Previous Budgets

Fiscal Year 2026

FY 2026 School Board’s Adopted Budget

The FY 2026 Adopted budget totals $844.6 million, an increase of $18.3 million, or 2.2 percent, compared with the FY 2025 Adopted budget.

Salary and benefits costs account for 79.8% of the total budget and 90.1% of the School Operating Fund.

School-based positions were 91.3% of the total School Operating Fund positions in FY 2025, according to Washington Area Boards of Education (WABE) data, an increase from 90.8% in FY 2024.

Total Adopted Budget: $844.6 million
Projected Enrollment: 28,422
Cost per Pupil: $25,406
Revenue	Expenditures
County Transfer: 76.7%	Schools: 87.8%
State: 15.1%	Instructional Support: 2.8%
Federal: 2.8%	Facilities & Operations: 4.6%
Local: 3.0%	Management & Support Services: 3.9%
Other: 2.4%	Leadership: 0.9%

Enrollment Highlights

Enrollment is expected to increase 261 students from the projected September 2025 enrollment to the projected September 2026 enrollment for a total enrollment of 28,422.

Revenue Highlights

County revenue increases by $9.5 million in FY 2026. This results from the School’s share of increased local tax revenue.

Beginning balance, or carry-forward, eliminates the one year increase of $3.6 million and returns the beginning balance to $3.5 million. An additional $0.5 million of carry-forward is added from the Food and Nutrition Services fund balance.

Funding reserves decrease $4.5 million or 21.6%, due to the difference in the reserve funds included in the FY 2025 budget and the reserve funds included in the FY 2026 budget.

State revenue increases $12.8 million or 11.2%, primarily due to increased funding for compensation adjustments, increased sales tax revenue, and additional funds for English learners. Grants and Restricted Programs funding for Medicaid reimbursements also increases state revenue.

Federal revenue increases $1.1 million, due to an increase in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding and grants and restricted programs funding is expected. Additional Medicaid and Impact Aid funding is expected in the School Operating Fund.

Local revenue from fees, charges, and grants is expected to increase by $2.5 million or 11.0% for FY 2026 based on an increase in tuition rates and additional service days for the Extended Day program and increased student participation in the Food and Nutrition Services program..

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.

Funding of $8.6 million and 38.05 positions are included to support the Student Academic Growth and Success goal. This includes funding for:

Salaries, benefits, materials and supplies related to enrollment growth.
Phasing in two of the planning factor changes recommended by the FY 2024 Planning Factor Study.
Continuing the consultant funding to support the development and implementation of a 5-year strategic plan for the Office of English Learners.
Continuing funding for the dual immersion program including two additional English language development teachers for Escuela Key and Claremont as well as Spanish language arts resources.
Ongoing studies to review inclusive practices in APS and the planning factor study outlined in the School Board’s priorities.
Adding four additional technicians.
Instructional resources, material and software including translation software, software and subscriptions, Outdoor Lab equipment and day-trip meals, and virtual courses and virtual tutoring services.
Reductions include capping enrollment at Thomas Jefferson School of Science and Technology, reducing the number of exemplary projects, changing instructional technology coordinator contracts to 11 month, capping the number of AP tests covered by APS to three, and reviewing the Integration Station program to eventually incorporate PreK special education students into existing programs within the elementary schools.
The School Board also directed that iPads are eliminated for Prek and K students and Grade 1 students will have classroom sets of ten. The savings from these reductions will be realized in FY 2027.

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 $1.4 million and 8.40 positions are included to support the Student Well-Being goal. This includes funding for:

Six additional school safety coordinators for elementary schools and the three pools.
Reclassifying one existing social worker and one existing school psychologist to 12 month contracts in order to assist with evaluations during the summer.
Increasing the athletic trainer staffing at each comprehensive high school to 1.50 positions.

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 $25.2 million and 1.00 positions to meet the requirements of this goal. This funds:

A step increase for eligible employees and a 2.00 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all employees including hourly employees, stipends and professional standards.
An additional six weeks of parental leave.
A classification specialist in Human Resources and professional development opportunities based on the recent Human Resources audit.
Increases to the substitutes account to match actual expenditures and to the National Board Certification stipends account.

