The Alexandria Brief: Thursday, March 5

Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Thursday, March 5 — the 64th day of 2026, with 301 days left in the year.

"Partners have to be direct or else you're not building a good partnership." That was Mayor Alyia Gaskins at last night's joint budget session, after telling the School Board that the city learned about ACPS's $12.7 million collective bargaining agreement from a press release issued the same day. The two-hour session did not resolve the $5.6 million gap between what the schools need to honor the deal and what the city has proposed. If the funding doesn't come, School Board Chair Michelle Rief said 23 homeroom teachers, the middle school athletic program, and the Jefferson-Houston IB program would be cut.

Early voting begins tomorrow for the April 21 City Council special election. The Alexandria Brief interviewed all three candidates this week — here's where they stand on housing, ICE, and redistricting. And in a 155-1 vote, city professional employees became the fifth bargaining unit to unionize since 2021, completing Alexandria's municipal union sweep.

Here's what you need to know today.

1️⃣ City learned of schools' $12.7M teacher pay deal from a press release, mayor says

Mayor Alyia Gaskins told a joint City Council and School Board work session Wednesday night that the city learned about ACPS's tentative collective bargaining agreement with its teachers union from a press release issued the same day as the meeting.

"We received the information today, so we pulled this number from the press release," Gaskins said. "Partners have to be direct or else you're not building a good partnership."

The $12.7 million deal, announced Tuesday afternoon, is Alexandria's first-ever collective bargaining agreement covering roughly 2,530 licensed staff and education support professionals. It includes step increases and cost-of-living adjustments averaging 5.35% for teachers and 6.42% for support staff. But the agreement is contingent on City Council increasing the city manager's proposed appropriation to ACPS by $5.6 million — a condition Council has not agreed to. The two-hour session did not resolve that gap.

School Board Chair Michelle Rief presented what would have to be cut if the funding doesn't come: 23 homeroom teachers, social workers and psychologists, the middle school athletic program, the Jefferson-Houston IB program, and more — totaling 40.1 positions. "There is not agreement among the full body on a tax increase," Gaskins said when asked about options. Budget adoption is April 29.

2️⃣ Three candidates, three visions for Alexandria City Council — here's where they stand

Early voting begins Friday. The Alexandria Brief sat down with all three candidates this week. Here's where they stand on the issues that came up most.

Full interviews with all three candidates are available as video, audio, and transcript below.

3️⃣ Alexandria professionals vote to unionize with AFSCME, completing city's union sweep

The city's professional employees voted Tuesday overwhelmingly to unionize with AFSCME Council 20, casting 155 votes in favor and just one against — a 99.4% margin that completes a historic sweep of Alexandria's municipal workforce.

The vote marks the fifth time since 2021 that an eligible city bargaining unit has elected union representation. The newly organized unit spans accountants, urban planners, senior therapists, and other professional-grade city employees. The Labor Relations Authority is expected to certify the result on March 11, after which the union's attorney will petition the city to begin contract negotiations.

"Winning this is not just a victory for one person, it's a victory for every worker who believes in fairness and respect," said Tia Littlejohn-Adams, a city accountant.

📰 In brief

School Board meets tonight to review ACPS 2030 strategic plan progress. The mid-year report shows broad progress across most goal areas, but the Recruit, Develop, and Retain Staff goal has stalled — with "stuck" action steps jumping from 2% to 21% between the first and second quarters. The Alexandria Brief

Landmark corridor pre-construction meeting tonight. City staff will present plans for modifying the ramp from I-395 North to eastbound Duke Street to provide access to the future Inova Hospital campus at the former Landmark Mall site. City of Alexandria

Health officials warn of possible rabid raccoon after two bites in Old Town. Two people reported being bitten by a raccoon Monday in the area of North Henry Street, North Patrick Street and Cameron Street. A dead raccoon found nearby has been sent for rabies testing. The Alexandria Brief

