GW PTA Advocacy
📚✨ ACPS FY 2027 Budget Update:
What Happens Next
City Council will continue budget work sessions throughout March and April. Community members can participate by submitting comments or speaking at public hearings at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center.
Community members may submit comments or speak at upcoming public hearings on the budget process.
The City Council is scheduled to adopt the FY27 budget on April 29. After the city appropriation is finalized, the Superintendent will present an adjusted ACPS budget, which the School Board is scheduled to finalize on June 11.
📆 MARCH 2026 ADVOCACY CALENDAR
📍 Monday, March 16 — Work Session #4: Livable, Green & Prospering
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Del Pepper Community Resource Center — Council Chamber
👉 Council will discuss services that impact community well-being (including education supports).
💡 How to participate: Highlight how strong school funding contributes to a thriving and equitable city.
➡️ Register to speak at City Council meetings:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Participate (Scroll to the “REGISTER TO SPEAK AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING” section for the online form or call info.)
➡️ Find City Council meeting dockets & watch live/archived webcasts:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Council (Click “DOCKETS & WEBCASTS” to find agendas with public comment info and video links.)
📍 Wednesday, March 18 — Work Session #5: Healthy, Thriving, & Equitable
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Del Pepper Community Resource Center — Council Chamber
👉 Focus on health and equity in the budget — a good moment to connect school needs with student supports.
💡 How to participate: Share how investments in schools support youth health, equity, and success
➡️ Register to speak at City Council meetings:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Participate (Scroll to the “REGISTER TO SPEAK AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING” section for the online form or call info.)
➡️ Find City Council meeting dockets & watch live/archived webcasts:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Council (Click “DOCKETS & WEBCASTS” to find agendas with public comment info and video links.)
📍 Wednesday, March 25 — Work Session #6: Accountable & Effective Government
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Del Pepper Community Resource Center — Council Chamber
👉 Council works toward finalizing budget guidance — your input can help shape final proposals.
💡 How to participate: Speak to how school funding helps ensure accountable use of public funds with visible results in student outcomes.
➡️ Register to speak at City Council meetings:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Participate (Scroll to the “REGISTER TO SPEAK AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING” section for the online form or call info.)
➡️ Find City Council meeting dockets & watch live/archived webcasts:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Council (Click “DOCKETS & WEBCASTS” to find agendas with public comment info and video links.
📩 HOW TO PROVIDE INPUT
➡️ Register to speak at City Council meetings:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Participate (Scroll to the “REGISTER TO SPEAK AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING” section for the online form or call info.)
➡️ Find City Council meeting dockets & watch live/archived webcasts:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Council (Click “DOCKETS & WEBCASTS” to find agendas with public comment info and video links.)
➡️ ACPS School Board meeting info (including public comment & Zoom links):
https://www.acps.k12.va.us/school-board/watch-school-board-meetings (Watch live or archived meetings; sign-up links are posted at the top of each agenda.)
📝 Submit Written Comments
If you prefer not to speak in person, you can email your thoughts:
• City Council & Budget Comments: Email the City Clerk at CouncilComment@alexandriava.gov
*Instructions and contact info are available on the City Clerk page
• ACPS School Board Written Comments: 👉 https://www.acps.k12.va.us/school-board/contact-the-school-board (Click the Public Comments for School Board Meetings form link on this page to submit comments that will be posted to the agenda for the next meeting.)
📬 Alternative email option:
• Email written comments directly to the Clerk of the Board at boardclerk@acps.k12.va.us comments submitted this way will be received by the Board and may be posted on the meeting agenda if submitted before the deadline (usually noon the day before the meeting). The entire board can be reached at board@acps.k12.va.us
📺 Watch Online
City Council and School Board meetings are often live-streamed and archived so you can follow the discussion even if you can’t attend:
• City Council Webcasts & Archives: https://www.alexandriava.gov/Council (Click “DOCKETS & WEBCASTS” and select “Webcast” or archived videos.)
• ACPS Live & Recorded Meetings: https://www.acps.k12.va.us/school-board/watch-school-board-meetings (Live Zoom links are posted with the agenda.)
💡 Tips for Effective Participation:
✔ Check the meeting agenda ahead of time so you can tailor your comments to the relevant budget discussion.
✔ Share your name, where you live, and why school funding matters to you.
✔ Be concise and respectful — every voice helps shape decisions about our schools and community!
🔗 KEEP TRACK OF DETAILS
• City Budget Calendar & links: https://www.alexandriava.gov/Budget
• ACPS Events & Calendar: https://www.acps.k12.va.us/families/calendar
🤝 Tip: Planning ahead will give you several chances to share your voice on school funding during key points of the budget cycle.
💡 Why It Matters
Budget choices influence teacher retention, class sizes, mental health services, support for English Learners and students with disabilities, and how our schools reflect community values. Your engagement helps ensure that ACPS invests wisely, fairly, and in ways that reflect our priorities, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. 💪📚📣