Falls Church City Schools Budget Includes Staff Pay Raises, Parental Leave

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The Falls Church City School Board approved the advertised budget for the school district ahead of the city's budget process. One priority addressed in the budget was staff pay as Falls Church City Public Schools seeks to remain competitive in the job market.

"We're proud to present a budget that aligns with the FCCPS Strategic Plan and provides our staff with the resources they need to succeed," said School Board Chair Laura Downs in a statement. "Our teachers and staff are critical to the success of our students, and we're committed to supporting them in every way possible."

The advertised budget for fiscal year 2024 totals $60,549,417, a 5.1 percent increase. The majority of that funding is expected from the City of Falls Church government and meets City Council guidance of a budget increase from city funding up to 4.2 percent. The remaining funding for the budget increase comes from anticipated additional state and federal revenue.

On the employee pay and benefits side, the budget provides a step increase for eligible employees and 2 percent cost of living adjustment for all employees. A $1,000 longevity bonus would be provided for staff at the end of the salary scale who could not get a step increase. The budget would also provide six weeks of parental leave, increased sick leave payout from $3 per hour to $15 per hour when an employee leaves and a lowered part-time employee share of health care premiums.

At Oak Street Elementary, the advanced academic teacher position increases to full time through $50,000 in reduced textbooks funding.

The budget accounts for an expected student enrollment of 2,552 next school year, a 18-student increase from the Sept. 30 enrollment count this school year.

Superintendent Peter Noonan had presented the proposed budget to the School Board on Jan. 10. Three budget work sessions and two public hearings before the School Board voted on the budget.

Next up is the city's budget process. The city manager is expected to propose a budget on Monday, March 27. Work sessions and an April 24 public hearing will follow. Budget adoption is expected on Monday, May 8. The School Board will approve its final budget on May 9 after the city budget adoption.