Elementary School Renovationin progress
Status set at the School Board Work Session on Apr 20, 2026
The Elementary School Renovation program covers comprehensive renovations and small additions to both Daniels Run and Providence elementary schools in the City of Fairfax, funded primarily through a $220 million school construction bond approved by voters in November 2024 at approximately 69–70% approval.
While the bond language was broadly written for "school construction," community outreach during the campaign specifically emphasized elementary school renovations alongside a new roof for Fairfax High School, creating strong public expectations for both projects. The program has been in planning phases since FY2026, with meaningful construction spending projected to ramp up significantly in FY2027 and beyond; the total CIP request of $636.7 million includes elementary renovations as one of its two primary drivers. In April 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 — a recommendation the board agreed with. The board also agreed with Wright's recommended design concepts: Concept 3 for Daniels Run and Concept 4 without the sky bridge for Providence. As of July 2026, the City Council had appropriated $22 million toward these projects as part of the FY2027 adopted budget, consistent with the April 2026 bond resolution, and a proposed local 1% general retail sales tax — if approved by voters — is identified as a key revenue source that would essentially cover both elementary renovations and the high school roof with little remaining for other needs.
Still open
- Formal board action to officially adopt the CMAR delivery model has not yet been recorded — the April 13, 2026 presentation resulted in no action taken.
- The legal scope of permissible uses of bond funds (i.e., how broadly or narrowly the bond language constrains spending) had not been fully resolved as of April 13, 2026, with staff directed to follow up on what is legally permissible.
- The proposed local 1% general retail sales tax to support project financing is pending — it would require voter approval and its timing and outcome are unresolved.
- Design concepts were agreed upon at the April 20, 2026 work session but no formal board vote on record was noted — next steps in design and procurement have not yet been recorded.
What members have said
- Dr. Dustin Wright (Superintendent)
On April 13, 2026, 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. On April 20, 2026, he presented conceptual design options for both schools and recommended Concept 3 for Daniels Run and Concept 4 without the sky bridge for Providence, recommendations with which the board agreed.
- Ms. Dorsey
On April 13, 2026, Dorsey was asked to look up the exact bond language during the meeting discussion about the legal scope of permissible bond fund uses, indicating her role in tracking the legal and documentary record of the bond referendum.
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.