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 $6.2 million and 2.00 positions are included in the budget for:

Reinstating funding for positions that were frozen for one year including a network analyst and a diversity, equity and inclusion teacher.
A total of 2.00 positions reclassified or added after the FY 2025 budget was adopted.
Contract support to assist in hiring staff for the immersion schools.
Reclassifying bus drivers and bus attendants to 10 month contracts and 7 hours per day.
Contractual obligations for financing, leases, utilities, insurance, waste and stormwater management.
The replacement cycle of existing network infrastructure components and school buses.
The furniture and technology needed for the renovations at the Arlington Career Center as adopted in the FY 2023-32 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

In order to balance the budget, reductions totaling $21.9 million and 28.50 positions are included in the budget and align with the Operational Excellence goal. These reductions include:

Baseline savings of $1.1 million in the Chief of Staff, Human Resources, School Safety and Emergency Management, Summer School and Superintendent’s offices.
The Special Education directors, Special Education supervisor, PreK Program specialist, three Student Support coordinators, the Supervisor of Programs, Accounts and Grants Management (0.50) and the Executive Director of Academics (0.50) are moved to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund and will be funded with grant funds saving $1.5 million and 8.00 FTE.
In the Chief of Academic offices, 5.50 administrative assistants, an Instructional Support specialist, the coordinator for the Yes Program, a Library Media Services technician, and a Professional Learning specialist, are eliminated saving $1.1 million and 9.00 FTEs.
In Facilities and Operations, the director of Plant Operations is eliminated providing a savings of $0.2 million and 1.00 FTE.
The Information Services offices eliminates the assistant director of technology and an Enterprise Solutions systems analyst, saving $0.3 million and 2.00 FTEs.
The Chief of School Support eliminates the director of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, as well as the director of Secondary Education, and 1.50 clerical positions, saving $0.4 million including 2.50 FTEs. An executive principal is added back to the budget.
The Chief of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Student Support eliminates funding for the a coordinator in the Welcome Center and a data coordinator in Student Services saving $0.6 million and 2.00 FTEs.
The Business and Management Services office eliminates a vacant financial analyst position saving $0.2 million.
Human Resources eliminates the executive director of Human Resources position saving $0.3 million.
The Chief Operating Office is eliminated saving $0.4 million and 2.00 positions (chief operating officer and the executive administrative specialist).
Changes to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) contribution and requesting reimbursement from the OPEB trust saves $6.9 million.
Reducing consulting contracts in central office and instructional apps/software provides a savings of $0.4 million.
All central office extra days accounts are reduced by half saving $0.3 million.
The Extended Day Program will become a self-supporting program and provide additional service days on some holidays and school breaks. In addition, the program will be charged an overhead fee. These changes are expected to save $3.0 million.
Savings of $5.5 million are expected from the budget study recommendations to consolidate classrooms and sections at the schools.

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 includes funding for 0.50 positions and a total savings of $0.02 million. This includes:

A community coordinator at Carlin Springs.
Eliminating the Public Relations Liaisons stipends.

Funding has also been provided for increased debt service based on the anticipated Spring 2025 bond sale.

Budget Questions and Responses

March 13, 2024 – FY 2026 Joint Proposed Budget

FY 2026 Budget Development Calendar (updated December 6, 2024)

APSBudgetProcess

FY 2026 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.

March 12, 2025 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. County Board Boardroom	County/School Board Joint Work Session	Presentation
March 25, 2025 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Budget Work Session #1	Presentation
March 25, 2025 2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.	Budget Work Session #2	Presentation
April 3, 2025 3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.	Budget Work Session #3	Presentation
April 8, 2025 6:30 p.m.	Budget Work Session with the Budget Advisory Council (BAC)

Fiscal Year 2025

FY 2025 School Board’s Adopted Budget

The School Board’s FY 2025 Adopted Budget totals $826.3 million which is a 1.7 percent increase over the FY 2024 Adopted Budget.

Salary and benefits costs account for 80.1% of the total budget and 89.9% of the School Operating Fund.

School-based positions were 90.8% of the total School Operating Fund positions in FY 2024, according to Washington Area Boards of Education (WABE) data, an increase from 90.2% in FY 2023.

