DANIEL SANGJIB MIN, Times-Dispatch
As local elected officials in Fairfax County, we have a front-row seat to the challenges to our public created by Virginia’s chronic underinvestment in K-12 public education. A 2023 study by the General Assembly’s own experts — the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) — revealed a startling reality: Virginia is $3.5 billion below the national average in state funding for public education and trails all of our neighboring states, including West Virginia and Kentucky.
While unveiling his amendments to the biennium budget, Gov, Glenn Youngkin said that Virginia is “winning.” Well, governor, when it comes to state funding for education, we are losing — badly.
However, there is now a significant opportunity to change course and deliver a true win for Virginia’s public schools. Virginia’s latest revenue forecast anticipates an additional $4.7 billion in state revenue beyond previous projections. This surplus provides the commonwealth with a chance to do what it has thus far failed to do — pay its fair share of K-12 education costs.
The consequences of underfunding are stark. Teachers are overburdened, class sizes remain too large, and critical resources — such as school counselors, special education supports and technology — are stretched thin. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), one of the largest and most diverse systems in the nation, has weathered these challenges and maintained high standards because the local government and local taxpayers have filled the $568 million state funding shortfall. But that approach is no longer sustainable.
Virginia ranks among the wealthiest states in the nation, yet its per-pupil funding is in the bottom third nationally. This disparity undermines our ability to prepare students for a competitive economy and perpetuates inequities that harm less affluent kids and communities. With $4.7 billion in additional revenue projected, we have the means to address these shortcomings. But does Richmond have the political will?
The $568 million state funding shortfall in Fairfax County is not just a number on a spreadsheet; it represents higher teacher pay, smaller class sizes, and resources to address learning loss and mental health challenges. It represents the potential to relieve the burden on real estate taxpayers and invest in other areas where state funding lags, such as mental health and substance abuse services. Across Virginia, the $3.5 billion gap represents lost opportunities for millions of children.
Investing in our schools is not just a moral imperative — it’s a smart economic strategy. Research consistently shows that well-funded schools lead to better educational outcomes, higher graduation rates and stronger state economies. Moreover, businesses seeking to relocate or expand prioritize communities, like Fairfax County, with high-quality public education systems. Underfunding schools isn’t just a disservice to students — it’s a detriment to Virginia’s economic future.
The General Assembly must seize this moment to fund the key recommendations in the JLARC study, including eliminating the arbitrary cap on funding for school support positions and implementing a more realistic formula to determine teacher pay. Fairfax County — and the entire commonwealth — deserve better. We deserve a state government that fulfills its own commitments to our students, teachers and schools. Let’s make public education the priority it should be.
The future of our children, our communities and our economy depend on it.