Alexandria schools — the school board, ACPS policies and budget, private and parochial schools, and the students, teachers, and athletics shaping local education.
The board unanimously chose Harris, its District C representative and outgoing vice chair, to lead during a year that includes a superintendent search and transition. Alexander Crider Scioscia was elected vice chair.
Drop-off runs through Aug. 10 at Alexandria City High School
Closed session will cover Harrison lawsuit, federal Title IX probe and collective bargaining
In written responses to The Alexandria Brief, Chair Dr. Michelle Rief confirmed the collective bargaining agreement has not been ratified, named the administrator now running the division and made the case that ACPS's budget pressures are structural. Her full responses appear below.
The state completed its first class of the recognition program this week. Alexandria's Early Childhood Center principal, named in the spring, is the division's lone honoree.
In a message to families and staff, Board Chair Michelle Rief said board-approved designees will run the division and asked the community to respect Dr. Kay-Wyatt's privacy. ACPS did not specify the reason for the leave or its expected length.
The ad hoc body will study staggered terms, board size and composition, with a report due November 10 — but the 6-1 vote exposed deep skepticism about whether any of it will move the needle for students
The superintendent retires Oct. 1 after a year defined by the division's first collective bargaining process, a bruising budget fight, and a leadership transition still underway. The Alexandria Brief sent her office questions to reflect on it; ACPS later said the email never reached the division.
During a presentation on community partnerships, Tim Beaty said it "burns" him to hear residents argue the central office should be cut — pointing to the staff who secure millions in federal grants.
Nobody's ever happy with a budget. That's not the same as nobody trying.
The longtime ACPS administrator, introduced at Thursday's board meeting, takes over a four-campus school that has gone through repeated leadership turnover.
The board passed a $371 million operating budget and a $282 million capital plan, both 8-1, capping a year defined by a $13 million gap, 56 position cuts and the division's first collective bargaining process.
All nine members signed a Wednesday post defending their handling of a chaotic add/delete session, a move that appears aimed at heading off staff and union frustration before Thursday's adoption.
A last-minute legal warning that the board can't change pay without bargaining narrowed Tuesday's add/delete session to a handful of restorations, with the FY 2027 budget set for adoption Thursday
Board members go into tonight's work session with proposals to restore Afghan Family Liaisons, Communities in Schools funding, and parts of the renegotiated bargaining agreement that were cut from Superintendent Kay-Wyatt's $7.6 million in May adjustments
The ACHS PTSA's year-end newsletter raises concerns about the W. Braddock Road safety study and publishes a letter aimed at a separate, already-decided project