Facing significant budgetary challenges, school districts across the United States are grappling with funding inadequacies as they prepare their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Among them, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Sandwich School Committee have proposed budgets to address their unique challenges.
The proposed FY 2026 budget for FCPS anticipates total funding of $4 billion, representing a 7.9 percent increase from the previous year, with Superintendent Michelle Reid emphasizing the need for careful fiscal planning. "The budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence – not just for FCPS, but for all of us in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy," she stated.
This new budget includes additional investments aimed at creating equitable salary adjustments and responding to demographic shifts, with more than 85 percent dedicated to instruction. Importantly, the budget outlines a 7 percent salary increase for all staff, which Reid insists is necessary to attract and retain top talent.
Despite these aspirations, FCPS faces chronic underfunding from the state of Virginia, which provides less per-student funding compared to neighboring states. Reid reported, "Virginia schools receive less funding per student than our neighboring states – an estimated $568.7 million in FCPS alone. That’s approximately $3,100 per student.” Such funding discrepancies position FCPS at risk of becoming overly reliant on local sources.
Comparative salary data from nearby jurisdictions highlights the pressing need for FCPS to improve teacher compensation. The maximum salary for a teacher with a master’s degree is $118,017, which lags behind the maximum of $149,263 found in Prince William County and $129,544 in Falls Church. "We must provide competitive compensation to attract and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students," Reid emphasized.
On the other hand, the Sandwich School Committee recently approved its FY 2026 budget of $40.8 million, signifying a 2.7 percent increase from the prior year. Superintendent Joseph P. Maruszczak noted during the review process, "Unfortunately, under the state’s current formula for K-12 education, Sandwich is considered to be a minimum aid district and our community has the maximum target share of 82.5 percent of the state required contribution toward the foundational budget.”
This assertion highlights the challenges of local funding models, making it difficult for Sandwich to anticipate significant increase from state aid, which is pegged to remain stagnant at approximately $7.7 million. Meanwhile, the local share for next year’s budget is projected to reach $33 million, showing financial strain as community contributions grow.
Salary increases also form the bedrock of the Sandwich budget, as projected costs will rise by nearly $1.2 million or 3.99 percent for professional and support staff, alongside the more specific necessities like technology and transportation, which have been rising costs year-on-year.
Interestingly, the Sandwich district has experienced stabilized enrollment figures after years of decreases, which Maruszczak noted were largely due to competitive educational opportunities and lower birth rates. "There has been a decrease in enrollment over the past 10 to 15 years due to a decrease birth rate in town and an increase of other competitive educational opportunities," he explained. This stabilization is encouraging, yet highlights the need for sustained financial investments to support quality education.
Looking at long-term goals, both FCPS and Sandwich reflect larger systemic issues plaguing many school districts: attracting quality educators amid low funding and finding sustainable solutions to continue to offer quality education. While FCPS struggles with state inequalities, Sandwich finds itself hampered by minimum aid status. These narratives draw attention to the broader funding reforms needed to support educational infrastructure effectively.
Budget planning is, of course, just one side of the coin. Both districts hold budget hearings to engage the community and gather input. FCPS is set for budget hearings on February 4, 2025, with the final approvals due on February 20, 2025. Meanwhile, the Sandwich School Committee's budget is already approved, but they will continue seeking support from constituents to address budgetary constraints as they endeavor to maintain educational standards.
Such developments are reflective of the growing concerns over educational funding across the nation, reminding stakeholders of the importance of investing adequately to fortify the future of public education.