Alexandria Building Proposed As Future Middle School In Capital Budget

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A building purchased by Alexandria City Public Schools is proposed to become a future middle school in the latest capital budget proposal.

On Thursday, Interim Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt presented to the Alexandria City School Board the proposed 2024-2033 Capital Improvement Program budget, which sets facility funding priorities for 10 years.

One of those facility priorities relates to 1703 N. Beauregard Street, a former office building bought by ACPS. Kay-Wyatt proposed the building become a permanent 600-student middle school to address capacity needs. The middle school use would be planned after it is used as an elementary school swing space.

The CIP also includes funding adjustments for construction costs at George Mason Elementary and Cora Kelly School. The 1703 N. Beauregard Street building would be used as a swing space for the George Mason Elementary and Cora Kelly School projects.

"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," said Kay-Wyatt in a statement.

Other projects to address capacity are underway at the elementary and high school level, including the Douglas MacArthur Elementary renovation, expected to be ready for an August 2023 opening, and Minnie Howard high school campus, expected to open for the 2024-2025 school year.

While enrollment decreased in the previous two school years, ACPS saw an enrollment increase this school year. As of Sept. 30, 2022, enrollment is at 15,732, which is up 255 from 15,477 last year. Enrollment at Francis C. Hammond Middle School stands at 1,466, George Washington Mdidle School enrollment is 1,367, and Alexandria City High School enrollment is 4,506.

The capital budget proposal also includes a full renovation of the fifth and sixth floors of Ferdinand T. Day Elementary to provide a welcome center for ACPS families and improve building use. Ferdinand T. Day Elementary is next to the ACPS 1703 N. Beauregard Street building.

Other priorities in the capital budget include building system upgrades such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, safety and security upgrades; increased funding for technology upgrades and textbook funding; and funding for playground renovations.

The School Board will have a public hearing on the proposed Capital Improvement Program on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Residents can sign up to share input at the public hearing. Final adoption of the Capital Improvement Program is scheduled for Dec. 15. While the School Board approves the capital project program, capital funding is provided by the City of Alexandria. The city's budget process typically happens between February and May of each year. After City Council, adopts its budget, the School Board gives approval to its final combined funds budget (operating, grant and special projects, and school nutrition) and capital budget.