Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts FY 2026 advertised budget; approves Willow Springs contract amendment and several proclamations
Summary
At its Feb. 20 meeting the Fairfax County School Board approved the FY2026 advertised budget, unanimously adopted ceremonial proclamations recognizing custodians and food services employees and bus drivers, certified compliance with a closed meeting, and approved a $3.56 million contract amendment for Willow Springs Elementary renovation.
The Fairfax County School Board on Feb. 20 approved several formal actions: adoption of the FY 2026 advertised budget, unanimous proclamations honoring custodians and food‑service staff and bus drivers, certification of closed‑meeting compliance and an amendment to the Willow Springs Elementary School renovation contract that raises the architect/engineer contract to $3,555,697.
Budget: The board voted unanimously to adopt the FY 2026 advertised budget, a step that begins the formal joint discussion with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and public budget process. Board member McDaniel, who moved the motion, described the advertised budget as a prudent step that prepares the division for potential federal funding uncertainty while prioritizing compensation for staff. Members emphasized that this is an advertised budget and the final appropriation will be negotiated with the county and subject to later public and intergovernmental discussions.
Proclamations: The board adopted ceremonial proclamations recognizing "Custodian and Food and Nutrition Services Appreciation" and "School Bus Driver, Bus Attendant and Crossing Guard Appreciation Month" and recessed for photos. Both proclamations passed by unanimous voice vote of board members present.
Closed meeting certification: Under the Code of Virginia the board certified compliance with closed‑meeting rules and confirmed no action was taken in closed session; the certification vote was unanimous.
Willow Springs Elementary renovation contract amendment: The board approved Amendment 1 to the Samaha Associates PC architectural and engineering services contract, increasing the total contract to $3,555,697 to cover additional design work tied to net‑zero design readiness, rezoning complications on a bifurcated parcel and a correction to program size. Members asked for clarity on the breakdown of the added costs; staff said about $300,000 of the increase related to net‑zero design changes, a larger portion to zoning work, and the remainder to a sizing correction. The motion carried (recorded vote 11‑0‑1; Member Dunn recorded an abstention on the roll call).
How the votes were recorded: The board used the consent agenda for many routine approvals. Individual roll‑call votes were read into the record for key items. The adoption of the advertised budget and the Willow Springs amendment were recorded votes; ceremonial proclamations and the closed‑meeting certification were unanimous voice votes noted in the minutes.
