Tighter City Budget Guidance Drives Alexandria School Capital Budget

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A proposed capital budget was presented by the Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent last Thursday, responding to tighter city budget guidance while advancing one more elementary school renovation project in the near future.

The 10-year capital budget is updated each year as part of the Alexandria City Public Schools and city budget process. The $313 million budget proposed by Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt would reflect a $50 million reduction in the city's approved 10-year capital budget and $144 million in the Alexandria School Board's approved capital budget.

"Overall the intent of this budget estimate the city's guidance why prioritizing the greatest needs of our Alexandria City Public Schools facilities," said Kay-Wyatt at Thursday's School Board meeting.

The tighter capital budget responds to city government budget guidance calling for ACPS to spread the year 2 to 10 funding level of $316 million throughout the entire 2025-2034 budget.

School Board Chair Michelle Rief said reasoning for the city's budget guidance was discussed more in depth at a joint meeting of city and school officials last Wednesday.

"ACPS has also developed this CIP budget to meet school district needs while also being fiscally responsible to our city's taxpayers, and keeping our schools as a main focus," said Kay-Wyatt.

For George Mason Elementary School's renovation, $67 million is earmarked for construction. That's $20 million less than the currently approved capital budget. According to the superintendent, the reduction could impact the school capacity, square footage, area for amenities and potential for net zero missions as well as present timing disruptions. The renovated George Mason Elementary is planned to open in fiscal year 2028.

"The next step for us is to evaluate if a new construction is feasible or if only a renovation is possible," said Kay-Wyatt.

For Cora Kelly School, the $10 million for design and $50 million for construction is $40 million less than the last capital budget. ACPS will have to decide if new construction is feasible or if the school should only be renovated. The school has new HVAC and other upgrades that will extend the life of the building until a renovation can occur. The renovated Cora Kelly School has an estimated reopening date in fiscal year 2032.

The 1703 N. Beauregard Street building, a former office acquired by ACPS, will be a swing space for the George Mason Elementary and Cora Kelly School projects. Kay-Wyatt said a permanent use beyond a swing space "has been deferred beyond the 10-year Capital Improvement Program."

ACPS has already made significant progress on school construction and renovation projects in recent years. The Ferdinand T. Day and Early Childhood Center at John Adams opened in 2018, adding capacity for 640 students. The new Patrick Henry K-8 School opened in 2019, adding room for 225 more students and allowing the former school space to be a swing space during other school renovation projects. That swing space was used by Douglas MacArthur Elementary as its school was reconstructed. That rebuilt school opened this year, adding capacity for 300 students.

On the high school level, the renovated Parker Gray Stadium was opened in 2021 with stadium lights for the first time. In 2024, the new Minnie Howard Campus of the high school will open, adding capacity for 750 more students.

Other areas addressed in the proposed capital budget are modernizations to the ACPS transportation facility, funding to improve playgrounds and sports areas, and upgrades and replacements of building systems as needed.

Once the capital projects are approved by the Alexandria City School Board, the City maintains all CIP funding and the accounting for these funds. ACPS is given the budget authority to execute CIP projects.

Capital budget funding is allocated by the city government during its annual budget process. The city's budget process typically begins in the early year and wraps up in early May. The School Board gets to approve capital projects for the proposed budget and will have the budget authority to execute projects.

The School Board will have a public hearing on the capital budget on Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Capital budget approval will happen on Dec. 14. Residents can share feedback by signing up to speak by Nov. 12 or submitting written comments through an online form.