Alexandria Public Schools, Virginia
 B
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Contents |
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Virginia school district websites
Last rated on Jan. 31, 2012
[edit] The good
- Budget information is available, including federal, state, and local revenue information and audit information.[1]
- Administrative and school board contact information is available. [2]
- School board meeting information, including current and archived meeting minutes and agendas, is available.[3]
- Academic performance information is available.[4] The information can also be found on the Virginia Department of Education website.[5]
- Section K: School Community Relations of the Alexandria City Public Schools Policy Manual includes Request for Information procedures in compliance with Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act. Section D: Fiscal Management includes information regarding audit requirements and Section G: Personnel includes staff evaluation procedures.[6] The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) form is also available on the city website.[7]
- Vendor contract information is available on the Virginia state website. [8]
[edit] The bad
- Teacher contracts are not available. Teacher salary data is available on the Virginia Department of Education website.[9]
- The website does not include information on background checks.
[edit] School Board
The Alexandria City School Board consists of nine elected members and is responsible for adopting school operation policies and enforcing school laws. Board members are elected from three voting districts in the City of Alexandria and serve three-year terms. The current school board was elected to terms beginning July 1, 2009. The Chairman and Vice Chairman are chosen by Board members. Current stated goals of the School Board include creating a Code of Conduct for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and creating a plan to encourage community involvement and community support for students. These goals will reflect the Board’s Vision Statement of setting the international standard for educational excellence. [10]
Current School Board Members [11]
| Member | District | Term | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mimi Carter | District A | December 31, 2012 | |
| Sheryl Gorsuch, Vice Chairman | District A | December 31, 2012 | |
| Helen Morris | District A | December 31, 2012 | |
| Yvonne A. Folkerts, Chairman | District B | December 31, 2012 | |
| Arthur E. Peabody, Jr. | District B | December 31, 2012 | |
| Marc Williams | District B | December 31, 2012 | |
| Ronnie Campbell | District C | December 31, 2012 | |
| Blanche D. Maness | District C | December 31, 2012 | |
| Charles H. Wilson | District C | December 31, 2012 |
The current Superintendent is Dr. Morton Sherman.
The Virginia Public School System is supervised by a Board of Education, comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Virginia General Assembly. Members serve staggered four-year terms.
The Board of Education is responsible for dividing the Commonwealth of Virginia into school divisions and reviewing existing divisions to ensure standards of quality are being met. The Board makes annual reports to the General Assembly regarding public education in the Commonwealth and is further charged with certifying to the school board of each division a list of persons for the office of division superintendent of schools, one of whom the school board ultimately selects to fill the position. The Board also approves all educational materials used in the public schools.
Supervision of school divisions is conducted by individual school boards. [12]
Current Board of Education Members [13]
| Name | Term | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Eleanor B. Saslaw, President | 2nd | January 29, 2012 |
| Dr. Ella P. Ward, Vice President | 2nd | January 29, 2011 |
| Elizabeth D. Beamer | 1st | January 29, 2014 |
| Dr. Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. | 1st | June 30, 2011 |
| Isis M. Castro | 2nd | January 29, 2012 |
| David M. Foster | 1st | January 29, 2014 |
| David L. Johnson | 2nd | June 30, 2011 |
| K. Rob Krupicka | 1st | January 29, 2013 |
| Dr. Virginia L. McLaughlin | 1st | January 29, 2013 |
[edit] Budget
The current operating budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year is $197, 546, 081. The budget will increase in fiscal year 2011 to $201.7 million (a 2.2% increase), reflecting a 3.2% increase in student enrollment and a 2% decrease in cost per student. The budget reflects $96,438 in state revenue, $2,189,817 in local revenue, and $3,937,140 in federal revenue.[1]
[edit] Academic Performance
The Commonwealth of Virginia assesses schools based on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other statewide assessments; schools receive two accountability ratings a year based on student performance on these assessments. SOL tests assess student performance in English, math, science and history. Ratings are also given based on school and school division adherence to the goals of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which requires 100 percent proficiency in reading and mathematics by 2014.
