PSA: Fairfax County Proposed Budget CANCELS Middle School After School Programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people are confused. NCS, which runs SACC, has basically a teen version of SACC at some sites. That’s what’s being proposed to be cut because the middle school clubs/sports serves that purpose.

This is the program being referenced: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/afterschool-programs

No one is confused here. The link you referenced points to MSAS which is being cut in its entirety. The FC budget includes it in reductions under NCS (neighborhood and community services). This program is the entirety of middle school school clubs. There is one sport - track/cross country - that is not included in MSAS.

If the bolded is accurate, please explain why the proposed budget doc states "FCPS has been expanding its offering of after-school programs, including clubs, activities and school sports, outside of MSAS program that could offer viable alternatives for teens to participate in structured and safe activities."

Please explain like I'm five. Thank you.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/sites/budget/files/Assets/documents/fy2026/advertised/volume1/79.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people are confused. NCS, which runs SACC, has basically a teen version of SACC at some sites. That’s what’s being proposed to be cut because the middle school clubs/sports serves that purpose.

This is the program being referenced: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/afterschool-programs

No one is confused here. The link you referenced points to MSAS which is being cut in its entirety. The FC budget includes it in reductions under NCS (neighborhood and community services). This program is the entirety of middle school school clubs. There is one sport - track/cross country - that is not included in MSAS.

If the bolded is accurate, please explain why the proposed budget doc states "FCPS has been expanding its offering of after-school programs, including clubs, activities and school sports, outside of MSAS program that could offer viable alternatives for teens to participate in structured and safe activities."

Please explain like I'm five. Thank you.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/sites/budget/files/Assets/documents/fy2026/advertised/volume1/79.pdf

Track and field, maybe? Cross country? A few corporate sponsored clubs in some schools - that honestly exist at the whim of whatever company is sponsoring it that year. I welcome anyone to add to this list. MSAS is like SACC for middle schoolers. Getting rid of it is like getting rid of SACC in the elementary grades.

[Anonymous]

They will come for SACC next if we let this happen.

[Anonymous]

Maybe check with the middle school principals about what this could mean and report back? My kid is in 6th grade so I don't really know what this all means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe check with the middle school principals about what this could mean and report back? My kid is in 6th grade so I don't really know what this all means.

I'm going to do this, and I'll post here if I get more info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They will come for SACC next if we let this happen.

SACC is revenue generating, and MS is not. Seems unlikely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will come for SACC next if we let this happen.

SACC is revenue generating, and MS is not. Seems unlikely.

Good point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will come for SACC next if we let this happen.

SACC is revenue generating, and MS is not. Seems unlikely.

I would gladly pay on a sliding scale just like we do now for SACC. The thought of middle school is terrifying to me anyway. This threat to cut programs is honestly making it way worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please raise hell about this. Honestly, middle school kids are always getting the shaft because it's "only two years" but it's such a tough time. They needs these activities. They need the engagement, the exercise, the supervision. Our kid would be coming home to an empty house. She would be fine. She's a good kid. But can't we provide something for these kids? We live in one of the richest counties in America, FFS. Where are my tax $ going?!?

I'm not in favor of these activities getting cut, but I think kids needing activities is a little over dramatic. Maybe some kids do, but not all do, I get that some kids may need constant supervision, but engagement and exercise do not need to come from activities.

This is a frustrating time. Telework is eliminated for thousands, bullying and harassment of federal workers is the norm, increasing taxes, no respite from inflation. And now this. Forgive us all for being a little "dramatic" about something that affects our kids. I'm glad you think your kid will be ok. You're lucky.

I'm sorry, the over dramatic comment was wrong of me. But, some comments make it seem like no kids will be or are ok if these activities weren't here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people are confused. NCS, which runs SACC, has basically a teen version of SACC at some sites. That’s what’s being proposed to be cut because the middle school clubs/sports serves that purpose.

This is the program being referenced: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/afterschool-programs

No one is confused here. The link you referenced points to MSAS which is being cut in its entirety. The FC budget includes it in reductions under NCS (neighborhood and community services). This program is the entirety of middle school school clubs. There is one sport - track/cross country - that is not included in MSAS.

If the bolded is accurate, please explain why the proposed budget doc states "FCPS has been expanding its offering of after-school programs, including clubs, activities and school sports, outside of MSAS program that could offer viable alternatives for teens to participate in structured and safe activities."

Please explain like I'm five. Thank you.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/sites/budget/files/Assets/documents/fy2026/advertised/volume1/79.pdf

They have been starting to expand, yes. They went from 0 sports to 2 (fall cross country and spring track).

