Alexandria School Board Eyes Salary Hike to $43,000
A proposed resolution would raise Alexandria City School Board member pay from $15,000 to $43,000 by the 2031 fiscal year, with a vote scheduled for December 3.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Administration
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The Alexandria City School Board is set to vote Thursday, December 3, on a resolution that would raise member pay from $15,000 to $28,000 starting January 1, 2028, then add $5,000 each July 1 until reaching $43,000 in fiscal 2031. The proposal also includes extra pay of 15% for the vice chair and 30% for the chair.
Why it matters
The board's resolution states that higher pay would likely attract more competitive candidates and improve the quality of School Board membership. Virginia law permits raises only the year before an election, so the increase would take effect after the November 2027 board election.
The current $15,000 salary has been in place since 2007, while the proposal would reach $43,000 by fiscal 2031, a 187% increase. Fairfax County board members earn $48,000 and Arlington members earn $51,500, and it is not yet clear whether the Alexandria proposal will be adopted as written.
The players
Alexandria City School Board
The elected governing body of Alexandria City Public Schools, responsible for setting district policy and board compensation.
The details
The resolution would start member pay at $28,000 in 2028 and add $5,000 every July 1 until it reaches $43,000. The board received a staff update on the proposal on November 6, and ACPS faces a projected $17 million budget shortfall that the extraction does not link directly to the raise.
Timeline
- November 6, 2026: School Board received a staff update on the proposed resolution.
- December 3, 2026: School Board vote on the salary resolution is scheduled.
- January 1, 2028: Proposed starting pay of $28,000 would take effect.
- November 2027: Next School Board election; raises take effect after it.
Season Trajectory
Virginia's rule that school boards may only raise pay the year before an election sets the timing for this proposal, which would take effect after the November 2027 vote. Compared with neighboring boards in Fairfax and Arlington, the proposed Alexandria salary would move the city closer to regional pay levels.
If approved, the raise would increase compensation for Alexandria school board members, and the vice chair and chair would receive additional percentage pay. Residents who follow future board races would see the higher pay take effect only after the November 2027 election.
The takeaway
Residents interested in school governance can track the December 3 vote and the November 2027 election to see whether higher board pay changes candidate interest in Alexandria.
What happens next
The School Board is scheduled to vote on the salary resolution on Thursday, December 3, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more on Administration to see how school boards and district leaders set governance policy in Alexandria.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ALXnow | Alexandria, Va. breaking news, local events and community happenings.
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