On the Docket: A weekly preview of city and school board meetings (January 26–31)
Your guide to Alexandria's public meetings
Here’s your weekly guide to public meetings in Alexandria — what’s happening, what matters, and how to participate.
A winter storm that dumped 7 inches of snow on the city over the weekend has forced closures through Tuesday, with city facilities and Alexandria City Public Schools closed both days. Trash and recycling collection is canceled on Monday and Tuesday and will slide two days for the rest of the week. A local emergency declared Saturday remains in effect, and the National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory through 11 a.m. Tuesday, with wind chills as low as 5 to 8 degrees below zero.
What to Watch
School Board holds first public hearing on $406.5 million budget
The School Board holds its first public hearing on Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt’s proposed FY 2027 budget Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed immediately by the first of two work sessions. Both meetings will be held virtually due to the winter storm.
Kay-Wyatt’s $406.5 million spending plan — which includes a $374.5 million operating budget — focuses on funding the district’s first collectively bargained agreements with employee unions, staff recruitment and retention, and services for English Learners and students with disabilities.
But the proposal also warns of “difficult decisions” ahead. To close a projected $15.1 million funding gap, the budget eliminates 12.8 full-time positions and includes a 5% division-wide reduction in non-personnel spending. Kay-Wyatt said the district has received guidance from the city that funding may be limited to a 1.5% increase.
Without additional funding, class sizes could increase, instructional assistant support could decrease, and low-enrolled dual language programs may be discontinued, according to the superintendent.
At last week’s meeting, more than 20 speakers — many of them middle schoolers — urged the board not to cut in-person Latin and Chinese instruction at George Washington Middle School.
A second work session is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. if needed.
The School Board is expected to approve its budget on Feb. 19, with final adoption scheduled for June 11.
City Council to consider regional transit plan, housing update
City Council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. and will consider endorsing DMVMoves, a regional transportation plan calling for $460 million in additional annual funding for Metro.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and WMATA boards endorsed the plan in November. Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties, along with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, have already followed suit.
Council will also hold a work session on the Housing 2040 Plan, an update to the city’s 2013 Housing Master Plan. The plan addresses housing affordability for service and hospitality workers, aging condominium buildings, the needs of a growing senior population, and racial inequities in homeownership. Staff is seeking feedback on draft principles, goals, and recommendations before a public hearing scheduled for this spring.
A separate agenda item calls for council to consider modifications to the WMATA funding agreement for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station.
The meeting opens with a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month.
Consent items include a grant application seeking up to $200,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for security improvements at local faith-based and nonprofit organizations that have been targeted or are at risk of hate crimes.
Due to the winter storm, Tuesday’s meeting will be held virtually at 7 p.m. and broadcast on cable channel 70.
School Board to approve improvement plans ahead of state deadline
The School Board will hold a special called meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. to approve multi-year school improvement plans required under state and federal accountability rules. The plans must be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education by January 30.
Jefferson Houston PreK-8 School is identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement, the highest level of oversight, requiring at least four evidence-based interventions.
Eleven schools are identified for Targeted Support and Improvement: Douglas MacArthur Elementary, George Mason Elementary, Charles Barrett Elementary, James K. Polk Elementary, John Adams Elementary, Ferdinand T. Day Elementary, Samuel Tucker Elementary, Cora Kelly Elementary, Mount Vernon Community School, William Ramsay Elementary, and Patrick Henry K-8 School.
The meeting will be held in the School Board Meeting Room at 1340 Braddock Place.
Storm extends closures through Tuesday
City facilities and Alexandria City Public Schools will remain closed Tuesday as crews continue around-the-clock snow-clearing operations. Tuesday marks the first missed school day for students, who were already scheduled to be off Monday for a teacher work day.
The winter storm forced cancellations of several meetings originally scheduled for Monday, including the Joint City Council/School Board Subcommittee meeting, the Environmental Policy Commission, and the Citizen Corps Council. The America250 Commemoration Kickoff at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum has been postponed.
City Council will hold its Tuesday legislative meeting virtually. The School Board’s public hearing and work session will also be held virtually — check acps.k12.va.us for details on how to participate.
The winter shelter at 2355-A Mill Road is open around the clock until 7 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service is also monitoring the possibility of snow Saturday night into Sunday.
The Full Calendar
Monday, January 26
City Facilities Closed — Due to winter storm. Trash and recycling canceled Monday and Tuesday; collection slides two days for the rest of the week.
ACPS Teacher Work Day — Canceled
CANCELLED: Joint City Council/School Board Subcommittee Meeting
CANCELLED: Environmental Policy Commission Meeting
CANCELLED: Citizen Corps Council Meeting
CANCELLED: Landmark/Van Dorn Community Coalition Meeting
POSTPONED: America250 Commemoration Kickoff — Originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum.
Tuesday, January 27
City Facilities Closed — Including recreation centers, libraries, and museums.
ACPS Closed — First missed school day for students. Classes expected to resume Wednesday.
CYFCC Ad Hoc Meeting with ACHS Staff — 9 a.m., virtual.
City Council Legislative Meeting — 7 p.m., virtual due to weather. Agenda includes DMVMoves regional transit plan, Potomac Yard Metro funding, Housing 2040 work session, and Black History Month proclamation.
School Board Public Hearing on FY 2027 Combined Funds Budget — 6 p.m., virtual. Check acps.k12.va.us for participation details.
School Board Work Session #1 — Immediately follows public hearing, virtual.
Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops — 7 p.m., Zoom. Free workshops for Alexandria residents and city employees. Register at 703.746.5700.
Wednesday, January 28
Walk-In Wednesday Hiring Event — 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Start your path to becoming an Alexandria Police Officer. Drop in on the hour, bring two forms of ID, and dress professionally.
Stormwater Utility Credit Program Webinar — 10 a.m. Learn how businesses can manage stormwater and reduce fees.
Alexandria Community Policy & Management Team — 2 p.m., virtual. Monthly meeting for Children’s Services Act administration.
Thursday, January 29
Everyone’s an Asset Builder Workshop — 10 a.m., virtual. Two-day workshop on the Developmental Assets Framework for positive youth development. Continues Friday. Contact danelle.johnson@alexandriava.gov for accommodations.
Special Called School Board Meeting — 6 p.m., School Board Meeting Room (1340 Braddock Pl.). Action item: approval of continuous school improvement plans for Jefferson Houston and 11 TSI schools ahead of Jan. 30 VDOE deadline.
School Board Work Session #2 — Follows special called meeting, School Board Meeting Room.
Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program Webinar — 6 p.m., virtual.
Budget Advisory Committee Meeting — 7 p.m., ACHS Guidance Conference Room (3330 King St.).
Friday, January 30
Everyone’s an Asset Builder Workshop — 10 a.m., virtual. Day two of workshop.
School Board Governance Committee — 8–9 a.m., Zoom.
Saturday, January 31
Weather Note: The National Weather Service is monitoring the possibility of snow Saturday night into Sunday.
Utility Resource Fair — 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Local utility providers including Virginia American Water, Dominion Energy, and AlexRenew will engage directly with residents.
Specialty Tour: Civil War Medicine — 10 a.m., Fort Ward Museum. Explore the world of medicine in the 1860s, including Alexandria’s role during the war. One-hour tour.
All meetings are open to the public unless noted. City Council meetings are held at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, during City Hall renovations. The building is a five-minute walk from the Mark Center Transit Station and accessible by MetroBus and DASH. Free parking is available in the adjacent garage. ACPS meetings are at 1340 Braddock Place. Check alexandriava.gov/Calendar and acps.k12.va.us for updates.