What To Know About The 2021 School Bond Referendum In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — While Fairfax County voters are selecting their choices for Virginia governor, House of Delegates and other statewide races, they are faced with a school bond referendum as well.

The $360 million in bonds requested for Fairfax County Public Schools would fund the planning and design or construction phase for 14 schools as well as site acquisition for a future western high school. Fairfax County residents must vote to approve general obligation bonds since they are a future taxpayer obligation. The most recent school bond referendums approved by voters were in 2019, 2017, 2015 and 2013.

FCPS uses bonds rather than operating funds for the construction and renovation of schools. The bond proposal originates from the five-year Capital Improvement Program developed every year. The CIP factors in anticipated enrollment changes, academic programs and facility conditions to determine priorities for construction, renovation and other projects. The school board evaluates the affordability of school needs with county requirements to develop the bond proposal.

The bond proposal includes projects in all supervisor districts except the Lee and Mount Vernon districts. Residents can view the status of current school projects funded by previously approved bonds.

Here are the projects in the 2021 bond referendum:

Renovations, planning/design

• Centreville High School: $12 million
• Armstrong Elementary School: $4 million
• Bren Mar Park Elementary: $4 million
• Brookfield Elementary: $ million
• Dranesville Elementary: $4 million
• Herndon Elementary: $4 million
• Lees Corner Elementary: $4 million
• Willow Springs Elementary: $4 million

Renovations, construction

• Falls Church High School: $130 million
• Bonnie Brae Elementary: $38 million
• Crossfield Elementary: $31 million
• Louise Archer Elementary: $37 million
• Mosaic Elementary (formerly Mosby Woods): $38 million
• Wakefield Forest Elementary: $30 million

Site acquisition:

• Future Western High School: $13.5 million

With these project totals and bond issuance costs, the total requested in the referendum is $360 million.

The bond question will appear on the ballot as stated below:

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?

The general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021 in Fairfax County. Early in-person voting began on Sept. 17 and will continue through Oct. 30. Absentee ballots may be requested by Oct. 22 and must be returned or postmarked by Nov. 2. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 12.

More information about the Nov. 2 election is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming.