Alexandria School Board holds hearing on 10-year capital plan

Overview

Updated 5 hours ago

The Alexandria City School Board held a public hearing on Nov. 10 for a 10-year school construction plan totaling $370,571,600. The proposed FY 2028-2037 Capital Improvement Program includes $17,897,000 for FY 2028 and covers school conversions, HVAC and roof replacements, and planning for Cora Kelly modernization.

Two people, Deborah McKeeman and Salomea Fredericks, were listed as in-person speakers. The hearing is the formal comment step before the board is scheduled to adopt the CIP on Dec. 17. The plan would then depend on City of Alexandria funding.

Why it matters

The $370.6 million plan will determine which Alexandria schools get modernized and where middle-school capacity is added through 2037.

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Key Indicators

$370.6M

Proposed 10-year CIP total

Total proposed spending for FY 2028 through FY 2037.

$17.9M

Proposed FY 2028 spending

First-year allocation in the proposed capital plan.

In-person speakers listed

Deborah McKeeman and Salomea Fredericks were listed to speak at the hearing.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Grace Taylor

Acting Superintendent, Alexandria City Public Schools

Presented the proposed FY 2028-2037 CIP

Deborah McKeeman

Public hearing speaker

Listed as an in-person speaker for the CIP hearing

Salomea Fredericks

Public hearing speaker

Listed as an in-person speaker for the CIP hearing

Organizations Involved

Alexandria City Public Schools

Public school district

Proposed a 10-year capital plan

The school division for Alexandria, Virginia.

Alexandria City School Board

School board

Held CIP hearing; scheduled to adopt budget Dec. 17

The governing board for Alexandria City Public Schools.

Timeline

November 2026 December 2026

3 events Latest: 4 days ago

December 2026
School Board scheduled to adopt final CIP
Upcoming Budget

The board is scheduled to adopt the FY 2028-2037 Capital Improvement Program budget.
December 17th, 2026
November 2026
School Board holds CIP public hearing
Latest Public Hearing

The Alexandria City School Board held a public hearing on the proposed FY 2028-2037 Capital Improvement Program budget. Deborah McKeeman and Salomea Fredericks were listed as in-person speakers.
4 days ago • 6:00 PM
Town hall scheduled alongside CIP hearing
Community Meeting

The board also scheduled a Let’s Talk ACPS town hall for the same evening, covering budgets, school modernizations and the superintendent transition.
4 days ago • 6:30 PM

Scenarios

Board adopts $370.6M CIP as proposed on Dec. 17

Likely Resolves by Dec 18, 2026

Discussed by: ACPS published budget schedule

ACPS has set a Dec. 17 adoption vote. If the board accepts Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor’s proposed total and project list, the plan moves to the City of Alexandria for funding.

Board revises project list or total before adoption

Possible Resolves by Dec 18, 2026

Discussed by: Public hearing process

Public hearing testimony or board debate could change the plan. A revised total or a different school conversion would mark a departure from the proposal.

Board postpones CIP adoption past Dec. 17

Unlikely Resolves by Dec 18, 2026

Discussed by: ACPS published budget schedule

The board could delay the adoption vote if members want more time to review testimony or revise the plan.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

June 2024

ACPS FY 2025-34 CIP adoption (2024)

The Alexandria City School Board adopted a FY 2025-34 Capital Improvement Program budget of $379.5 million. The plan included modernizing the transportation facility, replacing George Mason and Cora Kelly elementary school buildings, and funding deferred playground maintenance.

Then

The board adopted the CIP alongside a $378.2 million combined funds budget.

Now

The plan set capital priorities that the current proposal continues, including Cora Kelly modernization planning.

Why this matters now

The FY 2028-2037 proposal is the next 10-year capital planning cycle for the same school system.

Fall 2012

Long Range Educational Facilities Plan (2012)

The City of Alexandria and Alexandria City Public Schools joined to develop a Long Range Educational Facilities Plan. The effort was meant to improve facilities planning, accommodate a growing student population and enhance educational programs.

Then

The plan created a joint city-school approach to facilities planning.

Now

ACPS capital budget documents still reference the plan and its educational specifications.

Why this matters now

The current CIP follows that joint planning framework, with the city retaining funding authority after school board approval.