Our Community » Referendum Frequently Asked Questions

Referendum Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
 
What is the School Services Agreement?
Fairfax City Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are two separate school districts with two separate school boards. In 1962, the two school boards and governments entered a School Services Agreement (SSA). Under this agreement, FCPS is responsible for day-to-day operations such as curriculum, staffing, and transportation, while the City School Board oversees the contract and manages the four city-owned, public-school buildings (Fairfax HS, Katherine Johnson MS, Providence ES, Daniels Run ES).
 
Key Elements of the SSA:
•    City students are educated in City schools.
•    The City welcomes County students. This allows City schools to offer a wide variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
•    The City and County school superintendents consult on topics such as boundary changes, principal selection, pilot programs, and special community needs.
•    The City School Board, with the funding support from the City, is responsible for significant capital improvements to school buildings.
•    Members of the City School Board collaborate with their County School Board colleagues through regular, ongoing communication, participation in regional and state School Board meetings and conferences, and an annual City/County Board meeting. 
 
What are the benefits of attending a City of Fairfax Public School?
Through the relationship with FCPS, City residents benefit from being part of a larger district while still being a small-town community. Our schools receive benefits such as:
•    Additional summer programs to help students transition.
•    Additional staffing includes security specialists, a community use supervisor at Fairfax High School, a transition counselor, and our STEM resource teachers at our elementary schools.
•    Funding for professional development for teachers to plan, learn, and collaborate.
•    Building enhancements such as STEM labs, outdoor classrooms, turf fields, and a new gym floor at Fairfax HS. 
 
Why do the two elementary schools need to be renovated?
·       The two buildings were updated 25 years ago and do not meet the needs of students in the modern learning era. By renovating the schools, we can provide updated facilities with enhanced security features and modern educational opportunities.
·       The buildings do not meet current standards for the American with Disabilities Act.
·       Both schools have trailers.
·       The renovations will address current and possible future capacity challenges.
·       Infrastructure issues such as life safety systems, electrical and data systems, air conditioning and circulation will be addressed. 

Why doesn’t FCPS pay for the renovations?

Per the School Services Agreement, the City of Fairfax is responsible for all major capital improvements to the school facilities.

What is the enrollment of the two elementary schools?

Providence ES
2024-2025 student enrollment 918 students
69% are City residents

Daniels Run ES
2024-2025 student enrollment 814 students
96% are City residents

How many City students do we have?
As of August 2024, there were 5315 students in our schools. About 3000 of them are city residents. This number changes as students move in and out of the city. The 2024 Average Daily Membership for city students was 2913. 

Daniels Run ES 814
Providence ES 918
Katherine Johnson MS 1182
Fairfax High School 2401

Does the community use these facilities?
Yes, all four of our public schools are frequently used by our community. From local churches, to scouting troops, to sports leagues, to homeowners’ associations, to theater groups, our schools are used on weekends and in the evenings.  
 
Why do you need money for the roof at Fairfax High School?
Fairfax High School’s roof was installed before the renovation in 2007, and, during the FHS/KJMS renovation from 2006-2008, sections of the roof were updated. While it is currently under warranty, the Facilities Condition Assessment stated the roof needs to be replaced.  The CIP has prioritized replacing the roof in a timely and cost-effective manner.
 
Why is the budget for the FHS roof so expensive?
The referendum on the ballot states, "up to $220 million" and the current estimate for the roof is $43.5 million. This amount is the cap for borrowing for the FHS roof. The maximum amount we will borrow for the roof replacement is $43.5 million, but if the actual cost is less, we will borrow a lower amount accordingly.
 
Fairfax HS has a type of roof that is not consistent with other schools in our city or the county. We will be switching from a PUFF foam and coating system to a more traditional roofing system for large buildings and schools. This means the entire roof will need to be removed and replaced, unlike other building systems that might need just minor replacements or routine maintenance. FHS is over 400,000 square feet and is a large building with extensive roof surfaces and complex designs with multiple sections of HVAC units that requires time and specialized labor. 
 
The total project cost is not just the hard costs of replacing the roof but all the soft costs for design, third party testing, escalation for a project that will be constructed over five summers, and possible contingencies for unknowns that could be found when the old roof if torn off. This $43 million budget incorporates a timeframe for a competitive bidding process, design, and labor. The budget allows for unknown issues such as inflation, supply shortage, or other challenges we might face. Again, if the price of the roof does not meet the $43 million budget, we will not spend the entire amount. 
 
