Human resources chief Melanie Kay-Wyatt chosen as ACPS interim superintendent

The Alexandria School Board promoted Melanie Kay-Wyatt as the interim superintendent on Thursday night (July 28).

Kay-Wyatt was hired last year as the chief of human resources for Alexandria City Public Schools, and will have the interim superintendent position for at least the 2022-2023 school year or until a permanent superintendent is chosen.

“This was a big decision for our school board, and we’re very excited to welcome Dr. Kay-Wyatt to this role,” School Board Chair Meagan Alderton said. “I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Dr. Kay-Wyatt will do to help us to move on.”

The announcement follows the June resignation of Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., who will step down at the end of August.

“We’re going to have an amazing school year,” Kay-Wyatt told the School Board. “I am very fortunate to stand before an amazing school community this evening. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I look forward to working with strong leaders, amazing staff and it’s just an opportunity for us to get better and better.”

Board Member Abdel Elnoubi thanked Kay-Wyatt for stepping up.

“Thank you so much for willing to step up in a challenging time for education and for educators,” Elnoubi said. “I also believe the fact that we had so many qualified applicants with different skill sets and backgrounds wanting to lead this division and be here in Alexandria speaks volumes about who we are in this Alexandria community.”

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’s in educational leadership from University of Mary Washington and a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. She previously worked in human resources in Spotsylvania Public Schools, and as a principal and assistant principal at Fredericksburg City Public Schools.

Kay-Wyatt will be paid $21,383 monthly, and the Board will “immediately begin the search process for a permanent superintendent, which will include opportunities for input from staff, students, families and  community members,” according to ACPS.

Congrats to Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt on her appointment as our interim @ACPSk12 Superintendent.

This is a critical time in public education and specifically for Alexandria’s students. I look forward to working with Dr. Kay-Wyatt to move our system forward.https://t.co/qDboJSVjHE

— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) July 29, 2022

I am looking forward to working with you, Dr. Kay-Wyatt! https://t.co/9h31wJKYLx

— Jacinta Greene (@Jacinta4ACPS) July 29, 2022

Congratulations Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt on being appointed @ACPSk12 Interim Superintendent!!

I’d like to thank Dr. Hutchings for his service, and thank our Board Chair and everyone who worked hard throughout this process.

My full statement attached.

Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/aYsbH7tKBL

— Abdel Elnoubi (@AbdelElnoubi) July 28, 2022

Welcome to @MelanieKayWyatt! Thrilled to have her take the helm as @ACPSk12 Interim Superintendent. Let’s get to work! Or in your case – continue and build on the great work! https://t.co/ui3bgpaM07

— Kelly Carmichael Booz (she/her) (@kellycbooz_acps) July 29, 2022