Total Adopted Budget: $826.3 million
Projected Enrollment: 28,161
Cost per Pupil: $25,175
Revenue	Expenditures
County Transfer: 77.2%	Schools: 87.7%
State: 13.9%	Instructional Support: 2.7%
Federal: 2.7%	Facilities & Operations: 4.6%
Local: 2.8%	Management & Support Services: 4.1%
Other: 3.4%	Leadership: 0.9%

Enrollment Highlights

Enrollment is expected to increase 10 students from the projected September 2023 enrollment to the projected September 2024 enrollment for a total enrollment of 28,161.

Revenue Highlights

County revenue increases by $29.7 million in FY 2025. This results from the School’s share of increased local tax revenue.

Beginning balance, or carry-forward, increases to $7.1 million, which is an increase of $3.6 million over the FY 2024 Adopted Budget. The additional $3.6 million will be for one year only.

Funding reserves decreases $24.3 million or 53.8%, due to the difference in the reserve funds included in the FY 2024 budget and the reserve funds included in the FY 2025 budget.

State revenue increases $2.1 million or 1.9%, primarily due to increased funding for compensation adjustments and the Virginia Preschool Initiative grant.

Federal revenue increases $1.4 million, due to an increase in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding and grants and restricted programs funding is expected.

Local revenue from fees, charges, and grants is expected to increase by $1.3 million or 6.0% for FY 2025 based on an increase in tuition rates for the Extended Day program and increased student participation in the Food and Nutrition Services program.

Expenditure Highlights

This year the budget is presented by School Board Priority as outlined in the Adopted Budget Direction.

Following is a summary of expenditures included in the proposed budget by priority.

Priority # 1 – Deepen our focus on ensuring student well-being and academic progress for all students

Funding of $11.3 million and 60.05 positions are included to support Priority #1. This includes funding for:

Salaries, benefits, materials and supplies related to enrollment growth.
Mental health and social-emotional supports including maintaining the current number of psychologists and social workers, continuing the telehealth services provided by Hazel Health, continuing the current Communities in Schools contract, and investing in the LightSpeed Alert application which is critical to the prevention of self-harm, cyberbulling, suicide and school violence.
Six K-5 mathematics interventionists which are currently funded by a grant.
Existing positions that were previously funded by contingency funding. These positions are three assistant principals at the middle schools approaching 1,000 students, additional teachers at Langston and Shriver and a Chinese teacher.
A permanent assistant principal at the Washington-Liberty Annex.
Tuition for students to continue to attend Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology.
Continuing support for special education students including transportation services through EverDriven, assistive technology, contracting services, and compensatory services.
Continuing the consultant funding to support the development and implementation of a 5-year strategic plan for the Office of English Learners.
Continuing funding for the dual immersion program including two additional English language development teachers for Escuela Key and Claremont as well as Spanish language arts resources.
Ongoing studies to review inclusive practices in APS and the planning factor study outlined in the School Board’s priorities.
Instructional resources, material and software including translation software, Educational Technology software and subscriptions, Outdoor Lab equipment and day-trip meals, and virtual courses and virtual tutoring services.

Priority # 2 – Recruit, hire, retain, and invest in a high-quality and diverse workforce to ensure APS is the place where talented individuals choose to work

The budget includes $19.4 million to meet the requirements of this priority. This funds:

A step increase for eligible employees and a 1.25 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all employees including hourly employees, stipends and professional standards.
A salary increase for School Board members.
Additional professional development opportunities for staff.

Priority # 3 – Improve operational efficiency and continue efforts to realign all operational systems and infrastructure with industry best practices

In order to address Priority #3, funds of $4.1 million are included in the budget for:

Consultants currently supporting the development of the updated Strategic Plan.
A 0.5 custodian due to increased square footage and cleaning supplies as a result of inflation.
The existing Title IX coordinator and reclassifications within the Welcome Center.
Contractual obligations for leases, utilities, insurance, waste and stormwater management.
The replacement cycle of existing network infrastructure components and school buses.
The installation and replacement of synthetic fields at Thomas Jefferson Middle School as adopted in the FY 2023-32 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
An hourly grant writer.

Funding has also been provided for increased debt service based on the anticipated Spring 2024 bond sale.

