Alexandria Schools Debate Role of Police in Upcoming Meeting

The school board will discuss a new memorandum of understanding with the Alexandria Police Department.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:05pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a school entrance, with the doorway and surrounding architecture bathed in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of the decision facing the community.The public debate over police presence in schools reflects the complex balance between campus safety and student wellbeing.Alexandria Today

The Alexandria City School Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday to discuss the relationship between the school system and the Alexandria Police Department. The current memorandum of understanding (MOU) has expired, and some parents want the new agreement to more clearly outline when students can be questioned by police, what incidents should be considered criminal offenses, and how violations are reported. The school system has published a draft of the new agreement, which includes restricting school resource officer (SRO) access to student records.

Why it matters

The role of police in schools is a contentious issue, with concerns about the potential for over-criminalization of student behavior and the encroachment of law enforcement into day-to-day school functions. The upcoming meeting and revised MOU will shape how police interact with students in Alexandria's public schools.

The details

The public hearing will be held on April 16 at 5 p.m. in the School Board Meeting Room located at 1340 Braddock Place in Alexandria. The MOU is expected to be approved at the April 23 school board meeting. The Tenants and Workers United Union has expressed concerns about the proposed agreement, particularly the suggested use of a model in which SROs are present on school grounds not only as law enforcement officers, but also as public safety educators and informal counselors.

  • The current MOU between the Alexandria City School Board and the Alexandria Police Department has expired.
  • The public hearing on the new MOU will be held on April 16, 2026.
  • The school board is expected to approve the new MOU at its meeting on April 23, 2026.

The players

Alexandria City School Board

The governing body responsible for the public school system in Alexandria, Virginia.

Alexandria Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that provides school resource officers (SROs) to Alexandria's public schools.

Tenants and Workers United Union

A local advocacy group that has expressed concerns about the proposed changes to the MOU between the school board and police department.

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What they’re saying

“The TWU instead argues that schools already have trained professionals in these roles and warns against the encroachment of law enforcement staff into day-to-day school functions.”

— Tenants and Workers United Union

What’s next

The school board is expected to approve the new MOU with the Alexandria Police Department at its meeting on April 23, 2026.

The takeaway

The upcoming meeting and revised MOU will shape how police interact with students in Alexandria's public schools, with concerns about the potential for over-criminalization of student behavior and the encroachment of law enforcement into day-to-day school functions.