The Alexandria City School Board is asking City Council to postpone voting on a resolution this week that would change how the city appropriates funding to the school system.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins introduced the proposal at City Council’s joint work session with the School Board on March 4. The new system would authorize Council to approve funding allocations by major classification, instead of an annual lump sum. School Board Chair Michelle Rief says that more discussion is needed.
“The School Board has asked the City Council to postpone the March 10, 2026, vote on a Resolution of Intent to appropriate ACPS funding by major classification beginning in FY 2028,” Rief told ALXnow in an email. “It is unclear what this means for ACPS; a governance change of this significance warrants deliberate, collaborative, and transparent discussion between our two bodies before any action is taken.”
As of today (Monday), Council’s resolution remains docketed for tomorrow. It directs ACPS, in preparation for the Fiscal Year 2028 budget, to submit estimates for funds needed for the following major classifications — instruction, administration, attendance and health, pupil transportation, operation and maintenance, school food services and other non-instructional operations, facilities, debt and fund transfers, technology, and contingency reserves.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said that the city will have months to discuss the proposal.
“The City Council has the authority to appropriate public funds, which includes determining the structure of appropriations,” Gaskins told ALXnow. “At our March 10 meeting, the Council will engage in a deliberate and intentional discussion about our role and how we can best ensure transparency and accountability related to the appropriations process that we undertake each year. Any proposed changes would not affect the current budget, allowing for months for opportunity for further discussion.”
School Board Member Kelly Carmichael Booz condemned the proposal in a statement posted to her website. She said the new system would legally prohibit the school system from spending funds outside those classifications without Council approval.
“For Council to commit to this direction after zero public discussion, on a change that would fundamentally restructure the fiscal relationship between our two bodies, is deeply concerning to me,” Booz said. “This is not a minor procedural adjustment.”
City Manager Jim Parajon’s FY2027 proposed budget provides $336.9 million for Alexandria City Public Schools, including $286.6 million in operating funds — a 1.5% increase over the current budget. This also includes $25 million in ACPS capital funding.
City Council Member John Taylor Chapman said the city needs to know what it’s paying for. He also said that, on Tuesday, he will present several examples of the School Board reallocating funding for projects.
“I think the biggest logistical change for them is how they move around money, and for us that has been the biggest issue,” Chapman said. “I think there are significant trust issues between the two bodies.”
In the meantime, the school system has a $5.65 million funding gap, which it is proposing to close by eliminating 40 staff positions.
“If we are forced as ACPS to find a way to close this gap, I just want to be really transparent with the public, with you all some of the areas we are going to have to be looking at,” Rief told Council on March 4.
The full resolution is below.
Resolution of Intent to Appropriate Funding to Alexandria City Public Schools by Major Classification Beginning FY 2028
WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the Alexandria City Council to approve and direct the City’s fiscal plan; and
WHEREAS Code of Virginia § 22.1-94 authorizes the governing body to appropriate funds for the operation and capital outlay of the public schools by total only or major classification; and
WHEREAS Code of Virginia § 22.1-92 requires the superintendent to prepare, with the approval of the school board, and submit to the governing body an estimate of the amount of money deemed to be needed during the next fiscal year for the support of the public schools of the school division set up for each major classification prescribed by the Board of Education and such other headings or items as may be necessary; and
WHEREAS Code of Virginia § 22.1-90 requires every school board to submit at least once each year to the governing body appropriating funds to the school board a report of all its expenditures; andWHEREAS Alexandria City Charter § 6.03 requires the school board to file with the City Manager an estimate of revenue and expenditures for the ensuring fiscal year and supply all the information which the City Manager may require to be submitted; and
WHEREAS the Alexandria City Council has previously appropriated funds to the Alexandria City Public Schools for operations and capital outlays in lump sum amounts; and
WHEREAS the Alexandria City Council wishes to increase transparency and greater detail in the budgeting and appropriation of funds from the governing body to the schools; and
WHEREAS the Alexandria City Council intends to appropriate operational funds to the Alexandria City Public Schools for FY2028 based on the major classifications as listed in Code of Virginia § 22.1-115 which are as follows: (i) instruction, (ii) administration, attendance and health, (iii) pupil transportation, (iv) operation and maintenance, (v) school food services and other noninstructional operations, (vi) facilities, (vii) debt and fund transfers, (viii) technology, and (ix) contingency reserves; and
WHEREAS the Alexandria City Council seeks to provide direction for staff and the Alexandria City Public Schools to prepare and submit a budget for FY2028 on the appropriation of funds for FY2028; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA THAT:
- Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 22.1-92 and City Charter § 6.03, the Alexandria City Council directs the Alexandria City Public Schools to submit an estimate of the amount of money deemed to be needed for FY2028 for each major classification as delineated by the Code of Virginia § 22.1-115.
- Pursuant to Code of Virginia §§ 22.1-90 and 15.2-2508, the Alexandria City Council directs the Alexandria City Public Schools to submit a report of all its expenditures and such information as may be deemed advisable in preparation of the FY2028 budget.
- In accordance with Code of Virginia § 22.1-94, the Alexandria City Council intends to appropriate the Alexandria City Public Schools (School Board) funding for FY2028 based on the major classifications as delineated by the Code of Virginia § 22.1-115.
