Overfilled classrooms and lean wallets are prompting Alexandria officials to get creative in their efforts to accommodate increasing enrollment at city schools — many of which are in need of repairs or replacement.
City Council and budget officials are looking to build at least one new building and several less-expensive, semipermanent additions.
City budget analyst Michael Stewart said rising enrollments and aging facilities would necessitate the building of at least one new school, most likely on the grounds of Patrick Henry Elementary. But, he added, other measures are needed to ease the problems in the short term.
“Even if the funding was secured today and we started building a school, the thing wouldn’t be finished for two to three years,” he said. “Modular classrooms will alleviate some of the immediate stress.”
Those classrooms, which last up to 40 years, cost much less than traditional building additions, and, according to Alexandria officials, are more aesthetically appealing than the trailers that traditionally have been used around the region.
“People think of those ugly little trailers, and these aren’t anything like that,” said school spokeswoman Amy Carlini.
“They blend in, they’re not an eyesore,” said Ronnie Campbell, an Alexandria School Board member, explaining that the additions will closely resemble the original school buildings.
The city plans to install the temporary classrooms at three to-be-determined school sites in the coming year.
