Growth Spurs FCCPS Superintendent to Propose 6.3 Percent Budget Increase

While Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan is requesting a 6.3 percent increase in revenue from the City Council in next year’s FCCPS budget, his reasons are sound. 

Extensive development in the City of Falls Church has created a student enrollment boom, while the City’s and the school-system’s “commitment to educational excellence” requires increases in teacher and staff compensation.  

On Jan. 14, Noonan presented his proposed FY 2026 budget to the School Board. The $4.67 million proposed increase represents a needs-based budget for next year. 

"This budget request reflects our highest priorities and needed investments to support students and staff and is responsive to our collective needs now and into the future," said Dr. Noonan. 

“For the first time in seven years, the school system's request of the City Council exceeds the projected organic revenue growth guidance of 5.9 percent with a requested increase of 6.3 percent, or $347,780,” a School Board press release said. “This increase reflects two primary drivers: the anticipated enrollment growth of 159 students for the 2025-26 school year and the division’s commitment to ensuring competitive compensation for FCCPS’s outstanding staff.”

“The budget proposal benefits from increased state funding, including $289,311 in additional state aid and $535,816 in sales tax revenue. The division also strategically set aside $545,377 from last year's state funding to help address this year's growth needs,” the press release continued.

The proposal comes “as FCCPS continues to be ranked as the #1 school district in Virginia and #2 in the D.C. area,” the School Board said.

Key components of the proposed budget include:

• Contractual obligations totaling $3.41 million, including a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment and step increases for staff;
• Enrollment growth funding of $1.18 million to maintain class sizes and support services;
• Current obligations of $759,201 for essential operational needs;
• Identified reductions of $683,181 to help offset increases.

The budget “maintains FCCPS's commitment to competitive staff compensation, with 85.4 percent of the total budget dedicated to employee salaries and benefits. This investment supports the division's position as one of Virginia's top three ‘Best Places to Teach.’”

The proposed budget “relies on Falls Church City to provide 80.3 percent of operating revenue, down from 80.9 percent in FY 2025, while state revenue accounts for 16.0 percent of the total budget, up from 15.1 percent in the current year. The remaining 3.7 percent comes from federal and other revenue sources.”

In a letter attached to his budget proposal, Superintendent Noonan expressed appreciation for the ample cooperation of the City Council and School Board. “FCCPS is grateful for the support of the City Council, School Board, and community in preparing this budget. For the prior six years, FCCPS has developed a budget that funds the most pressing and critical needs while staying within City Council Budget Guidance. This year, with the impact of enrollment growth, additional funding above our revenue-sharing agreement is requested.”

Fortunately, the City Council has maintained flexibility in the school budgeting process, recognizing the need for continued excellence in the City’s public schools. “In light of projected growth in assessed value of real estate and its associated financial burden on homeowners, the Council desires to hold steady or reduce the tax rate, but is also aware that in order to meet core government and public education needs, a tax rate increase may be required,” the Council said in its FY 2026 Guidance to the School Board. “Throughout the budget process, the Council will endeavor to determine the appropriate tax rate to match the core government and public education needs of the community and may consider setting aside tax revenues for contingencies.”

Falls Church City Public Schools is a “premier International Baccalaureate public school division serving over 2,700 students,” the School Board said. “FCCPS personalizes learning to support each child's unique needs and prepares every student to be a responsible, caring, and internationally-minded citizen.” According to the FCCPS School Board, "92 percent of Meridian High School's 64 IB Diploma Candidates earned the IB Diploma" last fiscal year.

Key Dates in the Budgeting Process:

• Budget Work Sessions: January 28 and February 25
• Public Hearings: February 11 and March 11
• Adoption of the FY 2026 School Board Advertised Budget: March 11
• City Council Budget Ordinance Adoption including School Transfer: May 12
• Public Hearing, Budget Work Session, and Adoption of the FY 2026 Budget: May 13

For more detailed budget information, visit: https://www.fccps.org/budget.

FY2026 Superintendent's Proposed Budget Document - PDF

By Christopher Jones