School Board Ups Staff Pay Raises In Approved Alexandria Schools Budget

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria City Public Schools budget approved by the school board Thursday has a few adjustments from the superintendent's proposals. Staff pay increases and new positions are at the center of the budget.

The Alexandria School Board adopted a $395.2 million combined funds fiscal year 2026 budget, which includes the operating budget, nutrition funds, and grants and special projects fund. The bulk of it is the $364.3 million operating fund, a 4.8 percent increase from the last budget. The operating budget excludes the Virginia Preschool Initiative transfer.

"The FY26 Combined Funds Budget represents a collective commitment to strengthening our school community," said School Board Chair Michelle Rief in a statement. "With key investments in staff compensation, school-based positions, operations, safety, technology and redistricting efforts, this budget ensures we are meeting the evolving needs of the ACPS community while preparing for the future."

The adopted operating budget is slightly above the $363.5 million budget proposed by Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt. The school board added a 1 percent market rate pay adjustment for eligible employees, totaling $2.7 million. Other changes to the superintendent's budget by the school board were $50,000 in funding to pay ACPS retirees the long-term substitute rate for daily assignments, $32,000 to increase the retiree healthcare supplement by 20 percent, and $38,800 for a reserve for salaries and benefits. The school board opted to remove $120,800 for two in-school suspension coordinator positions at Patrick Henry School and Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School.

With the funding requests, the school board will seek an increase in the city's contribution from $285.495 million to $288.195 million. The city's contribution would be a 5.6 percent increase if approved by City Council.

Along with the 1 percent market rate pay adjustment sought by the school board, the budget provides a step increase, health benefit increases and recruitment and retention bonuses. A labor relations position was added to support the collective bargaining process.

Additions to school-based positions include more homeroom K-5 teaches, English Learner teacher positions, student support team staff, advanced academic services teacher, an American Sign Language teacher, and Title IX position.

Other areas of the budget include adding security officers at Alexandria City High School, introducing security officers at elementary schools, funding for the school boundary redistricting process, additional school psychologists and social workers, funding to grow the middle school athletics program, continued funding for technology devices in kindergarten through second grade, investments in cybersecurity and malicious threat monitoring software, and more funding for public transportation services.

"Creating a budget that truly serves our students, staff and community requires collaboration and strategic decision-making while balancing fiscal responsibility," said Kay-Wyatt in a statement. "I am thankful for the School Board’s partnership and approval of the FY26 Combined Funds Budget and immensely grateful for our dedicated financial services team."

Because a large share of the ACPS funding comes from the Alexandria City Council budget decisions, the ACPS budget won't be finalized until after the city budget process. City Manager James Parajon will present his budget proposal on Feb. 25. City Council's final budget approval is set for April 30. The Alexandria School Board will approve the final budget on June 12.