Kelly Carmichael Booz

Stories

Alexandria prepares first school budget under new funding-by-category system

Leading public opposition to classification-based funding

Alexandria City Public Schools projects a roughly $17 million shortfall in its fiscal 2028 operating budget, the first written under the city's new nine-category funding system. Mid-year transfers below $500,000 would go to the city manager and larger ones to the City Council under the plan staff presented in September.

Updated 5 hours ago

Alexandria committee rules out 2027 school board election changes, targets 2030 or later

Rule Changes

Voted for four-year terms without staggering or a smaller board

A joint City Council and School Board committee voted 3-1 on October 20 to recommend four-year School Board terms and nothing else. All nine members would still be elected at the same time, and the board would stay at nine seats. Councilman Canek Aguirre cast the only no vote because he wanted a smaller board.

Updated Oct 30

Notable Quotes

"Not a single question about it was asked or answered between the two bodies."

from Alexandria prepares first school budget under new funding-by-category system · Updated 5 hours ago

You only really get one chance to make that change. If we are not able to make this change for 2027, the clock starts all over again when the new board comes in in 2028.

from Alexandria committee rules out 2027 school board election changes, targets 2030 or later · Updated Oct 30

Unless we're walking out of here and we're just so unanimous and on the same page, it would be pretty risky to do an emergency clause if we're still having some disagreements.

from Alexandria committee rules out 2027 school board election changes, targets 2030 or later · Updated Oct 30