A school roof cannot be done at one time to minimize disruption of students and community groups, so most of this work will need to be done in phases of five summers, this is planning on 82,000 square feet each phase, which is the size of almost an entire roof of some school buildings each summer!
 
What is the expected renovation timeline if adequate funding is made available?
If the schools are renovated concurrently, the timeline is expected to be:
2025 – Request for Architect/Engineering Proposals and Contract Awards
2026 – Architecture/Planning
2027 – Planning/Permits/Materials
Summer 2028 – 2030 – Phased/occupied construction work begins. Summer work is necessary for large common areas such as cafeterias, libraries, gymnasiums to prevent disruption to student learning. Most of the work would be done throughout the school year in areas in phases.
 
Where can I see the Facilities Condition Assessment?
Please visit our website to see the report. 
 
Can I see where the issues are in the schools?
To see photos from the Facilities Condition Assessment, please see this photo album
 
What would the renovations look like at the elementary schools?
Part of the renovations will be a planning and design component. This will a time where we work with our community, school staff, and parents to identify top needs and wants to best serve everyone. Currently, our Facilities Condition Assessment identified structural issues in our facilities but not the design. To see current trends in education construction, we recommend you see a presentation made to the school board by Moseley Architects made in February 2024. 
 
Why not use this money for more staffing or smaller class size?
Funds for this bond will be used for construction and renovation of facilities only, not for staffing or programs. 

It says $220 million, is that the final number?
The city will not be allowed to issue bonds for more than the $220 million. To see a breakdown of how the money is planned to be allocated, please see below. 

Are vestibules part of this bond?
The final design of the schools is not complete (see above).  In the meantime, the City of Fairfax will work with Fairfax County Public Schools to install vestibules in our schools to be installed as soon as we can, regardless of the bond.  

Will these renovations account for the city’s growth and new developments?
The City of Fairfax School Board is committed to schools that are not over capacity. Each year, the board monitors student population of all of our schools, and meets with city planners about how development will impact school capacity. As of the 2024-25 school year, our two elementary schools are not over capacity and are not trending towards over capacity in the next five years. If we do find the schools to be over capacity, we will work with FCPS on boundary changes to “right-size” our schools. 
 
What is the size of the proposed bond financing?
The referendum seeks approval for the issuance of up to $220 million aggregate principal amount of general obligation school bonds.  Should such funding be approved, the Fairfax City School Board anticipates allocating bond proceeds to finance CIP projects, estimated to include:
·       $75.4 million for renovations at Daniels Run ES (construction/design/planning/contingency)
·       $84.8 million for renovations at Providence ES (construction/design/planning/contingency)
·       $43.5 million for the roof replacement at Fairfax HS (construction/design/planning/contingency) 
·       $13.1 million for “FF&E” including furniture, fixtures, equipment and technology for both elementary schools
·       $3.12 million Contingency/Issuance Cost
Such costs reflect preliminary cost estimates.  Bond proceeds may be reallocated between projects as well as to additional CIP-approved expenses if necessary to account for final project costs, the timing of a phased bond issuance and other factors.
 
What is a bond?
A general obligation school bond is a type of long-term borrowing that a locality issues to finance large capital projects such as renovating existing facilities or making significant upgrades to infrastructure. Voters will be asked as part of the November bond referendum whether the City should issue such bonds.  

If approved, the City anticipates that it will sell bonds in a phased issuance to match the schedule of the projects. This funding method allows a locality to undertake significant capital improvements and expansions for school purposes at levels that significantly exceed current operating budget revenues. This approach spreads the cost over many years and allows our community to benefit from improved educational facilities.  Using general obligation bonds for large, generational capital projects that will benefit taxpayers for multiple decades is a widely used and accepted form of funding for similar capital projects nationwide. 
 
Why do we need to undertake bond financing?
School districts often finance construction and renovation projects through the issuance of bonds primarily because such financing technique allows the school districts to manage the significant costs of large-scale projects without needing the entire amount of money upfront from current funding resources, similar to a homeowner financing their home versus paying a lump sum in cash at closing.  The proposed renovation of our two elementary schools and the replacement of the roof of our high school will involve substantial expenses that exceed our annual operating budget. Through the issuance of bonds, the City will be able to make funding available more quickly while spreading the repayment over many years. This approach helps to ensure that the financial burden is distributed more evenly across current and future taxpayers who will benefit from the improved facilities. Additionally, general obligation bonds of highly-rated localities, such as the City, typically receive more favorable interest rates than other types of bonds due to the perceived stability and lower credit risks, thereby making a general obligation bond financing a cost-effective option to pay for substantial capital improvements.
 
