ACPS Adopts $245 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2014

The School Board for Alexandria City Public Schools has adopted a fiscal year 2014 combined funds budget of $245 million, a 2.4 percent increase over the prior budget.

The newly adopted budget of $244,960,261 includes a 3.3 percent increase in appropriations from the city compared to the last budget cycle.

The FY14 approved operating budget is $226 million, a 3.9 percent increase over the FY13 final operating budget.

The city’s public school system continues on an upward trajectory in enrollment, which in 2014 is expected to top 13,700 students – an increase of 593 students over current enrollment.

The combined budget includes the operating budget along with $11.4 million in grants and special projects and approximately $7 million for school nutrition services.

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“…We are pleased to provide a budget that is within the targets set by the mayor, council and city manager,” said School Board Chairman Karen Graf in a statement. “Having taken office in January, the school board carefully considered the comments and input from the principals, community members and staff over the past two months.”

Some of the amendments to the budget before it was approved include reducing technology services by $100,000, providing $100,000 to the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium, reducing funding for middle school improvement by $25,000 and reinstating two full-time equivalent, or FTE, positions cut from the satellite program.

Highlights of the FY 2014 approved budget, according to the board, include: 

• Net increase of more than 50 FTEs, all funding sources combined; the operating budget includes a net increase of more than 70 FTEs offset by reductions in grant-funded positions.
• Flexibility for elementary schools in staffing for their most pressing needs
• Authentic texts for elementary reading
• New science and social studies textbooks for secondary schools
• Appropriate school administration staff for all buildings, with additional assistant principals for elementary schools
• Increased number of elementary counselors to catch up with growing enrollment and maintained secondary counselor-to-student ratios
• Support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, STEM
• Support for the T.C. Satellite Campus
• Support for the Family And Community Engagement (FACE) Centers 
• Support for the dual-language programs
• A revised and more rigorous professional learning model
• Continued investment in extended learning
• Continued investment in special education staffing above state requirements
• Additional support for English Language Learners (ELL) students and the International Academy
• Increased commitment to pre-kindergarten education, including three additional classrooms
• Continued investment in employee compensation by adopting a full-step increase to be awarded halfway through the contract year for all eligible employees

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