Virginia state legislators told Fairfax County supervisors to change their tone on K-12 funding at a joint work session Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Del. Laura Jane Cohen (D-16) addressed the board directly, urging local leaders to be more thoughtful in how they talk about state education spending. Cohen clenched her fists and struck them together to illustrate how legislators feel when county officials criticize Richmond, FFXnow first reported. Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-38), whose district includes Reston, called for respectful interaction as a first step toward a better state-local relationship.

The exchange consumed much of the 100-minute session. The 22-member, all-Democratic Fairfax delegation pushed back on local leaders who have blamed state legislators for a funding gap. A 2023 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study, using data through fiscal year 2021, estimated Fairfax County and Fairfax City schools would be owed more than $568 million under revised formulas. That same study found outdated funding formulas left Virginia spending about $1,900 less per student than the national average.

State funding for public schools hit a record $2 billion under the 2026-2028 budget Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed in June 2026. Still, about 70% of Fairfax County Public Schools' $4.1 billion budget comes from the county, which leans on real estate taxes.

Del. Kathy Tran (D-18) pushed county leaders to build a constructive relationship rather than lay blame at the delegation's feet. Cohen said it would be unfair to criticize downstate legislators, noting that education is the top priority for every member of the House regardless of where they represent.

The sales tax referendum became a flashpoint. The General Assembly recently gave localities the option to hold referendums raising the sales tax by 1% for school construction. The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously on July 9 to support placing such a referendum on the ballot, citing a $400 million deferred maintenance backlog and a 42-year school renovation cycle, according to board meeting minutes.

The Board of Supervisors never acted on the request. Fairfax City is the only Northern Virginia jurisdiction asking voters to approve a 1% sales tax increase on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Cohen pointed to that inaction. "There is always a reason given for why we don't want to do it," she said.

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik struck a conciliatory note as the discussion wound down, saying the two sides were speaking with each other rather than at each other. Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman acknowledged the friction but said the two bodies are on the same team.

The General Assembly convenes Jan. 13, 2027, for the next session, when state education funding formulas could again be on the table. All seats on both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board are up for election in November 2027.