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Meeting Recap: Budget, Academic Growth, Elementary Literacy, and More (February 26, 2026)
Dear Neighbor,
Last week, the Fairfax County School Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, February 26 (agenda | video). We discussed and advanced several key priorities that reflect our continued commitment to excellence, equity, and innovation in Fairfax County Public Schools.
During the meeting, the Board adopted the Advertised Budget for Financial Year 2027, received the Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report on Academic Growth and Excellence, and heard an Academic Matters update on elementary literacy and writing progress. We also recognized Custodian and Food and Nutrition Worker Appreciation Month and celebrated milestone school anniversaries, including several schools serving Providence District students.
As always, I invite you to learn more about the various topics discussed during these meetings 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:
Adoption of the Advertised Budget
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board adopted the FY 2027 Advertised Budget, advancing a comprehensive financial plan that reflects our commitment to academic excellence, competitive compensation, and long-term fiscal stewardship. The $4.1 billion adopted advertised budget sustains critical student-centered investments across the division. These allocations ensure that students have access to safe and modern facilities, reliable transportation and meal service, strong instructional programs, and the operational infrastructure necessary to support teaching and learning.
This balanced and forward-looking budget prioritizes classroom instruction, employee retention, and student well-being while maintaining responsible financial planning in a challenging economic environment. Adoption of the Advertised Budget positions Fairfax County Public Schools to continue delivering high-quality education, expanding opportunities for students, and supporting the educators and staff who make our schools strong—while upholding transparency, accountability, and sound fiscal management for the community.
Motion: Dixit, Second: McDaniel / Vote: Yes 9, No 0, Abstain 1, Absent 1
Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report: Academic Growth and Excellence
Video | Meeting Materials
The Superintendent’s Strategic Plan report for Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence highlighted continued progress in both language arts and mathematics across Fairfax County Public Schools. In reading, the division achieved a 79% SOL pass rate in SY 2024–25, with growth across nearly every student group, and an 88% pass rate on AP/IB English exams—an increase from baseline performance. Grade 3 reading, a key strategic priority, also improved to 71%, reflecting ongoing investments in science-of-reading aligned instruction, early identification and intervention, expanded “Walk-to-Read” and “Walk-to-Intervention” models, and strengthened family communication around benchmark progress.
In mathematics, results show meaningful gains aligned with the division’s focus on preparing all students for success in Algebra 1 by 8th grade. The math SOL pass rate increased to 78% (+7 percentage points from baseline), 79% of AP/IB math exams earned a passing score, and 61% of students completed 8th grade with a verified credit in Algebra 1—an increase of 10 percentage points from baseline. Additionally, 49% of students in grades 5–9 took and passed an above-grade-level math SOL, demonstrating both expanded access and strong performance. The Board’s discussion emphasized continued support for early literacy, expanded advanced math pathways, targeted interventions, and equitable access to rigorous coursework as central to achieving the Strategic Plan’s 2030 goals.
Motion: Moon, Second: Dr. Anderson / Vote: Yes 10, No 1
Academic Matters: Elementary Literacy Update
Video | Meeting Materials
The Superintendent’s Academic Matters presentation highlighted elementary literacy with a specific focus on writing instruction, including implementation of the Benchmark Advance K–6 writing curriculum, which includes explicit foundational instruction in handwriting (manuscript in grades K–1 and cursive in grades 2–6), spelling, and grammar; rigorous composition across narrative, informational, and opinion genres; and strong integration with reading through text annotation and use of evidence. Writing growth is measured through student compositions scored on a four-point rubric aligned to end-of-year expectations, and recent data show notable improvement across grade levels, including double-digit gains in grades 4, 5, and 6 compared to the previous year.
The presentation also reviewed how Lexia Core5 (grades K–5) and Lexia PowerUp (grades 6–8) are strengthening foundational writing skills in phonics, morphology, grammar, sentence structure, and text organization. From August to December 2025, the percentage of students working at intermediate or advanced levels increased significantly across programs, demonstrating measurable progress in key literacy skills. Staff emphasized that strong writing skills are essential for college, career, and life readiness, noting national research that shows writing proficiency is a critical requirement for most professions and remains a skill unlikely to be replaced by automation or artificial intelligence.
As part of her presentation, the Superintendent shared the following video with the Board:
Boundary Adjustment Transportation
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board approved transportation services for eligible high school students affected by upcoming boundary adjustments, with funding provided from the existing transportation budget and, if needed, year-end dollars.
Motion: McDaniel, Second: St. John-Cunning / Vote: Yes 7, No 4
Proclamation: Custodian and Food and Nutrition Worker Appreciation Month
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board recognized February 2026 as Custodian and Food and Nutrition Worker Appreciation Month, honoring the essential employees who ensure our schools are clean, safe, and welcoming places for learning.
Motion: Lady, Second: McDaniel / Vote: Yes 11, No 0
2026 School Anniversary Recognitions
Video | Meeting Materials
The Board recognized several schools celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, honoring decades of service to students, families, and the broader community. Among those recognized were Mantua Elementary School (65 years - video), Marshall Road Elementary School (65 years - video), Shrevewood Elementary School (60 years - video), and Lemon Road Elementary School (70 years - video) — each of which serves students from the Providence District.
Student Performance of the National Anthem
The Board meeting began with a beautiful performance of the national anthem and Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing by the Justice High School Chamber Choir under the direction of Miranda Lansberry:
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español: Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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