Some schools have grants with outside agencies. The middle school where I teach does something through a local theater outreach, and a corporation sends in volunteers once a month to do "girls in code". (The former has been there consistently for the past 5 years, the latter is hit of miss, we've had it some years but not all).

Everything else is paid for through this after school program that's on the chopping block. Anything staffed by an FCPS employee: Art club, math counts, science olympiad, anime club, open gym, world cup soccer tournament, karate club, korean club, chess club, gardening club, cooking club, etc...teachers get $15/hour to run these programs. $15/hour and you must have at least 12 kids or you don't get paid. This seems like the cheapest form of positive encouragement/growth the county could create for this age bracket.

Is it required? Of course not. I'd wager the majority of school systems around the country have nothing of the sort. But it was created for a reason--because years ago, when it was initiated, research showed this time frame of life was the biggest determining factor of whether a kid was going to become addicted to drugs, join a gang, and begin a police record. If they could make it to high school without any of that happening, they were far more likely to graduate. If the research would still hold true today, it seems short sighted to cut the programs, as they'll pay for it down the road in police and social services instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people are confused. NCS, which runs SACC, has basically a teen version of SACC at some sites. That’s what’s being proposed to be cut because the middle school clubs/sports serves that purpose.

This is the program being referenced: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/afterschool-programs

No one is confused here. The link you referenced points to MSAS which is being cut in its entirety. The FC budget includes it in reductions under NCS (neighborhood and community services). This program is the entirety of middle school school clubs. There is one sport - track/cross country - that is not included in MSAS.

If the bolded is accurate, please explain why the proposed budget doc states "FCPS has been expanding its offering of after-school programs, including clubs, activities and school sports, outside of MSAS program that could offer viable alternatives for teens to participate in structured and safe activities."

Please explain like I'm five. Thank you.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/sites/budget/files/Assets/documents/fy2026/advertised/volume1/79.pdf

This is misleading on the part of the Board of Supervisors. FCPS has expanded to one track and field program. That's it. Anything else varies by school and isn't guaranteed year to year. The MSAS provides the vast majority of after school activities. These programs also provide teachers with extra income.

[Anonymous]

You can provide input here:

[e-mail]

Also, don't forget to call or email your supervisor and participate in any forums or feedback sessions that are upcoming. This isn't written in stone yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people are confused. NCS, which runs SACC, has basically a teen version of SACC at some sites. That’s what’s being proposed to be cut because the middle school clubs/sports serves that purpose.

This is the program being referenced: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/afterschool-programs

No one is confused here. The link you referenced points to MSAS which is being cut in its entirety. The FC budget includes it in reductions under NCS (neighborhood and community services). This program is the entirety of middle school school clubs. There is one sport - track/cross country - that is not included in MSAS.

If the bolded is accurate, please explain why the proposed budget doc states "FCPS has been expanding its offering of after-school programs, including clubs, activities and school sports, outside of MSAS program that could offer viable alternatives for teens to participate in structured and safe activities."

Please explain like I'm five. Thank you.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/sites/budget/files/Assets/documents/fy2026/advertised/volume1/79.pdf

They have been starting to expand, yes. They went from 0 sports to 2 (fall cross country and spring track).

Some schools have grants with outside agencies. The middle school where I teach does something through a local theater outreach, and a corporation sends in volunteers once a month to do "girls in code". (The former has been there consistently for the past 5 years, the latter is hit of miss, we've had it some years but not all).

Everything else is paid for through this after school program that's on the chopping block. Anything staffed by an FCPS employee: Art club, math counts, science olympiad, anime club, open gym, world cup soccer tournament, karate club, korean club, chess club, gardening club, cooking club, etc...teachers get $15/hour to run these programs. $15/hour and you must have at least 12 kids or you don't get paid. This seems like the cheapest form of positive encouragement/growth the county could create for this age bracket.

Is it required? Of course not. I'd wager the majority of school systems around the country have nothing of the sort. But it was created for a reason--because years ago, when it was initiated, research showed this time frame of life was the biggest determining factor of whether a kid was going to become addicted to drugs, join a gang, and begin a police record. If they could make it to high school without any of that happening, they were far more likely to graduate. If the research would still hold true today, it seems short sighted to cut the programs, as they'll pay for it down the road in police and social services instead.

+1,000
Write to your school board members!

[Anonymous]

If you write to tell them not to cut this, be sure to identify $4 million in other cuts you do support. The county has identified $60 million in cuts (FCPS has identified zero cuts). They have to make some cuts so let then know what cuts you support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you write to tell them not to cut this, be sure to identify $4 million in other cuts you do support. The county has identified $60 million in cuts (FCPS has identified zero cuts). They have to make some cuts so let then know what cuts you support.

I read they are giving some type of UBI in certain areas so I vote to cut that.