Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s our compilation of the most-read stories of the week.
Our top story this week is on the sad news of the death of Tiffany Barner, a longtime Alexandria educator and a Dean of Students at Alexandria City High School. The ACHS community was notified of Barner’s death in a note July 21 (Monday) from ACHS Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell.
Alexandria School Board Chair Michelle Rief responded today to the stinging letter from the PTSA of Alexandria City High School laying out “serious concerns” with Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt and the school system’s central office.
While not naming Kay-Wyatt in the June 18 response, Rief wrote that the PTSA’s letter “rightly calls out the challenges that turnover can cause,” but listed several highlights from the school over the past year for context.
After serving as the executive principal of Alexandria City High School for two years, on Thursday, Alexander Duncan III announced his departure, effective June 30.
Duncan said that he has accepted another role, and thanked staff in an email. Duncan was the ACHS Minnie Howard Campus administrator, and replaced ACHS Executive Principal Peter Balas after his departure in 2023. Duncan will start his new role as principal of Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington.
It wasn’t just raining outside today. Tears of happiness streamed from students, parents, educators, and city leaders as 984 Alexandria City High School seniors graduated at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena. That’s the largest graduating class in ACHS history.
Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt told the students that now is the time for them to harness their potential, creativity, brilliance, and resilience.
The City of Alexandria wants to hear from you about proposed safety improvements near Alexandria City High School on King Street. They’re hosting an open house on June 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria at 3330 King St.
The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is leading this effort to enhance safety and improve traffic flow in front of the school. Residents will have a chance to learn about current conditions and proposed changes and share their thoughts with the project team.
The debate over editorial control at Alexandria City High School’s student newspaper, Theogony, has drawn input from students, city leaders, and school officials after proposed policy changes raised concerns about censorship.
As the School Board committee sends the issue back for more discussion, we’re asking our readers to weigh in: Who should hold the authority to approve or reject student articles?
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
🌥️ Today’s weather: Isolated showers before 8 a.m., then scattered showers after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight – Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., then isolated showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. South wind 5 to 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