Reductions

The budget includes reductions of $20.4 million including 41.40 positions in order to reduce expenditures. These reductions include:

The Special Education analyst, the English Learners specialist, and STEM K-12 specialist will now be moved to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund and be funded will grant funds saving $0.3 million and 3.00 FTE.
Delay hiring of a network analyst and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion teacher specialist provides $0.2 million in savings.
Eliminate the Planning and Evaluation Office and reassign duties to various departments saves $1.0 million including 6.00 FTE.
Move the summer school responsibilities to School Support and eliminate the Summer School coordinator provides $0.2 million and 1.00 FTE in savings.
Instructional technology coordinators (ITCs) will report to the Principals and the supervisor of Educational Technology position will be eliminated saving $0.2 million and 1.00 FTE.
In the Chief of Academic offices, one administrative assistant, the supervisor of educational technology, the special education compliance specialist, and the Outdoor Lab coordinator are eliminated saving $0.5 million and 4.00 FTE.
In Facilities and Operations, the safety trainer and the assistant director of safety are eliminated providing a savings of $0.2 million and 2.00 FTE.
The Chief of School Support eliminates the NOVA Partnership coordinator saving $0.1 million including 1.00 FTE.
Four vacant central office positions are eliminated. These include the Arlington Tiered System of Support (ATSS) specialist in Academics, the assistant director of budget in Finance and Management Services, the Classification and Position Management coordinator in Human Resources, and a clerical assistant in the Welcome Center, saving $0.4 million.
The Volunteer and Partner liaison stipends, $0.1 million are eliminated for the School and Community Relations Office.
The staff contingency account is reduced for one year to offset the additional assistant principals at the middle schools and additional teachers at Langston and Shriver and a Chinese teacher in World Languages saving $0.9 million.
All central office extra days accounts are reduced by half saving $0.7 million and all central office discretionary accounts by 15% saving $11.2 million.
The Minor Construction/Major Maintenance (MC/MM) budget is reduced by $1.5 million for one year.
The Schools’ discretionary accounts are reduced by 2% saving $0.1 million.
As a result of the planning factors study, the Art, Music, and PE planning factor is adjusted resulting in a savings of $2.2 million including 20.40 FTE.
Charging the Food and Nutrition Services program an overhead fee for indirect costs in accordance to the Virginia Department of Education Indirect Cost Calculation guidance.

Overview Documents

School Board’s Proposed Budget

April 11, 2024

FY 2025 School Board’s Proposed Budget Presentation

FY 2025 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget

School Board Budget Questions

February 29, 2024

Budget Work Sessions

March 19, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Budget Work Session #1	Presentation
March 19, 2024 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Budget Work Session #2	Presentation
March 19, 2024 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Budget Work Session #3	Presentation
March 19, 2024 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Budget Work Session #4	Presentation
March 22, 2024 3:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. County Board Boardroom	County/School Board Joint Work Session	Presentation

Fiscal Year 2024

FY 2024 School Board’s Adopted Budget
(printer friendly)

The School Board’s FY 2024 Adopted Budget totals $804.4 million which is a 7.3 percent increase over the FY 2023 Adopted Budget.

Total Adopted Budget: $804.4 million
Projected Enrollment: 28,151
Cost per Pupil: $24,612
Revenue	Expenditures
County Transfer: 75.6%	Schools: 87.5%
State: 13.4%	Instructional Support: 2.8%
Federal: 2.6%	Facilities & Operations: 4.3%
Local: 2.7%	Management & Support Services: 4.5%
Other: 5.7%	Leadership: 1.0%

Enrollment Highlights

Enrollment is expected to increase 568 students from September 2022 to September 2023 for a total enrollment of 28,151.

Revenue Highlights

County revenue increases by $23.2 million in FY 2024. This results from the School’s share of increased local tax revenue and $14.0 million in one-time revenue.

Beginning balance, or carry-forward, remains at $3.5 million, the same amount as in the FY 2023 Adopted Budget.

Funding reserves increases $20.1 million or 95.5%, due to the difference in the reserve funds included in the FY 2023 budget and the reserve funds included in the FY 2024 budget.

State revenue increases $6.0 million or 5.9%, primarily due to increased sales tax revenue, however, additional funding is expected in grants and restricted programs.

Federal revenue increases $3.1 million, due to an increase in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding and grants and restricted programs funding is expected.

Local revenue from fees, charges, and grants is expected to increase by $1.1 million or 5.4% for FY 2024 based on an increase in tuition rates and a projected increased enrollment in the Extended Day program.

