Falls Church Superintendent Gets Raise In New Contract

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan will stay for another four years after the school board signed him to a new contract. The contract gives Noonan a 7 percent raise.

According to Chief Operations Officer Kristen Michael, Noonan's salary from May 15, 2017 to June 30, 2019 was $210,000. The new annual salary is $224,700. The contract cancels the previous agreement and sets an effective date of July 1, 2019, or the beginning of fiscal year 2020.

The 7 percent increase means the superintendent got a raise at the beginning of the contract and will not get annual salary increases. He would next be eligible for a raise if his contract is renewed beyond June 30, 2023.

According to a Falls Church City Public Schools statement, the 7 percent increase reflects raises received by school district staff over three budget cycles.

Upon announcing the new contract, the school board cited Noonan's transparency during the budget process, keeping contract negotiations for the George Mason High School project on budget, returning second grade to Mount Daniel School after expansion, and Standards of Learning (SOL) performance.

Falls Church outperformed the state on the SOL in all subjects, in addition to leading the state on writing and history & social sciences. It was the first time in four years that the district had a 90 percent pass rate or better in all subject areas.

"His commitment to equity and the needs of each student are unparalleled," said school board Chair Erin Gill in a statement. "Dr. Noonan has created a culture of continuous improvement, pushing our already excellent schools to new heights, and we are fortunate to have him leading FCCPS."

For the current school year, Noonan's focuses are working toward International Baccalaureate education for all, as well as closing achievement gaps and inequality based on race, class and gender.

"Our goal must be to widen our equity lens," Noonan said in a statement. "School is one part of a student's life and ecosystem, and we must provide hope and promise for the betterment of all. This notion confronts us as a moral imperative, and I look forward to delivering on this promise."

Noonan became superintendent in May 2017 and was named Region IV Superintendent of the Year and a finalist for State Superintendent of the Year. Before coming to Falls Church City Public Schools, he served as superintendent of Fairfax City Public Schools since 2012. He started his career as a special education teacher in Albuquerque, N.M. and was named Teacher of the Year in 1993. He also worked various roles at Fairfax County Public Schools for 11 years, including assistant principal and assistant superintendent positions.