Virginia public school district approves $1.5 billion five-year capital improvement plan 

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), Virginia, approved its $1.5 billion five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) during its Dec. 10 meeting. 

The updated CIP builds on the previous plan, dedicating an additional $176.1 million in new project funding between Fiscal Years 2026 and 2031. The plan splits its funding between three project categories: sustainment, new capacity and improvements. For FY 2026, LCPS will allocate: 

• $94.6 million for sustainment projects. 

• $63.9 million for new capacity projects. 

• $17.6 million for improvement projects. 

A major inclusion is the district’s Capital Asset Preservation Program (CAPP), which has its own budget annually updated and was adopted as part of the larger CIP. The CAPP addresses maintenance and facility system component replacement, which supports overall building operation and sustainability. The latest CIP allocates $48 million for these projects, which will cover: 

• Electrical systems such as clocks, fire alarms, generators, lighting and switchgears. 

• Mechanical systems including chillers, control systems, HVAC equipment and cooling towers. 

• Plumbing systems including boilers, grease traps and water heaters. 

• Resurfacing projects for asphalt/concrete, poured-in-place playgrounds, tennis courts and running tracks. 

• Roofing. 

• Structure-related projects such as bleachers, doors, elevators, flooring, painting, turf fields and windows. 

Over the next year, the district will prioritize improving energy efficiency, buying land and renewing essential school systems. Outstanding investments include $40 million to acquire land, property and conduct due diligence; $17 million to renew critical systems; $12 million to support energy conservation and efficiency projects; and $10.3 million to replace school buses. 

The largest standalone project, receiving $18.1 million, will be the renovation and addition at Waterford Elementary School. Anticipated to open in 2027, the district will renovate and build a 14,000-20,000 square foot addition to the building. The expansion will feature a multipurpose room, four classrooms and ancillary spaces. Renovations will cover the facility’s cafeteria, kitchen and office areas. The completed project will remove all modular classrooms from the site. 

Photo by Josh Olalde on Unsplash