Expenditure Highlights

Priority # 1 – Ensure student well-being and academic progress with a focus on innovation, equity, and evidence-based practices

Funding of $14.8 million and 113.45 positions are included to support Priority #1. This includes funding for:

Salaries, benefits, materials and supplies related to enrollment growth.
Mental health and substance abuse supports including ten additional school counselors, two substance abuse counselors, a school health coordinator and stipends for social-emotional learning (SEL) leads.
Additional supports in mathematics including K-8 mathematics interventionists and additional math coaches in elementary schools, Arlington Career Center and H-B Woodlawn.
Supports for early childhood to include a specialist for CLASS observations and additional psychologists for Child/Find PreK screenings.
New requirements for the dual immersion program including two English language development teachers for Escuela Key and Claremont as well as Spanish language arts resources.
Increasing the allocation for school testing coordinators for non-title I elementary schools.
Supports in various areas for secondary schools including a career and technical (CTE) teacher specialist, six deans of students, commercial bus transportation for high school athletics and a librarian at Arlington Community High School.
Additional supports to all grade levels including free summer school meals for all students, virtual school tutoring and targeted resources based on school need.
Supporting the Welcome Center by adding four additional translators and additional translation services for Parent-Teacher Conference days.
A review of special education inclusive practices.

Priority # 2 – Recruit, hire, retain, and invest in a high-quality and diverse workforce to ensure APS is the place where talented individuals choose to work

The budget includes $28.9 million and a savings of 2.00 positions to meet the requirements of this priority. This funds:

A step increase for eligible employees and a 3 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all employees including hourly employees, stipends and professional standards.
The negotiated salary grade adjustment for assistant principals.
An additional professional learning specialist for classified staffing.
Professional development for intensified courses and additional professional learning including professional travel, LEAD meetings and the annual Administrative Conference for administrators.
An educational leadership program with George Mason University (GMU).
The additional benefit of two weeks of parental leave.

Priority # 3 – Improve operational efficiency

In order to address Priority #3, funds of $9.2 million and 9.50 positions are included in the budget for:

Safety and security items such as additional cameras and security camera licensing and additional school safety coordinators.
Reinstating a frozen relief custodian position and additional custodians for the Thomas Jefferson Community Center as well as Langston/New Directions.
An additional assistant division counsel which will focus on special education.
Additional technicians to provide technical support to the increasing number of student and staff devices which will free up the instructional technology coordinators to help teachers learn and effectively use all of the technology available in the classroom.
Facilities and Operations’ maintenance contracts for HVAC, replacement of playground mulch, and stadium and field maintenance.
Supporting the Welcome Center by reclassifying 10-month registrars to 12-month contracts.
A transportation demand management (TDM) specialist to administer the TDM program.
The installation and replacement of synthetic fields at Williamsburg and Washington-Liberty as adopted in the FY 2023-32 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Funding has also been provided for increased debt service based on the anticipated Spring 2023 bond sale.

Overview Documents

School Board’s Proposed Budget

March 31 – Joint Work Session – School Board’s Budget Presentation to the County Board
March 30 – FY 2024 School Board’s Proposed Budget Presentation

Superintendent’s Proposed Budget

School Board Budget Questions

February 23, 2023

Budget Work Sessions

FY 2024 Work Session Schedule

Work sessions start at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted below, and are held at the Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA. 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.

February 23, 2023	Budget Work Session #1	Presentation
March 7, 2023	Budget Work Session #2	Presentation
March 14, 2023	Budget Work Session #3	Presentation
March 21, 2023	Budget Work Session #4	Presentation
April 18, 2023	Budget Work Session #5	Presentation (printer friendly)
May 4, 2023	Budget Work Session #6	Presentation (printer friendly)

Fiscal Year 2023

FY 2023 School Board’s Adopted Budget

The School Board’s FY 2023 Adopted Budget totals $749.7 million which is a 6.9 percent increase over the FY 2022 Adopted Budget.

