School Bond Referendum On Ballot For 2019 Fairfax County Election

FAIRFAX, VA — As Fairfax County residents vote in Board of Supervisors and state legislature elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, they'll also be presented with a public school bonds question. Fairfax County Public Schools is seeking $360 million in school bonds for school improvement projects. If approved by voters, the school district will sell the bonds to pay for the projects.

By law, voters must approve bonds because they're considered future taxpayer obligations. The bonds can only be used for the purposes stated in the ballot question.

The school projects selected for the referendum include a new Fairfax/Oakton area elementary school and Silver Line elementary school. The locations have yet to be determined.

Schools slated to receive additions to boost capacity are West Potomac High School, Justice High School and Madison High School. Elementary schools chosen for renovations are: Hybla Valley, Washington Mill, Braddock, Fox Mill and Oak Hill. Elementary schools in the planning phase for renovations are Louise Archer, Wakefield Forest, Crossfield, Mosby Woods and Bonnie Brae. Middle schools chosen for renovations are Cooper and Frost. The final project for the referendum is the relocation of one modular building.

The school district estimates the projects could expand capacity by more than 4,400 students countywide and reduce the number of temporary or portable classrooms by about 100. Projected costs are outlined on the FCPS website.

Here's the full text of the question on the ballot:

Shall Fairfax County, Virginia, contract a debt, borrow money, and issue capital improvement bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $360,000,000 for the purposes of providing funds, in addition to funds from school bonds previously authorized, to finance, including reimbursement to the County for temporary financing for, the costs of school improvements, including acquiring, building, expanding and renovating properties, including new sites, new buildings or additions, renovations and improvements to existing buildings, and furnishings and equipment, for the Fairfax County public school system?

SEE ALSO: General Election 2019: Fairfax County Absentee Voting, Deadlines