Staff Pay Increases, Security Officers In Latest Alexandria Public Schools Budget Proposal

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Staff increases and new staff positions are at the center of the latest budget proposal for Alexandria City Public Schools.

The fiscal year 2026 $392.5 million proposal from Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt includes the operating budget, school nutrition funds and the grands and special projects fund. The bulk of it is the $363.5 million operating budget, which would be a 4 percent increase from the current fiscal year's budget.

"The proposed budget was thoughtfully prepared to reflect a strategic commitment to advancing the success of our students, staff and community–addressing immediate and long-term needs," said ACPS Chief Financial Officer Dominic Turner. "Prioritizing numerous staffing areas and enhancing the daily operation, safety and technology needs of our division is vital in ensuring we continue to provide a welcoming, equitable and safe learning environment for all."

Step increases for all eligible employees, recruitment and retention bonuses, and health benefits increases are in the budget to help keep ACPS competitive in the regional job market. Staff pay and benefits account for $310.9 million of the operating budget.

"As a division in a highly competitive job market, this budget enables us to attract and retain a dynamic workforce ensuring we can continue to provide a high-quality education and meet the evolving needs of our students," said Kay-Wyatt.

Along with staff pay and benefits increases, the proposed budget would increase school-based positions like K-5 homeroom teachers, English learner teachers, in-school suspension coordinators for K-8 schools, student support team staff, advanced academic services teachers, an American Sign Language teacher, a labor relations position and a Title IX position.

On the safety side, the budget proposals adding security officers at Alexandria City High School and introducing security officers at elementary schools. Funding is also proposed to support the school boundary redistricting process. Other priorities include additional school psychologists and social workers, funding to grow the middle school athletics program, continued funding for technology devices in kindergarten through second grade, investments in cybersecurity and malicious threat monitoring software,

Kay-Wyatt said this is the first budget since the COVID-19 pandemic that federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds are no longer available, requiring funding adjustments for some programs.

The full budget proposal is on the ACPS budget web page. The Alexandria School Board will hold a work session on the budget on Jan. 28, followed by a work session and public hearing on Jan. 30. Budget approval is expected on Feb. 20, and a final budget pending city and state budget outcomes will be approved on June 12. The school board has already adopted a 10-year capital improvement program update.

A large share of the ACPS funding comes from the Alexandria City Council budget decisions. City Manager James Parajon will present his budget proposal on Feb. 25. City Council's final budget approval is set for April 30.