Total Adopted Budget: $749.7 million
Projected Enrollment: 27,583
Cost per Pupil: $23,521
Revenue	Expenditures
County Transfer: 78.0%	Schools: 77.2%
State: 13.6%	Instructional Support: 2.8%
Federal: 2.4%	Facilities & Operations: 7.1%
Local: 2.8%	Management & Support Services: 12.3%
Other: 3.2%	Leadership: 0.6%

Enrollment Highlights

Enrollment is expected to decrease 1,525 students from the projected September 2021 enrollment to the projected September 2022 enrollment for a total enrollment of 27,583.

Revenue Highlights

County revenue increases by $54.5 million in FY 2023. This results from the School’s share of increased local tax revenue and $20.5 million in one-time revenue.

Beginning balance, or carry-forward, remains at $3.5 million, the same amount as in the FY 2022 Adopted Budget.

Funding reserves decreases $0.6 million or 2.7%, due to the difference in the reserve funds included in the FY 2022 budget and the reserve funds included in the FY 2023 budget.

State revenue increases $15.6 million or 18.0%, primarily due to increased sales tax revenue, however, additional funding is expected in grants and restricted programs.

Federal revenue decreases $17.7 million, due the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) one-time funds of $18.9 million being eliminated. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding and grants and restricted programs funding is expected to increase.

Local revenue from fees, charges, and grants is expected to decrease by $3.6 million or 14.8% for FY 2023 based on lower enrollment in the Extended Day program.

Expenditure Highlights

This year the budget is presented by School Board Priority as outlined in the Adopted Budget Direction. Following is a summary of expenditures included in the adopted budget by priority.

Priority # 1 – Ensure student well-being and academic progress

Funding of $12.0 million and 95.65 positions are included to support Priority #1. This includes funding for:

Decreased class size at elementary and high school levels as well as additional staff based on the new middle school planning factor.
Additional math coaches and reading teachers at Title I schools and elementary schools with enrollment over 650 students.
Resources for students with disabilities including student support coordinators, additional 1-to-1 assistants, PreK assistants, interlude therapists, behavior therapists, speech therapists, and interpreters. Central office adds a functional life skills coordinator to assist with maintaining that program.
Additional counselors for English learners and the reinstatement of the English Learners specialist which was a one-year reduction.
One additional instructional technology coordinators (ITC) at each of the comprehensive high schools to help with technology instruction.
Reinstatement of the Arlington Tiered System of Support (ATSS) specialist which was a one-year reduction.
An additional math curriculum supervisor and one math coach at each of the comprehensive high schools and H-B Woodlawn.
An assistant principal at Washington-Liberty high school.
Reinstatement of psychologists and social workers that were reduced based on lower enrollment and the current planning factor calculation.
One-time funds to provide tutoring to students in grades 6-12.

Priority # 2 – Advance 2018-24 Strategic Plan goals with focus on innovation and equity

Funding to achieve this priority include 1.80 positions for a total of $0.4 million. This funds:

Equity and Excellence coordinator positions for H-B Woodlawn and Yorktown.
A new director of policy and an equity dashboard.
The reinstatement of the Partnership coordinator position which was a one-year reduction.

Priority # 3 – Recruit, hire, and invest in a high-quality and diverse workforce to ensure APS is the place where talented individuals choose to work

In order to address Priority #3, funds of $37.5 million and 2.00 positions are included in the budget for:

Implementation of the compensation study recommendations.
Stipends for administrators with advanced degrees in their field of work.
The creation of the Office of Labor Relations in order to begin the collective bargaining process.
Reinstatement of funding for the National Board Certified Teacher (NCBT) program which was a one-year reduction.

Priority # 4 – Improve operational efficiency

The budget includes $4.8 million and a savings of 26.00 positions to meet the requirements of Priority #4. This includes:

The opening of the Washington-Liberty High School Annex which totals $0.6 million in one-time costs, $0.2 million in ongoing costs and 2.50 positions.
Funding for safety and security items such as school safety coordinators, automated external defibrillator supplies, new transportation radio consoles, and telecommunications upgrades.
A custodial apprentice program which will be a training program for custodians to step in for custodians that are retiring or leaving the system.
Implementing a new student registration system to integrate with the existing Student Information System, an analyst to train school staff on new and existing instructional applications and a new School Messenger app as well as one-time funds to upgrade the APS website.
Funding for a Children’s Services Act (CSA) coordinator to ensure APS meets the requirements under this program for reimbursement.
Efficiencies recognized due to the changes in school bell times results in a savings of $1.9 million and 38.50 bus driver and bus attendant positions.

