Dear Neighbor,

Yesterday I attended a productive joint Board Retreat with the Fairfax County School Board. Unsurprisingly, a major topic of conversation was funding for FCPS. So, it’s worth highlighting an important opportunity that the General Assembly has right now to put the Commonwealth on a path to better serve the students of Virginia and help Fairfax County in the process.

In July of last year, the policy analysis agency of the General Assembly (GA), the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), released an important study on Virginia’s K-12 Funding Formula showing what many of us have known for too long: Virginia school divisions have lagged well behind neighboring jurisdictions—including Kentucky and West Virginia—and the national average when it comes to school funding coming from the state. Specifically, the report states that:

Virginia school divisions receive less K–12 funding per student than the 50-state average, the regional average, and three of Virginia’s five bordering states (figure). School divisions in other states receive 14 percent more per student than school divisions in Virginia, on average, after normalizing for differences in cost of labor among states. This equates to about $1,900 more per student than Virginia.

Importantly, the JLARC study highlighted problems both with the Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding formula, which is how the GA decides its per pupil funding, and the Local Composite Index, which is how the GA decides what percentage of school funding is paid for by each locality as opposed to the state.  

The study recommended reforms to the outdated funding formulas that would lead to an additional $3.5 billion across the Commonwealth, and to $569 million more per year to FCPS. (Notably, if the Commonwealth were simply to add $1,900 per pupil to reach the national average, that would mean roughly $340 million more for FCPS.)

My number one budgetary priority will always be fully funding our schools and making sure that FCPS remains top notch. What is clear is that the specific burden on Fairfax County residential property taxpayers could be greatly alleviated if the GA took the advice of its own policy analysis agency and properly funded Virginia schools. This change would benefit not just Fairfax County but all jurisdictions in the Commonwealth.

The time has never been better to fix these formulas, so please help us in advocating that the General Assembly tackle this important issue this session. The Dranesville District is represented by Senators Jennifer Boysko and Saddam Salim, and Delegates Rip Sullivan, Irene Shin, Karen Keyes-Gamarra, and Marcus Simon, and you can look up who represents you here. Let them know that school funding is a top priority and you know they’ll rise to the occasion!

All the best,

Jimmy

James N. Bierman, Jr. 

Dranesville District Supervisor

McLean Governmental Center 

1437 Balls Hill Road

McLean, VA 22101

PH: 703-356-0551

[email protected]

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Fairfax County from 4 a.m. through 7 p.m. Friday. Snow is expected to start late tonight into early Friday morning. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches is forecast for our region.

Difficult travel conditions are possible and likely to impact the Friday morning commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling. When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews spot treated as needed with brine on Thursday and will be out treating roads as snow begins to fall Friday morning. VDOT asks drivers to delay all nonessential travel, but if you must drive, reduce speed, increase distances, bring emergency supplies, give space to first responders and VDOT crews. Continue to check the forecast along the entirety of your trip and be ready to change plans if conditions worsen. 

VDOT Resources:

• VDOT Winter Driving Website
• Monitor road conditions on www.511virginia.org or the free mobile app, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia. 
• Report road hazards at 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or my.vdot.virginia.gov
• Follow @vadotnova and @NWS_BaltWash for real-time updates! 

Important Phone Numbers & Online Resources:

• Fairfax County 'Guide to Snow'
• Town of Herndon Snow Removal
• Fairfax Connector Operating Status
• Metro Operating Status
• Fairfax County Government Operating Status
• Fairfax County Public Schools Operating Status
• Police, Fire, Ambulance Emergency: call or text 911 
• Public Safety Non-Emergency: 703-691-2131
• Fairfax County Emergency Information Line: 703-817-7771
• Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520
• Columbia Gas: 1-800-544-5606
• Fairfax Water - Winter Weather Tips: 703-698-5800, after hours: 703-698-5613
• Report and Check Power Outages:
• Dominion Energy: 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357)
• Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC): 1-888-335-0500
• Report downed trees and wires
• Best Sledding Spots in Fairfax County

Join us on Saturday, February 3 for our first Open House. Enjoy light refreshments, meet Supervisor Bierman and the staff.

Saturday, February 3,

4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.

McLean Government Center Community Room

1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean

Supervisor Bierman and staff are excited to meet you and hope to see you on February 3rd!

It’s almost budget season! The Board of Supervisors approves the County’s annual budget in May of each year, after public comment and deliberations in February, March, and April. Supervisor Foust often utilized a Budget Task Force drawn from a cross-section of our community to help him synthesize public information and prepare for budget meetings. Supervisor Bierman intends to continue that tradition this year. Toward that end, we are seeking volunteers to serve on a Budget Task Force which will meet regularly between February and April to help Supervisor Bierman. If you have any interest in serving on the Budget Task Force or learning more about the process, please contact the office at [email protected].

On May 9, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a Board Matter that recognized data centers as an evolving industry that merits further research and analysis. The Board Matter directed staff to provide a report with research, findings, and recommendations on topics including environmental issues and mitigation; locational guidelines for siting facilities; how data centers should be permitted; and where any new guidelines should be located, including the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. 

View the Data Centers Report and the Staff Presentation for more information.

On Saturday, January 13, Supervisor Bierman, along with 800 other local residents, met at local Northern Virginia schools to collect, sort, and deliver a record-breaking 25,000+ pounds of food and toiletries for the 45 schools partnering with Food For Neighbors whose mission is to tackle teen food insecurity. Thanks to the 1,956 generous “Red Bag” donor households and several local organizations that run food drives to gather food and toiletries, over 6,000 Middle and High School students will be provided with supplemental nutrition.

