The Falls Church City School Board approved its Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The approved budget totals $69,402,486 and requires a city appropriation of $55,380,284, which represents a $145,000 reduction from the School Board's previously advertised budget due to revised revenue projections from the City's general government.
For the seventh consecutive year, the school division has met the original guidance provided by the City Council while continuing to address the needs of a growing student population and maintaining high-quality educational programming. Despite the mid-process reduction in available funding, the division has worked diligently to minimize impacts to core instructional services.
"This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring we meet the needs of our growing population of students and staff," said School Board Chair Tate Gould. "Despite having to make some difficult decisions, we've maintained our focus on supporting classroom instruction and staff compensation."
The Board's approved budget includes several key elements for the coming fiscal year:
2.5% Cost of Living Increase for all staff and a Step Increase for Eligible Employees
Funding to make permanent several positions currently funded through temporary sources, including a math specialist, a school counselor, and an ESOL teacher
Addition of 4.5 general education classroom teachers to accommodate enrollment growth
The addition of one special education teacher and three paraprofessionals
Funding for a full-time assistant director of athletics and student activities
Continued funding of psychology services previously supported through pandemic funds
To meet the revised revenue guidance, the school division reduced its planned textbook allocation and deferred the addition of an IB Primary Years Programme coordinator position for the elementary school.
The Board also approved the FY2026 Food Service budget in the amount of $1,621,448 and the Community Services Fund budget of $2,663,200, which requires a city appropriation of $107,500.
For more information about the FY2026 budget, please visit
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