New Elementary School Approved for Richmond Highway Area

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- A new elementary school has been given the green light for the Richmond Highway area. The Fairfax County School Board voted to approve the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) FY 2018-22 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at its business meeting Thursday. The FY 2018-22 CIP includes new schools, capacity enhancements, and renovations reflecting a reflecting a five-year requirement of $824 million, or roughly $164 million per year, for new schools and additions, capacity enhancements, and renovations to address current and anticipated enrollment increases.

Included in the new CIP are proposals for three new elementary schools and one new high school, according to a news release from FCPS. Funds approved in the 2015 School Bond Referendum and previous referenda will address approximately $385 million of the five-year requirement, leaving a balance of $439 million unfunded.

The FY 2018-22 CIP reflects $310 million approved by county voters in the 2015 School Bond Referendum. Among the funded projects are an elementary school in the Route 1 area of Fairfax County, additions to South Lakes High School, and three modular addition relocations.

Unfunded projects include a new elementary school in the northwest part of the county (planning is funded, construction is unfunded), an elementary school in the Fairfax-Oakton area, a high school in the western part of the county, additions to three high schools, and one modular addition relocation. Funds for renovations at 21 named elementary schools and 11 unnamed elementary schools are included, as well as four named middle schools and one unnamed middle school.

Funding for capital improvement projects is currently limited by a $155 million yearly cap on school bond sales. Additional funding sources include $13.1 from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for infrastructure management, and $12.4 million from FCPS operating funds for minor capacity enhancements and routine or major maintenance. Read more: Details about the FY 2018-22 CIP are available online.