Although not the sexiest sounding program, the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is one of the most critical analyses in Fairfax County when it comes to schools. Annually, the CIP reviews current student membership and facilities data in order to identify future capacity needs and capital requirements (e.g., renovation, new building, etc.). Thus the CIP drives resource allocation among schools and communities across Fairfax County.
However, the total flow of capital resources is established by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, not the School Board. The School Board prioritizes these resources through the annual FY CIP and public input. Everything you need to know about the CIP is here, including 13 years of CIP summaries going back to 2012. The most current CIP is for FY 2025-29, which was adopted with amendments in February 2024.
What most Fairfax residents should review is capacity utilization on pages 80-208 to see priorities, and breakdowns of capacity utilization by region and school or program type. It also includes projections of changes in capacity and the impact of modular use to reduce overcrowding at schools. It is complex, but so are boundaries and our over 200 schools, hundreds of school programs, over 180,000 students, and over 40,000 full and part-time employees.
I’ve written two blogs that provide additional context and resources regarding boundary policy, change, and history:
Essential Boundary Policy for a New Century which explains the history of FCPS boundary policy and why it was necessary after 38 years of boundary changes with inadequate policies. It also provides examples of how some boundaries have been gerrymandered into “irregular” shapes over time, including Coates ES and surrounding elementary schools, Luther Jackson MS AAP program, Woodson HS, McLean HS, and Langley HS. It also has links to nearly a dozen resources that would help you learn more about school boundaries.
A “Brief” History of Boundary Change which provides important context about FCPS Boundary Policy 8130, including politically-motivated efforts to prevent updates to the outdated policy. It also provides details about boundary changes in the last 20 years. It describes how boundary change is somewhat inevitable as demographics and development change the literal landscape of Fairfax County.
An annual School Board public hearing soliciting public input on the proposed FY 2026 CIP will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6pm. You can sign up here to speak in person or via zoom (2 minutes) until 6pm on January 13. If you are planning to speak, it would be beneficial to review the proposed FY 2026 CIP on your family’s schools to see if there are concerns that you would like to raise. Priority schools, which are schools that are the most under or over-utilized, are identified on pages 51-71. Regional reviews begin on page 72.
Although there is significant concern about school boundaries at this time, the hearings are intended to discuss the proposed FY 2026 CIP so that the School Board can make amendments as needed. You can also send concerns directly to your school board member here.
Note: Before the hearing at 6pm next Tuesday (1/14/25), the School Board will be having a work session from 11:30-4:30 (+ a break for lunch) to discuss the CIP. This can be attended in person at 8115 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church 22042 (Room 1600), or observed online on FCPS channel 99 https://www.fcps.edu/tv/ch99.
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