Prince William County Schools to Unveil FY 2026 Budget, Including $1B Capital Plan

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade will present her proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the county school board on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The meeting, open to the public and streamed live on YouTube, will begin at 7 p.m.

A significant component of this year’s budget is a $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), aiming to address overcrowding, modernize aging facilities, and support long-term student enrollment shifts.

Major Investments in New Schools and Renovations

The CIP includes multiple new school construction projects, such as:

• Occoquan Replacement School (December 2025) – Will add 226 seats and offer specialized programs for students with special education and autism support needs.
• Woodbridge Area Elementary School (2026-2027) – Will serve approximately 632 students in the Cardinal and Neabsco Mills Districts, where overcrowding is a pressing concern.
• Potomac Shores Elementary School #2 (2027-2028) – Planned capacity increased from 750 to 1,050 seats to accommodate rapid growth in the Potomac Shores area.
• 14th High School (2029-2030) – Will serve 1,400 students and provide relief for Colgan, Forest Park, and Freedom High Schools. Community engagement sessions starting in February will help determine specialized programs, such as robotics labs, aquatic drone research, and a school-based health clinic.

Additionally, several existing schools will receive major renovations and expansions to improve infrastructure and reduce reliance on portable classrooms. Dale City Elementary School, identified as one of the most outdated facilities, is slated for a comprehensive renovation, including an eight-classroom expansion, mechanical upgrades, and ADA compliance improvements. Other significant projects include an expansion at Marsteller Middle School, Fred Lynn Middle School renovations, and county-wide HVAC and LED lighting upgrades.

Sustainability and Modernization Initiatives

PWCS is also investing in sustainability and infrastructure improvements, with over $81 million earmarked for HVAC replacements in 14 schools and nearly $15.5 million allocated for LED lighting upgrades. Additionally, solar panel installations and the construction of artificial turf practice fields at multiple high schools are planned to enhance energy efficiency and equity in athletic facilities.

Historic Wage Agreement

In a related development, PWCS and the Prince William Education Association (PWEA) have reached a historic wage agreement totaling more than $160 million over two years. This agreement underscores the division’s commitment to valuing its employees and offering regionally competitive pay.

Key aspects of the agreement include:

• A two-year wage deal providing an average 7% increase in the first year and an average 6.3% increase in the second year.
• Decompression of the certified wage scale to ensure employees are placed on steps commensurate with their years of experience.
• Significant increases in starting wages for teachers, positioning PWCS as a regional leader in teacher compensation.
• Targeted stipends for specific roles, including IEP case management, dually certified English Language teachers, and Elementary Strings Teachers.
• Doubling the night shift pay differential for classified staff.
• Reclassification of certain classified positions to higher grades to ensure competitive pay.
• Ensuring all PWCS supplements are at or above the median for the regional comparative study.

McDade emphasized, “This wage proposal is a testament to PWCS’s commitment to its strategic plan, ensuring that our employees feel valued and are compensated competitively within the region.”

Comparison to Previous Year’s Budget

The proposed FY 2026 budget builds upon the initiatives outlined in the FY 2025 budget. Last year, the School Board approved a $1.78 billion operating budget that prioritized investments aligned with the PWCS Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan. Approximately 80% of expenditures supported the instructional core: students, staff, and curriculum. Notably, employees received an average 6% pay increase, contributing to a cumulative 28.2% increase in average teacher salaries over five years. The budget also allocated funds for 125 new teacher assistants for students with special needs, 23 kindergarten teacher assistants, and 15.5 reading specialists.

Challenges and Community Involvement

Despite its ambitious scope, the CIP faces challenges related to fluctuating student enrollment, redistricting considerations, and rising construction costs due to inflation and potential tariffs on building materials. The school board will evaluate funding options to navigate these hurdles, including bond issuances and proffers from new developments.

Residents will have opportunities to provide feedback during public hearings in February, with the final budget approval expected in March 2025.