Funding New Schools, Renovations on Ballot

Fairfax County voters will be asked whether the county should sell $365.2 million in bonds to build two elementary schools and renovate several other schools.

The bond measure includes $23 million to build an elementary school at the site of the Lacey Instructional Center in Annandale and $22 million to add an elementary school in Laurel Hill in the southern part of the county. One of the biggest-ticket items, at $40.8 million, would be a renovation of Longfellow Middle School in Falls Church, which opened in 1960.

Fairfax, the largest school district in the region and the 13th-largest nationwide, has about 165,700 students. The student population has leveled in recent years after a decade of dramatic growth. But an unexpected increase occurred this fall, with about 1,000 more students enrolled than expected.

The bond measure reflects some of the school board's educational priorities. About $4 million would be used to add space at elementary schools to allow for full-day kindergarten. About $6 million would be used to adapt schools to expand "high schools of the future," with career and technical programs such as culinary arts, construction technologies and nursing.

School officials want to use much of the funding to update aging schools. The bond measure includes $150.8 million to renovate Longfellow Middle and six elementary schools. An additional $10 million would be used to plan renovations at other schools, including $5 million for changes at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, the region's elite magnet school. About $29.7 million would be used for technology upgrades and to replace roofs, heating and air conditioning and parking lots.

School Board member Brad Center (Lee) said the investment is needed to ensure that aging buildings are maintained and that students have access to the latest technology. He also noted that schools are increasingly being used by community groups and other county agencies, including the Department of Community and Recreation Services.

"We're asking for improvements to schools that really need it," Center said. "These are not just schools; they are community buildings. They are used for polling places. They are used for church meetings. The soccer fields are used."

The bond measure includes $65 million for construction. In addition to the elementary schools, it would fund an addition to Hybla Valley Elementary School in the Alexandria section of the county and modular units at four schools.

Funding for some previously approved projects is also included because rising construction costs, including for fuel and steel, exceeded estimates, officials said. About $38.6 million would go to those projects, which include an addition at Langley High School and renovations to South Lakes and Edison high schools.

The measure also includes $50 million to build a facility in Newington to service school buses. The system is permitted to spend $155 million each year on capital projects. The bus facility would not count toward that because it would be a joint venture between the school system and county government.