ENGAGE with APS

• As part of our Year of Empowered AI Learning in APS, we hosted a virtual Community Town Hall on AI on Wed, Oct. 8. Attendees learned about our adopted instructional platform, SchoolAI, and had an opportunity to ask questions.
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• The Arlington Youth Survey (AYS) is an anonymous, annual survey providing schools and community organizations with insights on health risk and health-promoting behaviors.
• AYS will be administered to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 from November 10, 2025 to November 25, 2025.
• More information and link to opt-out form

• The project will allow more students to benefit from the offerings at the Career Center and allow APS to further expand Arlington Tech and other high-demand programs.
• The School Board approved the Construction Contract Award to begin construction of the facility, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2026 for the 2026-27 School Year.
• View the October 1 – Community Construction Update
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APS is forming a Device Work Group to evaluate how digital devices are used in classrooms and to make strategic recommendations about future device models. Staff will present their findings to the APS School Board in March 2026.

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• APS is reviewing its current HS Bell Schedules. A Bell Schedule Work Group is being formed to evaluate and examine the strengths and challenges of our current models as well as explore alternative options. Staff will present their findings to the School Board in November 2025. Community members may share additional feedback regarding bell schedules by using this form.
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• Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, APS will implement the use of secure pouches to store student cell phones during the school day — at high schools only. This will be fully implemented at Wakefield, Washington-Liberty, Yorktown, Arlington Career Center, and H-B Woodlawn.
• APS Middle school will maintain a limited supply of pouches to be used on a case-by-case basis, as needed.
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• APS is forming an Early Childhood Work Group to explore and evaluate the future of early childhood education. The group will deliver a comprehensive recommendation to the APS School Board in June 2026.
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Upcoming Dates:

• Oct. 9 – Action Item: FY27 Budget Direction
• Nov. 10 – Budget Requests/Submissions
• Dec. 5 – Cabinet Budget Retreat
• Feb. 26 – Superintendent’s FY27 Budget Presentation
• March – Public Hearing on County Budget and Tax Rate – TBD
• March 26 – School Board’s FY27 Budget Presentation
• April – County/School Board Joint Work Session
• April 14 – Budget Work Sessions 1-4, 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
• April 14 – Public Hearing on School Board’s Proposed Budget
• May 14 – Board Action: School Board’s Adopted FY27 Budget
• June 16 – Board Action: School Board’s Adopted 2027-36 CIP

Ways to Engage:

• Email  [email protected]
• Tune in for Work Sessions
• Attend Open Office Hours

See Budget & Finance for additional information

• Every two years, the School Board adopts a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that addresses APS capital needs—investments needed to improve or enhance the infrastructure of our schools—over the next ten years. The CIP includes major capital projects, such as new schools and school additions, as well as major maintenance and minor construction projects.
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• The current APS healthcare benefits contract will expire in December 2026.
• Leading up to that date, APS is committed to a transparent contract renewal and Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
• View Employee Healthcare Survey Data Summary
• View Retirees Aged 65 and over – Healthcare Benefits Survey Data Summary
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• APS will share information on the contracts expiring soon on a quarterly basis.
• The goal of sharing this information is to establish an open and accessible channel of communication that allows the community to better understand the contracts and agreements that drive the operations of APS.
• APS advertises all contract solicitations on eVA and on the APS Procurement Office website.
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• The School Board Advisory Committee Working Group will work with the school board and staff to evaluate the current School Board advisory committee structure, effectiveness, and alignment with strategic priorities and make recommendations for revision in accordance with the School Board’s charge.
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• The School Board is considering the following policies for revision/amendment

• The Your Voice Matters Survey, which is now conducted annually and in conjunction with APS and the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families (APCYF), provides insights on topics that include safety (school and community climate), health and well-being, voice and engagement.
• The survey window February 12, 2025 – March 21, 2025. 
• More information and link to opt-out form
• View Your Voice Matters Survey Insights & Results