ACPS Budget Advocacy Talking Points

  • Data and lived experiences show we need to address overcrowding (large class sizes and over capacity) through modernization/expansion of our buildings
  • Teachers who have stayed through the past several years at the same salary despite inflation deserve to have raises through step increase - reward for loyalty to our kids and schools in tough times.
  • Every year teachers leave ACPS to take jobs closer to their homes because they can’t afford to live in our city.
  • Need to attract new teachers for growing student population and to stay competitive with other areas as the teacher pipeline is smaller than ever & NOVA is a competitive hiring area for high-quality educators (see graph below). As 80% of the ACPS operating budget goes toward staff benefits and salaries^, full funding enables ACPS to offer a strong benefit package to recruit excellent educators.

  • There is a strong correlation between adequate funding and student success (FUNDING IMPACTS EDUCATION SUCCESS! Research shows a $1,000 increase in per student spending was associated with 2.3% higher graduation rates and a 6.5% increase in higher education attainment.
  • Need to address equity and access in the city. Increased funding can help bridge the opportunity gap for all students, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, and ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education.
  • Additional funding can support special education programs and services for students with disabilities. Increased funding can enable schools to provide individualized support, accommodations, and resources to meet the diverse needs of all students
  • Strong and adequately funded schools contribute to economic development, property values, and overall community well-being by attracting families, businesses, and investment to the area
  • Schools can have a critical role in promoting public health and safety, especially in light of recent challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate funding to support health, mental health, and safety not only address the social-emotional needs of students but also their families who live, work, and shop in Alexandria
  • If we continue to underfund our public schools there are costs: higher dropout rates, increased social services, and reduced workforce readiness.
  • ACPS students have more complex needs than its neighboring jurisdictions, yet our per pupil spending is lower or slightly higher than neighboring jurisdictions. 36.2% of ACPS students are English Language Learners (ELL) and 54.4% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch.* See this graphic for comparison:

  • With the exception of Manassas Park City, Alexandria City’s public schools receive the lowest funding allocation of City or County revenue in Northern Virginia.*
  • City Council allocates approximately just 30% of its revenue to ACPS. In comparison, Fairfax County allocates 52% of its revenue to its public schools.
  • Arlington contributes approximately 41% of its general fund to its school system (APS)
  • Fairfax County contributes 52% of its general fund to its school system (FCPS).*

*Graphics from 2024 WABE Guide

  • Full funding of ACPS’ capital budget will increase school capacity, which is needed since the City Council is focused on increasing affordable housing development within Alexandria. Additionally, there have been no concrete plans to address the middle school capacity situation, so increasing capacity for George Mason & Cora Kelly may provide an answer to the middle school capacity problem in the future.
  • Full funding will modernize aging school facilities and promote a stable teacher workforce which will enhance ACPS’ reputation and encourage families who opted out to return to ACPS.
  • Full funding of the ACPS budget is necessary for ACPS to attract high quality educators. The ACPS budget includes an approximate 4.85% salary increase for eligible ACPS staff. In comparison, the Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent is proposing a 6% salary increase.^ (Will add APS once announced)

*2024 Washington Area Boards of Education Guide

^ACPS 2024 Budget School Board Presentation

The ACPS budget proposed by the City Manager (which is the Superintendent’s budget without the SB add-ons) will not offer any salary increases for staff, which will make ACPS non-competitive in the teacher marketplace. All neighboring jurisdictions are offering cost of living increases to its staff.

Fund Our Schools

https://www.fundourschoolsva.org/resources/