The week ahead in Alexandria (February 2–8)
ACPS virtual Monday, eyes Tuesday return; voter registration deadline; budget forum
Here’s your weekly guide to what’s happening in Alexandria — what to know, what to watch, and how to participate.
What to Watch
ACPS extends virtual learning to Monday; eyes Tuesday reopening
Alexandria City Public Schools will remain virtual Monday — the fifth consecutive day — with a goal of reopening for in-person instruction Tuesday, possibly with a two-hour delay.
All ACPS buildings and offices will be closed Monday due to uncleared sidewalks and frigid temperatures, the district said. Students have not been in school buildings since Jan. 22 — 11 days ago.
Monday is expected to be the first day above freezing in nine days. The district said it is hopeful improved conditions will allow crews to make meaningful progress clearing snow and ice.
Students will participate in synchronous virtual learning via Zoom, along with independent work. No new content will be taught and grades will not be assigned. Check Canvas or Clever by 8 a.m. for schedules.
Free meals for children under 18 are available Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Alexandria City High School (3330 King St., Door 34) and Charles Barrett Elementary (1115 Martha Custis Dr.).
Voter registration deadline Tuesday for Feb. 10 special elections
Tuesday is the last day to register to vote or update an existing registration for the Feb. 10 special elections for State Senate District 39 and House of Delegates District 5.
The races carry significant implications. Democrats hold a slight majority in the Virginia Senate, and the Senate District 39 race will fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Adam Ebbin, who is resigning Feb. 18 to join Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is the Democratic nominee, facing Republican Julie Robben Lineberry, a retired realtor who served 10 years on the Alexandria Electoral Board. Senate District 39 includes all of Alexandria and portions of Arlington and Fairfax County.
The House District 5 race will fill Bennett-Parker’s current seat. City Councilman R. Kirk McPike is the Democratic nominee, facing Mason Butler, head of precinct operations for the Alexandria GOP. House District 5 covers only part of the city.
Early voting continues through Saturday at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100. Voters can check their district at alexandriava.gov/Elections.
McPike announced his resignation from City Council last Tuesday, effective Feb. 9. The Alexandria Democratic Committee will hold a firehouse primary on Saturday, Feb. 21, to select a nominee for his seat. Four candidates have announced bids: former ADC chair Sandy Marks, Tim Laderach, Roberto Gomez, and Cesar Madison Tapia. The filing deadline is Friday, Feb. 6.
Planning Commission to consider townhouse projects, rezoning
The Planning Commission meets on Tuesday at 7 p.m. with a docket that includes two townhouse developments and a rezoning request.
The commission will consider a request to rezone 11 and 21 North Quaker Lane and 3369 Duke Street from Commercial Low to allow construction of two multi-unit townhouse-style residential buildings with increased height and bonus density.
Also on the docket: an extension of the Upland Park development on Seminary Road and Foster Avenue, including townhomes and a public park; a subdivision at 102 East Monroe Avenue to create two lots from one; a special use permit for outdoor recreation and entertainment at 601 and 619 S. Patrick Street; and a subdivision and site plan for three townhouses at 806 North Columbus Street.
The meeting will be held at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.) and broadcast on cable channel 70.
ACPS hosts budget forum for families
Update - This has been rescheduled to February 9.
Alexandria City Public Schools and the Alexandria PTA Council are hosting a budget forum Tuesday at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School for families to learn about and weigh in on Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt’s proposed $406.5 million FY 2027 budget.
The forum features small-group conversations with district staff. Pizza begins at 6 p.m., with the forum running from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Interpretation will be available in Amharic, Arabic, Dari, and Spanish.
The budget proposal warns of “difficult decisions” ahead, including the elimination of 12.8 full-time positions and a 5% division-wide reduction in non-personnel spending to close a projected $15.1 million funding gap. Without additional funding from the city, class sizes could increase and low-enrolled dual language programs may be discontinued.
The School Board is expected to approve its budget on Feb. 19, with final adoption scheduled for June 11.
Douglas MacArthur Elementary is located at 1101 Janney’s Lane.
School Board holds regular meeting Thursday
The School Board meets on Thursday at 6 p.m. for its first regular meeting since last week’s budget work sessions. The docket had not been released at the time of publication.
The meeting will be held in the School Board Meeting Room at 1340 Braddock Place and broadcast on cable channel 71.
