The Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools

AN INTRODUCTION

Presented to

THE SUPERINTENDENT’S BUSINESS & COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

April 22, 2014

IN THE NEXT 20 MINUTES….

• Some perspectives to consider

• Introducing the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools

• Possible funding areas – strategic needs

• Your Questions

As this presentation unfolds, please keep in mind these questions:

1. What needs matter to you most, as business and community executives?

2.What does ROI mean to you? What would make high-impact partnerships?

3.What can we offer you, that hasn’t been offered before?

We are very fortunate to live in one of the most prosperous counties in the US. Fairfax County has responsive government and a strong economy-- right next door to the Nation’s Capital. Studies show the quality of public schools is a big factor for families and businesses looking to relocate.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is an award-winning, world-class, and growing public school system – the 11th largest in the nation, soon to be #10.

FCPS is the largest school district in Virginia. More than 184,000 young people are enrolled in 196 school facilities served by nearly 24,000 employees. Enrollment has grown more than 14,000 in the past five years. It should reach 200,000 students by 2020.

Not only is enrollment continually increasing, but the student population mix is changing – bringing special needs and added responsibilities to FCPS.

Fairfax County Public Schools welcome every young person from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and abilities. Every child can learn and has a right to reach his or her full potential. (LEP = Limited English Proficiency)

The greatest challenges facing Fairfax County Public Schools over the remainder of this decade are:

Meeting increased demand – more people moving into the County, higher birthrates, and a larger share of working class families mean increased enrollments, which means the need for maximized space, keeping more teachers, and responsive program offerings. We must keep class sizes manageable (which is approaching 30 students per class, on average)

Implementing the “curriculum of the future” – a focus on career-needed skill sets, programs fitting the County’s workforce outlook, with an emphasis on STEAM education, critical thinking and problem solving, teamwork, and personal accountability

Anticipating capital needs – repurposing classroom spaces, developing more labs and flexible classrooms, and keeping technology current. We have more than $866 million in capital projects critically needed, but have to be staggered over time

Closing the “Achievement Gap” – in an evermore diverse society, it’s in everyone’s interest to ensure all students enter school ready to learn, and become college or career ready. This is a “civil rights issue of the 21st Century.”

An Opportunity To Do Something About It

Because the quality of public education directly relates to the quality of life found in a jurisdiction, these factors, coming together at this time in Fairfax County’s history, threaten our prosperity and the formula for success and growth in Fairfax County.

Dramatic tax revenue increases and deferring capital improvements are not solutions.

It’s time for a new source of funding and a level of public-private partnership to bolster education and the future of our children – the “usual fundraising” and user-fee approaches won’t suffice.

That’s why in 2010, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce had the foresight and commitment to establish a non-profit charitable foundation to support our public schools.

Presenting The Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools

A 501(c)(3) charitable organization – gifts are tax-deductible

No donated funds may be used for lobbying, political activities, or to replace public funding

Established to connect the systemic needs of FCPS to the community

Focused on enhancing educational opportunities and innovation through collaboration between FCPS and business and philanthropic leaders

Is governed by an 18-person Board of Directors separate from the School Board (maximum board size is 25 seats)

Has raised more than $1.8 million in its first 4 years (91:09 program-overhead ratio)

Founding donors include ExxonMobil, Northrop Grumman, Capital One, Cardinal Bank, Deloitte, Kaiser Permanente and Apple Federal Credit Union –among other leaders!

Our Mission

To support academic and technical innovation, helping FCPS produce the graduates and workforce of tomorrow and helping form the ethical, productive and engaged citizens of our county, who will be our workers, neighbors, entrepreneurs and leaders in the future.

The Foundation is the strategic advancement arm of FCPS, independent but allied to it.

Rather than fund a large list of small projects or programs, we propose to establish three strategicFunds of supplemental new resources, outside ofthe normal FCPS budgets, to make high-impact investments in new Initiatives designed to address the critical threat areas .

The Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools will serve as the leveraging partner between the private sector and our school system.

Donor-investors will be invited to help shape and secure the top-quality of our schools and the education of our children – the future workers, citizens and your neighbors.

3 Critical Areas of Need Possible Utilization of Donated FundsNOT APPROVED; UNOFFICIAL; FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY

“The Workforce of Tomorrow” – Essential Skills

Expansion of Technology Mastery Program targeted at middle-schoolersNext generation STEAM labs with designated STEAM Resource Teacher“Expanding Visions” career awareness program; early promotion CTE dual enrollment and transferable credit program (NVCC & GMU)Project “Lead The Way” apprenticeship training program New stand-alone Career Academies countywide, track focused, for example:(cybersecurity, hospitality, robotics, financial services, environmental science)

Capital Project Impacts Implementation of “flexible spaces” design, existing schools, to max. utilization “Schools of the future” – leased square footage for academies/special instruction“Maker Spaces” in school libraries, creative project areas Development of additional science pods/labs – onsite, portable, offsiteEnsuring the latest technology infrastructure is built in, all projects

Closing the “Achievement Gap”

Access4All computer access program; dedicated internet zones for underservedExpand early interventions /assessment program (“Ready To Learn”), pre-schoolTeacher incentive bonuses, and longevity commitment stipends AVID high school tutoring and study skills program Life skills programs (parents/teens), conflict resolution, communications program Teacher in-servicing for adaptive learning styles and cultural proficiency Emergency learning-aid program (glasses, hearing aids, diagnostics, disabilities)

PHILANTHROPY ESTIMATE: $50,000,000 in private sector support – to make a difference!

Who Should Support This Initiative?

Businesses, professional firms and corporations doing business in Fairfax County, focused on their future workforce, customers, and our continued vibrant economic market

Philanthropists who care about the importance of education in young people’s lives, as part of their formation into productive, successful adulthood

Private foundations concerned with social advancement, through educational programs particularly designed to help disadvantaged students

Allied organizations to FCPS, which will benefit and thrive as our county’s school system grows and succeeds

All those citizens who care about our area, our young people, and the quality of life in Fairfax County.

How Will I Benefit?

• These are the workers you will need in the future

• These are the neighbors in your community

• This workforce will impact Fairfax County’s competitiveness and attraction – our prosperity and economic vitality

• An ample, skilled and ready workforce – whether hi-tech, trades or service industry – incentivizes prospective employers and businesses to locate here

FCPS is the engine to train the workforce and citizens of the future in Fairfax County. This is your “ROI” and our mutual prosperity.

For more information…

Visit our website:

www.FCPSFoundation.org

Or please contact:

Mike Infurnari Executive Director The Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools 8115 Gatehouse Road, Suite 5105 Falls Church, VA 22042

Phone: (571) 423-1033 Mobile: (571) 379-1438 Email: minfurnari@fcps.edu Skype: FCPSFoundation

And now… Jay Garant.

The Office of Business & Community Partnerships works to match up current needs of our individual schools and the system with external partners – fostering beneficial relationships that help our students and provide ROI.

It has a symbiotic relationship to the Foundation for Fairfax County Schools, which is focused more on the strategic, long-term, and futuristic positioning of FCPS.

Together, we meet the needs of FCPS today and tomorrow, through external generosity.