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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
FCPS Bond Referendum Requests $365.2 Million for School Renovations, Construction
The Fairfax County School Board has asked—and received approval from—the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a 2007 school bond referendum in the amount of $365,200,000 to fund school renovations and construction. The referendum will appear on the ballot of the November 6, 2007, general election.
The total amount of the school bond request is based on the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) capital improvement plan (CIP) released in December 2006 that identified anticipated school facility needs over the coming five-year period. The last school bond referendum was in November 2005; 76 percent of Fairfax County voters voted in favor of that referendum.
Voter authorization to issue bonds is needed in the November election to provide construction funds for two new elementary schools, an addition to one elementary school, renovations to six elementary schools, planning funds for renovations to two elementary schools and two high schools, and modular additions to four elementary schools.
The 2007 bond referendum includes $160.8 million for renovations, including $40.8 million to renovate Longfellow Middle School and $110 million for renovations to Beech Tree, Stenwood, Westlawn, Franconia, Oakton, and Lake Anne Elementary Schools; $10 million for renovation planning at Clifton and Canterbury Woods Elementary Schools, Marshall High School, and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology; $65 million for new construction and modulars; and $29.75 million for infrastructure management, including technology network upgrades, roof replacements, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) replacements, and improvements required by the Americans With Disabilities Act. The bond referendum also includes $50 million for a bus service facility, which is a cooperative project with Fairfax County government and will not be counted toward FCPS’ annual capital improvement spending. Also included is $38.6 million to cover inflation adjustment for projects that were funded by a previous bond.
The 2007 bond referendum includes funds for construction of new elementary schools at the Laurel Hill site and the Falls Church-Annandale site; $7.5 million for an addition to Hybla Valley Elementary School; $12.5 million for 10-room modulars at Rose Hill, White Oaks, and Braddock Elementary Schools and a 12-room modular at a location to be determined.
Students and citizens use Fairfax County schools year round for academic and extracurricular activities, community use, recreation, polling places, Park Authority classes and camps, religious and cultural events, higher education, and adult and community education.
FCPS must adhere to a spending limit of $155 million per year on its capital improvement plan, as determined by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
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Note: For more information, contact Kevin Sneed, design and construction services at 703-246-6270.
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