Will the debt service on such bonds be within the financial capacity of the City to repay?
The City and its and its financial advisors have undertaken considerable planning to estimate the impact of borrowing for the identified school capital projects via General Obligation Bonds.  The planning contemplates borrowing via the General Obligation Bond program as funding is needed between fiscal year 2025 and fiscal year 2030.  This multi-year borrowing program allows the City to gradually increase the new revenue that will be needed to repay the bonds over a multi-year period.  
 
What are the projected borrowing costs?
It is not possible to predict the exact cost of financing until the bonds are sold and will be based on market conditions at the time.  For reference, current interest rates for general obligation debt of municipalities with a bond rating similar to the City have been at or less than 5.00%. The City anticipates issuing bonds on a “just-in-time” approach where the phased issuances match the schedule of project costs and facilitate the City’s ability to repay level debt service with anticipated cash-flows.

Assuming the bonds are sold at 5.00% interest cost and are structured to be repaid over 20 years, the City’s annual debt service for the school bonds including principal, interest, and financing costs, is estimated to begin at $2.4 million and will gradually increase over five years up to approximately $17.7 million. The expected amortization structure contemplates that the debt service for the bond will remain generally constant at $17.7 million for 15 years and then will decrease over the last five years as the bonds are retired.  
 
What is the anticipated impact on the City’s annual budget?
The City repays general obligation debt from the General Fund portion of the City budget. Examples of revenue sources for the General Fund include real estate tax, personal property tax, state sales tax, local sales tax, utility tax, business and professional licenses, motor vehicle licenses, recordation tax, bank stock tax, cigarette tax, lodging tax, and meals tax.  
Currently, the City has one of the lowest real estate tax rates in the area. Many factors will determine whether the bond repayment obligation will affect the tax rate, such as the growth of the City’s tax and revenue base and the increase or decrease in the current and future City spending. 

Virginia law requires that the City balance planned expenditures against expected revenues in its annual budget. To pay the annual cost of the proposed bonds, future City Councils will annually examine expenditures, cost-saving measures, and revenue sources to determine the best potential mix to fund municipal services.

To see more information about the City of Fairfax Budget, please visit the City’s website
 
What is the existing indebtedness of the City of Fairfax?
The City is currently repaying bonds issued to finance projects such as renovation and construction of City Hall, police headquarters, fire station, and City parks. To find out more about the overall City debt service, please see the FY 2025 Budget, available on the City of Fairfax website pages 502-524.
 
What if the referendum is not approved?

·       Immediate needs and major improvements identified in the CIP for Daniels Run ES and Providence ES would still be required for continued use of the buildings.
·       Without funding provided by general obligation bonds, the City School Board would need to fund such CIP expenditures over time [in smaller increments] from other sources or ask the City to undertake an alternative form of financing.  Alternative financing options available to the City are anticipated to offer less favorable terms than a general obligation debt financing.
·       The potential costs of the needed renovations are anticipated to increase due to building costs and inflation.
·       To respond to possible future capacity and programmatic needs, additional trailers may be needed at both elementary schools.
 
How will the proposed bond issuance affect the City’s AAA bond rating?
The City and its financial advisors will strive to structure the issuance of bonds in a manner that minimizes any adverse effect on the City’s long-term credit ratings.  Maintaining the highest possible credit ratings helps the City to borrow in the bond markets at the lowest possible interest rate and thus is a primary factor in helping to minimize the cost of a large borrowing program.  The City is currently rated “AAA” by Moody’s Investors Service and “AAA” by Standard & Poor’s – these are the highest possible credit ratings for these independent agencies.   Nevertheless, it is possible that both rating agencies (S&P and Moody’s) may downgrade the City’s credit rating due to the significant amount of additional debt (leverage) needed for capital improvements for the City schools.  Both rating agencies use a weighted scorecard methodology in determining an entity’s credit rating.  Common rating factors include Economy, Financial Performance, Institutional Framework/Governance, and Leverage.  In anticipation of the need to fund these large generational projects, the City has strengthened both the Financial Performance and Institutional Framework/Governance sections by building up and maintaining a minimum unassigned General Fund fund balance, and by providing a track record of fiscal planning, operational management, establishing and reevaluating policies and practices, and setting and meeting annual budget targets, amongst other financial best practices.    
 