School's state accreditation is based on performance in English, history, mathematics and science.
Schools and school divisions, as well as the State, are rated as achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) if they meet or exceed annual benchmarks in reading and mathematics. [14]
The Virginia Department of Education School Division Report Card reports Alexandria City Public Schools as having a student population of 11,661 and 19 schools in the division.
Alexandria City School Division did not make AYP for the 2009-2010 school year.[15]
| School | Grade | Enrollment | Made Adequate Yearly Progress for 2009? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cora Kelly Magnet Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 391 | No |
| Douglas Macarthur Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 623 | No |
| Francis C. Hammond Middle | 6 - 8 | 433 | Yes |
| Francis Hammond 2 Middle | 6 - 8 | 423 | Yes |
| Francis Hammond 3 Middle | 6 - 8 | 411 | Yes |
| George Mason Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 419 | Yes |
| George Washington 2 Middle | 6 - 8 | 482 | Yes |
| George Washington Middle | 6 - 8 | 505 | Yes |
| James K. Polk Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 541 | Yes |
| Jefferson-Houston Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 307 | No |
| John Adams Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 695 | No |
| Lyles-Crouch Elementary | K - 5 | 376 | Yes |
| Maury Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 315 | Yes |
| Mount Vernon Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 644 | No |
| Patrick Henry Elementary | K - 5 | 427 | Yes |
| Samuel W. Tucker Elementary | Pre-K - 5 | 711 | Yes |
| T.C. Williams High | 9 - 12 | 2,987 | No |
| William Ramsay Elementary | K - 5 | 679 | No |
[edit] Unions
The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is the teachers union for the Commonwealth of Virginia. [16] The VEA is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA).[17]
[edit] News
[edit] Money for consultants in budget crunch
The Alexandria public school district nearly tripled the amount of money spent on consultants in 2010, a time it faces financial challenges. Teachers say they are spending too much time away from their classrooms to be lectured by high-price consultants.
In 2008, Alexandria Superintendent Morton Sherman took the reins at the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and spent $379,000 on staff development. Spending grew when he stepped into office and totaled $940,000 during the 2009-1010 school year. Consultants range from individuals who have known Sherman for decades to larger firms from the northeast.[18]
[edit] External links
- Alexandria Public Schools official website
- City of Alexandria Virginia official website
- Virginia Department of Education official website
- Official Website of the Commonwealth of Virgina
- Virginia Education Association Official Website
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 'Alexandria City Public Schools', Budgets, June 11, 2010
- ↑ 'Alexandria City Public Schools', How to Contact Us, June 11, 2010
- ↑ 'Alexandria City Public Schools', School Board Meetings, June 11, 2010
- ↑ 'Alexandria City Public Schools', Accountability, June 11, 2010
- ↑ 'Virginia Department of Education', School, School Division, and State Report Cards, June 10, 2010
- ↑ ‘Alexandria City Public Schools’, Policy Manual, August 2, 2010
- ↑ 'City of Alexandria Virginia', Citizen Assistance, June 11, 2010
- ↑ Purchasing
- ↑ 'Virginia Department of Education', Education Workforce Data & Reports, June 10, 2010
- ↑ 'Alexandria City Public Schools', School Board Goals for FY 2010-11, June 11, 2010
- ↑ 'Alexandria City Public Schools', School Board Members, June 11, 2010
- ↑ 'Legislative Information System', Constitution of Virginia, June 10, 2010
- ↑ 'State Board of Education', Board Members, June 10, 2010
- ↑ 'Virginia Department of Education', School Report Card Accountability Guide, June 14, 2010
- ↑ 'Virginia Department of Education', Alexandria City Public Schools, June 14, 2010
- ↑ 'Virginia Education Association', June 10, 2010
- ↑ 'National Education Association', June 10, 2010
- ↑ "Alexandria triples spending on consultants," Virginia Statehouse News, November 12, 2010
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