Falls Church School Board Advances 52.1M Budget

With a focus on compensation, recruitment, and retention of teachers and staff, the Falls Church School Board unanimously approved a $52.1 million revenue and spending plan for the Fiscal Year 2020. The budget requires a City appropriation of $43 million which is within the General Government’s budget guidance of 2 percent announced in December.

The City and Schools have agreed to split 50/50 any additional revenues that may become available later this year.

"Every line item in my FY20 proposed budget is tied directly to our triennial plan and support our human capital, our "All Means All” philosophy, and our work toward becoming be the nation's premier PK-12 IB school division," Superintendent Peter Noonan said.

The budget provides a Salary Step increase for those employees eligible and a 1% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all staff members. In addition, both short and long-term substitutes will receive a $2/hour increase in hopes of retaining more in the division’s ranks.

Slowing enrollment growth, the realignment of 5 positions across the division through attrition, and operational and logistical efficiencies all contribute to the balanced proposed budget that is within the City Council's 2% Budget Guidance.

School Board Chair Erin Gill will present the School Board’s plan to the City Council during its meeting on March 11th.

In addition to the Operation Budget, the Board unanimously approved a Food Service Budget of 1.1 Million and $2.4 million Community Services Fund which requires a City appropriation of $107,500.