How would you cut the budget?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would increase the budget, not cut it, mainly to pay teachers more. I'd also be willing to increase local taxes further to reduce class sizes.

Don't own your own home or register your car in Virginia, huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick recap, then there's more.

Recap:

Division Chief:

2019 - $466,000
2025 - $2,795,000

Gifted Talented Resource

2021: $10,000,000
2025: $16,000,000

why the 50-60% increase? kindergarten teacher spending was up only 10% from 39m to 43m

Library materisls and supplies:

2022: 22,000
2025: 2,077,000

Assistant elementary principals:

2021: 21,606,000
2025: 29,995,000

38% increase, almost $8,000,000!

Assistant high school principals:

2021: 14,802,000
2025: 20,068,000

35% increase, $5,266,000!

Meanwhile, the poor general education K teachers:

2021: 39,833,000
2025: 43,747,000

Only a measly 10% increase. Shocker.

And HERE'S MORE -

Textbooks:

2019: 26,459,000
2025: 45,830,000 - after spending a whopping 74,848,000 the year prior FY 2024!!!!

That's a $19,000,000 increase comparing just 2019 to 2025! or 73%.

In two years, they spent over $120 million on textbooks. Why?

Do students use textbooks now?

Heres more items I noticed

Teacher Staffing RESERVE-

2021: 0
2022: 0
2023: 0
2024 - 24,431,000 (revised)
2025 - 17,747,000

Senior Manager:

2021: 14,009,000
2025: 30,259,000 - 116% increase or $16,250,000 increase

Family liason:

2021: 0
2022: 0
2023: 0
2024: 2,202,000
2025: 3,697,000
was this previously a volunteer position?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cut gatehouse staffing by 50%, reduce superintendent pay by 20%, eliminate IB or at most offer at 1 school.

FCPS’s Chief DEIA Officer, Nardos King, has a salary close to $200k per year, and a full-time staff of more than 60 employees.

That department should be completely disbanded to save FCPS a huge amount of money which is currently wasted.

+100
I find it utterly astounding that this hasn't been called out in the media. What a disgusting waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You posted this many times in many threads, along with how your kid and her friends hate special ed kids and make fun of them when they think no one but you are listening.

Nope, you've got me confused with someone else. Or maybe the person I was replying too who complained the special ed kids slowed down the gen ed class. All I did was post to defend the existence of AAP, because apparently they're jealous the AAP classroom doesn't have as many disruptions. I just said if they've got something against special ed in their classroom then they have to deal with those parents, but don't come at the AAP families over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You posted this many times in many threads, along with how your kid and her friends hate special ed kids and make fun of them when they think no one but you are listening.

Nope, you've got me confused with someone else. Or maybe the person I was replying too who complained the special ed kids slowed down the gen ed class. All I did was post to defend the existence of AAP, because apparently they're jealous the AAP classroom doesn't have as many disruptions. I just said if they've got something against special ed in their classroom then they have to deal with those parents, but don't come at the AAP families over it.

This is what the SB and Reid want. Class warfare amount the parents. What is needed for everyone to stand together, get a petition signed by a majority of the parents, to tell the SB to pause the boundary study. You all are playing right into their hands with the infighting.

[Anonymous]

The FCPS messaging about cutting the FY2026 budget isn't exactly accurate. Fairfax County board of supervisors is offering a $150 million INCREASE. FCPS claims they can't do without $300 million. Sorry, but most Virginia universities are expecting 10-15% budget cuts in FY2026, most haven't been allowed to raise tuition for years, and those who aren't expecting budget cuts are expecting flat budgets. FCPS is not even getting a flat budget--they're getting an INCREASE. Public schools should be able to make their own plans for flat budgets where they also give their employees raises. This happens ALL THE TIME in higher education and at state (and federal) agencies.

Budget transparency IS a huge issue. Apparently FCPS spends a ton of money on textbooks, but textbooks aren't in the schools, and individual schools have to buy their own textbooks now due to their changes in textbook policies? Granted, textbook companies have been moving everything online to get ongoing subscription revenue streams, so being able to find a company that just sells a print textbook is increasingly difficult. Additionally, textbook costs have been spiraling for decades well above inflation, which is why so many universities have been trying to push for Open Educational Resources (since college kids don't eat in order to pay for books that aren't actually used in their classrooms by their professors). I'm not against online, but the myriad of conflicting instructional strategies, and early career teachers who can't answer a single question about those instructional strategies or tell a parent what the curriculum actually is? that's frustrating to parents, and also explains why so many of us have to engage in after-schooling or pay tutors to get our kids at grade level. FCPS aren't "awesome"--we just have more parents willing to take on the educational support needed to keep our kids at grade level, so our scores look great.

