JEFFERSON-HOUSTON

ADVOCACY CORNER​

At last Thursday’s School Board Meeting acting Superintendent Dr. Grace Taylor unveiled her proposed CIP Budget for 2028-2037. ACPS has proposed a $370.6 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP), exceeding the City's spending guidance by more than $186 million. The proposal once again includes $48.7 million to convert Jefferson-Houston into a middle school and Patrick Henry into an elementary school, despite City Council's previous rejection of the conversions.

Meanwhile, newly released enrollment data shows ACPS enrollment has declined approximately 4% since last school year, raising questions about future capacity needs. School Board members have requested updated enrollment projections and additional options for addressing middle school overcrowding, including modular classrooms and a scenario without new construction (a “steady state” option). City Councilmember Abdel Elnoubi has also publicly questioned whether the proposed conversions should be paused while alternatives are evaluated.

What's next? The School Board held a CIP public hearing on last night, to be followed by work sessions on November 12 and December 1, and a joint meeting with City Council on November 16. ACPS is also expected to present a more detailed enrollment report on December 3. The final version of the CIP is expected to be approved at the School Board Meeting on December 17. 

The Acting Superintendent’s Proposed CIP Presentation can be found here.  A recording of the November 5th School Board Meeting can be found here.  

No final decision has been made. The PTA will continue following these discussions and sharing updates as the process moves forward. We encourage JH families to stay informed, ask questions, and make their voices heard!