The Fairfax County Public Schools School Board is responsible for hiring administrators and teachers, setting school policy, and deciding the academic curriculum for the 180,000+ students in the district. FCPS’s $3.4 billion annual budget – which makes up more than half of all county spending – is set by the County Board of Supervisors and managed by the FCPS School Board. Once a leading example of public education in Virginia, recent actions by the FCPS School Board have resulted in a marked decline in the quality of education received by Fairfax County students. In the last year, SAT scores for FCPS students dropped by an average of 27 points while scores statewide increased by 14 points. Student mental health is also at a 10-year low per the 2022 FCPS Youth Survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders across the district. Meanwhile, the current School Board’s focus on prioritizing equity at the expense of academic excellence has also resulted in lowered admissions standards at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, the Fairfax County magnet school, and the withholding of results for National Merit Scholars in the district.

Fairfax County property taxes have increased over 50% during the last decade. The current Board of Supervisors has continually raised taxes on residents and the car tax remains a burden for residents. The current Board also voted to give itself a salary increase in recent years.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is responsible for pursuing economic development and revitalization opportunities in Fairfax County, as well as responding to the needs of the business community within the county. The Board of Supervisors is also responsible for addressing the rising costs of housing and services for Fairfax County families, and for encouraging and supporting participation within community organizations that address the needs of Fairfax County residents of all ages.

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for keeping our streets safe and assisting with many judicial functions, including running the detention center and carrying out civil processes. The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is responsible for prosecuting those who commit crimes within Fairfax County. Fairfax County has suffered an 18% increase in reported crime, as well as a 42% jump in shoplifting. Our police department is understaffed by more than 200 officers, making it more difficult to take care of issues such as fentanyl distribution and human trafficking.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is responsible for allocating funds each year to repair and upgrade our roads and bridges, many of which are overcrowded or in disrepair. The Board of Supervisors also controls funding levels for public transportation within Fairfax County, including public busses and bike lanes, as well as pedestrian projects and parking requirements for both public and private property developments. The Board of Supervisors also has representation on multiple transportation committees/entities that service the greater Northern Virginia region, including: WMATA Board of Directors (manages Metro) Northern Virginia Transportation Commission COG National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Dulles Rail Transportation Improvement District Commission Phases I & II Route 28 Highway Transportation Improvement District Commission

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is responsible for making our community affordable and offering a high quality of life. This includes providing a variety of athletic, artistic, intellectual, and recreational activities for Fairfax County residences, as well as the maintenance of all Fairfax County public parks, libraries, community centers, and public schools. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors oversees the annual budget, as well as appointing a Library Board of Trustees to manage all library operations. This also means that the Board of Supervisors has a say in what educational programs are offered. The Board of Supervisors also allocates the funding for the maintenance and renovation of our library facilities. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is responsible for funding and appointing the Park Authority Board, which manages our parks, walking trails, as well as its community and recreation centers.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is responsible for enacting policies and regulations to protect our air, water and open spaces, such as Lake Accotink. They are also charged with taking the lead on initiatives to address energy efficiency and sustainability in the county, as well as appointing the individuals serving on the 10-member board governing the public water utility Fairfax Water. The Board of Directors on the Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) is responsible for promoting soil and water conservation in Fairfax County; however, it only has advisory authority over environmental issues in Fairfax County.