Last Thursday the Alexandria School Board approved a capital budget for $611.1 million over the next 10 years. That is a 123 percent increase over the amount budgeted by council for school capital improvement projects (CIP) just last May. This request comes on top of other pressing financial requirements on the city, including remedying the combined sewer system, dealing with storm water, repairing City Hall, and Metro associated costs.
I believe this request for an additional $333.1 million should be put to the voters next November in the form of an referendum. In Arlington all requests for school construction and infrastructure are handled that way. Last month, for example, Arlington voters approved $138.8 million for school construction purposes. Referendum results would be advisory only and council would still be required to vote its will. But our elected officials would have guidance otherwise unavailable.
In dealing with the other financial demands, City Council is able to shape policy details and carefully monitor progress. Not so with the schools. The council has virtually no control over how how its millions are used. It is only responsible for approving the money. In this instance council would be wise to allow the public to have its say on the issue.
An advisory referendum would require that school officials present the public with detailed information on how the figure was arrived at and how the money would be spent. In other words, a referendum would open the subject to greater public inquiry and discussion, and put the burden of proof where it belongs — on the School Board and ACPS staff.
Jack Sullivan
Alexandria