LaKisha Brown

The work session focused on reviewing 45 proposals regarding the FY 2027 Combined Funds and the FY 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Program. The Board discussed budgetary adjustments including potential staff reductions, contract deletions, and the impact on competitive salaries. Specific actions taken included the support for deleting office contracts and membership dues, adding a central office benchmarking study, increasing funding for Communities in Schools, and adding an Advanced Academic Services position. The Board also reviewed proposals for deleting specific technology and support positions and discussed the implications of potential state funding on collective bargaining negotiations.

The public hearing focused on the adjusted fiscal year 2027 Capital Fund and the 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Plan budgets. The agenda was adopted, followed by a discussion session on the proposed budget adjustments.

The committee meeting addressed policy revisions, including a draft MOU with the APD, principal training on reporting duties, and updates to the FACE program to enhance engagement with multi-lingual households. Additional topics included the implementation of a process for correcting typographical errors in board policies, the potential for issuing school board proclamations, and a review of division legislative priorities concerning school board election reform and lobbyist updates.

This document presents an alternative analysis of seven models for reconfiguring Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) for PK-8 students. The analysis evaluates each model's human, programmatic, facilities, operational, and capital impacts. Key considerations include addressing middle school overutilization, optimizing student capacity, assessing staffing needs and costs, ensuring consistent and high-quality instructional programs (including K-8 and 6-8 configurations), and evaluating family impacts such as school choice and proximity. The overarching vision is empowering all students to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world by inspiring students and addressing barriers to learning, while preparing for student enrollment projections through 2034.

The board discussed capacity reassignment policies and the process for reassigning elementary students to alternate schools due to capacity limits. The presentation highlighted that 72 currently reassigned students have the option to return to their boundary schools, noting the benefits of increased school engagement and reduced travel time. Next steps include communicating this option to impacted families, monitoring the return process, and continuing to evaluate elementary capacity on an ongoing basis.