ACPS Interim Superintendent Announces Fiscal Year 2024-33 Capital Improvement Program Budget 

For Immediate Release: Nov. 11, 2022

Contact: Arte’a Funderburk at 571-419-2879 or artea.funderburk@acps.k12.va.us

ACPS Interim Superintendent Announces Fiscal Year 2024-33 Capital Improvement Program Budget 

CIP Budget Accommodates Unprecedented Inflation and Provides for Middle School Capacity 

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Interim Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt has announced a Capital Improvement Program Budget (CIP) of $457,257,200 for the next 10 years. Highlights of the FY2024-33 CIP budget include:

• Proposing the use of the newly-purchased building at 1703 N. Beauregard St. for permanent use as a middle school, following its use as an elementary swing space.
• Revising cost estimates for unprecedented market escalations.
• Providing adequate funding for full renovation of the fifth and sixth floors at Ferdinand T. Day to improve efficient building use and provide a welcome center for ACPS families.
• Ensuring funding for playground renovations, pending the completion of playground assessments.
• Continuing to address aging facility needs through necessary building system upgrades.
• Increasing technology upgrades and textbook funding. 

“This proposed CIP budget reflects the team’s efforts to increase capacity at the elementary and high school levels but we still need to add middle school capacity,” said Dr. Kay-Wyatt. “Using the new facility at 1703 N. Beauregard St. as a 600-student middle school, after it serves as an elementary swing space, is a fiscally responsible way to add capacity in future years to meet projected needs.” 

As of Sept. 30, 2022, ACPS enrollment is 15,732, which represents an increase of 255 students from Sept. 30, 2021. Projects that will continue to add capacity for ACPS students include two school replacements: George Mason Elementary School and Cora Kelly School for Technology and Math, and one renovation project at the newly purchased office building located at 1703 N. Beauregard St. This building is proposed to be renovated into a swing space for use during the two school replacement projects and then, be converted into a new 600-student middle school.

Despite continuing most of the school division’s planned projects and accommodating for cost escalation where necessary, the proposed budget remains $40.5M less than the City Council approved FY 2023-32 CIP, mostly due to the High School Project being funded in FY 2023. 

The proposals align with the goals of the ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan: Equity for All, as well as the School Board CIP priorities for the next 10 years, which include building upgrades such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) and safety and security upgrades; compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the areas of transportation and playground projects; the modernization of ACPS facilities; and planning for future projects which includes communications and engagement support. Textbook and technology upgrades are also funded through the CIP and are also School Board priorities.

The School Board will hold a Public Hearing on the CIP Budget on Nov. 14, 2022, beginning at 6:30 p.m., to allow community members to share their input before the Board is scheduled to adopt the final FY 2024-33 CIP Budget on Dec. 15, 2022. Information is available on the ACPS website for how to sign up to speak at this public hearing. 

ACPS’ CIP Project funding is allocated by the City of Alexandria. Once the capital projects are approved by the Alexandria City School Board, the City maintains all CIP funding and 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. The CIP Budget 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. 

View the presentation of the 2024-2033 CIP Budget Proposal (PDF)

Watch the presentation to the School Board

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) serves more than 15,700 students who hail from more than 119 countries and speak 124 languages. ACPS has 18 schools, including two middle schools, two K-8 schools, one pre-K school and the internationally recognized Alexandria City High School. ACPS is committed to putting racial equity at the heart of all decisions and ensuring that each and every student succeeds. Visit www.acps.k12.va.us.