Agenda: Alexandria – How Are the Kids Doing and How Many Are Coming?

ALEXANDRIA, VA-Agenda: Alexandria starts its 2024-2025 season on Monday, September 23 at 7:00 pm at the Lyceum with a program on the Alexandria City Public Schools.

Is ACPS, with multiple new elementary and secondary school buildings, now overbuilt? Have students fully recovered from learning loss associated with the pandemic? How is ACPS serving its exceptionally diverse student population? How will the end of pandemic-related federal funding affect ACPS? How is ACPS addressing employee retention and development in an era of teacher shortages and intense talent competition from nearby school systems? What is it like to attend Alexandria City High School now that its new Minnie Howard Campus is open?

The discussion will be moderated by Mark Eaton. Eaton is a parent of three children who went through ACPS. He served three terms as a member, Vice Chair, and Chair of the School Board from 1997 through 2006. From 2007 through 2021, he taught English and Journalism at what was then T.C. Williams High School, now Alexandria City High School, where he was the English Department Chair or Co-Chair for ten years. Eaton currently writes a monthly column, About Alexandria, and occasional feature stories for The Alexandria Times. His columns, feature stories, and other work can be seen on his Substack at aboutalexandria.substack.com.

Panelists:

• Sophie Huemer – Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) director of the Office of Capital Programs, Planning and Design Services
• James Libresco – dedicated student journalist and activist
• Carmen Sanders – Executive Director of Instructional Support for the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership for the Alexandria City Public Schools
• Aaron Thomas – ACPS parent, has been working with the Polk PTA and community members

Sophie Huemer, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) director of the Office of Capital Programs, Planning, and Design Services, manages the design and construction of facilities for the division and supervises a diverse staff that includes full—and part-time employees as well as contractors.

Huemer first joined ACPS in 2020 and most recently has served as the school division’s principal planner, managing the formulation of the 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan Budget, aligned with the School Board priorities alongside Facilities and Operations leadership. Hammer has led ACPS through four capital improvement program budget cycles.

Before joining ACPS, Huemer had seven years of urban planning and project management experience in Hanover County, Virginia, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Denton, Texas.

Huemer earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science at Roanoke College and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University.

James Libresco is a dedicated student journalist and activist. As a senior at Alexandria City High School, he is Editor in Chief of Theogony, the student-run newspaper. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Alexandria Times, and The Zebra, and he has received national awards. James is also student body president, a varsity basketball player, and an advocate for youth mental health and well-being.

Carmen Sanders is the executive director of instructional support since August 2022. In her leadership role in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, Sanders provides instructional leadership and support to all schools in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). Her supervision includes general education instructional specialists, program coordinators, and directors from Pre-Kindergarten to Adult Education.

She has served as the campus administrator for Alexandria City High School – King Street Campus (ACHS) from 2019 to 2022. Previously, Sanders was an academic principal at George Washington Middle School and a dean of students at ACHS. She began her educational career as an English and leadership skills teacher in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Aaron Thomas, an ACPS parent, has been working with the Polk PTA and community members to raise concerns with the City and ACPS regarding overcrowding in West End schools.

Agenda: Alexandria is registered 501(c)(3) non-partisan organization which encourages informed debate and discussion on a wide variety of local issues without taking a position. We host in-person and digital programs on topics of interest to the residents of the City of Alexandria.

SEE ALSO: Alexandria Schoolkids Participate in Constitutional Anniversary in City Council Chambers