Here’s how ACPS plans to spend millions next year for renovations

The School Board approved the Alexandria City Public Schools fiscal year 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Budget on Thursday (Dec. 19), and plans currently call for millions in non-capacity projects next year.
The Board voted 8-0 with one abstention in approving Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt’s proposed $346 million CIP budget, which is $75 million (28%) more than what is currently approved by the city.
The proposed $346 million 10-year CIP includes funding for textbooks, school modernization and other capital improvements.
Should City Council sign off on the budget request to Alexandria City Public Schools next year, it will mean the approval of a number of projects over the next decade, including $21 million in non-capacity projects next year.
That means the following projects in FY 2026:
- Alexandria City High School’s King Street campus — $2.3 million in technology modernization, $300,000 for building envelope repair, $172,900 for HVAC repair or replacement, and $350,000 for renovations and reconfigurations
- Charles Barrett Elementary School — $1,500,000 for kitchen/cafeteria renovation, $190,700 for elevator modernization, $161,600 for floor repair
- Douglas MacArthur Elementary School — $247,600 for flooring repair
- Francis C. Hammond Middle School — $500,000 for renovations, and $150,000 for flooring repair
- George Washington Middle School — $1.3 million for HVAC repair or replacement, $500,000 for building envelope repair, $219,000 for water heater/boiler replacement and $122,000 for the fire alarm system
- James K. Polk Elementary School — $445,000 for the fire alarm system and $95,000 for flooring repair
- Jefferson-Houston School — $312,600 for renovations, $54,000 for interior and exterior painting
- John Adams Elementary School — $150,000 for HVAC repair/replacement and $30,000 for interior and exterior painting
- Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy — $361,900 for playground/sports area, $200,000 for building envelope repairs, $61,000 for building system upgrades, and $43,000 for interior and exterior painting
- Mount Vernon Elementary School — $319,900 for exterior playgrounds or sports areas, $250,000 for flooring repair, $146,000 for a water heater/boiler replacement
- Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School — $150,000 for renovations and reconfigurations
- William Ramsay Elementary School — $193,000 for elevator modernization and $175,000 for flooring repair
- Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School — $210 for the fire alarm system, $125,000 for roof repair or replacement, and $55,000 for flooring repair
- ACPS rowing facility — $28,000 for roof repair, $11,500 for site hardscape repair
ACPS listed $3.2 million for the following transportation services:
- $1.4 million for school bus replacement
- $550,000 for roof repair or replacement
- $450,000 for renovations and reconfigurations
- $429,900 for a new school bus
- $254,600 for a school vehicle replacement
- $47,800 for a fire alarm system
ACPS also listed $6.3 million for the a number of system-wide upgrades, including:
- $112,600 in asbestos/lead paint remediation
- $144,900 for code compliance requirements
- $1.2 million for contract and/or direct employee support
- $1.7 million in curriculum and instruction materials
- $1.7 million in emergency repairs
With middle school’s currently bursting over capacity, the CIP also includes nearly $40 million for the conversions of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School into a middle school and Patrick Henry K-8 School into an elementary school.
Outgoing Board Member Abdel Elnoubi said that the Board is not adhering to a strict budget request from City Manager Jim Parajon, and abstained from the vote.
Elnoubi will be sworn in as a member of City Council next month. He proposed adding trailers outside of middle schools to contend with the overcrowding.
“I don’t believe this budget solves our needs,” said Elnoubi. “Given the revenue challenges that the city is facing, and the funding, this budget will require difficult trade offs, and it’s … unclear what those trade offs may look like.”
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