The incredible volunteers at Herndon Middle School rolled up their sleeves to help unload and sort 3,000 pounds of donations. Joining Supervisor Bierman were teams from the Young Men’s Service League, Navy Federal Credit Union, and local restaurant bartaco.

Food for Neighbors began in 2016 and was founded by Herndon Middle/ High School parents, Karen and Mark Joseph. In these few short years, Food for Neighbors has spread across several counties in Northern Virginia and has been fortunate to expand their programming each year. “I had such a great time volunteering with Food For Neighbors,” Bierman said. “Efficient and organized, but most importantly impactful. Thank you to Food For Neighbors for all the work they do to support our students in Fairfax County and beyond.”

Dranesville District School Board Representative, Robyn Lady, provides detailed updates and information on Fairfax County Public Schools, including information on Open Houses for families affected by the McLean boundary update in her January 2024 Newsletter.

Early voting begins Friday, January 19, for the March 5 presidential primary election. 

There is a primary for the Republican and Democratic candidates for president. In Virginia, voters do not register by political party, and you may only cast a ballot in one of the presidential primary elections. View sample ballots on the Office of Elections website.

Three locations will be open for early voting on weekdays:

• Fairfax County Government Center: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Mount Vernon Governmental Center: 1 to 7 p.m.
• North County Governmental Center: 1 to 7 p.m.

*These voting locations will be closed for the George Washington Day holiday on Monday, February 19. 

An additional 13 early voting locations will be offered beginning Saturday, February 24. Before going to vote, please double check the hours early voting sites are open because times vary by location.

Any registered voter can cast their ballot at any early voting site. The last day to vote early is Saturday, March 2, at 5 p.m.

Vote by Mail

For voters who already requested them, their absentee ballots will begin to arrive in the mail after January 19. To vote by mail, you must apply by Feb. 23 at 5 p.m., and any registered voter can absentee vote by mail without needing a reason or excuse.

Click here to learn more...

For more information on voting, including identification requirements, becoming an election officer, and polling locations visit the Office of Elections website.

FCPA Summer Camp Registration Opens January 23

Start thinking about fun in the sun by preparing for Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) spring and summer camps. Registration for spring and summer camps opens at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23. In preparation, FCPA is sharing the full listing of camps, as well as offering multiple ways to search and tools to use that will make enrolling easier.

Explore all the camps being offered and set your clocks for the opening of registration. Remember to log on to use the Camp Search to register in Parktakes at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23!

For more information, visit the Fairfax County Park Authority website.

McLean Area American Association of University Women (AAUW) invites you to their January Branch Meeting featuring speaker, Jennifer Swann on A.I.: The good, the Bad, and What We Need to Know. Jennifer is the Director of Information Security for Bloomberg Industry Group and an expert in cybersecurity and technology. Jennifer, a graduate of Morgan State University, has professional certification from Yale, and has a passion for cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

Saturday, January 20, 10:00AM - 12:00PM

10 AM – NOON

McLean Community Center

1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean

For more information, visit the AAUW website.

McLean District Police Station will host free child seat inspections on a first come first served basis.

Saturdays, January 20 and 27, 2024

9a.m. to 1p.m.

McLean District Station

1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean

Please have your car seat already installed, so that the inspection can be performed. If you have any questions, contact the McLean Station at 703-556-7750 ext. 0 or email MPO Carolyn Beyer.

Check out your neighborhood Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Center for free on Wednesday, January 24. If you are a current Rec Center member, bring family and friends along to check out these community wellness hubs. Visitors will receive a free, 7-day trial membership or be able to purchase a 30-day for $30 pass to the Park Authority's Rec Centers.

Everyone is invited to explore the Rec Centers, use gym equipment, take a lap in the pool and try out drop-in fitness classes (space permitting) all day long. Each Rec Center will offer special programs and activities from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 24. Come by in the evening to visit the membership table, grab some giveaways, take part in arts and crafts, and enjoy other special offerings.

Additional information for the Open House programming at each individual Rec Center is available on the Fairfax County Park Authority website.

Reston District Community Advisory Committee holds a monthly meeting on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. The agenda includes updates from Reston District Station Commander, Captain Mohammed Oluwa.

Wednesday, January 24 at 7:00 PM.

The Hyatt Regency Reston

“The Living Room” meeting space off the lobby

1800 Presidents Street, Reston

Parking in the Reston Town Center garages is free after 5:00 PM. Note, the Hyatt Hotel garage has an automated charging system – choose a covered parking garage in the Reston Town Center to park for free.

Please join Virginia civilian oversight practitioners from the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, City of Charlottesville and Fairfax County for a moderated discussion about law enforcement oversight in the Commonwealth.

Thursday, January 25 at 6:00PM

via Zoom

For more information on the panelists and to register for the meeting, visit the event webpage.

Jan. 31 & 31: FCEDA Tech & Cyber Networking and Hiring Fair

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is hosting a free, two-day tech and cyber networking and hiring event, to connect job seekers and employers to help fill thousands of high-priority positions. Network with 40+ in the IT sector ranging from defense and aerospace to healthcare and renewable energy at this free in-person and virtual event. Photographers will be standing by to provide free professional headshots as you browse future opportunities and enjoy a beverage and snack.

January 30th, 2024, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Capital One Hall

7750 Capital One Tower Rd, Tysons

Register Here

Can’t make it in person? Participate virtually on Jan. 31.

For more information, visit the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority website.

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville

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