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Superintendent proposes $4.0 billion FY2026 operating budget; requests 10.4% county transfer
Summary
Superintendent Michelle Reed presented a FY2026 operating budget proposal that asks Fairfax County for a $268.3 million increase in the county transfer (10.4%) and outlines pay adjustments tied to the division's collective bargaining agreement and targeted investments in student needs.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reed presented the Fairfax County Public Schools proposed FY2026 operating budget Jan. 23, asking the county for an additional $268.3 million (a 10.4% increase in the county transfer) to fund compensation, targeted student supports and baseline adjustments.
The nut graf: the proposed School Operating Fund totals approximately $4.0 billion, a net increase of $297.1 million (7.9%) over FY2025. The proposal includes resources tied to a recently negotiated collective bargaining agreement that would provide a 7% compensation increase in the relevant salary lanes and other staffing and baseline adjustments.
Dr. Reed framed the proposal as “resources for the work” and said the numbers represent more than line items: “these budget dollars represent more than charts and data. They represent the hopes and dreams of the children in this community,” she said. The superintendent highlighted that FCPS directs a high percentage of resources to school-based staff (about 92.5% of employees are school-based) and said the division has made efficiency gains while the cost of required services and the need for specialized student supports have grown.
Key budget points cited in the presentation include: a proposed FY26 School Operating Fund of about $4.0 billion; a requested county transfer increase of $268.3 million; expected state revenue increases of about $23.2 million; and federal operating revenue projected to decline slightly (about $1 million) as IDEA and Perkins allocations change.
The proposal sets compensation as the top priority. Dr. Reed noted that in FY26 the division would continue to pursue competitive starting teacher salaries while acknowledging midpoint and maximum teacher pay remain behind some neighboring jurisdictions. She also described $20 million in recurring targeted investments for student-need adjustments and 207.9 positions embedded in the plan to support special program services, summer school, major maintenance and preschool services.
Dr. Reed and board leadership emphasized partnership with the county and the General Assembly. The superintendent reiterated the board’s request for sustained attention to state-level recommendations under JLARC (a review of school funding) and said closing the long-term funding gap would require both state and local action.
Ending: board budget chair Mr. McDaniel and vice chair Ms. Sizemore Heizer praised the administration’s work and said a series of work sessions will follow, including a detailed compensation and student needs work session on Feb. 4.
