Fairfax County Public Schools

Published June 3, 2024 at 3:30PM

A historical marker honoring civil rights activist Lillian Blackwell is unveiled in front of Oakton High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

When students arrive at Oakton High School, they will now encounter a historical marker honoring civil rights activist Lillian Blackwell, whose own children might not have been allowed inside when the school opened in 1967 if not for her advocacy.

Fairfax County officials unveiled the plaque detailing Blackwell’s legacy, including her fight against the segregation of local public schools and movie theaters, at a ceremony on Saturday (June 1) attended by some of her family members and the students who suggested her for the recognition.

Countywide

FCPS to tighten enforcement of student cell phone use restrictions

By James Jarvis

Published May 30, 2024 at 11:45AM

Cell phone on top of Dr. Seuss book (via Tamarcus Brown/Unsplash)

Fairfax County Public Schools is considering a pilot program this fall that would require students to hand over their cell phones during class.

Earlier this month, the Fairfax County School Board directed Superintendent Michelle Reid to develop a plan for students to secure their phones in lockers, magnetic pouches or similar central storage areas — as opposed to their pocket or backpack — with the goal of reducing distractions and improving student focus.

Countywide

School board approves budget with pay raises for all FCPS workers

By James Jarvis

Published May 29, 2024 at 9:30AM

FCPS Central Office in Merrifield (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Despite calls for targeted raises for teachers and support staff, the Fairfax County School Board has approved 4% pay raises for all school employees as part of its adopted fiscal year 2025 budget.

The decision, voted on last Thursday (May 23), came after the Virginia General Assembly allocated an additional $35.5 million to Fairfax County Public Schools, allowing Superintendent Michelle Reid to increase employee pay raises from 3% to 4%.

Countywide

FCPS to raise pay with additional state funding, but school board divided on approach

By James Jarvis

Published May 23, 2024 at 11:30AM

FCPS Central Office in Merrifield (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Following a budget compromise between Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia General Assembly, Fairfax County Public Schools is set to receive an additional $35.5 million for fiscal year 2025.

Superintendent Michelle Reid has proposed using most of the extra funds to boost school employee pay raises from 3% to 4% in the budget that the school board is set to adopt tonight (Thursday).

News

Fairfax County student wins spot in next week’s Scripps National Spelling Bee

By Acacia James

Published May 23, 2024 at 10:30AM

Fairfax County Spelling Bee 2024 winner Ankita Balaji with her parents and trophy in the Rachel Carson Middle School library (photo by Karen Bolt/FCPS)

Ankita Balaji, a seventh-grader at Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, will represent Fairfax County Public Schools in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, starting next Tuesday, May 28.

Balaji still remembers the moment she spelled the winning word correctly and won the 2024 Fairfax County spelling bee in March.

News

Fairfax elementary student named finalist in national Google Doodle contest

By James Jarvis

Published May 22, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated May 23, 2024 at 12:48AM

Arya Pribadi's 2024 Doodle for Google submission (via Arya Pribadi)

A Fairfax elementary student might soon see her artwork on Google’s homepage.

Google announced today (Wednesday) that Arya Pribadi, a student at Greenbriar West Elementary School in Chantilly, has been named a finalist in its “Doodle for Google” contest. Her drawing, which depicts a family of four celebrating the COVID-19 vaccine, was selected from tens of thousands of K-12 student submissions nationwide.

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Fairfax County teachers voice frustration over reduced pay raises in new budget

By James Jarvis

Published May 16, 2024 at 1:30PM

The Fairfax County School Board holds a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget (via FCPS/Youtube)

With just days to go before Fairfax County Public Schools finalizes its fiscal year 2025 budget, teachers voiced frustration this week with the news that school employees will get lower-than-expected pay raises.

As it stands, the Fairfax County School Board is on track to adopt a revised budget that includes a 3% pay increase for all school employees, down from the initially proposed 6%, starting July 1.

Countywide

FCPS superintendent scales back planned staff pay raises due to revenue shortfall

By James Jarvis

Published May 14, 2024 at 9:30AM

FCPS Central Office in Falls Church (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Facing lower-than-expected revenue from the county and state, Fairfax County Public Schools is considering a proposal to reduce staff pay raises.

Under Superintendent Michelle Reid’s new proposal, presented at last week’s school board meeting, all school employees would receive a 3% pay increase instead of the initially planned 6%, which would’ve made starting teacher salaries in Fairfax County the highest among surrounding jurisdictions.

News

Longtime FCPS educator named ‘Teacher of the Year’ by Washington Post

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published April 30, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated August 1, 2024 at 10:17AM

Colin Powell Elementary School teacher Laura Senturia was named the Washington Post's 2024 Teacher of the Year (photo by Karen Bolt/Fairfax County Public Schools)

A fourth-grade teacher at Colin Powell Elementary School in Centreville for more than 20 years has been named the Washington Post’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

The newspaper announced last Tuesday, April 23 that Laura Senturia had earned the title — and a $7,500 prize — for her “rare talent for identifying her students’ innermost strengths.”

Countywide

Fairfax board eyes lower-than-proposed real estate tax hike amid budget constraints

By James Jarvis

Published April 29, 2024 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Real estate taxes will likely go up for Fairfax County homeowners in the coming year, but perhaps not by as much as they could.

The Board of Supervisors plans to approve a 3-cent tax rate increase, down from the four cents that was advertised. That will reduce the average tax bill hike from about $524 to just over $450.