The Full Calendar
Monday, February 2
ACPS Virtual Learning Day — All buildings and offices closed. Synchronous virtual learning via Zoom; check Canvas or Clever by 8 a.m. for schedules. Free meals available 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at ACHS (3330 King St., Door 34) and Charles Barrett Elementary (1115 Martha Custis Dr.).
Commission on Aging Executive Committee — 1:30 p.m., virtual.
Athletic Hall of Fame Advisory Committee Meeting — 6:30 p.m., ACHS Media Center.
George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee — 7 p.m., Zoom.
Commission on Aging Executive Committee — 1:30 p.m., virtual.
Athletic Hall of Fame Advisory Committee Meeting — 6:30 p.m., ACHS Media Center.
George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee — 7 p.m., Zoom.
Tuesday, February 3
Voter Registration Deadline — Last day to register or update registration for the Feb. 10 special election. Register at vote.elections.virginia.gov.
School Board Operational Excellence Committee — 7:30 a.m., Zoom. Agenda includes renaming petitions process, board website update, and advisory committee appointments.
Evening Hiring Event — 6 p.m. Start your path to becoming an Alexandria Police Officer. Arrive before 6 p.m. with two forms of ID and dress professionally.
ACPS Budget Forum — 6–8 p.m., Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (1101 Janney’s Lane). Pizza at 6 p.m., forum 6:30–8 p.m. Interpretation available in Amharic, Arabic, Dari, and Spanish. Update - This has been rescheduled to February 9.
Planning Commission Public Hearing — 7 p.m., Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.). Docket includes Duke & Quaker townhomes rezoning, Upland Park extension, and other development items.
Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops — 7 p.m., Zoom. Free workshops for Alexandria residents and city employees. Register at 703.746.5700.
Arts Commission Executive Committee Meeting — 7 p.m.
Public Records Advisory Commission — 7:30 p.m., in person.
Wednesday, February 4
Supplemental Retirement Plan Pension Board — 8:45 a.m.
Walk-In Wednesday Hiring Event (Rescheduled) — 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Drop in on the hour, bring two forms of ID, and dress professionally.
Stormwater Utility Credit Program Webinar — 10 a.m.
Board of Appeals Hearing — 2:30 p.m., virtual. Webinar ID: 977 1510 6230, passcode: 384659.
Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” Watch Party — 5 p.m., Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library. Episode 1 of the new documentary series.
Mental Wellness Community Coalition Meeting — 6 p.m. Help build the city’s next Community Health Improvement Plan.
Independent Community Policing Review Board — 6 p.m.
CANCELLED: Board of Architectural Review
Thursday, February 5
Building Blocks of Mobility — 9 a.m. Keynote by Craig Richardson on economic mobility, plus panel of local changemakers.
VML Local Government Day — 10:30 a.m.
Commission on Aging Civic Engagement and Economic Committee — 4:30 p.m., virtual.
School Board Meeting — 6 p.m., School Board Meeting Room (1340 Braddock Pl.). Docket not yet released.
Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program Webinar — 6 p.m., virtual.
Community Services Board Meeting — 6:30 p.m., Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr., Room 1352).
Housing Affordability Advisory Committee — 6:45 p.m.
Friday, February 6
Alexandria Electoral Board — 9:30 a.m., in person.
City Council Candidate Filing Deadline — 4–7 p.m., Alexandria Democratic Committee office (2101A Mount Vernon Ave.). Candidates for the Feb. 21 firehouse primary must file a Declaration of Candidacy form and $750 filing fee.
Saturday, February 7
Early Voting Ends — Last day to vote early in person for the Feb. 10 special election. Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100.
PatCon 2026 — 11 a.m., Patrick Henry Recreation Center. Free, all-ages anime convention featuring cosplay, screenings, games, and more.
Specialty Tour: Hamilton’s BFF & Frenemies — 11 a.m., Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Learn how Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr intersected with this historic tavern.
Tables of Conscience: Banned Books Dinner — 6 p.m. Book-themed dinners to raise money for ACRP scholarships. Registered guests will receive host information by email.
Sunday, February 8
A Free Black History Month Concert — 3–5 p.m., The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.). “Singing the Journey: Still We Rise” featuring Washington Revels Jubilee Voices and the Office of Historic Alexandria’s Division of African American History. Traditional African American spirituals, poetry, dance, ring shouts, banjo tunes, stories, and audience participation.
Check alexandriava.gov/Calendar and acps.k12.va.us for updates.
All meetings are open to the public unless noted. City Council and commission 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.