The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved funding Tuesday, Sept. 15, to restore 11 crossing guard positions at 10 high schools as part of the FY 2026 Carryover Budget Package.
The positions were eliminated as a cost-saving measure in the FY 2027 budget. Following concerns raised after the start of the school year, the Fairfax County Police Department temporarily restored coverage while evaluating conditions at each affected crossing.
The board approved $707,908 in annual funding for 11 crossings serving 10 high schools: Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, Edison, McLean, Oakton, South County, South Lakes, West Springfield and West Potomac. FCPD will continue temporary coverage while working to rehire former crossing guards and recruit or contract for additional guards as needed.
Other Carryover Highlights
The FY 2026 Carryover Package also funds a range of one-time infrastructure, equipment, technology and other county needs, including:
- $28.6 million for the Capital Sinking Fund, including $12.87 million for county facilities, $7.15 million for Fairfax County Public Schools facilities, $4.29 million for parks and $2 million for walkways.
- $8.94 million for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, bringing the county's investment toward the Board's $100 million goal to $91.06 million.
- $5 million to address rising costs for existing Park Authority capital projects.
- $5 million for replacement of large Fire and Rescue Department apparatus and ambulances.
- $2.1 million for electric vehicle charging stations at county and Park Authority facilities.
- $1 million for Fairfax County Public Library materials.
- $750,000 for costs associated with the August 2026 primary election.
- $300,000 for cleanup at Royal Lake Park following damage from the June 22 storm.
The package also includes $11.59 million for major information technology projects, including upgrades to financial, payment and telecommunications systems; $6 million to address emergency system failures at aging county facilities; and $5.59 million for infrastructure replacement and upgrades at county facilities.
About FY 2026 Carryover
Carryover is the county's annual process of closing out the previous fiscal year and determining how available balances and previously approved funding will be carried into the current fiscal year.
For FY 2026, General Fund revenues were approximately $63.5 million higher than projected, while disbursements were approximately $107.1 million below projections (a 1.82% variance). After accounting for outstanding obligations, commitments and reserve adjustments, approximately $106 million was available for carryover actions.
Most of that funding is directed to one-time needs such as capital projects, equipment and technology.
The complete FY 2026 Carryover Review is available from the Department of Management and Budget.
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