Just hours before a Joint City Council/School Board Subcommittee meeting, new Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon spoke with Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr.
Parajon, who started work earlier this month, said it was a great conversation and that he looked forward to working collaboratively with Hutchings, who wants a 2.6% salary step increase and a 2.5% market rate adjustment for all eligible ACPS employees in the upcoming fiscal year 2023 budget.
“I got a chance to talk to the superintendent this afternoon. Dr. Hutchins, we had a great conversation,” Parajon said. “I’m so excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with him and looking forward to a great partnership with the school district.”
“I have received the budget request from the school district, both operating and capital,” Parajon told the subcommittee, which is comprised of Mayor Justin Wilson, Councilman John Taylor Chapman, School Board Chair Meagan Alderton and Vice Chair Jacinta Greene. “I appreciate the efforts, because put together it’s comprehensive and I’m sure I’ll have a few questions as we go forward, but I know staff has been interacting with school district staff quite a bit and (the City will) be ready to present a recommended budget to you in February.”
Hutchings’ $346 million fiscal year 2022 Combined Funds Budget asks for approximately $248.7 million from the city — a $9.3 million increase in the city’s annual appropriation over last year. The City Council ultimately provides ACPS with 80% of its operating fund, and the school system is banking on the hope that the city will endorse former Governor Ralph Northam’s proposal to raise teacher pay by 10.25% across the state.
The school system is not alone in wanting raises for staff, as the Alexandria Fire Department and Police Department are also struggling with retention. Parajon will present his proposed budget on February 15, and City Council will conduct work sessions and other public meetings in the lead up to the budget passage in early May.
Recent Stories
Say hello to the sweetest pup ever, Starla Rose! This 5 year-old hound dog is up for adoption through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and enjoys walks that include…
Alexandria’s biggest giving day has done it again. On Wednesday, ACT for Alexandria raised $2.9 million for 188 nonprofits. The final tally will keep changing as donations will continue on…
Crumbl Cookies is coming to Alexandria’s Bradlee Shopping Center. There have been reports of the cookie store coming to the Bradlee Shopping Center for years, but construction is finally underway….
Good Thursday morning, Alexandria! 🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect partly sunny conditions with a high around 62°F, accompanied by a north wind at 6-9 mph. As for Thursday night, the sky…
For many remote workers, a messy home is distracting.
You’re getting pulled into meetings, and your unread emails keep ticking up. But you can’t focus because pet hair tumbleweeds keep floating across the floor, your desk has a fine layer of dust and you keep your video off in meetings so no one sees the chaos behind you.
It’s no secret a dirty home is distracting and even adds stress to your life. And who has the energy to clean after work? That’s why it’s smart to enlist the help of professionals, like Well-Paid Maids.
Monarch Montessori School is now enrolling infants, toddlers and three year-olds for its full-time Montessori program. We offer a seamless enrollment process which involves submitting an application for review, paying the enrollment fee and submitting the remaining enrollment materials before your proposed start date.
At Monarch Montessori School, we aim to provide an authentic Montessori learning experience. At our Alexandria location, we currently have 8 openings in our Primary classroom (ages 3-6), and 6 openings in our Toddler classroom. Additionally, there are 3 infant openings at this time.
Our first floor space is an open concept. Infants and toddlers share the same large classroom. Children ages 3-6 are in two classrooms on our second floor. Each classroom has one lead and assistant guide. We offer a year-round program, with intermittent breaks for Spring Break and Winter Break.
Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Annual Gala & Auction
Do good while having a good time at the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria’s 38th Annual Gala and Auction at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. The fun begins with a 2-hour open bar reception while mingling with 499 other Alexandrians who
