Staff Salary Increases Included In Alexandria School Budget

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Ahead of Alexandria's city manager presenting the city's budget proposal on Feb. 15, the Alexandria School Board voted to approve the combined fund budget for fiscal year 2023.

The combined fund budget is largely made up of the operating budget for Alexandria City Public Schools. It also includes school nutrition funds, grants and special projects. The city's budget includes an appropriation to ACPS, but it's up to the School Board to decide how to use that appropriation. City Council is anticipated to approve the city's fiscal year 2023 budget on May 4.

The $345.8 million combined fund budget includes salary increases as one priority. ACPS staff would receive an average 2.6 percent salary step increase, while those not eligible for a step increase would get a one-time payment of 2 percent of their base salary. Eligible staff would also get a market rate adjustment of 2.5 percent. Market-rate adjustments would be provided for select staff, including bus drivers, bus monitors, bus mechanics, paraprofessionals, elementary and middle school principals and department chiefs. In addition, funding was earmarked for a comprehensive review of ACPS salary scales in response to the competitive market.

"This budget strives to strengthen our recruitment and retention efforts by raising teacher pay by more than 5 [percent], maintaining high-quality healthcare benefits, and providing resources for staff to grow their careers," said Dominic Turner, chief financial officer for ACPS, in a statement. "We look forward to being able to provide the tools needed to support the success of our community, students, and staff members in FY 2023."

Other priorities in the budget include K-4 literacy, increased support for improving learning spaces, improving out-of-school learning, ensuring equitable identification of Talented and Gifted students who are Black and Hispanic, and addressing high school graduation rates among Hispanic male students.

The combined budget proposal was presented by Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. in January. Three work sessions were held by the School Board followed by a Jan. 21 public hearing. After the city's budget adoption on May 4, the superintendent will propose an adjusted budget. A public hearing on the adjusted budget would follow on May 19, and adoption is anticipated on June 2.