Elementary School Renovationin progress
Status set at the School Board Work Session on Apr 20, 2026
The Elementary School Renovation program is a major capital initiative in the City of Fairfax covering comprehensive renovations and small additions to both Daniels Run and Providence elementary schools.
It is funded primarily through a $220 million school construction bond approved by voters in November 2024 at a 69% approval rate, with significant community outreach having specifically tied the bond to these elementary school renovations and a new roof for Fairfax High School. As of the FY2027 adopted budget, the City Council appropriated $22 million toward these projects consistent with the bond resolution adopted April 28, 2026; FY26 funding covered initial design, planning, and early construction activities, with major expenditures ramping up in FY27 and peaking around FY29. At a Special Meeting on April 13, 2026, Superintendent Dr.
Dustin Wright recommended staying on the current path of comprehensive renovations with modest budget adjustments and transitioning to a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery model; no action was taken at that meeting. At a Work Session on April 20, 2026, the board agreed with Dr. Wright's recommendations for specific design concepts: Concept 3 for Daniels Run and Concept 4 without the sky bridge for Providence.
The total CIP request including these school bond projects stands at $636.7 million, with the elementary school renovations and high school roof replacement being the primary drivers of the increase over the prior adopted CIP.
Still open
- The legal scope of the bond language remains unresolved — staff noted the bond referendum language was broad ('school construction') while outreach materials were more specific to elementary renovations, and a formal legal determination of what the funds can and cannot be used for was still pending as of April 13, 2026.
- Formal board action adopting the CMAR delivery model and budget adjustments recommended by Dr. Wright has not yet been recorded — no action was taken at the April 13, 2026 Special Meeting.
- A potential local 1% general retail sales tax (authorized by state law effective July 1) is under consideration as a revenue source; its adoption would require a voter referendum and its relationship to project financing is still being evaluated.
- The adequacy of bond and tax revenues to cover the full renovation program given possible additional financial pressures (e.g., a pending WMATA increase) remains an open concern.
What members have said
- Dr. Dustin Wright (Superintendent)
At the April 13, 2026 Special Meeting, Dr. Wright presented a comparison of renovation options and recommended staying on the current path of comprehensive renovations with modest budget adjustments and transitioning to a CMAR delivery model. At the April 20, 2026 Work Session, he presented conceptual design options for both schools and recommended Concept 3 for Daniels Run and Concept 4 without the sky bridge for Providence, with which the board agreed.
- Ms. Dorsey
At the April 13, 2026 Special Meeting, Ms. Dorsey was asked to look up the exact bond referendum language while the board discussed the legal scope of permissible uses of bond funds.
- Ms. Cessarine
At the June 3, 2025 meeting, Ms. Cessarine prompted clarification about the roofing procurement process, leading staff to explain the distinction between roof replacement (not an RFP process) and a full facility renovation as contemplated in the bond referenda.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Jul 1, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Elementary Renovation Updates
[2.02] Superintendent Wright presented a comparison of renovation options including key questions, goals, financial implications, and procurement approaches; he recommended staying on the current path with modest budget adjustments and transitioning to a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery model.
- Elementary School Renovation Design Concepts
[1.02] Dr. Wright presented conceptual design options for both Daniels Run (3 concepts) and Providence (4 concepts) elementary schools; the board agreed with the recommended Concept 3 for Daniels Run and Concept 4 without the sky bridge for Providence.