Proposed Capital Budget Maintains K-8 School Conversion Plan In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA —With guidance from the city seeking to maintain or lower capital budget funding, Alexandria City Public Schools maintained future K-8 conversions and an elementary renovation project in its latest capital budget proposal.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt proposed the $340 million 2027-36 capital budget to the Alexandria City School Board on Thursday. Similar to last year, city budget guidance recommended keeping the 10-year capital funds at existing or lower levels. The budget guidance called for any new major school renovation or replacement projects not already in the capital budget to be no earlier than fiscal year 2034.

The budget proposal maintains $105 million for the future Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology modernization project. Cora Kelly Schools is next up after the current George Mason Elementary replacement project. The funds include $19 million for design and $86 million for construction.

“Our aging school buildings are being transformed into safe, welcoming and modern learning environments,” said Kay-Wyatt in a statement. “Investing in our facilities extends beyond the school day, creating spaces the Alexandria City community can share, enjoy and take pride in together.”

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The budget also maintains proposals to convert two K-8 schools to address middle school capacity needs. Funds had been approved in the last capital budget. That includes $2.7 million earmarked for design, project management in fiscal year 2030 to make Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School an 850-student middle school. The $27.5 million in Jefferson-Houston construction funds are planned for fiscal year 2031.

At Patrick Henry School, $858,000 in design and project management funds are scheduled for fiscal year 2031 to make it a K-5 school, and $8.6 million in construction funds are scheduled for 2032.

The capital budget also proposes $27 million for the 2027 fiscal year for maintenance to existing schools, modernizing technology, new textbooks and curriculum materials and a $5 million leased space renovation for the Alexandria City High School Chance for Change Academy.

The School Board will have a public hearing on the capital budget at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13. Capital budget adoption is scheduled for Dec. 18. Residents may sign up to speak at the public hearing by noon on Nov. 9 or via Zoom, or may submit written public comments on an online form.

While the School Board approves capital projects for the budget, funding is provided by Alexandria city government through City Council's budget process. The capital budget is separate from the ACPS combined funds budget, which includes operating, grant and special projects, and school nutrition funds.