January 16 — 22, 2020
Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee
Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. XXIX No. 48
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Noonan Proposes $54.6 Million Budget To F.C. School Board Proposal Follows Council’s Growth Guidance by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Tuesday night Peter Noonan, superintendent of the Falls Church City Public Schools, presented a $54.6 million Fiscal Year 2021 recommended budget falling within the 3.1 percent growth guidelines set by the F.C. City Council last month that includes a full step and one percent cost-of-living increase for the system’s teachers and staff. It marks the second straight year that Noonan’s proposed budget has come within the guideline parameters of the Council, due in part to a more generous Council guidance (it was 2 percent a year ago) and the new Democratic-controlled government in Richmond that is promising, via the governor’s proposed budget, increased financial support from the state. In a statement issued Tuesday, Noonan said, “We are grateful for the support that our City Council, School Board, and community have provided for our new high school, and recognizing those efforts we have again developed a budget that allows us to address our most pressing needs and provide a competi-
tive wage for employees while also meeting Budget Guidance from the City Council. With increases in both local and state funding this year we are continuing the investment into our three goals: IB for All, Caring Community and Culture, and Closing Gaps.” While including the proposed step increase for eligible employees at a cost of $971,814 and a one percent COLA for all staff members (at a cost of $409,183), the budget proposal has no reduction in staff size like last year and instead includes a second middle school International Baccalaureate coordinator, an English and language arts boost, two part time (one full-time equivalent) social workers, contract length adjustments, a preschool clinic personnel post and added custodial support to handle the 100,000 additional square feet at the new George Mason high school now slated for completion next December. Other proposed expenditures include projected increases in health insurance and the employer contribution rate for the state-mandated Virginia Retirement System.
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SOLACE BREWING COMPANY will be opening a new brewery, Solace Outpost, in the former Mad Fox Brewing Company space on W. Broad Street this May. (Mockup: Moki Media)
Sterling’s Solace Brewing Coming To Former Mad Fox Location in May
by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Maybe the best news of the New Year so far for the City of Falls Church was the announcement this week that a three-way partnership of highly-regarded regional restaurateur and brewery interests has signed a lease to
move into the 11,000 square foot space vacated by the closing of Mad Fox in the 400 block of West Broad smack in the middle of the Little City. Publicist Mia Svirsky sent out the following statement Tuesday after the News-Press first broke the story Monday based on permit filings at City Hall:
“Beer lovers, rejoice — Falls Church is getting a new brewery this spring. Solace Outpost will open in May in the space that was formerly home to Mad Fox Brewing, which closed last summer after nearly a decade. The upcoming Solace Outpost at 444
Continued on Page 4
Inside This Week M.L. King Day Commemorated In F.C. With Day of Service
Press Pass with Too Many Zooz
See News Briefs, page 9
See Press Pass, page 17
Falls Church will commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by declaring Monday, Jan. 20, a Day of Service and supporting and promoting civic engagement, including a march organized by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, across The Little City.
Going from the subway to the mainstage is every New York City busker’s dream — or better yet — fantasy. But that path was a reality for the genre-pioneering Too Many Zooz, who will bring their distinct sound to Union Stage in Washington, D.C. next week.
Index
Editorial........................................................ 6 Letters.......................................................... 6 News & Notes.....................................10–11 Comment............................................12–13 Business News..........................................14 Sports........................................................16 Calendar.............................................18–19 Classified Ads............................................20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword..................21 Crime Report.............................................22 Critter Corner.............................................22