🌱 Fairfax Co. Tax Rate + School Staff On Leave + Burn Boot Camp

Morning, everybody. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Chantilly Patch newsletter — here to impart everything you need to know about what's happening in the community. Including news on...

• Real estate tax rate unchanged in Fairfax County
• Fairfax County school staff on leave
• Stricter state hemp regulations

But first, today's weather:

Showers around in the p.m.. High: 48 Low: 39.

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Chantilly? Partner with the Chantilly Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories today in Chantilly:

1. Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill has presented a proposed the fiscal year 2024 budget that includes an unchanged real estate tax rate, additional funds for Fairfax County public schools, and a market rate adjustment for county employees’ pay. The budget increased by $280 million from the previous year. While the proposed real estate tax rate is $1.11 per $100 of assessed value, homeowners will see increased taxes considering the rising real estate assessments, and Chairman Jeffrey McKay stated that the board has the flexibility to consider lowering the real estate tax rate and could use $90 million in the budget for tax relief. (WTOP)
2. Several staff members, including the principal, an assistant principal, and others at Hayfield Elementary School in Fairfax County, have been placed on leave. The school system is investigating its response to an alleged disciplinary incident between two students, but no further details were provided about the incident citing student privacy laws, and Linda Ferguson and Michael Krajack will be leading the school in the meantime. (WTOP)
3. The Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate have passed a bill to toughen regulations on hemp-derived products containing THC through a more robust permitting system and stricter labeling rules, in a necessary first step toward cracking down on largely unregulated THC products. However, retail marijuana sales will remain illegal under the proposed law, and several Democrats in the state Senate warned it would lead to an even more convoluted regulatory scheme for cannabis, comparing it to having one agency regulating beer and a different agency regulating liquor. Governor Glenn Youngkin supported the hemp bill, but he has avoided wading into the debate over whether the state should fully legalize marijuana.(Inside NoVA)
4. Jon Metzger, a former professional baseball player, and his wife Rebecca, are opening their fourth Burn Boot Camp location in Chantilly, offering group fitness workouts led by certified trainers that combine strength and high-intensity interval training. The camps are 45 minutes long and held on the "Floating Floor," an innovation that protects members' joints and prevents injury. Metzger said the experience they offer is something they are proud of and passionate about. Metzger and his wife also own Burn Boot Camp locations in Gainesville, South Riding, and Fair Lakes. (Inside NoVA)
5. Five new homes have been listed for sale in the Chantilly area. Available properties range from a 1,600-square-foot, three-bed, three-bath home for $440,000 to a $949,900 home with five beds, four baths, and 3,493 square feet. Get all the property details at the link. (Chantilly Patch)

From our sponsor:

The hustle and bustle of daily life can cause people to become overwhelmed and burnt out — many without even realizing it. BetterHelp online therapy wants to remind you to prioritize yourself. If you're stressed out, talking to someone can help you figure out what's causing it. To get started, just complete a quick, confidential questionnaire, and you can be matched with a professional therapist in less than 48 hours. Get matched today.

Today in and around Chantilly:

• Learn To Turn – A Full Day Of Turning! At Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, Fairfax (10:00 AM)
• Books And Brew Book Club At Ornery Beer Company, Fairfax (7:30 PM)
• School Board Work Session At Fairfax High School (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Chantilly area at the link! (Patch)
• The Capital Remodel and Garden Show occurred at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly over the weekend and featured well-known experts who provide home décor, renovation, and landscaping tips. The event also welcomed designer, author, and reality TV star Vern Yip to the main stage, who shared his advice with visitors looking to start fresh after the pandemic. (WTOP)
• Lawmakers in Virginia approved a measure designating fentanyl as a "weapon of terrorism" and increasing penalties for those who intentionally manufacture or distribute it. This measure defines any substance containing fentanyl as a weapon of terrorism, and those found guilty of knowingly and intentionally manufacturing or distributing it could face a class four felony charge, which carries a sentence of two to 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000. (Inside NoVA)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Jazzercise @ Fairfax Police Association Hall — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• FREE WEBINAR | "The Beauty of Botticelli" (February 28)
• Master Singers of VA Presents Sing Her Song (March 4)
• The DC Big Flea March 4-5th (March 5)
• Fairfax Choral Society’s 60th Anniversary Gala (March 11)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Foley Academy Irish Dance Spring Session Enrollment Open (Details)
• Add your announcement

Other featured classifieds:

• AP Tests & Reviews | SAT | ACT | SOL Tests & Reviews (Details)
• Add your classified

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you soon with another update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.