Fairfax City superintendent updates board on FY2027 budget, enrollment and tuition estimate

Superintendent Dr. Wright on Monday told the City of Fairfax School Board that updated enrollment and cost estimates have prompted modest adjustments to the advertised FY2027 budget and that the district is recommending the School Board adopt the advertised budget next week.

The superintendent said the city’s September membership was 2,942 students and that December membership rose slightly to 2,947, a net gain of five students. He noted those September numbers sit below some earlier projections and emphasized that the March ADM (average daily membership), the figure used for final tuition calculations, will be finalized in mid‑April.

Dr. Wright framed the enrollment numbers as part of a wider regional trend, citing declines or lower‑than‑expected growth in neighboring jurisdictions. He also explained the relationship between the ADM and the city’s tuition payment to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), saying FCPS projects the city’s tuition at about $77,000,000 based on a projected enrollment of 3,103 students but that the city is using a lower, more conservative figure in its proposed budget.

"We had 2,942 city students that were enrolled in our schools," Dr. Wright said, and later added, "there's only a net difference of 5 students between September and December for our City Of Fairfax students, so 2,947." He also said, "that $77,000,000 is based on a projected enrollment of, 3,103 students for the city of Fairfax" and that "the number that we put in our budget is more realistic to what we'll actually end up paying."

On expenditures, Dr. Wright said salaries and benefits remain the largest portion of operating costs and that the FY2027 proposal includes some salary flexibility to respond to bond‑funded renovations or unforeseen needs. He also broke down an increase in contract services (grounds, professional services and communications support tied to the renovation work) and said the district plans to restore school supplemental instructional funds (SIF) to $285,000, up from $208,000 allocated in FY26.

"It was definitely $285,000 in FY 24‑25," Dr. Wright said, describing the restoration to a prior funding level. Chair Pitches said she supported keeping SIF at $285,000, noting the money benefits students and staff.

Board members pressed staff on a range of technical questions. Miss Kelsey asked about support for National Board Certified Teachers and whether reductions would leave the district unable to fund teacher requests; Dr. Wright said he would gather exact figures but that he had not received requests for additional funding and that FCPS support has reduced district needs. Miss Kelsey also asked whether a $20,000 facilities line would cover newly assumed turf maintenance costs; Dr. Wright said the $20,000 is intended to begin a reserve for athletic turf maintenance and that CIP‑funded field work could reduce annual costs.

On debt service tied to renovations, Dr. Wright said the debt figures shown in the School Board presentation do not include the upcoming bond. He told the board the ~$4.3 million figure shown reflects prior projects and that estimated principal and interest for a new bond would be about $1.8–$1.9 million; he said those costs are expected to be reflected in the city’s operating budget rather than the school budget.

The superintendent outlined next steps for the budget process: the School Board can vote to approve the advertised FY2027 budget at its meeting next Monday, the city manager will present the city budget to mayor and council in February, the School Board and city council will meet in March with subsequent public hearings, and the mayor and council’s final vote is scheduled for May 5.

The meeting ended without a formal vote on the advertised budget; Dr. Wright said he would return requested clarifications (teacher NBCT commitment length and exact counts) to the board ahead of final action.