🌱 Fairfax County Proposed Budget 2024 + FCSD Places Faculty On Leave

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Burke Patch newsletter. Let's get this Monday started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening in town these days.

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But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Cloudy, cooler; p.m. showers. High: 48 Low: 41.
• Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 63 Low: 33.

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Here are the top three stories in Burke today:

1. Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill has proposed a $5.1 billion fiscal year 2024 budget, a $280 million increase from the previous budget. The budget includes an unchanged real estate tax rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value, additional funds for Fairfax County public schools, and a market rate adjustment for county employees' pay. Due to the rising real estate assessments, homeowners will see increased taxes. Chairman Jeffrey McKay suggested lowering the real estate tax rate and using $90 million in the budget for tax relief. (WTOP)
2. About 10 miles away at Hayfield Elementary School in Fairfax County, an alleged "disciplinary incident" between two students has led to multiple staff members being placed on leave. A county spokeswoman said Principal Jessica Lewis, an assistant principal, and other staff members are on leave "while FCPS looks into their response to an alleged disciplinary incident between two students." Linda Ferguson and Michael Krajack will be leading the school in the interim. (WTOP)
3. On the hunt for a new house nearby, but tired of browsing through the same old real-estate listings every time you search online? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Burke area, including a four-bedroom on Sunset Woods Court for $589,900! (Burke Patch)

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Today in Burke:

• Women's Body & Soul Fitness Class At Burke Community Church (9:30 AM)
• Walk-In Tech Clinic At Burke Centre Library (2:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Looking for something to do today and tomorrow? Don't miss the Fairfax County Libraries' many local events! Including Moments of Zen, Storytimes, Free Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange, and more. (Fairfax County Libraries)
• A huge congratulations to Andrey D., Roy K., Rohan P., and Christopher R.! These Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke students are National Merit Finalists. (Lake Braddock Secondary School via Twitter)
• Congratulations to Jerry, a student at Lake Braddock Secondary School! He placed fifth in the State in the 55-meter dash. (LB Athletics via Twitter)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Featured events:

• Antique Silver and Brass Restoration Services: MONDAYS 10 -4 (February 27)
• FREE WEBINAR | "The Beauty of Botticelli" (February 28)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (March 1)
• The DC Big Flea March 4-5th (March 5)
• Fairfax Choral Society's 60th Anniversary Gala (March 11)
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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.