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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FCCPS PRODUCTION

MAY 12 - 18, 2022 | PAGE 39

School Board Approves FY 2023 Year Budget

Falls Church City Public Schools School Board unanimously approved a $57.6 million operating budget for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 23). The budget is balanced, provides a wage increase for school employees, and provides additional support for students. For the fourth year in a row, the approved budget falls within Falls Church City Council budget guidance. “The School Board would like to thank the City Council for adopting our budget which has met the City Council guidance for the past four years,” said Board Chair Laura Downs. “We value our partnership with the City Council and look forward to continuing our revenue sharing agreement in the years to come as it provides funding to compensate our talented teachers and staff and enables us to maintain competitive salaries to attract new teachers.” The budget includes a step increase for eligible employees, a recovery step for employees who were eligible but did not receive one during FY 2021 due to the pandemic, and a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all staff members. Other expenditures include $3000 per year stipend for National Board Certified Teachers, and a one-time $1000 bonus for staff who are at the end of their salary lane, and implements a $15 per hour minimum wage. The budget also includes funding for Career and Technical Education, Math, and Science teachers, a School Nurse, a Psychologist, and a Secondary Campus Parent Liaison among other support. “We must do everything we can to support teachers, staff, and students by addressing the impact of the last two years on teacher recruitment, retention, and social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs,” Superintendent Peter Noonan said. The approved FY 23 budget is an overall 7.1 percent increase from the current FY 22 funding. It includes a City transfer increase of 6.4% or $2.8 million. State funding is anticipated to increase by 13.8% or $951 thousand. Federal revenue, however, is decreasing 3.3% increase or $19.8 thousand from the current year.

IB Art Display Open To The Public Tonight

The IB Art students at Meridian High School are concluding their school year with an art show in the school’s lobby The student’s work is on display for public viewing tonight from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tonight at 7:00 p.m. —

The Meridian Choir Spring Concert is tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Meridian High School auditorium. All community members are welcome, and admission is free. The last song before intermission will be a “Community Sing.” This year’s Community Sing will feature the song “Sanctuary” by Jason Robert Brown. All who attend tonight can join in to sing with the choir. Expect an evening of beautiful music!

Under the Lights! Meridian Sports

Double header tonight! Girls and Boys lacrosse host Eastern View this evening on the Stadium turf for two exciting games. Girls start at 5:30 p.m., and boys follow with their senior celebration and game at 7:00 p.m. Tomorrow night is big for rivalries! The Mustangs compete against the Tigers of Brentsville at home. Boys Tennis at 4:00 p.m., Boys Baseball and Girls Softball at 6:00 p.m., and Boys Soccer at 7:00 p.m. Come to the courts and fields to support your Meridian Mustangs.

Meridian girls lacrosse poses for a post-win pic. FCCPS Photo

This Afternoon at 4:15 p.m. — FCCPS Celebration of Excellence