ACPS Budget Transparency: What Collective Bargaining Means for School Funding and Staffing in Alexandria
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
By: School Board Chair Michelle Rief (District A) and Vice Chair Christopher Harris (District C)
The Alexandria City School Board remains committed to two core responsibilities:
negotiating in good faith with our employees and being transparent with our community and City partners about the financial impact of those decisions.
In Spring 2025, the Board directed the Superintendent to coordinate with the City Manager regarding the financial impact of collective bargaining. The City Manager and the Superintendent agreed that while the City would not participate directly in negotiations, ACPS would share updates on the financial impact of those agreements contingent upon consent from the Education Association of Alexandria (EAA).
Shortly after, the City instead requested direct participation in negotiations beyond financial updates. Such involvement would conflict with the School Board’s adopted collective bargaining resolution (unanimously adopted by the School Board on March 21, 2024) and is not a standard practice among school divisions in Virginia.
Despite this, ACPS has consistently shared budget information publicly and with the City throughout this process.
August 21, 2025: Initial projection of a $19.3 million need to maintain current services
August–October, 2025: Multiple public budget meetings
November 1, 2025: Presentation at City Council Budget Retreat
January 22, 2026: Proposed FY27 Budget released
March 4, 2026: Tentative agreement with EAA announced publicly
Throughout, our approach has been consistent: prioritizing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a focus on student impact.
A Responsible Budget Request
The School Board’s FY27 request includes a $9.8 million increase in City funding. The City Manager’s proposal includes $4.2 million, leaving a $5.6 million gap.
Before making this request, ACPS identified $7.5 million in cost reductions, including:
5% reduction in non-personnel spending
Elimination of 13.8 positions
Increased facility use fees
Higher employee healthcare contributions
These were difficult decisions made to protect classroom instruction.
Why This Matters
1. Competitive Compensation
ACPS employs approximately 2,700 staff. Each 1% salary increase costs $2.8 million. Neighboring divisions are projecting raises between 4.5% and 7.5%. Falling behind risks losing the educators our students depend on.
2. Collective Bargaining Commitments
This budget funds Alexandria’s first collective bargaining agreements with public school employees, an expectation set by the City, the community, and this Board.
3. Direct Student Impact
The requested funding supports the people who directly serve students every day—teachers, counselors, instructional staff, transportation workers, and support personnel.
The Path Forward
The School Board has taken deliberate steps to reduce costs, maintain transparency, and uphold its commitments. Closing the $5.6 million gap is not about expansion; it is about maintaining stability, honoring agreements, and remaining competitive in a challenging labor market.
We remain committed to working with the City Council and welcome continued dialogue to ensure ACPS can meet its obligations to students, staff, and the broader Alexandria community.
