Schools propose capital budget nearly double city limit

Alexandria City Public Schools operates within a municipal budget that already contains a $17 million deficit. Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor presented a ten-year capital improvement proposal on Thursday that exceeds the city's financial guidance by $186.2 million.

The proposed budget totals $370.6 million for Fiscal Years 2028 through 2037. City officials had recommended on October 16 that ACPS keep its capital funding at or below currently approved levels. That guidance suggested the district absorb new costs within existing funds and delay major renovation or replacement work until 2035 or later.

Taylor told the School Board the additional funding is necessary to prevent further building deterioration and address capacity issues. She stated that the plan ensures students learn in facilities that support their success. Taylor noted that the district recognizes the fiscal pressures behind the city's guidance but believes the investments match the scale of the daily needs in its schools.

The city's request comes two days before City Council meets with ACPS leaders and other department heads at its annual budget retreat on November 7. ACPS currently accounts for nearly 30% of the city's total budget. The School Board is also negotiating a collective bargaining agreement set for implementation when the next fiscal year begins on July 1, 2027.

City staff released a statement saying they will review the ACPS request during the budget process. The November 16 joint work session will provide an opportunity to discuss the request in the context of the guidance previously provided by the city.

The $17.9 million allocated for Fiscal Year 2028 includes specific line items for school facilities. Funds are designated for $6.3 million in systemwide renovations, $2 million for Alexandria City High School's King Street Campus, and $2 million for Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology. Additional spending covers a $2 million kitchen modernization at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School and $1.9 million for ACPS transportation services.

Taylor stated that a majority of the district's buildings are more than 50 years old. She argued that strategic investment now helps avoid the higher costs of deferred maintenance later. The largest funding gaps in the plan appear in Fiscal Years 2030 and 2031. These funds would support the conversion of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School into a middle school and Patrick Henry K-8 School into an elementary school.