Budget - Arlington Public Schools

FY 2027 Adopted Budget

FY 2027 School Board’s Adopted Budget

The FY 2027 Adopted budget totals $860.3 million, an increase of $15.7 million, or 1.9 percent, compared with the FY 2026 Adopted budget. Salary and benefits costs account for 80.1% of the total budget and 90.2% of the School Operating Fund. School-based positions were 91.7% of the total School Operating Fund positions in FY 2026, according to Washington Area Boards of Education (WABE) data, an increase from 91.3% in FY 2025.

FY 2027 School Board’s Adopted Budget (Coming in July)
FY 2027 School Board’s Adopted Budget Presentation

Total Adopted Budget: $860.3 million
Projected Enrollment: 27,776
Cost Per Pupil: $26,548
Revenue	Expenditures
County Transfer: 76.2%	Schools: 87.8%
State: 15.2%	Instructional Support: 2.8%
Federal: 2.6%	Facilities & Operations: 4.6%
Local: 3.2%	Management & Support Services: 3.9%
Other: 2.8%	Leadership: 0.9%

Enrollment Highlights

Actual enrollment on September 30, 2025 was 27,589 students; the projected spring enrollment update for September 30, 2026 is 27,776 students or a decrease of 646 students over the FY 2026 enrollment of 28,422 students.

Revenue Highlights

County revenue increases by $7.98 million in FY 2027. This results from the School’s share of increased local tax revenue. Beginning balance, or carry-forward is $4.5 million, including $0.95 million of carry-forward from the Food and Nutrition Services fund balance. Funding reserves increases $2.9 million or 17.6%, due to the difference in the reserve funds included in the FY 2026 budget and the reserve funds included in the FY 2027 budget. State revenue increases $3.5 million or 2.8%, primarily due to increased funding for compensation adjustments, increased sales tax revenue, and additional funds for special education. Federal revenue decreases $1.4 million, due to an overall decrease in the Federal General Appropriation. Local revenue from fees, charges, and local grants is expected to increase by $2.2 million or 8.7% for FY 2027 based on an increase in tuition rates.

Expenditure Highlights

This year the budget is presented according to Strategic Plan Goal. Following is a summary of expenditures included in the adopted budget by priority.

Student Academic Growth and Success | APS will ensure each student achieves academic excellence through high-quality instruction and systems of support to eliminate opportunity and achievement gaps.

This goal budget is overall reduced by -30.30 positions and provides savings of $1.13 million. This includes:

Decreasing enrollment, which provides savings associated with reductions of 27.2 positions.
Phasing in a portion of the planning factor changes recommended by the FY 2024 Planning Factor Study,
The addition of 4.00 specialty designed instruction specialists, 4.00 SPE teachers at Long Branch and Fleet Elementaries, 1.00 SPE instructional leadership administrative support, 0.20 CTE testing coordinator, 0.50 AP coordinator at Yorktown, a grandfathered teaching position, and increased tuition at both Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology and other Out of State Private Schools.
Reductions include eliminating a virtual learning teacher due to reduced service delivery, eliminating summer school admin pay and the hiring of additional administrators, eliminating 7.50 vacant interpreter positions, repurposing vacant English learner teachers into a supervisor of English learner instruction.

Student Well-Being | In partnership with families, staff, and students, APS will create inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environments that foster all students’ intellectual, physical, mental, social-emotional growth and well-being.

Funds of $1.0 million and 6.50 positions are included to support the Student Well-Being goal. This includes funding for:

The addition of 3.00 positions for RISE Team, 1.50 Assistant Director of Student Activities at each comprehensive high school, boys varsity volleyball, girls flag football, 1.00 threat assessment specialist, 1.00 school safety coordinator, and various safety, security, and emergency management supplies.

Student Centered Workforce | APS will support and invest in a culture that attracts and retains skilled, talented, and effective staff committed to student success and well-being.

The budget includes $26.1 million to meet the requirements of this goal. These funds:

A step increase for eligible employees and cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all employees including hourly employees, stipends and professional standards based on the agreed collective bargaining unit agreements.

Operational Excellence | APS will plan and implement efficient, effective, sustainable system-wide operations to support student, staff, and our community’s success.

In order to address this goal, funds of $4.5 million and 8.50 positions are included in the budget for:

An update to the custodial planning factor to include a first phase of planned adjustments, adding 8.50 positions.
Increase in utilities and MC/MM

Student, Family and Community Partnerships | APS will strengthen and develop partnerships built on trust with students, families, community members, organizations, and local government to support student learning.

The budget for this goal does not include any additions or reductions.

Budget Questions and Responses

PDFs Link

February 26, 2027 – FY 2027 Superintendent Proposed Budget

FY 2027 Budget Development Calendar

APS Budget Process

FY 2027 School Board’s Adopted Budget Direction

Budget Work Sessions

Work sessions are held at the Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA at the times noted below unless otherwise indicated. Work sessions are open to the public but no comments are accepted. Work sessions can also be viewed on the School Board’s Work Session website. Dates and times are subject to change.

April 14, 20269:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Budget Work Sessions 1 – 4

Presentation