Interim Superintendent Appointed At Alexandria City Public Schools

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Thursday, the Alexandria City School Board appointed Melanie Kay-Wyatt has interim superintendent, effective Sept. 1.

Kay-Wyatt will temporarily replace Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. who announced his resignation effective Aug. 31. The interim superintendent's contract lasts through June 30, 2023 or until a permanent superintendent is hired at Alexandria City Public Schools.

Kay-Wyatt joined ACPS in July 2021, previously serving as acting chief of human resources and executive director of human resources. She currently serves as chief of human resources at ACPS. She will become the second Black female interim superintendent at ACPS and will have a monthly salary of $21,383.

"Dr. Kay-Wyatt is a proven instructional leader whose background and skills as a special education teacher, principal and central office leader make her the right person to lead our school division at this time," said Alexandria School Board Chair Meagan Alderton in a statement. "We are confident that the knowledge, trust and relationships she has built within the ACPS community will serve her well as interim superintendent and we look forward to working more closely with her."

Before joining ACPS, Kay-Wyatt worked in human resources at Spotsylvania Public Schools, as principal and assistant principal at Fredericksburg City Public Schools, and special education teacher at Culpeper County Schools and Fredericksburg City Public Schools. Other past positions have been executive coach, educational consultant, and adjunct faculty member at the College of William and Mary and Shenandoah University.

She has also held leadership positions with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and has won Jaycees Educator of the Year and the James Monroe High School Teacher of the Year. Kay-Wyatt has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mary Washington College, a master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University, a master of education degree in educational leadership from University of Mary Washington and a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.

According to an ACPS news release, Kay-Wyatt has helped the school district increase recruitment and hiring, boost partnerships with universities, design the staff vaccination and testing requirement process, and respond to reassigning staff as needed during staff shortages. Kay

As interim superintendent, Kay-Wyatt plans to emphasize social, emotional and academic learning, meeting all needs of students, and a safe and welcoming environment for the ACPS community.

"I am honored and excited to serve our school community and students as the interim superintendent for ACPS," said Kay-Wyatt in a statement. "I look forward to collaborating with our division leadership, our outstanding principals and dedicated staff in a new capacity as we work together to inspire our students, remove barriers to learning and prepare them for success in school, careers and life."

The Alexandria City School Board is now starting the search process for a permanent superintendent and plans to collect input from the community.