Patrick Henry Swing Space Approved By Alexandria School Board

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Alexandria City School Board voted 8-1 Thursday, April 4 for the proposal to use the old Patrick Henry school as a swing space during Douglas MacArthur Elementary's reconstruction.

The vote came after some residents expressed concerns about potential traffic, the need for renovations of the old Patrick Henry school, and the delay of providing outdoor play space for Patrick Henry students. Opponents also questioned what alternative swing space sites would have cost.

Alexandria City Public Schools said in a statement the board added the following language to the proposal:

• ACPS commits to work with the City of Alexandria to further examine the plan's impact on traffic and student drop-off, and to make needed adjustments to alleviate traffic concerns.
• ACPS commits to work with the City of Alexandria to further examine the plan’s impact on parking, and to identify, in advance of the Douglas MacArthur move-in, both on-site and off-site options that will ensure adequate parking for school staff and parents of both schools, and members of the community.
• ACPS commits to demolish the old Patrick Henry school upon completion of the new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.
• ACPS commits to immediately explore the feasibility of renovating/replacing George Mason Elementary School and Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology while the existing school sites remain in operation, and to identify alternative (non-Patrick Henry) swing space options for those sites in the event swing space is needed.
• ACPS commits to working with the City of Alexandria, including its Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA), to identify possibilities for enhancement of neighborhood open spaces and playgrounds that could be used by students and community members.

Going forward ACPS needs to request an amendment to the development special use from the Planning Commission and City Council. ACPS expects this process to happen in the fall.

The school district will begin planning upgrades to the old Patrick Henry building, traffic flow and other issues before Douglas MacArthur students move into the swing space. Douglas MacArthur students would move into the swing space for the 2020-2021 school year and move into their new building in early 2023. A Douglas MacArthur Advisory Group will be formed for input on the design of the rebuilt school.

The old school was set to be demolished after Patrick Henry Elementary School students moved into their new school earlier in 2019. In March, Alexandria City Public Schools and city officials began exploring the use of the old school as a swing space while Douglas MacArthur Elementary School is rebuilt.

ACPS Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. said at a community meeting the old Patrick Henry school isn't intended to be used for swing spaces other than Douglas MacArthur Elementary.