How will the proposed bond issuance affect my real estate taxes?
Currently, the City has one of the lowest real estate tax rates in the area. Many factors will determine whether the bond repayment obligation will affect the tax rate, such as the growth of the City’s tax and revenue base and the increase or decrease in the current and future City spending. 
 
If solely dependent on real estate tax increases, the City of Fairfax estimates the real estate tax rate would increase if the proposed school CIP projects are undertaken.  
One option is a concurrent increase of 18.75 cents in 2025.
 
A second possibility is an incremental increase totaling 20.5 cents. The City would seek bond issuance in varied amounts of the approved funds over 5-6 years. This increase is anticipated to occur over a multi-year period beginning in 2025 through 2029 as the bonds are issued for the projects. (7.00 cents in 2025, 7.00 cents in 2027, and 6.50 cents in 2029). 
 
For calendar/tax year 2024, the average residential assessed value is $618,227 with an associated average tax bill of $6,368 (at the current tax rate of $1.030/$100). 
 
The concurrent option of 18.75 cent increase in 2025 would raise the real estate tax rate to $1.2175. That average tax bill would see an 18.2 percent increase of $1,159 to $7,527 annually. 
For the incremental option tax increase, the average tax bill in 2029 would have experienced a multi-year period increase totaling $1,268 to $7,636 annually, or a 20 percent increase.
 
If the referendum passes, the Mayor and City Council would determine which option (the concurrent, incremental, or other) to pursue during the FY 2026 Budget process which is finalized in May of 2025. There will be opportunities for residents to voice their opinion on which option is best during the budget process and community engagement period. 
 
Other possible funding sources could help cover these costs, such as increasing the meals tax, the business, professional, and occupational license (BPOL) tax, and the personal property tax.
 
How long would the capital improvement debt issuance assume?
The school capital improvement debt issuances assume a 20-year repayment with a level payment structure akin to a typical fixed rate mortgage.
 
If voters approve the bond referendum, how will the City of Fairfax’s real estate tax rate compare to our neighbor jurisdictions?  
Fairfax County $1.125
City of Alexandria $1.135
City of Falls Church $1.210
City of Fairfax $1.2175 (1.03 + 0.1875 - this is the concurrent option)
City of Manassas $1.26
City of Fairfax $1.2315 (1.03 + 0.20185 - this is the incremental option)
Town of Vienna $1.3669 
 
Election Questions

For more information about the election in the City of Fairfax, please see the City of Fairfax Office of Voter Registration and Elections
 
What is the exact question that will appear on the ballot?
The following question will appear on the ballot:

Shall the City of Fairfax, Virginia, contract a debt, borrow money, and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $220,000,000 to provide funds, together with other funds, to undertake a program of capital improvement projects for the public school system of the City, and to fund the cost of issuing such bonds?
 
When is election day?
Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This is the general election date in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Fri. Sept. 20 -
Sat. Nov. 2

Early voting in person at City Hall

Tues. Oct. 15

Last day to register or update voter registration
5 p.m. in person; 11:59 p.m. online

Same day registration is available after this deadline.

Fri. Oct. 25, by 5 p.m.

Last day to request a mailed ballot

Sat. Oct. 26
Sat. Nov. 2

Two Saturdays of in-person early voting

Sat. Nov. 2

Last day for in-person early voting

Tues. Nov. 5

Election Day - all voting precincts open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Click here to find your Election Day voting location based on your address.

 
Where can I cast my ballot on election day? 
City residents can cast their ballots at their usual polling location on Tuesday, November 5. For more information on requesting a by-mail ballot, visit FairfaxVA.gov or Elections.Virginia.gov
 
Can I vote absentee in this election?
Yes, voters may vote absentee early, in-person, or request a by-mail ballot. Early voting begins Friday, September 20 through Saturday, November 2, at City of Fairfax City Hall (10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax VA 22030). Early voting is also available on the two Saturdays preceding the election, Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2. Voters must present an acceptable ID in order to cast an absentee ballot in-person. To request a by mail ballot, the voter must first be registered to vote, then the voter can request a ballot by visiting FairfaxVa.gov or Elections.Virginia.gov

When is the deadline to register to vote? 
In Virginia, the regular deadline to register to vote is 21 days before the election. For this election, the deadline is Tuesday, October 15. Thereafter, all new registrations received after the deadline will vote a provisional ballot. For additional information on registration and other deadlines, visit FairfaxVA.gov or Elections.Virginia.gov