School Board Adopts FY2011 Budget

(Friday) March 5, 2010

By Carla Branch and James Cullum
alexandrianews.org

Last night, the Alexandria School Board adopted a fiscal year 2011 operating budget of $201,137,753, an increase of $3.5 million or 1.8% over the current budget. The Board is requesting $167,886,567 from the City, an increase of two percent, which aligns with the City Manager’s proposed school transfer.

The budget represents a decrease of $657,872 over Superintendent Morton Sherman’s proposed budget. The Board accomplished this by reducing the Virginia Retirement System contribution from 15.49% to $13.49% for a savings of $2,337,440, as proposed by the General Assembly. This allowed the Board to add a halftime reading teacher at every elementary school at a cost of $489,183; add a secondary inclusion specialist, a Board certified behavior analyst and eliminate one occupational therapist for a total cost of $75,259; reinstitute part of the Principal’s Promise Fund and add funding for the writing project for a total cost of $150,805; add part-time world language teachers at Mt. Vernon Community School and Jefferson-Houston Elementary School, costing $75,259; reserve $208,750 to adjust administrator salary scales based on a study; add secondary fine/performing arts stipends of $5380; add secondary summer school offerings, summer job internships and financial literacy course for a total cost of $28,812; add one day of training for all special education paraprofessionals at $11,930; add a part-time library/media specialist position costing $37,630 and add $15,000 to analyze and address residency issues.

The Board reduced the FY2011 capital improvement program budget requests by $1.4 million, from $16.1 million to $14.7 million. The City Manager proposed $13.6 million in CIP funding for the school system. This Board reallocated $1.15 million that had been reserved for potential Francis C. Hammond Middle School legal action but which is now available. These funds will be used in FY2011 leaving a $1.4 million CIP funding gap. Using these previously reserved funds will permit ACPS to complete the artificial turf athletic field at Hammond, including lighting, a non-regulation track and fencing.

The following capital projects will be funded under the Board’s budget:

• John Adams early childhood center (summer 2010)

• Patrick Henry modular classrooms (summer 2011)

• Charles Barrett modular classrooms and cafeteria expansion (summer 2011)

• James Polk modular classrooms (summer 2011)

• Douglas MacArthur cafeteria expansion (summer 2011)

• William Ramsay cafeteria expansion (summer 2011)

• Samuel Tucker cafeteria expansion (summer 2011)

• FC Hammond sports turf field with lights and a non-regulation jogging track (summer 2011)

• Minnie Howard OCR compliance toilet and locker rooms (summer 2011)

• Completion of the HVAC replacement project for administrative offices at Minnie Howard, but at a reduced scope (summer 2010)

• Installation of ground source heat pumps at James Polk (summer 2011)

• Minnie Howard green roof (summer 2011)

The CIP budget was balanced by postponing projects in the following categories for three to four years, and using operating funding to cover a portion of these costs. The projects recommended for deferral have the least impact on the educational space. The deferrals include the following:

• Painting walls and ceilings

• Replace ceiling tiles

• Replace flooring (carpeting)

• Replace vinyl flooring (tile)

• Site hardscapes repair (sidewalks/fences/retaining walls)

• Rain water harvesting (rain barrels and cisterns)

• Demolition of old boilers

Based on site specific requirements, some of the following projects were deferred:

• Exterior play and sports areas

• Replace Stage lighting

• Replace door locksets

The School Board will hold a joint work session with City Council on March 15 and Council will adopt the final FY2011 budget on May 3.

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