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Dear FCPS Community, 

Over the past several weeks, my office has received a higher-than-normal volume of constituent dialogue on various issues before the School Board, including the school calendar and boundaries. We sincerely appreciate everyone who has taken the time to write, call, and share feedback. My team is working diligently to log all communications and ensure constituent input is reviewed as these conversations continue.

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, I want to wish all FCPS families, students, educators, and staff a safe and meaningful holiday. Memorial Day is an important opportunity to pause, reflect, and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. I hope everyone is able to enjoy time with family and loved ones as we remember their sacrifice.

Budget Update

Last night, the Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved the FY 2027 Budget by a vote of 12-0. This budget reflects our continued commitment to students, classrooms, and the staff who serve our school communities every day.

The FY 2027 budget includes a $4.1 billion operating fund and serves a projected enrollment of almost 175,000 students. Importantly, FCPS continues to direct the vast majority of its resources toward students and schools: 85% of the budget is spent on instruction, and more than 92% of FCPS employees are school-based.

Throughout this budget process, we prioritized keeping funding in place for student-facing staff and programs; in other words, we are focusing taxpayer dollars into the classrooms. I am pleased that we were able to avoid cuts to core programs, while fully funding teacher pay raises, lowering class sizes, supporting special education needs, protecting Advanced Academic Resource Teachers and family liaisons, and investing in student activities and athletics.

Principles of Sound Financial Management 

Also last night, the School Board approved my budget follow-on motion to begin the process of adopting Principles of Sound Financial Management by a 10-2 vote.

This motion will help bring the School Board in alignment with the Board of Supervisors’ longstanding financial management principles and demonstrates our commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources in a transparent manner. These principles, adopted in 1975, have helped Fairfax County maintain a triple-A bond rating and saves taxpayers more than $1.06 billion in borrowing costs. I believe FCPS can benefit from a similar framework to support long-term stability and success for our schools.

As I shared following the vote: “This brings us in alignment with Fairfax County’s Ten Principles of Sound Financial Management and shows taxpayers that we are committed to being responsible stewards of public resources for education.”

This work also builds on FCPS’ recent recognition as a recipient of the 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence from The Partnership for Excellence, the first time an education applicant has received the Gold Award during its first application process. This recognition reflects FCPS’ commitment to strong organizational practices, including good leadership, alignment of key processes across 266 schools and centers, and a continued focus on students as the ultimate measure of our success. 

I'd like to thank Ricardy Anderson from the Mason District for seconding my motion. As we move forward from this budget, these principles should guide our work to ensure FCPS remains focused on student outcomes, responsible stewardship, and long-term fiscal excellence.

Committee Openings

I am also seeking constituents interested in serving on School Board advisory committees. In particular, I am prioritizing applicants for the brand new Educational Technology Review Committee (ETRC).

FCPS is establishing the ETRC to help guide the responsible, effective, and equitable use of technology in our schools. As technology continues to shape student learning, communication, and access to instruction, it is important that FCPS hears directly from the people closest to our classrooms, including students, families, educators, and school-based leaders.

The committee will advise FCPS leadership on the implementation of educational technology across the division, including issues related to artificial intelligence, digital learning tools, student safety, accessibility, privacy, and well-being. Members will serve a one-year term and may be reappointed. The committee will meet regularly during the school year, with additional working group meetings as needed.

As one of your At-Large representatives, I will appoint one Fairfax County resident to serve on this new advisory body. If you are interested in applying for the Educational Technology Review Committee, please complete the application here: https://forms.gle/wVo3FporaAm4tg6Y9.

In addition, I have new openings on several existing School Board advisory committees:

• Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee
• Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities
• Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee

These committees provide important community input and help ensure that FCPS decision-making reflects the experiences and needs of students, families, educators, and residents across Fairfax County.

If you are interested in applying for one of these additional committee openings, you can learn more and apply here: https://forms.gle/YaPuDNvWguiQhy3C9  

Please note that if you previously applied for committee openings through my office, those applications were for different openings. I ask that you apply again if you are still interested in serving.

Skyview Town Hall on Boundaries

I am hosting a town hall for those interested in hearing the latest information on Skyview High School on June 8. I encourage families and community members to attend, ask questions, and share their perspectives.

Register here:
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/meeting/register/jJI7ZHoETci2ZZm0wGX1qw

Thank you again to everyone who continues to engage thoughtfully and constructively with our office. Your input matters, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve our students, families, educators, and community.

Sincerely,

Kyle McDaniel
Fairfax County School Board
Member, At-Large

Other Updates