Ashley Simpson Baird | ACPS School Board

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ACPS School Board Election Reform: Staggered Terms, Turnover, and What Happens Next

By: Kelly Carmichael Booz and Dr. Ashley Simpson Baird Nearly three years ago, we wrote about why the Alexandria City School Board was considering staggered terms . Since then, a lot has happened—and a lot hasn't. We're writing this update because there is growing community energy around School Board reform, and we want to make sure that energy is informed by the full picture. We welcome it. Parents are paying attention, organizing, and speaking up at City Council meetings. T

3 days ago

04.09.26 Governance Committee Update

6 days ago

03.26.26 Governance Committee Update

Apr 4

03.09.26 Letter from School Board to City Council

The Alexandria City School Board requests that the City Council postpone its scheduled vote on March 10, 2026, regarding the Resolution of Intent to transition ACPS appropriations from lump-sum to classification-based appropriation under Virginia Code § 22.1-94.

Mar 10

02.19.26 Governance Committee Report

Feb 26

Infographic showing a balance scale comparing school funding responsibility. On the left, Alexandria funds 80% of school costs, represented by an ACPS school building and larger stacks of money. On the right, the state funds 20%, shown with the Virginia State Capitol and smaller stacks of money. A label below notes the state average contribution is 55%, illustrating that Alexandria shoulders a larger share of school funding than most localities in Virginia.

Why Virginia’s School Funding Formula Matters for Alexandria

Virginia’s school funding formula plays a major role in class sizes, staffing, and student supports in Alexandria City Public Schools. This explainer breaks down how the Standards of Quality (SOQ) and Local Composite Index work, what the state’s own research found, and why Alexandria funds a significantly larger share of its schools than most Virginia localities.

Jan 21