Also, PTOs are paying for most of the technology in the ES classrooms (at least this is what's claimed by my ES)? So where does the FCPS technology budget go??? Parents already have to pay extra to get "basics" in their schools via PTO fundraising. I don't need to pay more taxes, and more to the PTO, while not getting raises, or potentially having one of us lose of our jobs, because FCPS administrators aren't capable of higher math. (Not a troll, but am a Democrat who doesn't believe in blank checks)

[Anonymous]

As long as this School Board is willing to green light wasteful spending like the Dunn Loring ES boondoggle the BOS shouldn’t be giving FCPS any increase, much less the massive one requested. Eff Karl Frisch and his cronies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: . . .

Also, PTOs are paying for most of the technology in the ES classrooms (at least this is what's claimed by my ES)? So where does the FCPS technology budget go??? Parents already have to pay extra to get "basics" in their schools via PTO fundraising. I don't need to pay more taxes, and more to the PTO, while not getting raises, or potentially having one of us lose of our jobs, because FCPS administrators aren't capable of higher math. (Not a troll, but am a Democrat who doesn't believe in blank checks)

Large percentages of the technology budget fund the universal issuance of laptops to every FCPS student, with guaranteed replacement
When the student breaks or loses the laptop.

Also rolled into the technology budget is FCPS’ translation of online documents, websites (including updates), services to students and parents, etc. FCPS is highly diverse, so it is important that anything FCPS does online needs to accessible in every language, to provide equitable access.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cut gatehouse staffing by 50%, reduce superintendent pay by 20%, eliminate IB or at most offer at 1 school.

FCPS’s Chief DEIA Officer, Nardos King, has a salary close to $200k per year, and a full-time staff of more than 60 employees.

That department should be completely disbanded to save FCPS a huge amount of money which is currently wasted.

Hold up. So, a principal who took out an ad for her side hustle "Body Magic" that promised to increase kid's sex drives in her high school yearbook was promoted to the Chief DEIA officer??? Wowsers. This administration is seriously a joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: . . .

Also, PTOs are paying for most of the technology in the ES classrooms (at least this is what's claimed by my ES)? So where does the FCPS technology budget go??? Parents already have to pay extra to get "basics" in their schools via PTO fundraising. I don't need to pay more taxes, and more to the PTO, while not getting raises, or potentially having one of us lose of our jobs, because FCPS administrators aren't capable of higher math. (Not a troll, but am a Democrat who doesn't believe in blank checks)

Large percentages of the technology budget fund the universal issuance of laptops to every FCPS student, with guaranteed replacement
When the student breaks or loses the laptop.

Also rolled into the technology budget is FCPS’ translation of online documents, websites (including updates), services to students and parents, etc. FCPS is highly diverse, so it is important that anything FCPS does online needs to accessible in every language, to provide equitable access.

Then why did FCPS just drop $119,000,000 on textbooks for 2024-2025?? An unusually large sum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cut all DEI personnel and programs immediately.

So you mean to cut special education?

Did I say that? You're just making stuff up.

DEI includes more than LGBQ

You're right, it's racist too.

So tired of having to educate you morons about DEI. Define it for me so I can understand what you think it is. Hint: It’s not racist. But I ask you: Why do you hate inclusion? Seriously.

And how much does “DEI” cost the schools?

We have laws that cover the issues that matter. We do not need a special staff. We do have diversity--we don't need anyone teaching us about who is privileged and who is now.
What is the best thing for the minority groups? Education. Period. What is the best thing for majority groups? Education.

We do not need "Pride Days" or "Transgender visibility" days. We just need for kids to treat each other with respect. And, you do not need a special staff for that.

And you think that people treat others with respect automatically?

You think that teachers do not do that without being told? You think that Nardos King is going to make a difference in that?

Teachers don’t know even who that is.

Anyone who has been with the county more than 5-10 years knows exactly who she is. Most of us agree these positions should be cut. The poster who is putting up actual numbers is doing good work. Keep going!

I’ve been with FCPS 32 years and I didn’t recognize her name. My spouse has been with FCPS 18 years and when I just asked her she said “Nope. What region or area she in?” I’d be willing to bet if I asked 10 of my ES colleagues, none would know her name.

She’s the chief equity officer. She used to be a regional assistant superintendent and before that was a hs principal. Can’t remember which - maybe Mount Vernon? She has been failing upwards. She is incredibly unimpressive and produces no work of value. She has tons of staff in her equity office who also do nothing of value.

