ACPS reports sharp decline in fights, assaults; vaping an ongoing concern
First-semester safety data shows broad improvement across all school levels
Alexandria City Public Schools saw significant declines in fights, assaults, and most other safety incidents during the first half of the 2025-26 school year, according to data presented to the School Board Thursday by Lee Conroy, who joined ACPS in June 2025 as director of safety and security services after a career leading security and emergency management programs for the U.S. Coast Guard.
The district recorded 167 total incidents between July and December 2025. Fights and assaults totaled 42 — down 41 cases from the same period last year, a decline of nearly 50%. EMS assistance calls fell by 23. Threats, missing student reports, and prohibited items also decreased.
“It is a combined team effort — not only of our Alexandria Police Department partners, but our fire departments have been in the schools, not just on calls for service, but showing the colors and building those relationships with our students,” Conroy said when asked what drove the improvement. “Nobody’s on the sidelines anymore.”
The only category to rise was controlled substances, which increased from 5 to 9. Conroy confirmed that the figure includes vaping. The district has deployed HALO detection devices in school restrooms to identify vaping, and staff are working with students on the health risks of substance use on developing brains.
“Vaping is probably the thing that we see that is that repetitive thing,” Conroy said. “Unfortunately, most students see it as a lower offense.”
School Board member Kelly Carmichael Booz highlighted that comparing the current first semester to last year’s first semester — rather than last year’s second semester — showed even greater improvement in almost all categories. “I just want to make sure that I’m pointing that out,” she said.
By school level
Elementary schools recorded the most incidents at 80, though Conroy noted most involve medical assistance and age-appropriate behavioral issues rather than disciplinary events. High school campuses recorded 56, middle schools 20, and K-8 schools 11.
The Alexandria Police Department responded to 68 calls for service during the period, not all of which were crime-related. Middle school APD calls fell sharply, from 65 last semester to 22. High school calls showed a modest increase but remained within historical ranges. K-8 schools recorded zero APD calls.
Arrests and referrals
There were 24 referrals and 3 arrests during the period, all at the secondary level — 20 at the high school and 7 at middle schools. Elementary and K-8 schools recorded none. The most common categories were assault and battery, controlled substances, and alcohol possession. Nearly all occurred on campus.
Board member Alexander Crider Scioscia asked about the concentration of arrests and referrals at the high school level. Conroy said a small number of more severe fights contributed to the figures, but noted that overall police involvement across the division showed a marked decrease.
Board discussion
Vice Chair Christopher Harris asked for more granular, school-by-school data. Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt cautioned that breaking down single-digit figures by school could risk identifying individual students, and Conroy said he would provide a more detailed breakdown separately.
Board member Tim Beaty noted a disconnect between formal survey data suggesting students feel unsafe and his own impressions from visiting schools. “The issue of safety in our schools seems to be improving day by day,” Beaty said. “My great hope based upon this data is that our kids are feeling safer in the schools.”
Rief and board member Ashley Simpson Baird both cited VCU researcher Michelle Peace, who has studied the contents of vape products, and suggested her work could be brought before high school students. Simpson Baird asked about the district’s response to the spike in incidents that typically occurs at the start of the school year.
Conroy said the division plans to increase officer visibility and engagement during that period. “Understanding that there’s an initial spike at the beginning of the year, we are going to have more targeted enforcement and much more visibility,” he said.
Board member Abdulahi Abdalla asked about mentoring initiatives. Conroy noted APD has a dedicated team of student engagement officers — separate from school resource officers — visiting secondary schools to build relationships with students, and said a CASEL-based mentoring program is in development.
The data covers July through December 2025. The next SRO/MOU quarterly meeting with APD is scheduled for May 2026.
See the full SY25-26, Semester 1 School Safety Data Report here.