School Board | ALXnow

Officials Say Gulf Between City and School Planning is Still Too Large

Published October 24, 2019 at 3:15PM

Councilman John Chapman pushes for more co-located school and city facilities at a joint session (photo via Alexandria City Public Schools)

Gone are the days when the Alexandria City Council and School Board’s joint meetings were bloody affairs where both sides would haggle over monumental budget gaps. But under the surface, members of the City Council were dubious at last night’s (Wednesday) joint session that enough is being done to align city and school interests when it comes to new development.

One of the most-discussed goals of the collaboration between the city and schools is co-locating facilities — moving away from new developments being single-use and towards projects that might include a school along with recreational facilities or housing.

Equity Audit for Schools Highlights Areas of Perceived Inequality

By Vernon Miles

Published October 16, 2019 at 2:00PM

It’s no secret that there is a lack of equity in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and school staff are working to identify where staff and students say disparities are the most prevalent.

While the school system recently celebrated all ACPS schools being fully accredited, the announcement noted that achievement gaps continue to exist “particularly in math and English among Hispanic students, black students, economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities.” Test scores over recent years have shown a narrowing gap among different groups but with room to improve.

What’s Next After School Board Votes to Stick With One High School Approach?

By Vernon Miles

Published October 1, 2019 at 9:30AM

The School Board has shot down a plan to add a second high school in Alexandria and is sticking with — as several members of the audience chanted throughout the night — “One T.C.”

After a long debate at its Sept. 26 meeting that dredged up Alexandria’s history of segregation in schools and the ongoing achievement gap, the School Board voted 6-3 in favor of expanding the current high school into a “campus.”