School Board | ALXnow

New safety report details ACPS arrests and security incidents this school year

Published February 15, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated February 17, 2023 at 10:46AM

Police car lights (file photo)

Seventeen Alexandria City Public School students were arrested in the first two quarters of the 2022-2023 school year. There were also 15 weapons-related incients, 41 students injured, 44 fights/assaults and a report of sexual misconduct.

That’s according to a school safety report to be presented to the School Board on Thursday. There were 188 incidents requiring a police response within Alexandria City Public Schools in the first two semesters of this year. Weapons seized include knives, brass knuckles, stun guns/tasers, a BB gun and pepper spray.

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Pilot for metal detectors in schools approved by Alexandria School Board

By James Cullum

Published February 3, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated February 3, 2023 at 2:23PM

Advanced metal detectors will be used for a pilot program in two Alexandria City Public Schools locations as part of a pilot program (via ACPS)

Two Alexandria City Public Schools will be getting metal detectors before the end of this school year.

On Thursday night, the School Board voted 7-0 (Board Chair Meagan Alderton and Member Christopher Harris were not present) to approve the process for “advanced weapons abatement technology” to go into operation at two unnamed ACPS schools in May.

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Alexandria teachers want smaller classes and bigger raises

By James Cullum

Published January 23, 2023 at 3:30PM

ACPS teachers advocating at the January 19, 2023, School Board meeting (Courtesy photo)

Alexandria City Public School teachers are saying that the proposed salary and step increases aren’t enough.

Last Thursday, 15 ACPS teachers appeared before the School Board at its public hearing for Interim Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt’s $359.9 million fiscal year 2024 combined funds budget proposal. Kay-Wyatt is proposing a 2.6% step increase and 2.5% market rate adjustment for eligible ACPS employees, and the 85% of the budget pays the salaries for 2,700 employees. She’s also proposing eliminating a step for employees on the pay scale.

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ACPS interim Superintendent aims to ‘reset, restart, and refocus’ school system with budget proposal

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2023 at 2:30PM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at an event for Noah and Josephus Lyles at Market Square, October 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools Interim Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt says her budget will help address some of the long-term effects of the pandemic.

Kay-Wyatt’s theme for the budget is to “reset, restart and refocus” the school system, and she says employee retention is crucial.

News

ACPS considers making school resource officers into teachers and informal counselors

By James Cullum

Published December 19, 2022 at 2:55PM | Updated December 20, 2022 at 11:37AM

About 58% of Alexandria City Public Schools students feel safe in school, with bullying, gang activity and selling/using drugs topping a new list of concerns.

Consequently, ACPS is considering enhancing the role of its school resource officers to not only serve as law enforcement but as teachers and informal counselors.

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With construction costs rising, Alexandria School Board approves 10-year capital improvement plan

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2022 at 2:35PM

Swing space at 1703 N. Beauregard Street, via Google Maps

The Alexandria School Board approved its 2024-2033 Capital Improvement Program budget on Thursday night, paving the way for construction of new schools, swing space and significant renovations over the next decade.

After a series of work sessions and public meetings this fall, the Board approved the $461 million proposal, with $58.7 million to be used next year.

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Alexandria School Board considering staggered terms, fewer members and eliminating districts

By James Cullum

Published December 14, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated December 15, 2022 at 2:25PM

ACPS headquarters and clock (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 4:15 p.m.) Are there too many Alexandria School Board Members? Should their terms be staggered and should districts be eliminated? The Board wants these questions answered by the time voters cast their ballots in November 2024.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the nine-person Board unanimously agreed to establish a process for asking the public these questions. The answers will inform a Board resolution that is expected to go before the Alexandria City Council next year and the Virginia General Assembly in 2024.

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PHOTOS: Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 5, 2022 at 9:35AM | Updated December 5, 2022 at 11:03AM

Santa at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was an unseasonably warm 60 degrees on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) in Old Town for the Campagna Center’s 51st Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

The parade is one of the most popular events in the city, bringing thousands of participants, including Irish dancers, historic reenactors and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. It is considered the highlight of a weekend full of events.

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ACPS: Millions needed for upcoming capital projects due to cost increases

By James Cullum

Published November 16, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated November 22, 2022 at 11:10PM

George Washington Middle School (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Construction and other capital improvement costs for next fiscal year have increased for Alexandria City Public Schools by millions.

More than $14 million out of the $24 million in cost increases for new and existing capital improvement projects is due to supply chain issues and cost escalations, ACPS staff reported in a presentation to the School Board on Monday (Nov. 14).

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ACPS to consider extending agreement for school resource officers until end of school year

By James Cullum

Published October 24, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated October 24, 2022 at 5:53PM

Alexandria Police at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Updated at 5:55 p.m. The Alexandria School Board on Friday (October 20) received a recommendation to extend its agreement with the Alexandria Police Department to provide school resource officers at the city’s high school and middle schools until the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

The School Board will vote on the matter at its upcoming meeting on Thursday, November 10.

News

With enrollment increase, Alexandria needs more middle school space

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2022 at 2:35PM

Students return to George Washington Middle School, August 24, 2021 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria leaders agree that the city either needs to expand its aging middle schools or completely build a new one.

There are now 15,700 students within Alexandria City Public Schools, and roughy 2,000 more students are expected by 2024. That puts the city in a tricky position, as 10 ACPS schools are more than 70 years old and need continual maintenance, and a surge in elementary school kids means that Alexandria needs more middle school space.