She's best known for having taken out an ad in the Mount Vernon HS yearbook when she was principal touting "Body Magic" energy drinks she was selling as a side hustle that would supposedly "Enhance Your Sex Drive."

Just what the kids at Mount Vernon needed...

DP. Holy $hit! I didn't know this -

https://www.potomaclocal.com/2010/07/28/controversial-ad-lands-principal-in-hot-water/

Sounds something Ava would do on Abbott Elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: . . .

Also, PTOs are paying for most of the technology in the ES classrooms (at least this is what's claimed by my ES)? So where does the FCPS technology budget go??? Parents already have to pay extra to get "basics" in their schools via PTO fundraising. I don't need to pay more taxes, and more to the PTO, while not getting raises, or potentially having one of us lose of our jobs, because FCPS administrators aren't capable of higher math. (Not a troll, but am a Democrat who doesn't believe in blank checks)

Large percentages of the technology budget fund the universal issuance of laptops to every FCPS student, with guaranteed replacement
When the student breaks or loses the laptop.

Also rolled into the technology budget is FCPS’ translation of online documents, websites (including updates), services to students and parents, etc. FCPS is highly diverse, so it is important that anything FCPS does online needs to accessible in every language, to provide equitable access.

Then why did FCPS just drop $119,000,000 on textbooks for 2024-2025?? An unusually large sum.

Anybody know how much the Benchmark series in ES cost?

[Anonymous]

Pay SB members $1, cut Superintendent salary by 50%, cut Gatehouse staff by 50%, stop purchasing junk, trend of the day curriculum, get rid of laptops for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: . . .

Also, PTOs are paying for most of the technology in the ES classrooms (at least this is what's claimed by my ES)? So where does the FCPS technology budget go??? Parents already have to pay extra to get "basics" in their schools via PTO fundraising. I don't need to pay more taxes, and more to the PTO, while not getting raises, or potentially having one of us lose of our jobs, because FCPS administrators aren't capable of higher math. (Not a troll, but am a Democrat who doesn't believe in blank checks)

Large percentages of the technology budget fund the universal issuance of laptops to every FCPS student, with guaranteed replacement
When the student breaks or loses the laptop.

Also rolled into the technology budget is FCPS’ translation of online documents, websites (including updates), services to students and parents, etc. FCPS is highly diverse, so it is important that anything FCPS does online needs to accessible in every language, to provide equitable access.

Then why did FCPS just drop $119,000,000 on textbooks for 2024-2025?? An unusually large sum.

That is well more than $60 per student. That sounds excessive since all kids don't use textbooks. However, it would not surprise me if the cost is not $60 per book.
I've posted this before: the textbook companies are happy to wine and dine the selection committees. It is so easy to spend other people's money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cut all DEI personnel and programs immediately.

So you mean to cut special education?

Did I say that? You're just making stuff up.

DEI includes more than LGBQ

You're right, it's racist too.

So tired of having to educate you morons about DEI. Define it for me so I can understand what you think it is. Hint: It’s not racist. But I ask you: Why do you hate inclusion? Seriously.

And how much does “DEI” cost the schools?

We have laws that cover the issues that matter. We do not need a special staff. We do have diversity--we don't need anyone teaching us about who is privileged and who is now.
What is the best thing for the minority groups? Education. Period. What is the best thing for majority groups? Education.

We do not need "Pride Days" or "Transgender visibility" days. We just need for kids to treat each other with respect. And, you do not need a special staff for that.

And you think that people treat others with respect automatically?

You think that teachers do not do that without being told? You think that Nardos King is going to make a difference in that?

Teachers don’t know even who that is.

Anyone who has been with the county more than 5-10 years knows exactly who she is. Most of us agree these positions should be cut. The poster who is putting up actual numbers is doing good work. Keep going!

I’ve been with FCPS 32 years and I didn’t recognize her name. My spouse has been with FCPS 18 years and when I just asked her she said “Nope. What region or area she in?” I’d be willing to bet if I asked 10 of my ES colleagues, none would know her name.

She’s the chief equity officer. She used to be a regional assistant superintendent and before that was a hs principal. Can’t remember which - maybe Mount Vernon? She has been failing upwards. She is incredibly unimpressive and produces no work of value. She has tons of staff in her equity office who also do nothing of value.

Here is some background on her poor decision-making while working for FCPS:

https://www.potomaclocal.com/2010/07/28/controversial-ad-lands-principal-in-hot-water/