AEDP launches first-ever startup accelerator targeting AI, robotics and defense companies. The $200,000 program would support up to 15 Alexandria-based companies in emerging technology sectors including quantum computing, cybersecurity and aerospace. AEDP is seeking an outside firm to design and run the program. The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria's General Assembly delegation to recap 2026 session at Chamber ALX breakfast March 19. Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring, and Dels. Alfonso Lopez and Kirk McPike will gather at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town from 8 to 10 a.m. to discuss legislation with the greatest impact on Alexandria. The Alexandria Brief

Titan alumna returns to share first-gen journey with Minnie Howard students. La'Tonya Rease Miles, Ph.D., author of "Smart Girl: A First-Gen Origin Story," visited the Minnie Howard library via Zoom on Feb. 12 to discuss her memoir and her career building programs for first-generation college students. Miles attended Alexandria City High School and has established first-gen programs at UCLA and Loyola Marymount University. Theogony

Duke Street Land Use Plan community meeting materials now available online. If you missed the Feb. 25 meeting at the Masonic Memorial, presentation materials and a Q&A form are available on the city's Engagement Hub. The form is open until March 13. City of Alexandria

Adopt-a-Park season kickoff celebration March 18. The city's Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities invites volunteers to connect with staff, review procedures, receive supplies and learn how to keep parks and green spaces thriving. Interested in adopting a park? Applications are available on the city's Adopt a Garden or Park webpage. City of Alexandria

Northern Virginia Housing Expo Saturday at Fairfax High School. The free regional housing fair runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3501 Lions Run in Fairfax, offering workshops, exhibits and individual financial coaching for renters and first-time buyers. Topics include credit, first-time buyer programs, rental assistance, senior housing options and working with a Realtor. City of Alexandria

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

via the National Weather Service

Scattered showers this morning before 8 a.m., then isolated showers after 4 p.m. Widespread dense fog, mainly before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 65 degrees. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Scattered showers tonight, mainly between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Patchy fog after 8 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 47 degrees. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

🗓️ Things To Do

10 a.m.: English Language Learning Workshop at Beatley Central Library
10 a.m.: Application Assistance - One-on-One Help at Barrett Branch Library
10:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at Duncan Branch Library
11 a.m.: Line Dancing 101 at Burke Branch Library
11 a.m.: Preschool Story Time at Barrett Branch Library
11:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at Duncan Branch Library
12 p.m.: Line Dancing 201 at Burke Branch Library
1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library
1:30 p.m.: Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion - "A Woman of No Importance" at Duncan Branch Library
3 p.m.: Carefull Knit & Crochet at Barrett Branch Library
4 p.m.: Preschool Storytime at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: The Center of Next - The Quantum Advantage: How Quantum Technologies Are Shaping the Next Decade at Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing
5 p.m.: WEBA's 5th Annual Women in Business at The Garden ALX
6 p.m.: Nerdy Knotters - Knitting and Crochet at Duncan Branch Library
6 p.m.: Coding Game Night at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! at Barrett Branch Library
7 p.m.: World Short Story Discussion Group (virtual)

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Meisha Herron at 8:30 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
Lena’s: Dave Manley and Mauricio Miranda at 6 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Carroll & Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Practically Einstein at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
Vola’s Dockside Grill: Comedy Night Series at 6 p.m.

🏛️ City & Schools

Government: Open | Schools: Open | Flag: Half Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
4:30 p.m.: Commission on Aging Civic Engagement & Economic Meeting
6 p.m.: School Board Meeting at School Board Meeting Room
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
6 p.m.: Landmark I-395 Ramp Community Meeting at Beatley Central Library
6:30 p.m.: CSB Board Meeting at 4850 Mark Center Dr.
7 p.m.: Housing Affordability Advisory Committee (virtual)

Thanks for being here and for reading all the way to the end. Have a question, story idea, news tip, or just want to let me know how I'm doing? Hit reply or email ryan@alexandriabrief.com.

Have a great Thursday,

~ Ryan