Funding has also been provided for:

The redistribution of existing relocatables and to restore the one-year reduction to the Minor Construction/Major Maintenance (MC/MM) fund.
Increased debt service based on the anticipated Spring 2022 bond sale.
The reopening of the Planetarium in October/November 2022.

Fiscal Year 2022

FY 2022 School Board’s Adopted Budget

The School Board’s FY 2022 Adopted Budget totals $701.6 million which is a 4.7 percent increase over the FY 2021 Adopted Budget.

Total Adopted Budget: $701.6 million
Projected Enrollment: 29,108
Cost per Pupil: $20,648
Revenue	Expenditures
County Transfer: 75.5%	Schools: 81.6%
State: 12.3%	Instructional Support: 3.7%
Federal: 5.1%	Facilities & Operations: 7.7%
Local: 3.5%	Management & Support Services: 6.3%
Other: 3.6%	Leadership: 0.7%

Enrollment Highlights

Enrollment is expected to decrease 34 students from the projected September 2020 enrollment to the projected September 2021 enrollment for a total enrollment of 29,108 which includes a reduction of 525 students as directed by the School Board prior to adopting the budget.

Revenue Highlights

County revenue increases by $5.3 million in FY 2022. This results from the School’s share of increased local tax revenue and $2.8 million in one-time revenue.

Beginning balance, or carry-forward, remains at $3.5 million, the same amount as in the FY 2022 Adopted Budget.

Funding reserves increases $5.2 million or 31.5%, due to the difference in the reserve funds included in the FY 2021 budget and the reserve funds included in the FY 2022 budget.

State revenue increases $2.2 million or 2.6%, primarily due to decreased enrollment and sales tax, however, additional funding is expected in grants and restricted programs.

Federal revenue increases $19.5 million, due to an increase in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and an increase in grants and restricted programs. In addition, $18.9 million is estimated from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Local revenue from fees, charges, and grants is expected to decrease by $0.7 million or 3.3% for FY 2022 based on historical trends and decreased revenue expected from the summer school programs, adult education tuition and bus camera fines.

Expenditure Highlights

Funding has been provided for:

An additional 54.65 positions plus materials and supplies for the adjusted enrollment growth.
A 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA), a full step increase midway through the contract year for eligible employees according to approved salary scales, and an additional step at the top of the C, E, G, M, P and T scales.
Increased debt service based on the anticipated Fall 2021 bond sale.

New investments address the School Board’s budget direction and include funding to support the growth of our school system. These new investments total $2.8 million and 13.00 positions, and include funding for:

Special education needs such as additional interpreters and PreK assistants
Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to continue progress towards equity
Resources for our English Learners, adding a 1.00 director position as well as a translation specialist to meet the document translation requirement of the (DOJ) English Learners Settlement Agreement
Central office positions to support the Virtual Learning Program
Professional development opportunities for support staff
Other investments such as resource adoption, network infrastructure and technology support, and safety and security measures

Funding has also been provided to complete the final growth initiative begun in prior years’ budgets, which totals $2.2 million for technology lease payments and 3.00 technician positions. The opening of new schools and the moving of existing schools to new buildings totals $1.7 million in one- time costs, $2.2 million in ongoing costs and 25.80 positions. In order to address the budget shortfall in FY 2022, reductions and changes in service delivery were made totaling $10.8 million and 24.30 positions. These include:

Reducing the Minor Construction/Major Maintenance (MC/MM) budget for one-year
Increasing class size by one in grades K-5
Eliminating school test coordinators at non-Title I schools
Reducing clerical support at the middle and high schools
In addition to eliminating non-mandated field trips for one year, the Transportation department expects to find efficiencies in the late bus service
Delay the reopening of the Planetarium as well as the purchase of a new projector
Adjusting the enrollment projections by 525 students resulting in a savings of $2.9 million and 36.90 positions
Eliminating $1.3 million in proposed new requests and continuing initiatives from prior years
Reducing central office department budgets by $2.8 million which includes reducing necessary baseline increases for current services plus additional reductions
In addition to adjusting the salary base for current and on board employees and reviewing current departmental budgets to realign funding in order to continue current service levels or reduce programs that are no longer functioning as intended