ACPS Says Walk-Zone Locator Error Confused Alexandria Families

ALEXANDRIA, VA — An error in Alexandria City Public Schools’ walk-zone locator confused some families about transportation eligibility as the school year began, according to three School Board members.

The school division’s walk-distance policy did not change. The standard remains one mile for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and 1.5 miles for high school students.

However, the online locator initially applied or displayed those standards incorrectly for some families, according to a public account of the Aug. 31 Strategy and Accountability Committee meeting.

The report was issued by committee Chair Ryan Reyna, Vice Chair Kelly Carmichael Booz and member Michelle Rief.

ACPS Has 18 Bus-Driver Vacancies

ACPS currently has 18 unfilled bus-driver positions. Transportation employees are covering some of the shortage by doubling routes, with a driver completing one route before beginning another.

The school division plans to hire and onboard additional drivers by the end of September. Officials attributed the shortage partly to competition from higher-paying commercial driving positions and Northern Virginia’s cost of living.

Approximately 97% of transportation-eligible students had been assigned to routes as of the committee meeting. The report said all students already assigned to a route had received transportation, although it acknowledged that not every route operated on time and some individual cases remained unresolved.

Students will not be penalized for transportation-related tardiness while ACPS works through the problems.

Walking Routes Under Review

ACPS is working with City staff to review walking routes, hazardous intersections, crossing-guard placement and pedestrian-signal timing.

The City is fully staffed for crossing guards, according to the committee report, but some guards may need to be reassigned because of the new walk zones.

Possible short-term measures include adjusting pedestrian crossing times, conducting community walks, expanding Safe Routes to School instruction and identifying local businesses that could serve as safe locations for students.

The full School Board will receive a broader redistricting and transportation update Thursday, Sept. 10. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the School Board Meeting Room, 1340 Braddock Place, and can be watched online through the ACPS meeting page.