May 21st Regular Meeting Recap: Speech-Language-Hearing Month, FY 2027 Budget, and More

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Dear Neighbors,

Last week, at the Fairfax County School Board’s Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 21st (agenda | video), the Board made a number of Proclamations for the month of May. I was proud to initiate one of these, Speech-Language-Hearing Month, to recognize the prevalence of communication disorders, highlight all the work that our staff are doing for our students, as well as acknowledge that there is always more work to be done to help our students reach their full potential.

Additionally, the Board approved the FY 2027 Budget, which supports our students and staff amidst challenging fiscal conditions.

You can learn more about the various topics discussed during these meetings by reviewing the updates below. You are also always welcome to attend School Board meetings (schedule) and register to share your thoughts with us during community participation (sign-up).

Finally, I'm grateful to all of the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. I hope you all had a relaxing, safe Memorial Day.

Thank you for your continued support,

Tom Dannan

Braddock District Representative

Fairfax County School Board

Agenda Highlights

speech and language proclamation dais photo

Speech-Language-Hearing Month Proclamation

I had the honor of bringing a Proclamation to make May Speech-Language-Hearing Month to acknowledge the effect that communication disorders have on so many--and the positive impact that intervention and treatment can have to allow students to meet their potential. This is both a professional and a personal issue for me, having received speech services as a kid to work through a severe stutter--and now, as a parent of a child who worked through the same, thanks to FCPS. I want to thank all of our Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists, teachers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Instructional Assistants, ASL Interpreters, Cued Language Transliterators, and other staff for all they do for our students, and I'm committed to making sure that FCPS continues to do more to support all students with communication needs. You can view the Speech-Language-Hearing Month Proclamation here.

FY 2027 Approved Budget

The School Board adopted the FY 2027 Approved Budget Thursday night. In challenging fiscal conditions, this budget prioritizes our students and staff thanks to the hard work of Superintendent Reid and her team, and to my colleagues. Here are a few highlights:

Restores funding for elementary special education department chairs, advanced academic resource teachers, and partially restores staffing formula adjustments to improve class sizes.
Fully funds collective bargaining agreements.
Maintains the Middle School Afterschool and Values in Prevention programs.
Includes reductions to meet available funding that limit impact on classroom experiences such as extending the FCPSOn Technology Device refresh schedule, reducing the Superintendent’s Strategic Reserve and deferring microcredentialing opportunities.

The state budget has not yet been adopted and I am hopeful that our state partners will provide additional funds to support public education both this year, and in the future, to address the state’s underfunding of public education identified by JLARC.

You can read more about the FY 2027 Budget here or through the official meeting agenda posted on BoardDocs.

Secondary Literacy Update

students doing work at a desk to convey secondary literacy work

With the changes that have been made to the Virginia SOL, the approach to literacy at the Secondary level has also been updated, so students can not only meet those standards, but build up their ability to engage in academic rigor, think critically about content, and have support from teachers who are to continuing to build their knowledge about evidence based literacy instruction to be able to promote literacy across the curriculum for ALL students. These efforts pay particular attention to multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

At the last meeting, we were given an update as to how this approach has increased student literacy rates across the board at the Secondary level. The video above shows how these teachers discuss this approach in action, and you can also read more about this update here.

Educational Technology Review Committee Application--Apply by June 1st

I was excited that my colleagues on the board unanimously approved my proposal for an Educational Technology Review Committee, and now I'm even more excited to share a call for membership!

This ETRC will work alongside community members, educators, and division leadership, providing recommendations on the responsible, effective, and equitable use of educational technology--including AI--in FCPS classrooms.

If you are interested in serving on this committee for the Braddock District, please submit this form by 10pm on June 1, 2026.

If you have any questions about the application process, please feel free to contact Prabha Rollins at prrollins@fcps.edu.

Children's Mental Health Awareness Month

The Board proclaimed May as Children's Mental Health and Wellness Month. Below are some resources available to FCPS students.

Mental Health Resources

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
Anxiety, worry, fears.
Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
Academic stress.

Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting your school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.

Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Additional Mental Health Resources

FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.

Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.

And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.