Subject:  FY 2021 Approved Budget

Staff Contact:  Leigh Burden, assistant superintendent, Department of Financial Services

Other Staff Present:   Marty Smith, chief operating officer

Alice Wigington, director, Office of Budget Services

Meeting Category:  May 21, 2020 – School Board Meeting

School Board Action Required:  Action

Ignite Link: Goal 4 – Resource Stewardship

Summary/Background (Key Points): FY 2021 Approved Budget

FY 2021 Advertised Budget

On February 6, 2020, the School Board adopted the FY 2021 Advertised Budget that included a requested increase of $89.7 million, or 4.2 percent in the county transfer.  Overall, the FY 2021 Advertised Budget showed a net increase of $172.2 million, or 5.8 percent, over the FY 2020 Approved Budget.

Impact of County Budget

On February 25, 2020 the Fairfax County Executive presented the FY 2021 Advertised Budget Plan and recommended a transfer increase of $85.5 million, or 4.0 percent, for school operations. The proposed transfer was $4.2 million less than FCPS requested in the advertised budget, as the county anticipated that FCPS would be able to meet the needs through increased funding from the state.

Due to the changing economic conditions resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), it was necessary to revise the FY 2021 Advertised Budget.

On May 12, 2020, the County Board of Supervisors adopted the revised budget proposal.  The revised budget proposal reduced the transfer increase to the School Operating Fund from $85.5 million to $7.3 million.

Impact of State Budget to FCPS

On Monday, April 13, 2020, Governor Northam released his amendments to the 2020-2022 biennial budget. The Governor’s amendments are largely in response to the changing state general fund revenue conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic since the budget was adopted by the General Assembly in mid-March. 

Based on the amendments adopted by the General Assembly at the Reconvened Session on April 22, 2020, state aid is decreasing by $4.8 million.

Beginning with the FY 2021 Advertised Budget, the following are the recommended adjustments in millions:

Recommendation:

That the School Board adopt the FY 2021 Approved Budget as detailed in the FY 2021 Advertised Budget modified by the adjustments included in the agenda item.

Attachment: 

FY 2021 Approved Budget Presentation

FY 2021 Approved Budget Agenda

Proposed Amendments (2)

1. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to utilize funds rescinded from the Superintendent’s proposed FY21 budget. i.e. ES Parity Pay ($.4M) to outline a plan to place additional counselors in the highest needs schools in the SY2020-2021. (Anderson/Cohen)

2. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to utilize funds rescinded from the Superintendent’s proposed FY21 budget, in the amount of 0.3M for the Office of School Supports, to include, in the 2020-2021 SY, ESOL in elementary and middle schools (K-8) for instruction and targeted supports that will address gaps in learning based on the highest needs students. (Omeish)

Proposed Omnibus Follow-On Motion (7)

1. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to provide a plan for ensuring greater transparency and accountability in our budget process to effectively meet the operational expectations defined in our governance manual. (Corbett Sanders/Derenak Kaufax)

2. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to prepare quarterly reviews of the FY21 budget and recommend adjustments based on the increased availability of funds. Future recommendations should include potential investments being proposed by the County for employee compensation, as well as strategic school-based services. (McLaughlin/Anderson)

3. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to present and discuss at a future work session the financial breakdown of costs for the FY21 $28.8M in new funds earmarked for New Student Enrollment. (McLaughlin)

4. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to include Elementary School Principal Pay Parity as part of any future FY21 proposed increases to employee compensation. (McLaughlin/Anderson)

5. I move that the Board direct the Superintendent to develop a district-wide technology plan (to be reviewed annually), taking into account the increased investment in technology to meet the guidelines set forth in OE-12 of the governance manual and should include a distance learning component, as well as data & privacy considerations. A preliminary report to the Board should be provided no later than December 1, 2020. (Pekarsky/Corbett Sanders)

6. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to initiate a comprehensive evaluation of FCPS communications practices and develop a division-wide strategic communications plan no later than January 1, 2021. The strategic communications plan will specifically concern FCPS communications with parents, staff, students, stakeholders, the School Board, and media. (Frisch/Meren)
    
7. I move that the School Board direct the Superintendent to develop a FY21 plan in response to the AAP study recommendations, and to include any associated operational costs in future FY21 quarterly budget reviews. This plan should include greater accountability and fidelity of implementation for AAP services, including, but not limited to, the Young Scholars Program and AART school staffing. (Derenak Kaufax/Tholen)

Proposed Additional Follow-On Motions

1. I move that the School Board authorize the Superintendent to begin the procurement process to support the purchase of 22,000 laptops to facilitate distance learning necessitated by the COVID pandemic. (Derenak Kaufax/Tholen)
    
2. I move that the School Board direct the superintendent to assess the increased need for school counselors, parent liaisons, social workers, psychologists, school nurses, and interpreters in our schools in response to the COVID crisis, as well as to ensure better alignment with best practice ratios. The superintendent will present this assessment and recommended staffing needs at the Year End budget review. (Omeish)

Housekeeping Motion:

I move that the Division Superintendent be authorized to take whatever actions are necessary to implement the decisions made by the School Board relative to its FY 2021 Approved Budget; and that all policies and regulations inconsistent with the budgetary motions passed tonight are hereby modified and amended accordingly; and the Division Superintendent is to be granted authority to make all necessary minor changes and technical modifications to the budget and to salary scales to comply with the intent of the School Board with regard to its budget actions.