Alexandria City School Board Adopts Fiscal Year 2024-33 Capital Improvement Program Budget
Contact: Arte’a Funderburk at 571-419-2879 or artea.funderburk@acps.k12.va.us
The Alexandria School Board adopted the proposed Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Capital Improvement Program Budget (CIP) of $461,065,200 for the next 10 years at its Board meeting on Dec. 15, 2022. The Adopted CIP for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-33 includes modernizing ACPS facilities and making them more secure, increasing technology upgrades, funding playground renovations and converting the newly-purchased building at 1703 N. Beauregard St. into a new school, after it has served as a swing space during elementary school renovations.
“I want to thank the ACPS Facilities & Operations and Financial Services teams for their hard work and responsiveness to our students’ needs in developing this capital improvement program budget. This budget addresses the priorities established by the Alexandria School Board after hearing from students, staff, families and community members. It is critical that we give our students the best opportunity to succeed by providing optimal learning environments and the resources to support their well-being and academic achievement,“ said Alexandria School Board Chair Meagan L. Alderton.
ACPS enrollment in the 2022-23 school year is 15,732, which represents an increase of 255 students from the 2021-22 school year. Projects that will continue to add improved capacity for ACPS students include two school replacements: George Mason Elementary School and Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology, and the renovation project at 1703 N. Beauregard St. This building will be renovated into a swing space for use during the two school replacement projects and then, will later be converted into a new 600-student school.
Despite continuing most of the school division’s planned projects and accommodating for cost escalation where necessary, the adopted budget remains $36.7M less than the City Council-approved FY 2023-32 CIP, primarily due to the High School Project being funded in FY 2023.
The CIP budget adopted by the School Board aligns 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.
“Access to a safe, quality learning environment is vital to student success,” said Chief of Facilities and Operations Dr. Alicia Hart. “The School Board’s adoption of the FY 2024-2033 CIP Budget provides resources for upgraded technology and needed facility renovations in support of our school division’s goal of achieving educational equity and academic excellence for all students.”
ACPS’ CIP Project funding is allocated by the City of Alexandria. Once the capital projects are approved by the Alexandria 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. 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.
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.