Josephine Bloodworth

The Governance Committee meeting focused on policy revisions and board processes. Key discussions included a briefing on the status of the APD MOU, proposed changes to policies and regulations requiring expedited error correction mechanisms, and a discussion regarding the FACE Board Brief, resulting in a recommendation to move drafts forward and a request for staff to discuss ACPS's FACE practices in a future session. The committee also received a briefing on the draft Board Self-Evaluation and discussed a simplified process for correcting typographical errors in adopted policies. Items deferred included the Board Manual, Proclamations, School Board Election Reform, Legislative Positions, and Viral Outbreak Communications.

The 2030 Strategic Plan for Alexandria City Public Schools, guided by the principles of 'Nurture. Educate. Inspire.', focuses on strategic investments in its workforce. Key priorities include enhancing wages and benefits for both licensed and support staff through measures such as salary steps, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), and longevity bonuses. These compensation strategies are designed to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, thereby supporting the broader objectives of nurturing talent, educating students effectively, and inspiring the school community.

This document outlines the 2026-27 Program of Studies, serving as a comprehensive planning guide for middle and high school students and their families. It details course offerings, graduation requirements, and pathways designed to prepare students for college and careers by aligning with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate. Key focus areas include academic and career planning, advanced academic programs such as Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment, and Career and Technical Education. The plan emphasizes the development of critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship skills.

This document outlines the traditional academic calendar for families for the 2026-2027 school year. It details key academic dates including the start and end of the school year, holidays, early dismissal days, teacher workdays, and examination periods. The calendar also includes important cultural celebration dates, clarifying that these are regular school days unless otherwise specified, with provisions for excused absences.

The work session focused on discussing suggested adjustments to the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2027 Combined Funds Budget. Agreed-upon adjustments included adding 1.0 FTE as an itinerant Middle School Latin Teacher, removing 1.0 FTE vacant administrative assistant position from the School Board Office, removing 2.0 FTEs funded through the School Support for Afghan Student (SSAS) Grant (a Cultural Liaison and a Family Liaison), reducing the FTE removal from the Communications Department from two to one, and adding an increase to rental fees by 5%. Additionally, the board agreed to add 1.0 FTE Family Bilingual Afghan Cultural Liaison at Alexandria City High School and 1.0 FTE Title I Bilingual Afghan Coordinator at Francis C. Hammond Middle School. A follow-up memo detailing these decisions is scheduled for February 19, with the final budget vote set for the February 19 meeting.