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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
Dear Dranesville Families:
It’s hard to believe this weekend is the start of Daylight Saving Time, and we’re already through the first week of March. I am hopeful spring weather is here to stay. March is a busy month for the School Board with work on SY26-27 SR&R (see the Work Session presentation below) and the FY27 Advertised budget.
I need your help to address our current and hopefully bridgeable FY27 budget gap by sharing your family’s priorities, especially if we can’t meet the budget gap. On February 26th, the School Board approved Dr. Reid’s FY 2027 Advertised Budget. You can view the details of the FY 2027 Proposed Budget presentation and document on the FCPS website and an overview below. The Fairfax County FY27 Budget information can be found on their website.
Over the next 10 weeks, there will be multiple ways to share your thoughts with me, FCPS, our Virginia elected officials, Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay and Dranesville’s Supervisor Jimmy Bierman. Please join a Dranesville Budget Town Halls on March 23rd or 25th to learn more about the budget and share your priorities. As we get closer to the final budget votes by the Board of Supervisors and FCPS, share your and your student’s priorities.
If you have family and friends across Virginia, please encourage them to share with their Virginia elected officials how the Commonwealth must correct the long-time underfunding of education to benefit every Virginian school district. Governor Spanberger kicked off a Common Wealth Listening Tour on how we can highlight successes and work together to strengthen public education by supporting educators and students. We are waiting for the Northern Virginia date and location, but please fill out the below survey sharing how students can thrive and Virginia’s role in their success. Please share the survey widely across your neighborhood, school, and Virginia.
Our Dranesville students impress me every day with their involvement in activities and their achievements, see the School News and Student News below. I have enjoyed watching the hard work and success of our winter athletes as they finish their season and congratulate those student athletes who won Districts, Regionals, and then made it to the State Championships. I look forward to attending the spring sports season and the upcoming spring musicals across Dranesville. Finally, if you are planning traveling over spring break, please read below on how to ensure your family’s safety.
Regards,
Robyn
2026 IAD Youth Art Walk. Provides young artists with a unique opportunity to showcase their work to travelers from around the world.
In this newsletter,
Calendar Reminders
March 8: Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 20: Eid al-Fitr | No School
March 30 - April 3: Spring Break | No School
FCPS 2025-26 School Year Calendar
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Fairfax County School Board Adopts FY 2027 Advertised Budget
At the February 26 meeting, the School Board voted to adopt FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget.
“This proposal focuses on essentials — restoring at least in part, critical supports, honoring our commitments to appropriate compensation, and continuing strategic investments that directly benefit students,” said Superintendent Michelle Reid. “It is a disciplined, responsible plan that keeps our attention where it belongs: on delivering strong outcomes for every student.”
Over the past 10 years, FCPS has implemented reductions, including staffing, cost avoidances, and fee enhancements of more than $800 million to align with the funding levels provided.
Read more about FCPS’ FY 2027 Advertised Budget.
Share Your Feedback on the Budget
Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn how you can share feedback and provide input on the county’s FY 2027 Budget. Engagement opportunities for the county budget in March and April include public hearings and town hall meetings.
The FCPS FY 2027 Approved Budget is scheduled to be adopted by the School Board in May. Follow the budget process.
Dranesville Budget Town Halls
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March 23, 7 p.m.- McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean)
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March 25, 7 p.m.- Herndon High School (700 Bennett St, Herndon)
FY27 Budget Timeline
March 17- Board of Supervisors advertises tax rate
April 14-16- Board of Supervisors public hearings on the budget
April 28- Board of Supervisors' budget markup and determines the budget package and tax rates
May 5- Board of Supervisors adopts the budget, tax rates, and transfer to FCPS
May 7- Approved budget presented to the School Board
May 12- School Board holds a public hearing on the budget (May 13 if needed)
May 14- School Board budget work session
May 21- School Board adopts approved budget
All times and topics are subject to change. Please check the School Board meeting schedule for the latest times and agenda updates for School Board meetings.
Custodian and Food and Nutrition Worker Appreciation Month Proclamation.
February 26, 2026 School Board Meeting
Watch the full meeting.
Action Items
Boundary Change Phasing and Transportation
The School Board voted to direct the Superintendent to provide transportation to non-boundary (current) students for high schools consistent with the phasing policy, and that end of year funding be utilized if the existing transportation budget cannot fund all associated costs. View more on BoardDocs.
Fiscal Year 2027 Advertised Budget
The School Board voted to adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 Advertised Budget as detailed in the agenda item. View more on BoardDocs.
Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report: Academic Growth and Excellence
The School Board voted to approve the Goal 3 Strategic Plan Report for the 2025-26 school year. View more on BoardDocs.
Presentations
FCPS Black Excellence video tribute
Academic Matters- Dr. Reid discussed the Benchmark Advance K-6 Writing Curriculum. The curriculum is now in its second year of use and is improving reading and writing skills for students across grade levels. Watch a video to learn more about our writing curriculum for kindergarten through sixth grade.
2026 School Anniversary Recognitions
Region 1 Schools (top), Region 5 Schools (middle), Chesterbrook ES Proclamation (bottom).
During the February 26th Regular Meeting, the School Board recognized schools celebrating anniversaries in 2026. I presented a proclamation celebrating Chesterbrook ES's 100th Anniversary.
The Board celebrated these Dranesville student schools' anniversaries:
- Armstrong ES- 40 years
- Forestville ES- 45 years
- Herndon ES- 65 years
- Herndon MS- 65 years
- Lemon Road ES- 70 years
I want to recognize the following schools for their anniversaries in 2025.
- Haycock ES- 70 years
- Hutchison ES- 50 years
- Langley HS- 60 years
- Longfellow MS- 65 years
- McLean HS- 70 years
- Spring Hill ES- 60 years
- Thomas Jefferson HSST- 40 years
- Westfield HS- 20 years
March 3rd Work Session
Strategic Plan Goal 2 Report: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered
Materials
Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
Materials
FCPS School Board Approves FY27-31 CIP
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027–31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), a comprehensive five-year roadmap for capital investments that will strengthen learning environments, support student success, and address critical facility needs across the school division, at its meeting on February 12. A CIP is a working budget document that shows timing and costs of improvements to school buildings, such as renovations, additions, and new schools.
The FY 2027–31 CIP reflects the School Board’s strategic priorities to modernize aging infrastructure, expand capacity where needed, and ensure that every student learns in a secure, accessible, and inspiring environment. The approved plan builds on efforts to maintain and enhance FCPS facilities in alignment with long-term enrollment projections and infrastructure planning.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Thursday, March 19, 6:30 p.m.- Swearing In of New Braddock District Magisterial Representative, Tom Dannan
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Thursday, March 19, 6:45 p.m.- Public Hearing: North Springfield ES Advanced Academic Program
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Thursday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m.- Regular Meeting
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Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m.- Regular Meeting
All times and topics are subject to change. Please check the School Board meeting schedule for the latest times and agenda updates.
How to watch meetings and sign up to speak:
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español
Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español.
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