Previous Budgets

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.

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

• FY 2024 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget at a Glance
• FY 2024 Budget Development Calendar
• FY 2024 Work Session Schedule
• FY 2024 Budget Direction
• County Budget

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

• Responses distributed on March 3, 2023
• Responses distributed on March 17, 2023
• Responses distributed on March 24, 2023
• Responses distributed on March 28, 2023
• Responses distributed on March 31, 2023
• Responses distributed on April 14, 2023
• Responses distributed on April 20, 2023

February 23, 2023

• FY 2024 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget Presentation (printer friendly)
• FY 2024 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget (printer friendly)
• FY 2024 Budget at a Glance
• FY 2024 Chief of School Support Zero-Based Budget Request
• FY 2024 School Board’s Adopted Budget Direction

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

FY 2021 School Board’s Adopted Budget

The School Board’s FY 2021 Adopted Budget totals $670.3 million which is a 0.7 percent increase over the FY 2020 Adopted Budget.

Enrollment Highlights

Enrollment is expected to increase 1,122 students from September 2019 to September 2020 for a total enrollment of 29,142.

Revenue Highlights

County revenue increases by $2.2 million in FY 2021. This results from the School’s share of increased local tax revenue.

Beginning balance, or carry-forward, remains at $3.5 million, the same amount as in the FY 2020 Adopted Budget.

Funding reserves increases $4.8 million due to the difference in the reserve funds included in the FY 2020 budget and the reserve funds included in the FY 2021 budget.

State revenue increases $2.8 million or 3.4%, primarily due to increased enrollment, sales tax, and additional funding in grants and restricted programs.

Federal revenue increases $0.4 million or 2.4%, due to an increase in IDEA and anticipated increases in funding for Food and Nutrition Services from the National School Lunch program.

Local revenue from fees, charges, and grants is expected to increase by $0.6 million or 2.5% for FY 2021 based on historical trends and increased revenue due to increased participation in the Food and Nutrition Services and Extended Day programs.

Expenditure Highlights

Funding has been provided for:

• An additional 103.10 positions plus materials and supplies for enrollment growth
• Four additional bus drivers, four bus attendants, two special education support vehicles and three new buses as a result of enrollment growth
• Increased debt service based on the anticipated Fall 2020 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 $7.4 million and 75.20 positions, and include funding for:

• The Department of Justice (DOJ) English Learners Settlement Agreement, which adds 24.20 teacher positions as well as providing incentives to special education teachers in self-contained settings to become dual endorsed in EL, such as reimbursement for fees and an additional step
• Special education needs such as additional interpreters and one-to-one assistants
• Transportation requirements including additional bus attendants, routing planners, a swing driver, and a dispatcher
• Other investments for facilities maintenance and staff professional development
• Contingency against further revenue loss due to the coronavirus pandemic

Funding has also been provided to continue several growth initiatives begun in prior years’ budgets, which total $1.6 million and 20.75 positions, and include:

• Expanding Arlington Tech at the Career Center
• Infrastructure and support needed in order to provide central support to students and staff including increasing the number of full-time bus drivers and bus attendants and additional technicians to meet SOQ requirements

In order to address the budget shortfall in FY 2021, reductions and changes in service delivery were made totaling $30.2 million and eliminating 124.85 positions. These include:

• Offsetting the additional English Learner teachers by reducing the number of English Learner assistants by 24.50
• Using current English Learner teachers for dually-identified students as instructors for half day to meet the DOJ requirements
• Eliminating the FLES program but provide one to two flexible positions to meet planning needs
• Reducing exemplary project staffing by half at non-Title I schools
• Increasing class size by one at all grade levels
• Delaying capital improvement projects including the Kenmore field conversion and the Education Center furniture and technology purchases
• Suspending tuition reimbursement for one year
• Reducing the Minor Construction/Major Maintenance budget by two-thirds for one year
• Reducing debt service by delaying the bond sale to Fall 2020
• Using Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) carryover funds to offset the cost of VPI teachers and assistants for one year
• Reducing central office department budgets by $5.6 million which includes reducing necessary baseline increases for current services and additional reductions

FY 2020 School Board’s Adopted Budget

FY 2019 School Board’s Adopted Budget

FY 2018 School Board’s Adopted Budget

FY 2017 School Board’s Adopted Budget

FY 2016 School Board’s Adopted Budget

FY 2015 School Board’s Adopted Budget