School bond would fund construction at Bren Mar Park Elementary School

A $435 million school bond referendum on the ballot for the Nov. 7 election includes construction funding for just one school in Mason District – Bren Mar Park Elementary.

The 2023 school bond calls for $55 million for construction at Bren Mar Park. Planning and design funds ($4 million) were covered by the 2021 bond. The project is currently in the permitting phase.

The 2023 bond would provide planning, design, or construction funds for 16 schools county-wide, three modular relocations, security vestibules, and inflation adjustments for previously funded bond projects.

Related story: Major upgrade planned for Bren Mar Park ES

Several school construction projects funded by previous bonds are underway in the Annandale/Mason District area, including Falls Church High School, Justice High School, Frost Middle School, and Wakefield Forest Elementary School.

Bren Mar Park Elementary, at 6344 Beryl Road in the Alexandria area of Mason District, had 493 students in prekindergarten through grade 5 in the 2022-23 school year. It’s currently at 100 percent of program capacity.

The project would include a new two-story addition and a new entrance, cafeteria, library, classrooms, bus loop, security vestibule, outdoor classroom, and stormwater system.

Related story: Braddock Elementary renovation completed

The gym and administrative suite would be renovated. Classrooms, support spaces, and outdoor play areas would be reconfigured. Parking capacity would be increased from 73 to 123 spaces.

Construction is expected to start in spring 2024. The project would be completed in fall 2026.