Veteran School Board Members Michelle Rief and Christopher Harris were unanimously chosen Thursday night (July 10) to lead the Alexandria School Board for the 2025-2026 school year.
The unanimous vote at the Board’s organizational meeting means a third one-year term for Rief as chair, and a first term in leadership for Harris. Rief and Harris thanked their colleagues for their support and said that the upcoming year will be challenging.
“There will be challenges ahead, but I’m confident that we will work through those challenges together,” Rief said. “I’m committed to putting in the work and partnering with all of you, my colleagues on the school board, ACPS, staff, and the entire community to nurture, educate, and inspire each and every Alexandria student.”
Harris said that he will continue to engage with his colleagues and Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt, and build on the work of the now-former Vice Chair, Kelly Carmichael Booz.
“I recognize the weight of responsibility,” Harris said. “I do not take it lightly.”
Rief was first elected to the School Board in 2018. She took the helm in 2023, following the two-year tenure of former Board Member Meagan Alderton as chair. Harris, a graduate of T.C. Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School) was elected in 2021 and reelected last year.
School Board Member Ashley Simpson Baird nominated Rief, and now-former Vice Chair Kelly Carmichael Booz seconded the motion. Simpson Baird said that Rief has been thoughtful in her leadership, and that the upcoming year won’t be easy.
“There is much work to do in the year ahead as we navigate a changing federal funding landscape, implement our new strategic plan, and adapt to a new state accountability system, all while our enrollment and student needs continue to grow,” Simpson Baird told Rief at the meeting. “I’m confident in your abilities to continue to lead us in the school division through these changes, and I’m grateful for your willingness to do so.”
Booz, vice chair for two years, nominated Harris to replace her.
“He’s exactly the leader we need in today’s climate, where equity has somehow become a negative buzzword,” Booz said of Harris. “Chris stands firm.”
Rief said that Harris brings a calm presence to meetings and work sessions.
“Being an ACHS alumni is really special,” Rief said, “and I’m looking forward to serving alongside you.”
ACPS provided the following press release to ALXnow following the vote.
Alexandria City School Board Reelects Dr. Michelle Rief and Elects Christopher Harris as Chair and Vice Chair at Annual Organizational Meeting
The Alexandria City School Board reelected Dr. Michelle Rief as chair of the Board for the 2025-26 school year and Christopher Harris was elected as vice chair at the School Board’s Annual Organizational meeting. Each leadership term is for one year.
“It’s a privilege to continue serving as the Alexandria City School Board Chair for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS),” said Dr. Rief. “Over the past few years, we’ve accomplished a great deal working each day to nurture, educate and inspire every student. As we move forward into the first year of our new strategic plan, I’m proud to continue partnering with my fellow Board members and Dr. Kay-Wyatt as we work together in ensuring each student is prepared to thrive in college, career and community.”
Dr. Michelle Rief is an experienced college professor and education non-profit executive. She was first elected to the Alexandria City School Board in 2018. Prior to joining the Board, she held leadership positions in the Mount Vernon Community School PTA and the Alexandria PTA Council. Rief was born into a military family and attended public schools in Iowa, California and Florida. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Florida State University and later a Ph.D. in African American Studies at Temple University. As a graduate student, she directed a non-profit prison education program that taught life skills to incarcerated individuals, many of whom had dropped out of school. She also served as a resident counselor for high school students attending A Better Chance and Upward Bound. Rief went on to become a professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York, and later at Northern Virginia Community College teaching history and sociology courses. Rief and her husband have lived in Alexandria since 2006 and they have two children who currently attend ACPS and one ACPS graduate.
The Alexandria City School Board reviewed the ACPS Strategic Actions for the 2025-26 school year during the July 10, 2025, Board meeting. The ACPS Strategic Actions highlight specific areas within the ACPS 2030 Strategic Plan for intentional prioritization in the first year of the plan’s implementation. The Board also reviewed its governance areas of focus for the coming year including: Board composition and election cycles, collective bargaining, stakeholder engagement, advisory committees, strategic plan implementation and monitoring, redistricting implementation and middle school capacity.
“Stepping into this leadership role is both an honor and responsibility I take to heart,” said Christopher Harris. “I look forward to partnering with Dr. Rief, my fellow Board members, Dr. Kay-Wyatt and the Alexandria community to advance the ACPS Strategic Actions and helping create a safe, caring inclusive environment where students feel supported and respected.
Christopher Harris, a lifelong resident of Alexandria, Virginia, is serving his second term on the Alexandria City School Board, representing District C. Professionally, Harris is a Board Certified Safety Professional with expertise in infrastructure safety and sustainable urban development. His commitment to community service is demonstrated through his leadership roles, including four years as president of the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP, chairing the Political Action Committee, and serving two terms on the Alexandria Human Rights Commission, with one year as vice-chair. Harris has also dedicated himself for seven years as a varsity football coach and substitute teacher at Alexandria City High School (formerly known as T.C. Williams High School). Academically, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Economics from Norfolk State University and National Louis University, respectively. Growing up in Old Town Alexandria, Harris attended Jefferson-Houston, William Ramsay, George Washington, and T.C. Williams High School. He attributes his successful engineering career and business ventures in Alexandria to the solid educational foundation provided by Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). As a parent, he has seen his three children graduate from ACPS and pursue higher education. Harris is dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to opportunities that empower them to determine their own futures and is committed to advocating for the needs and rights of all students. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Angela, and their dog, Trey. His interests include studying Stoic philosophy, reading, and traveling. He is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
The mission of the Alexandria City School Board is to ensure that all students reach their highest academic potential and that they are prepared for citizenship, higher education and the workforce. To accomplish this goal, the Board makes policy, budget and leadership decisions that are aligned with the ACPS 2030 Nurture, Educate Inspire Strategic Plan and communicates with and engages stakeholders. More information about the School Board is available online.
The first regularly scheduled School Board meeting of the 2025-26 school year is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2025. For School Board meeting agendas and documents, visit the ACPS BoardDocs page. The School Board meeting webpage has information on how community members can view meetings live and participate.
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) serves more than 16,300 students who hail from more than 118 countries and speak 127 languages. ACPS has 18 schools, including two middle schools, two K-8 schools, one pre-K school and the internationally recognized Alexandria City High School. ACPS is committed to nurturing, educating and inspiring each student so they are prepared to thrive in college, career and community. Visit www.acps.k12.va.us.
