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UPDATE, March 27, 2026, 9:20 a.m.: Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt sent a personal message to ACPS families and staff Friday morning, citing family as the reason for her decision to retire and offering her first public remarks since Thursday's announcement. Full story here.
The Alexandria City School Board voted Thursday to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, who has led Alexandria City Public Schools since being permanently appointed to the role in May 2023. Kay-Wyatt will retire Oct. 1, 2026, officials announced.
Kay-Wyatt, who first joined ACPS in an interim capacity before her permanent appointment, will remain in her role through the start of the 2026-27 school year to support the transition, including the rollout of new school attendance boundaries this fall.
School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief issued a statement on behalf of the board following the vote."
"Over the past four years, Dr. Kay-Wyatt has led Alexandria City Public Schools with dedication, warmth, and a deep commitment to students, staff, families and the broader community," Rief said. "Her genuine connection with students and staff will leave a lasting mark."
Rief's statement, provided following the vote, characterized the departure as a retirement. The district's formal news release described it as a resignation effective Oct. 1, 2026.
During her tenure, Kay-Wyatt oversaw the opening of three new facilities — Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, the Alexandria City High School Minnie Howard Campus and a temporary George Mason Elementary School campus on Beauregard Street. She also guided the district through a school boundary redistricting process, launched a 2025-30 strategic plan, advanced career-focused academies at Alexandria City High School and initiated the district's collective bargaining process — the centerpiece of an ongoing budget dispute with Alexandria City Council over a first-ever $12.7 million agreement with the teachers union that remains contingent on city funding.
Kay-Wyatt's retirement also leaves the district managing a second simultaneous leadership vacancy. ACPS launched a nationwide search earlier this month for a new principal at Alexandria City High School, which has operated without a permanent leader since July 2025. The school board is expected to approve a new principal at its May 28 meeting.
Before the vote, the board entered closed session and voted to dispense with the superintendent's attendance during a portion of the meeting, a standard procedural step when a board considers personnel matters involving the superintendent.
"It has been a privilege to serve the students, staff, families, and community of Alexandria," Kay-Wyatt said in a statement. "ACPS is a special community, and I will always be proud of what we have accomplished together."
The board said it will immediately begin searching for a permanent superintendent, with plans to hire an outside search firm to lead what Rief called "a professional, efficient, and results-driven process that includes community input." The board said it would consider an interim appointment only if necessary, stating a "strong preference" to move directly to permanent leadership. Additional details on the search process will be shared in April.
Families and staff have already begun receiving a ParentSquare letter with the announcement.
Alexandria City Public Schools serves more than 15,900 students across 18 schools.
This story is developing and will be updated.
Full statement from ACPS
"Alexandria City School Board Accepts Resignation of Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Alexandria City School Board announced this evening that it has accepted the resignation of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, effective October 1, 2026.
The announcement was made following a School Board vote on March 26, 2026. Dr. Kay-Wyatt will remain in her role through the beginning of the 2026–27 school year to support continuity and a smooth leadership transition, including the implementation of new school attendance boundaries this fall.
“Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt has led Alexandria City Public Schools with heart, strength, and an unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and families,” said School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief. “During her time as superintendent, she has helped guide our school division through periods of both progress and complexity, always centering the needs of students and working to strengthen our schools. We are deeply grateful for her service and wish her all the best in her retirement.”
Dr. Kay-Wyatt has served as superintendent since 2022 and has overseen several major initiatives and milestones across the school division.
During her tenure, ACPS:
- Opened three new facilities: Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, the Alexandria City High School Minnie Howard Campus, and the temporary George Mason Elementary School campus on Beauregard Street;
- Completed a complex school boundary redistricting process;
- Launched the 2025–30 Strategic Plan to guide the future direction of ACPS;
- Advanced the implementation of career-focused academies at Alexandria City High School;
- Supported academic recovery efforts following the pandemic;
- Enhanced school safety and security measures across the school division; and
- Initiated the school division’s collective bargaining process.
Throughout her leadership, Dr. Kay-Wyatt has also been known for her visible presence in schools and her strong connection to students, staff, and the community.
“It has been a privilege to serve the students, staff, families, and community of Alexandria,” said Dr. Kay-Wyatt. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I had to lead this school division and to work alongside so many dedicated educators, leaders, and supporters of public education. ACPS is a special community, and I will always be proud of what we have accomplished together.”
The School Board will immediately begin the process of selecting the next permanent superintendent. According to School Board leadership, the school division plans to engage an experienced search firm to lead a professional, efficient, and community-informed search process. The School Board’s goal is to identify and appoint a new superintendent as quickly as possible, while considering an interim appointment only if necessary to ensure continuity.
The School Board will share additional information with students, staff, families, and the community as the process moves forward."
Full statement from Chair Rief
"March 26, 2026 - Statement from School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief on the Retirement of Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt
I am going to read a statement on behalf of the school board regarding the vote we just took. A letter with this information will go out to all families and staff through ParentSquare tomorrow morning.
On behalf of the Alexandria School Board the board has accepted the resignation of …. Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, effective with her retirement on October 1, 2026. Dr. Kay-Wyatt will remain in place through the start of the 2026–2027 school year, ensuring continuity and a smooth transition, including the implementation of new school attendance boundaries this fall.
Over the past four years, Dr. Kay-Wyatt has led Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) with dedication, warmth, and a deep commitment to students, staff, families and the broader community. She oversaw the opening of three new facilities—Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, the Alexandria City High School Minnie Howard Campus, and the temporary George Mason Elementary School on Beauregard Street—while guiding a complex school redistricting process and launching a new strategic plan.
During her tenure, the school division implemented career-focused academies at Alexandria City High School as a part of the multi-year High School Project, bolstered academic recovery efforts, enhanced safety and security, and initiated collective bargaining. Through it all, Dr. Kay-Wyatt has been a visible and approachable presence across our schools, and her genuine connection with students and staff will leave a lasting mark. We are grateful for her service and appreciate all she has contributed.
The Board will immediately begin the process of selecting our next permanent superintendent. We plan to engage an experienced search firm to lead a professional, efficient, and results-driven process that includes community input. Our goal is to have a new superintendent in place as quickly as possible. We will only consider an interim appointment if needed to ensure continuity—our strong preference is to move directly to permanent leadership. Additional information on the search process will be shared in April.
As this process moves forward, we are committed to keeping you informed and creating opportunities for your voice to be heard. Our schools are filled with talented educators and staff, our families are engaged and invested, and our students continue to inspire us every day. There is important work ahead, and this transition is an opportunity to build on the progress we have made and chart an ambitious path forward—together.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Sincerely,
Michelle Rief
Chair, Alexandria City School Board
On Behalf of the Alexandria City School Board"
Ryan Belmore
