Fairfax County Public Schools needs $1.1 billion over the next five years to fund planned renovation, maintenance and construction projects.
The school system released its latest draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) ahead of a presentation to the school board this afternoon (Tuesday).
The CIP, a six-year plan for capital projects, is approved on an annual basis, but funding is allocated only one year at a time. The plan covers fiscal year 2027, which starts July 1, through fiscal 2031.
The plan includes new construction cost estimates to factor in inflation, the acquisition of and planned work to renovate the Western High School, and construction of new Dunn Loring and Silver Line elementary schools.
Construction on the Dunn Loring school, which will replace an administrative center on Gallows Road, is on track to begin in fiscal year 2027, which is also when planning for the Silver Line school near the Innovation Center Metro station is proposed to start in the CIP.
According to the presentation, FCPS staff propose removing some projects from the anticipated funding schedule because they’re “not projected to occur” within the next five to 10 years. That includes a Pinewood Lakes early childhood education center on Route 1, a future Tysons elementary school, and repurposing of the former Pimmit Hills and Virginia Hills school buildings.
The total projects over the next five years will cost an estimated $1.1 billion, of which $505 million has already been approved through bond referendums.
Over the next 10 years, FCPS will need about $1.6 billion to fund all planned projects, of which only $515 million has been approved.
Part of the funding need is driven by FCPS trying to speed up its renovation and maintenance schedule to address a growing backlog, which sits at $394.5 million. It’s expected to grow by $52.8 million next fiscal year and $237 million over the next five fiscal years.
A majority of the backlog is for updating heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, which represent about 60% of the current backlog and about 62% of the projected need over the next five years.
When it comes to current capital projects, construction is underway on renovations of nine elementary schools, Cooper Middle School and Falls Church High School. Planning and design work are slated to begin within the next five years on renovations of seven elementary schools, Franklin and Twain middle schools, and Centreville High School.
For Centreville High and Union Mill Elementary School, actual construction could also start in that time frame, according to the presentation.
FCPS will also implement the third phase of a five-phase project to add security vestibules at its schools this fall, according to the proposed CIP.
The CIP also includes estimated enrollment numbers, which are expected to drop from about 177,000 this school year to 171,000 in the 2030-2031 school year.
Tuesday is the first board work session and public hearing on the CIP. The board is expected to vote on the proposal by Feb. 12, ahead of the Board of Supervisors releasing the county’s CIP later next month.
