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ACPS SUPERINTENDENT UNVEILS FY2014 PROPOSED BUDGET

SUPERINTENDENT UNVEILS FY2014 PROPOSED BUDGET

Proposed Combined Funds Budget Includes 3.3 Percent Increase over FY2013

Guiding Budget Principles Provides Investment in Student Achievement and Elementary Enrollment Growth

 

  

Alexandria Va.  —  Last night, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Superintendent Morton Sherman released the school division’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Proposed Operating Budget of $228,499,576, an increase of 4.8 percent, or $10,545,143 from FY2013 Approved Operating Budget.  Additionally, Dr. Sherman presented the FY2014 Proposed Combined Funds Budget of $247,000,721, a 3.3 percent increase from the FY2013 Approved Combined Funds Budget, which includes $11,373,998 in grants and $7,127,148 in school nutrition funds. The proposal includes a request for a City of Alexandria appropriation of $188,690,370, an increase of 5.1 percent from FY2013.

 

“Developing a budget for students growing up in our global society is a wonderful challenge, as we all want to do so much for our students,” Dr. Sherman stated to the School Board and viewing audience. “With increasing enrollments in ACPS and with ever-increasing expectations for all students, the focus of this budget is how best to address the needs of our students as we come out of an economic recession that held down expenditures in areas such as textbooks, reading materials and other essential learning resources including personnel.”

 

Enrollment for 2014 is expected to reach 13,707, which is an increase of 593 students over the current enrollment. Per pupil cost in 2014 is proposed at $17,336, down from $17,693 from 2013. ACPS has the most diverse student population and the highest number of students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals (56 percent) in Northern Virginia.

 

The proposed budget continues support for transformation efforts and provides stronger investments in student achievement and professional learning for staff.  The return on investment from the previous budget cycles has been strong in many areas, perhaps most notably at T.C. Williams High School and Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology. 

 

Highlights of the FY2014 proposed budget 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 ratios
• Support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Satellite Campus and 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 Prekindergarten education
• Introduction of a financial literacy program

 “Although the budget itself does not assure success or high achievement, there can be no doubt that the financial and human resources needed to address our students’ needs, challenges and strengths require significant community investment,” said Dr. Sherman. “I am proud to report that this is the first year of our new teacher evaluation system, which requires that 20-40 percent of an annual evaluation be based on achievement indicators.”

 

To assure long-term compensation support for staff, the proposed budget recommends a:

 

• 2 percent increase in the salary schedule even as the division studies other models of compensation
• Continuation of a recent reduction in employee contribution to the supplemental retirement plan
• Reduction in the percentage of medical benefits paid by the professional employee group to be more in line with City employees and surrounding school divisions

“In the weeks to come this proposed budget, with input from our students and stakeholders, will be molded into a community commitment, a promise and a guarantee of our dedication to an equitable, excellent education for our students,” Dr. Sherman said. 

View FY 2014 Proposed Budget information and submit budget questions and comments at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/budgets/.  To arrange an interview, contact Kelly L. Alexander at 703-824-6703. 

 

"Making College Affordable: Financing Your Education"

Congressman Jim Moran's

"Making College Affordable: Financing Your Education"

Monday, February 11, 2013 7:00PM to 9:00PM

T.C. Williams High School 3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA

Monday, March 4, 2013

7:00PM to 9:00PM

Wakefield High School

4901 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington, VA

Ask questions, complete your FAFSA forms, and learn about options to finance your education from the Department of Education, Sallie Mae, and the Federal Trade Commission.

Additional Representatives Include:

Northern Virginia Community College

Project Discovery

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Krysta.Jones@mail.house.gov 

Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Group Meeting

City of Alexandria Holds Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Group Meeting January 30  
The public is invited to the quarterly Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Group (PYMIG) meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in City Hall, 301 King St., in the Council Workroom.

The City of Alexandria is currently participating in the development of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the construction of a new infill Metrorail station. The proposed station would be located in Potomac Yard, along the existing Blue and Yellow Lines between the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station and the Braddock Road Station. The environmental review process is underway, with three alternative locations and a no-build alternative under consideration.

At the January 30 PYMIG meeting, the City will present information on the impacts of each of the alternatives, including visual, cultural resources, transportation, air quality, noise and vibration, and construction.

A separate meeting will be held in March or April to discuss the finance plan for each of the three build alternatives. More details can be found at alexandriava.gov/potomacyardunder “Potomac Yard Metrorail Station.” Meeting materials will be available online on January 24. 

For more information, contact Susan Gygi, Potomac Yard Projects Manager, at703.746.4109 or susan.gygi@alexandriava.gov.

Fund for Alexandria’s Child Fundraiser

Fund for Alexandria’s Child FundraiserLos Tios Grill in Del Ray will donate 10% of its proceeds on 1/28, from 5-10 p.m. to the Fund for Alexandria’s Child at the Department of Community and Human Services. The Fund helps children in foster care and those at risk of abuse or neglect to take part in enriching activities such as dance, music, art or karate lessons, summer camping, school field trips, Scouting, and team sports. To help the restaurant help the children, bring a copy of the flyer to the restaurant, located at 2615 Mt. Vernon Avenue.

Summer Camp Fair 2/20

Alexandria PTA Council Summer Camp Fair

Families are invited to the 2013 Summer Camp Fair sponsored by the PTA
Council of Alexandria. The 2013 Summer Camp Fair is Wednesday, February 20,
from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of TC Williams High School, at 3330
King Street, Alexandria, 22302. Admission and parking are free. Pizza will
be available for purchase. Printed directories featuring all camps in
attendance, and several others, will be available. 

Over 50 exhibitors will represent a wide range of day and overnight camps.
Children of all ages (PreK- grade 12) will find interesting opportunities
including art, academics, adventure, theatre, engineering, history, music,
sports, special needs, and more! 

For more information, contact Marianne Hetzer at alexptaccamp@comcast.net.
Find us on Facebook at Alexandria PTAC Summer Camp Fair.