2025-2026 Season

Schedule of Events

Please click the orange button below to be notified about details on each event
NB: Our 2025-2026 schedule may be updated and is subject to change. 

September 30:  Behind the Budget Curtain: How Politics Shape Our Schools — Watch the  video

October 27: Is Civil Discourse a Dying Art? — Watch the video

November 24: We All Get Old: Let’s Get Ready 

February 23: Housing in Alexandria

March 23: The Economics of Living in Alexandria: Is it Worth Living Here Anymore?

April 27: How to help youth succeed: What does the data say?

May 18: Topic TBD, and Annual Elections

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Focused on the importance of civil discourse in a free society and also at the interpersonal level. Addressed the years-long decline in respectful debate in the political realm (but not the specific contentious issues themselves), the role of media and social media, and how we might find common ground and best respond as individuals and organizations to exhibit model behavior. Panelists: Kate Woodsome – Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist (formerly at the Washington Post), Resilience Strategist, and publisher of Invisible Threads JoAnn Koob, J.D. – Director, Liberty & Law Center, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University Lt. Victor Ignacio, Field Operation Section, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Carter Flemming, Community Volunteer and Activist, 2017 Alexandria Living Legend

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YouTube Video UEx3dFZ2Z3BYdXlGR2hBSmp5Tk4xRGVObFZySFJ0VGNNbi4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5

Is Civil Discourse a Dying Art? - October 27, 2025

Agenda:Alexandria 12 views Mon Nov 24th, 2025

Agenda:Alexandria, the city’s only organization dedicated to examining local issues from a variety of viewpoints, held its first program of the new 2025-2026 Season on Tuesday, September 30: “Behind the Budget Curtain: How Politics Shape Our Schools.” The panel, moderated by Rod Kuckro, discussed impacts of politics in school budgeting. Panelists were: ● Dominic Turner – Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) ● Catie Brownback - Former President, Alexandria City Council Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ● Mark Eaton - Former ACPS Teacher & School Board Member Attendees gained insights into the school system’s year-round budget cycle, the funding formulae for various Federal programs, the relationship between the elected School Board and City Council, the advocacy role of the PTA, the 2023 recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report on Virginia K-12 funding formula, and a variety of other related topics.

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YouTube Video UEx3dFZ2Z3BYdXlGR2hBSmp5Tk4xRGVObFZySFJ0VGNNbi4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

Behind the Budget Curtain – How Politics Shapes Our Schools - September 30, 2025

Agenda:Alexandria 11 views Mon Nov 24th, 2025

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