Budget Updates: School Board Adopts FY 2025-34 CIP Budget and Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

The Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) budget process continues as the Alexandria City School Board adopted the FY 2025-34 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget at the Board meeting on Dec. 14, 2023. Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt will present the 2025 Combined Funds (CF) budget to the School Board on Jan. 4, 2024, with additional opportunities for community engagement beginning next month.

The Alexandria City School Board approved the proposed ACPS CIP Budget of $379,555,400 for the next 10 years at its Board meeting on Dec. 14, 2023. The approved CIP for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-34 includes modernizing the ACPS Transportation Facility, the replacement of George Mason and Cora Kelly, funding deferred playground maintenance and a renovation project at the 1701 N. Beauregard St. facility to convert two floors of the building into office space.

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the superintendent and dedicated teams from the departments of Facilities and Operations and Financial Services for their commitment to developing a comprehensive Capital Improvement Budget that continues to address the needs of the division. I want to thank community members for their participation in this process, as well. Everyone’s steadfast support strengthens the foundation of our shared goals and uplifts the spirit of collaboration as we pave the way for a brighter future,“ said Alexandria City School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief.

The 2023-24 school year marked the highest ACPS enrollment since 1971, with 16,071 students currently enrolled in our schools. This represents an increase of 339 students from the 2022-23 school year. The modernization of both George Mason Elementary School and Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology will continue to address capacity challenges within the division.

The approved budget maintains most of the school division's planned projects and adjusts for increased costs, and exceeds the City Council-approved FY 2024-33 CIP by $1.9 million. The overall 10-year CIP budget for ACPS is lower than last year's due to the incorporation of budget guidance received from the City of Alexandria regarding capital projects.

The CIP budget, approved by the School Board, aligns with the goals of the ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan: Equity for All, as well as the School Board's CIP priorities for the next 10 years, which include prioritizing aging facilities, investing in textbook and technology upgrades and addressing capacity needs where identified.

“In the rhythm of our annual budget process, I am continually inspired by the dedication and hard work demonstrated by our School Board, staff and community members,” said ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt. “As illustrated by our Minnie Howard high school campus project — one of our largest CIP projects yet — the CIP budget process is vital to the division’s future, and I want to thank everyone who was involved in this collaborative process to plan and innovate for our students’ future.”

ACPS’ CIP Project funding is allocated by the City of Alexandria. Once capital projects are approved by the Alexandria School Board, the City maintains all CIP funding which includes the accounting for these funds. ACPS is given the budget authority to execute CIP projects. The CIP Budget exclusively funds capital improvement and modernization projects. It is separate from the Combined Funds budget, which includes three separate funds: Operating, Grant and Special Projects and School Nutrition. For more information on ACPS budgets, visit ACPS Budgets.

On Jan. 4, 2024, Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt will present the 2025 Combined Funds (CF) budget to the School Board. The budget addresses priorities within the school division, including:

• Staff recruitment and retention.
• Increased staffing, based on enrollment.
• Opening of the Alexandria City High School Minnie Howard Campus.
• Middle school athletics funding.
• Facilities and Operations, including for safety and security measures.
• Technology, including for cybersecurity needs.

All stakeholders are invited to take an active role in the budget process. The School Board will hold a public hearing on the 2025 CF Budget on Jan. 18, 2024. More information about the FY 2025 budget process is available online.