Alexandria City School Board Approves ACPS Fiscal Year 2025-34 Capital Improvement Program Budget
For Immediate Release: Dec. 14, 2023
Contact: Arte’a Funderburk at 571-419-2879 or artea.funderburk@acps.k12.va.
CIP Budget Prioritizes Facility Updates and Capacity, Aligning With City’s Fiscal Guidance.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.–The Alexandria City School Board approved the proposed Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Capital Improvement Program Budget (CIP) 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.
Alexandria City Public Schools serves more than 16,000 students who hail from more than 119 countries and speak 121 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.