County Executive Edward Long and Mason Supervisor Penny Gross. Would the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agree to raise the property tax rate to provide more money for the budget-strapped school system? That’s one of the key questions for the board to decide over the next few weeks. That issue was brought up by … Continued
FCPS leaders urge supervisors to avert school budget crisis
A fourth-grade class at Mason Crest Elementary School. Now that the Board of Supervisors has released an advertised budget for fiscal year 2015 that would only provide a 2 percent increase in the amount of funds to be transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools—rather than a 5.7 percent increase sought by Superintendent Karen Garza and … Continued
Public urged to take part in ‘Fund Our Schools’ rally
When the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors begins discussions on a budget for fiscal year 2015, one of the most critical issues is how much the board will transfer to Fairfax County Public Schools. Educators, parents, and others who support a high-quality education have organized a “Fund Our Schools” rally at 9 a.m., Feb. 25, … Continued
Fairfax County/school board exploring opportunities for shared facilities
A joint working group made up of Fairfax County supervisors and school board members is exploring the county’s capital needs and creative ways to fund new projects—including opportunities for shared facilities. The Capital Facilities and Debt Management Working Group was convened by Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova to respond to concerns raised by the … Continued