Alexandria parents fight plan to close majority-Black elementary school

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Alexandria parents fight plan to close majority-Black elementary school

Dozens of parents in Alexandria were fired up Thursday night after learning that the city school board plans on closing a beloved elementary school that has a majority Black student population.

Dozens of parents in Alexandria are fighting back after learning that the city school board plans on closing a beloved elementary school that has a majority Black student population.

What we know:

Right now, the school board says the closure of the elementary school programs and re-configuring these K-8 schools is being done to address a serious overcrowding issue at the city's middle schools but many parents say they feel blindsided, saying that hundreds of students will be uprooted and forced to be bussed miles away. 

Now, there’s a real effort underway to save the school. 

"I’m asking you not to break this community carelessly," one speaker said at a Thursday Alexandria City Public Schools board meeting. 

A steady stream of passionate voices took to the podium Thursday night. 

"You chose to pick the elementary school that disproportionately affects our minority community," another speaker said at the meeting. 

They were all urging the Alexandria City School Board to reconsider its vote to shut down the elementary school program at Jefferson Houston pre-K through 8, which is a Title I school that serves the highest population of Black and low-income students in Alexandria. 

"Changing our school converting our school, would deprive and strip our lowest income of a lifeline," one meeting attendee said. 

"Their decision would actually get rid of Title I funding. Title I funding as many people know it provides lunches — free lunches — after-school programs, things that the entire community benefits," another meeting attendee told FOX 5. 

The backstory:

In December 2024, the school board voted to reconfigure Patrick Henry K-8 to an elementary and Jefferson Houston into a middle school to address major overcrowding issues at George Washington and Francis C. Hammond Middle Schools. 

But many parents say dismantling the elementary school will not only not fix the capacity issues at hand right now, but will drive people away from ACPS, and hurt so many families. 

"What teacher is going to want to stay or come to Jefferson Houston knowing that the school is closing, and families won’t want to start at Jefferson Houston?" another speaker asked the school board. 

Projections show the student population capping this year, then likely declining over the next 10 years. So many people wonder how this plan set to take place in seven years will even help. 

"There are more feasible, cheaper solutions to using a trailer there’s a middle school capacity issue that’s happening now later on it’s not going to be an issue."

Some suggested adding trailers to fix the overcrowding issue at the middle schools. Others have been saying the district should build a completely new school — but of course, funding and finding land have become an issue. 

The parents say they will continue to fight and raise their voices hoping the board will change course. 

The Source: Alexandria City Public Schools, FOX 5 reporting

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