Tuesday, September 30, 2025
The event will be held at Cowo & Creche, 2034 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22314 (upstairs) — not at the Lyceum, and not on our usual Monday
Free parking is available in the garage to the right of the entrance (upper level). Entry is either through the garage or front entrance (an elevator is available). Red balloons will guide you to the event.
As is tradition, the reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. Membership is available for an annual membership fee. Non-member attendance costs $10. Corporate and individual sponsorships are welcome.
About this program:
Projections for education funding from both the federal and maybe even the state-level government are currently “in flux,” meaning ACPS could soon face tens of millions of dollars of shortfall compared to previously expected levels. It is an alarming scenario. What are the reasons for this situation? How much is within the city’s control? What are our funding and cost-cutting options? When will we know definitively just how much we will receive? What shortfall might local taxpayers be forced to cover? A panel of experts will address such critical questions about how local government and public schools can – and should – respond.
Public school budgets are continuously shaped by evolving needs. These include rising costs related to individualized instruction for special needs students, increased support for English language learners, and economic pressures that affect funding at every level. On top of that, Alexandria’s unique local structure adds complexity: the city government is responsible for raising most of the schools’ revenues as part of the City Council’s budgeting process, while the School Board holds sole authority to allocate and spend those funds budgeted by City Council.
Rod Kuckro, former Chair of Agenda:Alexandria will be the moderator of the panel of experts. The audience will be provided with an opportunity to submit questions to the panelists.
Panelists:
- Mr. Dominic Turner, Chief Financial Officer, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) – filling in for Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Superintendent, who had a last-minute conflict
- Mark Eaton – Former lawyer, member of the Alexandria School Board and English teacher T.C. Williams
- Catie Brownback – Former President, ACPS’ Parent Teacher Association Council
- Jill Turgeon-Turrill – Education Policy Specialist, School Board Member Alliance
Thank you Sponsors!
