Fairfax County Public Schools 
Facilities Funding Sources

November 30, 1998

Point Of Contact: 
Robert Whiteman, FCCPTA First Vice Presidentrobert.whiteman@delusw.cec.eu.int

(202) 867-9550 (days) 
(703) 435-1773 (home)

13155 Ruby Lace Court
Herndon, VA 20171

Fairfax County Council Of PTA’s Position: 
We support (1) distributing state aid to education on a per pupil basis, (2) additional state school construction financing, and (3) passing enabling legislation to permit additional local options for local funding of school construction.

Background:
In the last decade Fairfax county voters approved five bond referenda assuming almost $1 billion in school construction debt. Bond referenda held in 1993, 1995 and 1997 had increasing size and support. 1993: $200,000 with 60 percent support. 1995: $217 million with 70% support. 1997:$235 million with 73% support.

Current annual Fairfax County allocation to FCPS facilities is $100 million, up from $75 and $80 million earlier in the decade (94 through 97). However, FCPS facilities needs are $110 million per year, based on approved referenda. Projected facilities funds shortfall for the next ten years is approximately $300 to 400 million, based on a 35-year renewal cycle.

When Virginia funded several billion dollars to fund new prisons, the FCCPTA protested that some of this money should be invested in public schools as prevention rather than expansion of the prison end of the spectrum. The 2-year authorized State funding for school construction is only $110 million per year for the entire state, equivalent to the money FCPS needs for construction and renovation for one year. With 14 percent of State public school enrollment, FCPS is allocated only 4 percent of the total state construction funding. (Fairfax County is applying this money to the interest on its school debts.)

Discussion: 
Diversification of taxes away from real estate values is essential. County revenues are relatively stagnant due to lower than expected increases in the value of real estate in Fairfax County. The Real Estate tax rate was last adjusted in 1996 and no adjustment in the rate is expected until 2000.

Recommendations:

1. Reconfigure the state funding formula to grant construction money based on total student enrollment.

2. Increase funding to the overall state construction package.

3. Permit Fairfax County to increase sales taxes up to .5% (1/2 of 1%) to be dedicated solely to school construction purposes.

Last Updated 01/27/2005 20:22:30