Dozens of parents, teachers and longtime neighbors used the council’s public hearing to press elected officials to oppose the Alexandria School Board’s plan to convert Jefferson‑Houston Elementary from a preK–8 community model to a middle school, saying the change would uproot a Title I neighborhood school and worsen capacity problems elsewhere.

Speakers said the plan was rushed, did not include adequate community engagement and disproportionately affects students who are low income and Black. Several requested that the city council press the school board to pause the conversion and pursue alternatives, including a new middle school site that would relieve regional overcrowding without closing or repurposing Jefferson‑Houston.

Parents described Jefferson‑Houston as a “walkable, community school” that provides wraparound services and a stable learning environment. “They lied to us when they said they briefed the plan to the community,” said a Jefferson‑Houston parent who urged council to reject the school board’s proposal. Tiffany Dixon, a redistricting committee representative for Lyles‑Crouch Traditional Academy, called for “thoughtful planning, transparency, and adequate support” during any transition and asked that receiving schools be provided staff and resources before students are redistricted.

Speakers cited data about student need. A parent and speaker representing Jefferson‑Houston families told council the school serves a high share of economically disadvantaged students and children with special needs, and that converting the building now — after a recent capital investment and a less‑than‑decade‑old reconstruction — would “splinter that community.” Helen Morris, who said she was on the school board that planned the current K–8 facility, described the previous building as substandard and defended the long process that produced the current, purpose‑built facility.

Opponents criticized the school board’s public process. Multiple speakers said the school board failed to provide timely and meaningful briefings to parents and community stakeholders before advancing the proposal, and one said she had filed suit asking the board to hold a public hearing on the closure. Several speakers asked the City Council to use its convening power and its scheduled meetings with school‑system leaders to insist on more transparent engagement and to explore alternative capacity solutions.

Council members heard the requests but did not take a formal vote on the school‑board plan at the meeting. Councilman Chapman said he expected the council would not support the closure plan as currently proposed and urged exploration of land or new facilities for a citywide middle school solution instead of converting neighborhood elementary seats. Several council members said they plan further discussions with the school board and community leaders.

Parents said they will continue organized attendance at council meetings to press the issue. Councilmembers and staff said they will place follow‑up meetings on the calendar with school officials to review the plan, community engagement records and alternative proposals.